- Saxophonist Bill Plake discusses the relationship between strength and coordination in instrumental technique.
- Jenny Maclay lists some important clarinet repertoire, in a festive format.
- Clarinetist Denise Gainey shares a funny and relatable gig story.
- David Pierce offers exercises for upper-register bassoon playing in sharp keys. I also liked this mini-etude for dealing with some common in-the-staff issues [update: links dead].
- Khara Wolf compiles some information on making English horn reeds.
- Oboist Patty Mitchell reminds us about posture and practicing.
Woodwinds: Saxophone
Favorite blog posts, November 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, November 2016 edition.
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.
Favorite blog posts, September 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, September 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, May 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, May 2016 edition.
Favorite blog posts, April 2016
Hand-picked high-quality woodwind-related blog posts from around the web, April 2016 edition.