The International Clarinet Association blog provides an introduction to Kornel Wolak’s research on clarinet articulation.
Érik González shares five tips to improve the oboe reedmaking process.
Saxophonist Andy Austin does postmortem on a disappointing performance.
Clarinetist Denise Gainey shares a personal experience with anxiety and self-care.
Saxophonist Bill Plake takes a deep dive on warming up.
Bassoonist David Pierce reflects on 35 years of growth as a teacher.
Jennifer Fraley shares some alternate fingerings for E-flat clarinet.
Flutist Jennifer Cluff reveals a favorite resource for study of ornaments.
Stephen Caplan examines the connection between oboe playing and some gastric phenomena.

Favorite blog posts, April 2017

Bassoonist Anna Norris suggests showing up for auditions.
Michael Shults switches between jazz and classical saxophone.
David Freeman transcribes recorder parts for Stairway to Heaven (but plays them on an electric keyboard…).
Michael Lowenstern addresses a bass clarinet reed question.
Flutist Vanessa Breault Mulvey discusses squeezing’s detrimental effect on flute playing.
Saxophonist Bill Plake discusses tone imagination.
Flutist Jolene Harju shares ideas for getting the most out of your lessons. I also liked her “Fundamentals Workout Planner.”
Jennet Ingle learns something about disappointing performances.
Saxophonist Jay Brandford shares an Eric Dolphy anecdote about dedication to detail in practicing.
Matt Stohrer shares his procedure for “setting up” a new saxophone. This is sort of a commercial post, but instructive about what a new instrument might need to play to its best potential.
Flutist Jennifer Cluff explains anchor tonguing.

Favorite blog posts, January 2017

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.

Saxophonist Bill Plake discusses the relationship between strength and coordination in instrumental technique.
Jenny Maclay lists some important clarinet repertoire, in a festive format.
Clarinetist Denise Gainey shares a funny and relatable gig story.
David Pierce offers exercises for upper-register bassoon playing in sharp keys. I also liked this mini-etude for dealing with some common in-the-staff issues.
Khara Wolf compiles some information on making English horn reeds.
Oboist Patty Mitchell reminds us about posture and practicing.

Rachel Taylor Geier offers a “practice blueprint” for the Poulenc flute sonata. I also liked her post on playing second flute (applicable to players of other instruments, too).
Meri Dolevski-Lewis makes a case for not hiring woodwind doublers for performing or teaching gigs.
Flutist Deanna Mathews Kilbourne discusses what an electronic tuner (or tuner app) is and isn’t good for.
Saxophonist Ben Britton explains his theory about ligature position.
Chris Hankin lists and comments on classical-period flute concerti by composers who aren’t Mozart.
Clarinetist Jenny Maclay shares warm-up routines in small, medium, and large sizes.
Cate Hummel offers suggestions on teaching the flute’s third octave.
“Quinn the Eskimo”(?) expounds the history of the Mazzeo-system clarinet, with references.
Eryn Oft discusses bassoons in the less-than-$5000 category. (Fair warning: she appears to have some kind of financial arrangement with one of the makers in question.)
Bassoonist and historical-woodwinds player Theresa Koenig shares her experience with practicing and Alexander Technique.
Saxophonist Bill Plake recommends practicing with vision.

The Clarinet Online, the International Clarinet Association’s blog, gives reports on many of their August conference events. Jessica Harrie also makes a report, as does Chastine Hofmeister (two posts).
Cynthia Ellis shares a couple of third-octave piccolo trill fingerings.
The “Clarinet Things” blog outlines a method for practicing scales. Saxophonist Ben Britton shares some tips for polishing them.
Oboist Aaron Lakota gives some advice on breaking out of a “reed rut.”
Sandy Herrera is running a clarinet audition-prep challenge.
Woodwind player David Freeman relates an experience playing for a musical.
Eric Seddon comments on some jazz clarinet history.
Simon Barker offers advice on how to record a saxophone.
Oboist Jennet Ingle discusses her experience recording an album.
“Ericdano” reveals some saxophonists’ favorite electronic effects pedals.
Saxophonist Bill Plake explores “compression” and wind playing.