Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

Favorite blog posts, September 2016

January 1, 2018September 30, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

So many great woodwind blog posts in September. The flute bloggers are on fire!

Deanna Mathews Kilbourne offers some fingering tips for the flute’s notoriously sharp C-sharp.
Oboist Jennet Ingle explores quarter tones. Also, an open letter to her students about making their own reeds.
Flutist Nicole Riner shares some creative practice tips.
Ed Joffe discusses the history of woodwind doubling.
Flutist Angela McCuiston gets into some nuts and bolts of teaching lessons remotely via internet.
Bassoonist Jolene Mason experiences burnout.
Flutist Andrée Martin warns against mindless, repetitive practicing.
Joan Martí-Frasquier provides an annotated list of amateur/student-appropriate baritone saxophone repertoire.
Flutist Rachel Taylor Geier offers some suggestions on lesson scheduling.
Viviana Guzman reports on the National Flute Association conference.

Recital videos, August 2016

March 14, 2017September 25, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

I performed a recital with a faculty colleague on our campus at Delta State University, and again at the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”). Program and videos are below. The idea behind the first half was to play Paris Conservatory competition pieces from 1916 (100 years ago). The Büsser and Lefebvre pieces are not unknown, and the Fauré … Read more

The best practice routine

September 2, 2022September 22, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Lately I’ve been on a diet that has a weekly “cheat” day. Six days out of the week, my meals are Spartan, but on cheat day I get to eat whatever I want. My guess is that isn’t the ideal way to manage my waistline. I would be better off eating more regimented meals every day. But I … Read more

A few thoughts on the new Roland Aerophone AE-10

January 27, 2021September 19, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Don’t get me wrong: it’s great to see another company get into this space, and I hope they will seek to innovate further in wind controllers and push other companies to do the same. But Roland’s new Aerophone AE-10 seems like a misstep.

Preparing for a multiple woodwinds recital

September 12, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

For over a decade, all of my solo recital performances have been on multiple woodwind instruments. Last month I performed (twice) a recital program with pieces played on flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and three saxophones. Here are some of the things I do to prepare. Practice the physical changes. I opened my program with an oboe piece, … Read more

Favorite blog posts, August 2016

July 19, 2022August 31, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

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

Go practice

August 21, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

I made this for my students.

Playing modern vs. “vintage”

February 2, 2018August 11, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Most of the time, an average car shopper should consider buying a recent model. Newer cars (ostensibly) have better safety features, better fuel efficiency, and the latest conveniences. Service and parts are likely available and inexpensive. Someone in the market for a “classic” car should know what they are getting into. Some older models might be cheaper … Read more

Favorite blog posts, July 2016

January 1, 2018July 31, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

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

Students and paying gigs

July 19, 2022July 15, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Sometimes I get phone calls from people hoping to hire my students for gigs. I’m delighted when I can pass a professional opportunity on to a hardworking, high-achieving student, but often these calls are troubling. Obviously, the callers want students because they assume students will work cheaply. Lots of college students work for not much money, … Read more