Woodwinds

The ability to play auxiliary instruments is an invaluable asset for professional musicians, but not everyone can perform as effectively on a secondary instrument as they do their primary.
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In teaching proper tone production on wind instruments, we always check on basic items: Proper mouthpiece, good reeds, proper formation of the embouchure, and of course, proper breath support. We teach students that breathing the proper is…
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Students often putheys the side keys of the saxophone down without realizing it. Show the student where they are touching the side keys with the inside or palm of their hands. The student must arch their hand around the saxophone in order…
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Sound On your initial play test, you should be asking yourself the all-important question; "Does this clarinet play with the sound for which I am looking". Play slowly in all registers paying special attention to the color and vibrancy of…
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Correct embouchure is the most important aspect of playing which beginning clarinet students must achieve during their first year. As any band director knows, there are several other skills needed that first year - - but none so crucial as…
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It has been nearly fifty years since Dr. Eugene Rousseau opened his saxophone studio at the Indiana University School of Music in 1964. The renowned wind faculty which included Rousseau, William Bell, Keith Brown, Philip Farkas, Leonard…
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There are perils involved in playing the piccolo, but there are also many rewards. Moreover, with the "population explosion" in the sheer number of flutists these days, you will find yourself more in demand than a correspondingly good…
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The major components of a mouthpiece can be generalized to the interior, the facing, and the tip opening. The components and their effects are described below, so you may put your knowledge to use and select the mouthpiece that is best for…
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Whenever there is more than one clarinet player in a room, the conversation inevitably turns to the subject of reeds. In my many years as a performer and teacher, I have endeavored to take some of the mystery and myth out of this open-ended…
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The major points of interest include the story of JUNO, a dealer locator, strength comparisons, and videos about the product - one featuring an interview with Bernard Van Doren who relates his reasoning behind the revolutionary new reed.
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Crossing the break is often one of the major problems a clarinet student may have. There are many reasons for this. This section of clarinet study will deal with that problem, and try to eliminate or at least ease the problem with which…
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The instrument, of course, is important, but the right reed/mouthpiece combination is also essential. I find may young students take the path of least resistance and use a reed/mouthpiece set-up that plays with little effort. This will not…
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The following tips are from a series of articles which I have written for BandWorld Magazine. The first issue on teaching the clarinet started with the March-April, 1996 issue and will continue through the August-September, 1996 issue. To…
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