Tag: health
Woodwind technique and conservation of energy
That people prefer to move in energetically optimal ways has been established for decades and now represents a central principle of movement science. … Energy optimization may also occur over the course of a lifetime, as years of experience could allow people to learn the optimal way to move in familiar situations and allow training …
Preparing for a fatiguing performance
If you are practicing and concerned about fatigue during an upcoming performance, here are some (woodwind-centric) things to consider. Embouchure. The embouchure is a frequent site for fatigue, but it shouldn’t be. Embouchure pain or tiredness in a conventional performance situation is usually a sign of incorrect tone production technique. (Not a matter of needing …
Update: COVID-19 wind playing resources
In a recent blog post I offered a few personal thoughts on wind playing and the COVID-19 crisis, and began listing some articles and resources related to the topic. I have now moved those to a separate and freshly-updated page. If you are aware of other resources, feel free to bring them to my attention …
Wind playing and contagious diseases
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in CareerI’m not a (medical) doctor or disease expert of any kind, but I’ve been thinking a bit about the instruments I play and the risks of catching or spreading disease. (At the time of this writing, Covid-19 is foremost in many people’s minds.) I’m presenting a few thoughts here in hopes that people with real …
Hi, come on in, you’re right on time for your lesson.
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in EducationI have lots on things on my list for you today: we should double-check your rhythms on that etude, review those melodic minor scales that were giving you trouble last week, and discuss some finer points of vibrato. But something about your sunken eyes when I met you at the door, the way you slouched …
When you’re too sick for a lesson
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in EducationSometimes I have students cancel their lessons due to seemingly very minor, manageable health concerns (physical or mental). Other times students drag themselves to lessons when they are clearly miserable and contagious. The better approach is clearly somewhere in the middle, but my newest college students are usually living away from their parents and the …
Getting past frustration and burnout
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in MusicianshipEvery musician (and music student) goes through periods of frustration and burnout. But there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
My studio “fresh air” policy
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in EducationLast year I posted a small sign on my studio door: Fresh air policy If you smell of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs, you will not be permitted to enter my office, whether or not you were the one using those substances. If your grade depends on you being here for a lesson, coaching, or …
