Woodwinds: Woodwind doubling

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

by

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 Suite requires more-than-casual doubling on flute, clarinet, and saxophone. (Some of the altissimo in my performance isn’t in the original part.) Like most of Smith’s music, the Suite is light and appealing, with some rhythm/meter hijinks and a hint of jazz influence. Worth tackling if you’re a serious flute-clarinet-saxophone doubler and get a chance to work with a good wind ensemble.

Here’s a YouTube video (audio only) of the April 11 performance:

Frequently-asked questions about woodwind doubling, and their unpopular answers

by

Q. Should I be a woodwind doubler? A. In most cases, no. If you already feel driven to do it, and have the time and resources to devote to it, then maybe. Q. What’s the trick to getting in enough practice time on all these instruments? A. Figure out what to de-prioritize in your life … Read more

Favorite blog posts, June 2018

by

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

Favorite blog posts, March 2018

by

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

Review: “Double Troubles” by Paul Saunders

by

A few months ago I wrote a review of So You Want to Play in Shows…?, a book of woodwind doubling etudes by Paul Saunders. Recently Paul sent me Double Troubles, a new collection of etudes. Like So You Want, the new volume includes a piano part plus access to downloadable backing tracks. As I said in the previous review: This is … Read more

Favorite blog posts, December 2017

by

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, December 2017 edition.

Jazz recital videos, August 2017

by

This year I played all jazz at my Delta State University faculty recital. Program and some selected videos are below. I’m very much a part-time jazz player, so it was fun to spend the summer trying to get my chops in shape to play tunes in a variety of styles on a variety of instruments. … Read more

Favorite blog posts, June 2017

by

Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, June 2017 edition.

Woodwind doubling on both oboe and bassoon

by

Mid- to late-20th-century music written for woodwind doublers, such as musical theater “books,” largely solidified around three main types of doubling specialists. The most common of these is the clarinet/saxophone/flute player. Less common but still widely used are the oboist with passable single reed skills, and the “low reeds” bassoon/bass clarinet/baritone saxophone player. In the … Read more