A musician in the Sudbury Valley New Horizons Music of Massachusetts has requested that I discuss breaking in a new box of reeds. If you don't know about the New Horizons program, check them out. They are all over the country and their goal is to get adults making music. You need no experience at all or you can be one of those folks who played while in school and you are finally coming back to your instrument. Or, maybe you want to learn a new one! Here is the link to the Nat

This week l would like to offer some tips for the saxophone player who wants to double on clarinet. The good news here is that the fingerings are going to be very easy, up to C6, our high C. After that it gets more challenging but first things first. My comments are for the player who wants to play in a classical style, which is suitable for musical theater, chamber music, orchestra, concert band and big band section playing. · Embouchure - a very pronounced pointed chin is r

This week's post is directed at clarinet teachers. I cannot stress how important it is to play with and for your students. For the pre-college aged student, it is imperative that they consistently hear beautiful clarinet tone every week. You are most likely the only professional sound they hear on a consistent basis! Many times, the best way to show and teach a supported sound is by modeling. Ask your student what they hear that is different from what they are doing. Simple l