- DoctorFlute (Angela McBrearty): How to NOT Go Flat at the End of Notes
- Jenny Maclay (clarinet): Repertoire Recommendations Based on Standard Repertoire
- oboeinsight (Patty Mitchell): Advice from an Old Musician
Woodwinds: Clarinet
What kind of ligature should I get?
I’m on record as believing that clarinet and saxophone ligatures make little if any actual difference in how you sound. You’re welcome to disagree, but you might want to watch Michael Lowenstern’s video about it first. So, assuming the ligature has little direct influence on sound, what is the best kind to buy? Consider the … Read more
Why doesn’t my new mouthpiece work?
So you bought a new mouthpiece! How exciting. But wait—it’s not playing as well as you hoped. Maybe it squeaks, or some (or all) notes don’t come out very well, or the tuning is weird. Let’s consider some possible reasons why: A good rule of thumb is that a mouthpiece can’t give you skills, talent, … Read more
Recital videos, August 2022
I’m pleased to share videos from my recent Delta State University faculty recital, featuring the compositions of Yusef Lateef. A few are my own adaptations for altered instrumentation.
Favorite blog posts, August 2022
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, August 2022 edition.
Favorite blog posts, July 2022
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, July 2022 edition.
Favorite blog posts, June 2022
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, June 2022 edition.
What to listen for (or ignore) in cane vs. synthetic reed comparisons
With the recent release of the second-generation Venn clarinet and saxophone reeds from D’Addario Woodwinds, there’s a new rush of YouTube videos and social media posts comparing them to cane reeds (and/or to other synthetics). Here are a few questions raised by those kinds of comparisons that you should be cautious of: “Do synthetic reeds … Read more
Doubling up pinky fingers on the clarinet
There are two basic fingerings a clarinetist can use for B4: option 1 option 2 But there are some other possibilities, such as adding either of the pinky C keys. Doing this doesn’t open or close any additional toneholes, so the note isn’t affected at all: option 3 option 4 While the extra pinky finger … Read more
Favorite blog posts, February 2022
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, February 2022 edition.