New article: Exploring Synthetic Reeds

Check out my article published in the June 2025 issue of The Clarinet, “Exploring Synthetic Reeds.” It’s a survey of the synthetic reeds currently on the market for B-flat/A clarinets, plus some general thoughts on the current viability of synthetics for clarinet playing. The article is available in the print magazine, as well as on the International Clarinet Association’s blog, The Clarinet [Online].

The Clarinet doesn’t do product reviews per se, so the article doesn’t include any rankings/judgments/critiques of the individual reeds, but rest assured I’ve got some opinions. Stay tuned!

Favorite blog posts, April 2025

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, April 2025 edition.

Favorite blog posts, February 2025

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, February 2025 edition.

Favorite blog posts, November 2024

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, December 2024 edition.

Favorite blog posts, October 2024

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, October 2024 edition.

Recital videos, August–September 2024

I’m pleased to share videos from my recent recital mini-tour, performed at Delta State University, Mississippi State University, and East Mississippi Community College. The program was five works for five different woodwind instruments, all using live electronics. My electronic setup was a Shure SM58 microphone (for flute and oboe), a PiezoBarrel clarinet pickup, a Little-Jake bassoon … Read more

Review: PiezoBarrel “Wood” clarinet pickup

I’m a little late to the party here after Chris Mothersole’s recent article in The Clarinet, but I recently acquired a “PiezoBarrel” wind instrument pickup and wanted to share my experience. The PiezoBarrel pickup is a way to electrify wind instruments, for amplification and for the application of electronic effects, such as guitar effects pedals. … Read more

Favorite blog posts, May 2024

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, June 2024 edition.

Thumb position for oboe, clarinet, and saxophone

Proper position of the right thumb for oboe, clarinet, and saxophone can affect player comfort, ease of technique, and risk of injury. (Thumb position is important for flute and bassoon as well, but I find the issues different enough that I won’t lump them in here.) For oboe and clarinet, the right thumb supports the … Read more