Steve Neff Archives | Bret Pimentel, woodwinds

Flutist Nicole Riner lists extended techniques with some sample repertoire and practice tips.
Saxophone mouthpiece reviewer extraordinaire Steve Neff explains how to test a mouthpiece thoroughly.
Oboist Patty Mitchell offers a somber reminder that sexual harassment is an issue in the music world, too.
Clarinetist Liz Aleksander outlines a methodical approach to tuning.
Bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson gives some perspective on teachers and teaching.
The “Curious Clarinetist” tells a satirical tale of new instruments. [update: link dead]
Cynthia Ellis and Cate Hummel provide tips on playing the piccolo.
Clarinetist Jenny Maclay shares ideas for mastering a new repertoire piece besides just practicing.
Oboist Jennet Ingle discusses the importance of choosing the right reed for a performance (and which factors are most important).
Ariel Detwiler discusses some of the issues of choosing which students are good prospective bassoonists.

Favorite blog posts, August 2017

January 1, 2018August 31, 2017 by Bret Pimentel

Saxophonist Steve Neff explores the “holy grail” mindset with regard to mouthpieces.
Flutist Nicole Riner offers tips on making a living as a freelancer.
John Isley discusses finding a personal voice on wind controller.
Oboist Jennet Ingle discusses integrity in musical interpretation. (Note: also some political content.) Jennet’s new video series on reedmaking is also worth checking out.
Clarinetist Jenny Maclay shares a method for transitioning back into serious practicing after summer vacation.
Kristopher King shares an interesting bassoon museum piece.
Erin Nichols shows off acoustic paneling made especially for flute playing.

January 1, 2018November 30, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Ben Britton looks at some common saxophone tone production issues.
Flutist Deanna Mathews Kilbourne reminds us to play in tune, even alone.
Oboist Jennet Ingle provides a peek into a “portfolio” career.
I mentioned previously this post by clarinetist Jenny Maclay on cueing (and attempted to expand upon it). Jenny also takes a look at the A-flat clarinet.
Cate Hummel gives advice on what order to teach new notes to beginning flutists.
Saxophonist Steve Neff explores the question of how much the mouthpiece matters.
I’m still enjoying Rachel Taylor Geier’s “practice blueprints” for flute repertoire. Here is Bach sonata #4.
“Ericdano” at jazz-sax.com suggests some essential gig gear.
Cynthia Ellis offers a brief thought on dynamics and the piccolo.

January 1, 2018April 30, 2016 by Bret Pimentel

Saxophonist Steve Neff shares a Joe Allard overtone exercise. (Read the comments section, too.)
Clarinetist Diana Haskell shares some results of asking colleagues what are the most important things about orchestral playing.
Helen Bledsoe shares some flute intonation exercises (could be adapted to other instruments).
Clarinetist Jenny Maclay offers advice on dealing with the mental baggage of being a musician. (Reminder: blog posts are not a substitute for professional counseling.)
Woodwind doubler Kelsey Mire makes a case for fair pay for doublers.
Saxophonist Bill Plake digs into reasons inefficient practice techniques get perpetuated.
Bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson answers questions about gender in the classical music world.
Oboist Jennet Ingle seeks balance between expression and technique.
Woodwind doubler David Freeman shares a funny pit experience. There are possibly teachable moments there if you care to draw them out.
Cate Hummel discusses solutions to third-octave problems, as well as when to introduce dynamics and vibrato to students.

July 21, 2022November 30, 2013 by Bret Pimentel

Some good stuff from the woodwind blogs in November:

I’m totally stoked that oboist Cooper Wright is blogging again, from a new location. Add this one to your RSS reader to follow his transition into a new job as co-principal oboist of the Thailand Philharmonic, and, of course, his endless reedmaking.
Saxophonist Steve Neff reviews the new John Coltrane Omnibook.
Helen Bledsoe searches for the elusive tin oboe. Spoiler alert: she doesn’t find one, but she tries some interesting things along the way.
Saxophonist Bill Plake warms up body and mind.
Bassoonist Betsy Sturdevant thoroughly prepares the Beethoven 4 solo.
Matt Otto takes a closer look at the 8th-note “swing” feel of three of the great jazz saxophonists. (Please don’t make the “oh, it’s just triplets” mistake.)
Jennet Ingle reminds us that effective doubling requires more than just being able to play the solos.
Adam at A Classical Journey is studying musical instrument repair and documenting the experience very thoroughly. The class has started its woodwind unit [update: link dead], so if you’re fascinated by this stuff like I am, then now is the time to tune in.