read.
$14,000 vs. $2,500: what horn should you buy?
I get so many questions from people asking some form ofI’m going to college and need a horn, will a student model do? Or do I need a pro model?orI just came back to the bass clarinet after 40 years. I never plan to play professionally. Do I need a professional horn? Is it worth the money?I’ll just TL;DR right here: If you can afford it, I think you’d be better off purchasing a pro horn.Long answer: I understand that...
$14,000 vs. $2,500: what horn should you buy?
I get so many questions from people asking some form ofI’m going to college and need a horn, will a student model do? Or do I need a pro model?orI just came back to the bass clarinet after 40 years. I never plan to play professionally. Do I need a professional horn? Is it worth the money?I’ll just TL;DR right here: If you can afford it, I think you’d be better off purchasing a pro horn.Long answer: I understand that...
How to do looping music in 2019
I got a request today for an update on my performance setup, noting that I haven’t mentioned it since a similar post back in 2012. Crazy thing is that it really hasn’t changed all that much since that much. Of course my computer has been updated (twice) since then, for speed reasons. And, I have changed the software I use to perform, from Max to Ableton Live. I also have moved from a Maschine controller to Ableton’s Push controller. But...
How to do looping music in 2019
I got a request today for an update on my performance setup, noting that I haven’t mentioned it since a similar post back in 2012. Crazy thing is that it really hasn’t changed all that much since that much. Of course my computer has been updated (twice) since then, for speed reasons. And, I have changed the software I use to perform, from Max to Ableton Live. I also have moved from a Maschine controller to Ableton’s Push controller. But...
Playing music with style, Part 642
I got a note today from someone tackling Jonathan Russell’s Sonata for Bass Clarinet (a terrific piece — I’ve got to learn it myself one of these days).
Playing music with style, Part 642
I got a note today from someone tackling Jonathan Russell’s Sonata for Bass Clarinet (a terrific piece — I’ve got to learn it myself one of these days).
Marine Band (and other service band) Careers
Today’s question comes from Isaac: “I have always planned on enlisting into the Marine Corps, but recently I’ve been taking lessons, and I am confident that with some work, I may be able to play professionally as a Marine Musician. Would you consider this a good option for someone interested in performance?” My answer? ABSOLUTELY. I have many friends who are in service bands, and they have excellent careers, playing opportunities, advancement opportunities, and more! Totally support this decision. And,...
Marine Band (and other service band) Careers
Today’s question comes from Isaac: “I have always planned on enlisting into the Marine Corps, but recently I’ve been taking lessons, and I am confident that with some work, I may be able to play professionally as a Marine Musician. Would you consider this a good option for someone interested in performance?” My answer? ABSOLUTELY. I have many friends who are in service bands, and they have excellent careers, playing opportunities, advancement opportunities, and more! Totally support this decision. And,...
A career as a musician?
Should you follow your dreams? Hannah asks the perennial questions: “Is it too late?” and “Am I good enough?” It’s hard to answer the second question, but the first one is easy. Read on:
A career as a musician?
Should you follow your dreams? Hannah asks the perennial questions: “Is it too late?” and “Am I good enough?” It’s hard to answer the second question, but the first one is easy. Read on:
Why I left the orchestra
I got the question on YouTube:Why did you retire from orchestral playing?Well, it’s pretty simple.
Why I left the orchestra
I got the question on YouTube:Why did you retire from orchestral playing?Well, it’s pretty simple.
Biting holes in a mouthpiece patch? You may have this issue.
I got a note today from a 15 year old clarinetist and saxophonist who writes: My name is Joel. I am 15 years old and I play the clarinet and the tenor sax. I've got a problem with my embouchure.
Biting holes in a mouthpiece patch? You may have this issue.
I got a note today from a 15 year old clarinetist and saxophonist who writes: My name is Joel. I am 15 years old and I play the clarinet and the tenor sax. I've got a problem with my embouchure.
"But Would She Remember You?" explained
This week I realized—late, I know—that because Spotify doesn't have a "program notes" feature, people listening to some of my early work on Spasm don't have the benefit of context. This came into focus today when I received an email from a listener.
"But Would She Remember You?" explained
This week I realized—late, I know—that because Spotify doesn't have a "program notes" feature, people listening to some of my early work on Spasm don't have the benefit of context. This came into focus today when I received an email from a listener.
"Should I Be A Contra Player?"
My name is Henry, and I am an 18 year old instrumentalist from Utah. I started on saxophone, and after a few years moved to bass clarinet. This past year, due to a combination of a lack of low winds in my school band as well as inspiration from the band Moon Hooch, I started playing contrabass clarinet.
"Should I Be A Contra Player?"
My name is Henry, and I am an 18 year old instrumentalist from Utah. I started on saxophone, and after a few years moved to bass clarinet. This past year, due to a combination of a lack of low winds in my school band as well as inspiration from the band Moon Hooch, I started playing contrabass clarinet.
My concept of sound on the bass clarinet
I got a question today about my approach to "sound" on the bass clarinet, and I realized that I never really talked about it before. The question was: "I’ve heard some clarinetists say that a Bass Clarinet should just sound like a bigger clarinet but then I’ve also heard that you should approach the Bass Clarinet as if it were it’s own voice. What are your thoughts and opinions on this topic?"
My concept of sound on the bass clarinet
I got a question today about my approach to "sound" on the bass clarinet, and I realized that I never really talked about it before. The question was: "I’ve heard some clarinetists say that a Bass Clarinet should just sound like a bigger clarinet but then I’ve also heard that you should approach the Bass Clarinet as if it were it’s own voice. What are your thoughts and opinions on this topic?"
Bass Clarinet in A? Why?
Why is there a Bass Clarinet in A? Does anyone have one? What are/were they used for? Today I got a question from a YouTube viewer about the instrument…
Bass Clarinet in A? Why?
Why is there a Bass Clarinet in A? Does anyone have one? What are/were they used for? Today I got a question from a YouTube viewer about the instrument…