Favorite blog posts, January 2019

See the woodwind blogs I’m following, and suggest others!

FAQ: Ligatures

These are questions I am often asked about clarinet or saxophone ligatures, by blog readers or by my students. Is there a ligature that can accomplish _____ for me? If you are looking for something to hold the reed onto the mouthpiece, then yes. If you are hoping to achieve something loftier, then probably not. … Read more

Things beginning band directors say to clarinet sections

Tough love for teachers of beginning clarinetists.

Favorite blog posts, November 2018

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, November 2018 edition.

How to get 10 good reeds from a box

If you are getting less than 80% playable reeds from the boxes you are currently buying, buy different ones.

Favorite blog posts, October 2018

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, October 2018 edition.

Favorite blog posts, September 2018

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, September 2018 edition.

Recital videos, August 2018

Here are some videos from my recent Delta State University faculty recital. I enjoyed tackling Brett Wery’s challenging Sonata for multiple woodwinds (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone) and piano, plus some little oboe pieces and the André Previn bassoon sonata. As always, the goal was to challenge myself, so, as always, the performance had some hiccups. But … Read more

Recording: Claude T. Smith Suite with Delta State Wind Ensemble

A few months ago I got to perform Claude T. Smith’s Suite for Solo Flute, Clarinet, and Alto Saxophone with the Delta State University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Erik Richards. It’s a fun showpiece for a woodwind doubler with band, which I’ve had a few opportunities to perform over the last 10 years. The … Read more

Favorite blog posts, August 2018

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, August 2018 edition.