- DoctorFlute (Angela McBrearty): Bending Pitch to Work on Intonation
- Khara Wolf (oboe/flute): Is an embouchure injury possible?
- Meerenai Shim (flute): 3rd octave contrabass flute fingering ideas
- Hodge Products, Inc.: Latest News (oboe/bassoon, Tim Hodge): Are Synthetic Reeds Better than Cane? [disclaimer: could be construed as a commercially-motivated post, but contains good information]
Common woodwind-playing myths
Watch out for these woodwind myths: “Support from your diaphragm“ “Tighten your embouchure“ “Use your tongue to start notes“ “Let your lower lip roll over your teeth“ “We tune to the oboe because it’s untunable or has special overtones or something“ “Keep your fingers close to the keys so you can play faster“ “Crossing the … Read more
Written jazz articulation problems
In classical music for wind players, articulation markings are gospel—part of the composer’s intent, to be performed with accuracy. But printed jazz music, such as arrangements published for high school or college big bands, can take varied approaches to articulation markings.
Favorite blog posts, September 2022
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, September 2022 edition.
Why do I need to use alternate fingerings?
Woodwind instruments including the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone all have more than one fingering for some notes. Why is that, and do you need to learn them all?
Is jazz swing triplety, or not?
Here are some helpful generalizations we can make about swing rhythms.
Recital videos, August 2022
I’m pleased to share videos from my recent Delta State University faculty recital, featuring the compositions of Yusef Lateef. A few are my own adaptations for altered instrumentation.
Favorite blog posts, August 2022
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, August 2022 edition.
Half-holes on the Fingering Diagram Builder
Here are instructions for using the Fingering Diagram Builder’s half-hole function.
Listing your woodwind doubles
Here is a question I’ve gotten a few times recently: if you’re a woodwind doubler, and need to list your instruments, in what order do you list them? Here are some options.