Physician, Heal Thyself: Part I – Metronomes
Metronomes can help or hurt depending on how they are used.
As a computer geek and musician I am fascinated with new technology and I...
Frøydis on Breaking the Rules of Horn Playing
I recently noted an interesting online article from Frøydis Ree Wekre on the rules of horn playing. Basically she says in “Never Say Never...
Advice on Practicing at Mid-Career
An ongoing topic for many players is staying on top of their playing over the course of a lifetime, and how practice fits in...
A Cycle of Improvement
Many times, less is more.
If you are looking to fix a problem, a plan of action is required. Aggressively attacking a problem without a...
On the dangers of practicing too much
Sometimes too much is - well duh! - too much
Looking back at my student years, I think that I might have been an over-practicer. I was...
On Performing the Konzertstuck, and being Ready to Play Horn
Of all the memories of the recent Southwest Horn Conference, one of the strongest will be performing the Schumann Konzertstuck for four horns and orchestra...
Quote of the Week–Gardner on the High Register
If you are looking for a book to read over break, the Randy Gardner book is to be recommended. In particular I found this...
Brophy on Pitch Bending
One topic I get asked about, as it is one of the exercises in The Brass Gym, is that of pitch bending. I think...
Thoughts on Using a Mirror in Practice Sessions
Ever since my college days I have always used a mirror in my practice. When warming-up especially I like to stare into it and...
Don’t Put off Learning to Double Tongue
This weekend I got busy working on the five newly composed etudes by Douglas Akey that comprise the AMEA Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors...