- 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.
Woodwinds: Clarinet
Student-selected online woodwind pedagogy articles, 2016 edition
What I want my class to get from the assignment is a sense of how to sift through the information (“information”) available online, taking into account the author’s credentials or sources, a common-sense evaluation of ideas, and applicability to a particular teaching situation. Be careful out there.
Woodwinds and “altissimo” registers
I recently had a saxophone student perform a repertoire piece with some altissimo technique in it, and a non-woodwind-playing musician asked me afterward about the instrument’s extended range. This led to further questions about “altissimo” on other instruments. The answers are a little complicated, but here is some information: The term “altissimo” suggests an extreme high … Read more
Favorite blog posts, October 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, October 2016 edition.
Recital videos, August 2016
I performed a recital with a faculty colleague on our campus at Delta State University, and again at the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”). Program and videos are below. The idea behind the first half was to play Paris Conservatory competition pieces from 1916 (100 years ago). The Büsser and Lefebvre pieces are not unknown, and the Fauré … Read more
Favorite blog posts, August 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, August 2016 edition.
Favorite blog posts, July 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, July 2016 edition.
Favorite blog posts, June 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, June 2016 edition.
Please stop telling your clarinet students to tighten their embouchures
Good clarinet playing requires a high voicing. That’s why your clarinet section is flat and tubby-sounding.
Favorite blog posts, April 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, April 2016 edition.