Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

Favorite blog posts, January 2017

January 1, 2018January 31, 2017 by Bret Pimentel

The flute bloggers have been busy this month.

Cynthia Ellis offers some ideas on altering flute fingerings with the right pinky.
Saxophonist Bill Plake provides some clarity on economy of movement vs. economy of effort.
Flutist Nicole Riner shares some ideas and resources related to the importance of hard work over talent.
Clarinetist Chastine Hofmeister gives some advice to young musicians on solo competitions.
Flutist Jolene Harju offers suggestions on rejuvenating your warm-up routine.
Flutist Nicole Chamberlain suggests prioritizing.

Low reed stand showdown: K&M vs. Hercules

January 24, 2017 by Bret Pimentel

Overall, I guess I lean toward the Hercules a little for bass clarinet, mostly because I could add, say, pegs for B-flat and E-flat clarinets and be ready for a utility clarinet gig. And I like the K&M slightly better for bassoon because its larger, softer cup makes a better target during a quick instrument switch.

Staying challenged

March 14, 2017January 18, 2017 by Bret Pimentel

I teach a small woodwind studio at a small university. That means that sometimes especially talented and hardworking students find they don’t have a lot of competition for ensemble placements, awards, and other things. Here’s what I suggest to students in that position, who want to stay motivated and challenged but have bumped up against … Read more

Musicians should embrace carry-on baggage fees

January 3, 2018January 7, 2017 by Bret Pimentel

People are outraged over an airline’s announcement that its cheapest fares will no longer cover carry-on baggage. (This isn’t the first time that airlines have charged fees for carry-on bags.) My experience flying with musical instruments as carry-ons has been stressful at best. This passage from an economics textbook rings true to me: The battle begins in the gate … Read more

2016 in review

January 1, 2018December 31, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Here are some of the things that went on here at your favorite woodwind blog during the past year, and some things to look for in 2017. My biggest “hits” in terms of site visits and social media response were Please stop telling you clarinet students to tighten their embouchures, A few thoughts on the new Roland Aerophone … Read more

Favorite blog posts, December 2016

July 19, 2022December 31, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, December 2016 edition.

Responding to free or low-paying gigs

September 9, 2022December 14, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Here are some sample scripts for phone calls or emails about “gigs” that pay nothing, or not enough.

What I would do differently as a college music major

March 14, 2017December 7, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Believe it or not, some of my college students make mistakes that seem somehow familiar. If I could go back to college (and graduate school) and do it all over, here are a few things I might choose to do differently. Embrace my teachers’ approaches. As readers of this blog know, I tend to be a bit … Read more

Favorite blog posts, November 2016

January 1, 2018November 30, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, November 2016 edition.

Student-selected online woodwind pedagogy articles, 2016 edition

July 19, 2022November 22, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

What I want my class to get from the assignment is a sense of how to sift through the information (“information”) available online, taking into account the author’s credentials or sources, a common-sense evaluation of ideas, and applicability to a particular teaching situation. Be careful out there.