Recital videos, August 2019

September 5, 2019September 5, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ 1 Comment

Here are videos from my recent faculty recital at Delta State University. I performed the Saint-Saëns oboe, bassoon, and clarinet sonatas, plus the flute Romance and “The Swan” from The Carnival of the Animals as a baritone saxophone transcription.

“The Swan” is originally for cello, so I assumed it might work well as a baritone saxophone transcription. It turns out it really fits quite comfortably in the alto saxophone’s range, but I decided to take it on as a baritone piece anyway as a personal challenge.

Program Download

Favorite blog posts, June 2019

June 30, 2019July 1, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

International Clarinet Association (Nora-Louise Müller): The Bohlen-Pierce Clarinet: Exploring a New Tonality
The Flute View (Leighann Daihl Ragusa): Developing Your Ornamental Toolbox
Jenny Maclay: The Musician’s Guide to Studying Abroad: How to Turn Your Dreams Into Reality
Recorder Jen (Jennifer Mackerras): How you breathe in is vital to a good recorder tone
Dr. Pierce’s Bassoon Studio: A stand for an EWI
Nicole Riner, flutist: A graded list of flute etude books available on Petrucci: college level

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

Favorite blog posts, April 2019

April 30, 2019April 30, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Jennifer Stucki, oboist: Why is my Reed Playing Sharp and Flat?
Rachel Yoder, clarinet: Objective Language in Applied Music Instruction
Just Flutes Blog (Roderick Seed): Tips on Andersen Etudes: Op15, No. 3
Sam Newsome’s Blogsite: Soprano Sax Talk: Acute and Chronic Practicing
Bassoon Blog (Betsy Sturdevant): Contrabassoon for Dummies
The Flute Examiner (Kelly Wilson): 11 Cool Things About the Tongue
Peter da Silva Music: Woodwind Tips – Venting
Recorder Jen (Jennifer Mackerras): Why we should all start practising long notes
The Flute View (Jolene Madewell): 7 Tips for Sparking Joy in Your Practice Room

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

Favorite blog posts, February 2019

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

oboeinsight (Patty Mitchell): Conductors and Kindness, Part 3
bassoon blog (Betsy Sturdevant): Characteristics of a top-notch wind quintet
Bill Plake Music: Be Mindful of This Very Important Connection When Playing Your Instrument
Sam Newsome’s Blogspot: Soprano Sax Talk: Teacher and Student: Then What?
Practice Room Revelations – Jolene Harju: How I Regained Confidence In My Playing (After Becoming Too Afraid To Play)

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

Favorite blog posts, January 2019

January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Joffe Woodwinds: Practicing on the Gig
JQ Flute: Rough times happening? Oh look, there you are making gold out of it. Here’s 3 heartfelt observations about your playing to get you through the storm
Oboemotions: Promising Research
Kristopher King (bassoon): Low A
The Flute View: Creating and Refining Better Habits in Your Practice Room by Rena Urso
Wayne Leechford: Auditioning for All-District
Jenny Maclay (clarinet): My Winter Warm-Up Routine For Cold Days

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

Favorite blog posts, November 2018

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Stephen Caplan embraces plastic oboes. Related: Elizabeth Brown lists some signs that your wooden oboe has a crack.
Clarinetist Miranda Dohrman gives advice on building a freelance career.
Jennifer Mackerras provides solutions for recorders slipping and sliding around in your hands.
Peter Westbrook shares a 2003 interview with Herbie Mann, covering aspects of jazz flute playing, woodwind doubling, and more.
Oboist Jennet Ingle offers some suggestions on a good mindset for solo performance.
Clarinetist Jenny Maclay lists some reasons you might not be improving as much as you would like.

Favorite blog posts, October 2018

October 31, 2018October 31, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Oboist Jennifer Stucki offers some suggestions and resources for keeping a reed log.
Clarinetist Diana Haskell shares ideas on helping students avoid injury.
Flutist Roderick Seed explains a comprehensive method for memorizing music.
Anne Norman reports on the 2018 World Shakuhachi Festival.
Oboist Nuria Cabezas demonstrates hand and finger stretches.

Favorite blog posts, September 2018

September 30, 2018September 30, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

Heather Roche shares a list of easy/reliable clarinet multiphonics. Useful information here for composers and performers.
Eric Schultz examines the history of multiple tonguing on single reed instruments.
Jenny Maclay explores clarinet orchestral excerpts. (Also consider enlisting for the October Uhl Boot Camp.)
Flutist Kelly Wilson explains the anatomy and function of the arms.
Jennet Ingle discusses producing a resonant sound on the oboe.
Oboist Nuria Cabezas demonstrates some stretches for musicians.
Flutist Jessica Dunnavant deals with performance nerves.
Ariel Detwiler shares thoughts on fitting into a band or orchestra bassoon section.
Patty Mitchell spends some time away from her oboe.
Hannah Haefele offers some suggestions for warming up on the flute on a tight schedule.

Recital videos, August 2018

September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ 1 Comment

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 it was a valuable growth experience for me and a chance to perform some new repertoire.

Program Download

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

September 10, 2018September 10, 2018 ~ Bret Pimentel ~ Leave a comment

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: