Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

Favorite blog posts, January 2016

January 1, 2018January 31, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Some nice work from woodwind bloggers in January:

Some good advice on Matt Stohrer’s Open Source Saxophone Project on inspecting a used saxophone.
Bassoonist Barry Stees suggests using multiple senses to improve technique.
Joan Martí-Frasquier shares a thorough altissimo fingering chart for baritone saxophone, including quarter tones.
Some good stuff from the D’Addario Reserve Method Program blog, including one from clarinetist Nick Councilor on some basics of ensemble etiquette and one from clarinetist Bradley Grasl on being your own teacher.

Don’t see your favorite blog here? (Your own, perhaps?) Make sure I know about it.

Creating fingering charts with diagrams from the Fingering Diagram Builder

November 21, 2022January 30, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Here are a few examples of how to create fingering charts with diagrams from the Fingering Diagram Builder, using music notation software, using a word processor, and using a text editor to create HTML code (such as for a website).

Endurance and breath support

March 14, 2017January 18, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Physical endurance can be an issue for woodwind players, most often manifesting as fatigue in the muscles of the embouchure. But in most cases I think tired facial muscles are a symptom of a more fundamental problem.

Practicing and the two-minute rule

November 21, 2018January 11, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

David Allen’s well-known book Getting Things Done is always within arm’s reach at my desk. I find its concepts and techniques valuable for managing my time and productivity. I don’t consciously use a lot of “GTD” ideas in my practicing, since practicing seems to me like a thing that is never “done.” (If any of you are … Read more

2015 in review

January 1, 2018December 31, 2015 by Bret Pimentel

Here are some of the things that went on here at your favorite woodwind blog during 2015.

Favorite blog posts, December 2015

January 1, 2018December 31, 2015 by Bret Pimentel

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, December 2015 edition.

Pedagogical recipes

March 14, 2017December 21, 2015 by Bret Pimentel

When conflicts exist between one school of thought and another, in some cases that is because one or both sides is incorrect. In other cases the problem is a communication failure: both sides are applying the same techniques in the same way, but describing them poorly (or at least differently). But I think there are other cases where the difference can be attributed to what I think of as different “recipes.”

Student-selected online woodwind pedagogy articles

January 20, 2018December 19, 2015 by Bret Pimentel

To be clear, I’m a lover of libraries, and for me there’s no question that there are tremendously valuable resources there that are not available online (yet?). But it seemed like time to experiment with embracing an online approach to the assignment.

Favorite blog posts, November 2015

January 1, 2018November 30, 2015 by Bret Pimentel

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, November 2015 edition.

Interview: Sarah Cosano, woodwind player and more

July 20, 2022November 29, 2015 by Bret Pimentel

Sarah Cosano is a busy working woodwind player (among other things). I initially reached out to Sarah about doing an interview because I was interested in her experiences with playing on cruise ships, but it turns out her musical experiences are quite varied. In 2000, Sarah was an MTNA National Competition winner, a featured performer on the … Read more