I began experimenting with extended techniques as soon as I began playing the saxophone. I remember my elementary school friends and I turning our mouthpieces upside down and squawking at each other. I also saw the percussive abilities of…
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Jazz classes must have a balance between preparing students for performances and teaching them to become jazz performers. The best way for students to learn how to learn heads is to do it daily. The next best way to teach students how to…
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One of the great things about being an adult amateur with a serious day job is that you probably have some disposable income that you can spend on your hobby. I say go ahead and spend it; have fun and buy what you want. You deserve it.
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For the most part, the top of the tongue just behind the tip of the tongue touches the reed. Only a tiny portion of the tongue is needed to touch the reed! Students often use too much of their tongue to touch the reed, creating loud, heavy…
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The purchase of a bassoon for use in a school can be a problem for many music teachers. It tends to be the least understood instrument in most programs and the offerings of the various makers can be baffling. Selecting a bassoon that best…
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In today's band program, percussionists are asked to play a wide variety of instruments ranging from Agogo Bells to Xylophones. Just as you would not have just one screwdriver in your toolbox, you wouldn't have 1 pair of mallets for every…
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Generally speaking, percussion music is very straightforward and has clear guidelines for who plays what and when. However, many times there are confusing instructions in the parts. This is especially prominent in parts that have multiple…
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