Opening the Jaw for Proper Brass Embouchure Who This technique benefits brass players, including trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, and tuba players, from middle school beginners to advanced students, and band directors teaching them in school or community ensembles. What The challenge is teaching brass players to open their jaw and separate their teeth to […]
Open Up and Say, “Ahh…” (Brass) Read Post »
Using the Third-Valve Slide for Tuning Alternate Fingerings on Bb Trumpet Who This technique benefits Bb trumpet players, particularly middle school beginners with weaker embouchures, and band directors guiding them in school or community ensembles. It helps students achieve precise intonation in band settings. What The challenge is correcting the flat intonation of higher notes
The Third Rail (3rd valve on trumpet) Read Post »
Using the Bb Trill Fingering on Clarinet for Better Tone Who This technique benefits clarinetists, from middle school beginners to advanced players, performing in band, orchestral, or solo settings, and band directors guiding them. The Bb trill fingering is especially useful for students seeking improved tone and intonation. What The challenge is achieving a clear,
A Better Bb (Clarinet) Read Post »
Importance of Flute Cork Position and Adjustment Who This issue affects flutists, from middle school beginners to professional players, and band directors guiding them in school or community ensembles. Maintaining proper head joint cork position is crucial for students and professionals to achieve optimal intonation and tone. What The challenge is ensuring the head joint
Put a Cork In It: Flute Head Joint Read Post »
Using Side Bb and Side C Fingerings on Saxophone Who This technique benefits saxophonists, from middle school beginners to advanced players, performing on alto or tenor saxophone in band or jazz settings, and band directors guiding them to improve fluency and intonation. What The challenge is achieving smooth transitions and accurate intonation for middle-register Bb
Gettin’ It On The Side…Bb and C on Saxophone Read Post »
Mastering the Alternate F# Fingering on Saxophone Who This technique benefits saxophonists, from middle school beginners to professional players, performing on alto or tenor saxophone in band, jazz, or solo settings, and band directors guiding them to improve technical fluency and intonation. What The challenge is eliminating pitch glitches (G or E blips) during transitions
Fork it — Alternate F# on Saxophone Read Post »
Using the 4th Valve for Improved Tuning on BBb Tuba and Bb Euphonium Who This technique benefits BBb tuba and Bb euphonium players, from middle school beginners to advanced students, and band directors guiding them in school or community ensembles. Precise intonation is crucial for low brass players in band settings. What The challenge is
May the 4th Be With You Read Post »
Avoiding the Trombone Slide Slam and Bell Reliance for Position Accuracy Who This issue affects trombone players, from middle school beginners to advanced students, and band directors guiding them in school or community ensembles. Accurate slide technique is essential for all trombonists to achieve precise intonation. What The challenge is avoiding reliance on physical markers
Who’s on First (Trombone)? Read Post »
Switching Trumpet Players to French Horn via Mellophone Who This process benefits band directors transitioning trumpet players to French horn in school or community ensembles, particularly middle and high school students struggling with trumpet’s demands but showing musical aptitude. What The challenge is helping trumpet players who strain with the instrument’s high notes and tight
Building Bridges: Trumpet to French Horn via Mellophone Read Post »
Why French Horn is Harder for Beginners than Other Brass Instruments Who This issue affects band directors teaching beginning French horn players in school or community ensembles, as well as students learning the instrument. The horn’s challenges are more pronounced for middle school and high school players compared to those on trumpet or trombone. What
Why is French Horn so hard? Read Post »
Trumpet vs. French Horn Embouchure and Mouthpiece Placement Who This issue affects band directors teaching trumpet and French horn players, from middle school beginners to advanced students, in school or community ensembles. Trumpet and horn players need distinct embouchure guidance to achieve proper tone and intonation. What The challenge is understanding and teaching the differing
Trumpet vs. French Horn Embouchure Read Post »
Clarinet vs. Saxophone Embouchure for Band Directors Who This issue affects band directors teaching clarinet and saxophone players, from middle school beginners to advanced students, in school or community ensembles. Clarinetists and saxophonists need distinct embouchure guidance to achieve proper tone and intonation. What The challenge is understanding and teaching the differing embouchure requirements for
Clarinet vs. Saxophone Embouchure Read Post »
Chop-Builders for Percussionists: Preparing for Marching Band For percussionists gearing up for marching band, developing strong technical skills, or “chops,” is essential to meet the physical and musical demands of the season. Chop-builder exercises—focused on precision, speed, and control—are critical for building the dexterity and stamina needed for drumline performances. These exercises, ranging from single-handed
Percussion Chop-Builders Read Post »
Distinguishing Upper and Lower Octave Flute Fingerings for Directors Who This issue affects band directors transitioning from middle school to high school ensembles, teaching flutists from beginner to advanced levels. Flute students need guidance to master third-octave fingerings for accurate intonation and tone in complex band settings. What The challenge is distinguishing third-octave fingerings for
Flute Fingerings – Lower and Upper Octaves Read Post »
Tuning Tendencies of C and C# on Flute for Band Directors Who This issue affects flutists, from middle school beginners to professional players, and band directors guiding them in school or community ensembles. Correcting the tuning tendencies of C and C# is crucial for students to achieve precise intonation in band settings. What The challenge
Clarinet Pinky Fingering Precautions for Band Directors Who This issue affects band directors guiding young clarinetists in school bands, from middle school to high school. Clarinet students, particularly beginners, need instruction on pinky fingerings to avoid technical errors and ensure fluid playing in ensemble settings. What The challenge is preventing same-pinky repetition in rapid transitions
F# Fingering for Flute vs. Saxophone for Directors Who This issue affects band directors transitioning from specializing in saxophone (alto or tenor) to teaching beginning flute players in school bands. Understanding the distinct F# fingerings is crucial for both directors and students to ensure accurate instruction and performance. What The challenge is teaching the correct
Saxophone vs Flute F# Read Post »
Saxophone Bb Fingerings: Bis Key, Side Key, and One-and-One Who This technique is essential for saxophonists, from middle school beginners to professional players, performing on alto or tenor saxophone in band, jazz, or solo settings. Choosing the optimal Bb fingering enhances intonation and fluency, especially for students navigating flat-key repertoire. What The challenge is selecting
1-and-1…Not All That Fun (On The Saxophone) Read Post »
Using Trill Fingering Substitutions (or trill fingerings for trills) for Woodwind Players Who This technique benefits woodwind players, including flutists, clarinetists, oboists, and bassoonists, from middle school to professional levels, performing in band, orchestral, or solo settings. Trill fingering substitutions are especially useful for students tackling challenging passages in school ensembles. What The challenge is
Trill Fingering Substitutions Read Post »
Using Thumb Bb Fingering on Flute in Flat Keys Who This technique is essential for flutists, from middle school to professional players, who perform in band, orchestral, or solo settings. The thumb Bb fingering benefits all skill levels, particularly younger players or those with smaller hands, in navigating flat-key repertoire. What The challenge is achieving
Thumb Bb for Flute Read Post »
