Pressing the D Key When Assembling Clarinet Joints Who This technique is essential for clarinetists, from middle school beginners to advanced players, and band directors teaching them in school or community ensembles. Proper assembly prevents damage and ensures longevity for student instruments. What The challenge is assembling the clarinet’s main two joints (upper and lower) […]
Some Assembly Required (Clarinet) Read Post »
Converting Tuba Parts for Bari Sax: A Practical Guide for Band Directors Who This technique is for band directors in middle school or high school programs who need to quickly adapt existing tuba parts for a bari sax player. It’s especially useful when a new bari sax student joins late, when marching band parts don’t
Alter Ego — AKA Barry Sachs Read Post »
Singing Chorales for Ensemble Tuning and Pitch Recognition Who This technique benefits band students, including brass, woodwind, and percussion players (when not playing), from middle school beginners to advanced high school ensembles, and band directors teaching them in school or community settings. What The challenge is developing students’ ear training and pitch recognition to achieve
The Golden Chorale Read Post »
Tizzling for Ensemble Sightreading Success Who This technique benefits band students, including brass, woodwind, and percussion players, from middle school beginners to advanced high school ensembles, and band directors teaching them in school or community settings. What The challenge is improving ensemble sightreading accuracy, particularly for rhythms, when performing unfamiliar music under time constraints, ensuring
I Have No Clever Wordplay for “Tizzling”… Read Post »
Inspecting Oboe and Bassoon Reeds with the Crowing Test Who This technique benefits oboists and bassoonists, from middle school beginners to advanced players, and band directors guiding them in school or community ensembles. Proper reed inspection is crucial for students to achieve optimal tone and intonation. What The challenge is inspecting oboe and bassoon reeds
Reeding is Fundamental (Oboe & Bassoon Reeds) Read Post »
Using Clarinet Sliver-Key Fingerings for Enhanced Technique Who This technique benefits clarinetists, from middle school beginners to advanced players, performing in band, orchestral, or solo settings, and band directors guiding them. Sliver-key fingerings are particularly useful for students tackling technical passages in school ensembles. What The challenge is achieving smooth, accurate transitions in rapid or
Just a Sliver (Clarinet) – Alternate Fingerings for Chromatic Passages 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 »
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 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
