Tick, tick, tick, tick...

From the Alice Gallagher Clarinet Studio blog

photo credit: J. Ronald LeeThe metronome was invented by Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel in Amsterdam in 1814. It was patented in England a few years later by Johann Maelzel, and the first composer to ever use metronome markings at the beginning of pieces was Beethoven, who started doing so in 1817.

How to Practice With Your Metronome: Basic
 
The first time you turn on your new metronome, you should see if you can tap your foot or clap your hands to the beat of the metronome. This may sound silly, but it is more difficult than you think if you are new to playing a musical instrument.
It is important to be able to externalize rhythm and pulse in order to internalize it. With a metronome, you can be sure that the tempo that is being set is absolutely perfect.

Continue reading @ Alice's blog.....

Being the time of year when students are busily preparing pieces for WSMA District Solo and Ensemble, everyone should be using a metronome.  This blog post from Alice Gallagher does a fine job of not only teaching basic and advanced techniques for using a metronome, she also gives us a history lesson, and reasons against using a metronome.  A fine post indeed.

Surprise autograph!

I ordered Sammy's new CD at the tail end of the year.  I knew it was coming via USPS this week, so every day I anxiously ran to the mail, only to be disappointed.  

Well it finally came in Saturday.  When I first opened it, I noticed it wasn't shrink wrapped.  I opened it up and to my surprise it was autographed!

Looking forward to digging into Sammy's music and this great all-star LA big band!

Sammy Nestico, arranger & conductor. Saxophones & Woodwinds: Dan Higgins, Sal Lozano, Pete Christlieb, Tom Scott, Gene Cipriano. Trumpets: Gary Grant, Rick Baptist, Wayne Bergeron, Warren Luening. Trombones: Charlie Loper, Andy Martin, Dick Nash, Phil Teele (bass). Rhythm: Tom Ranier (piano), Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), Trey Henry (bass), Dean Parks (guitar), Emil Richards (vibes & percussion), Alex Acuna (percussion). 

Sammy's site

What's in my shed

woodshed [v.] -

To lock oneself away with a musical instrument and practice, either a particular piece or in general, until the player has improved greatly or can perfectly play the piece he has been practicing.

I've had my hands full on a couple of very difficult parts on some great arrangements of some holiday classics.  These tunes may or may not end up being publicly performed this season, but I have a feeling I'm going to need to take out these parts every year before Thanksgiving, so they don't get colder than the turkey.

Click to read more ...

Review: Vandoren M|O Ligature

The short review:  I like it.

Being a newer product, I haven't seen many local stores keep these in stock.  And why should they?  Yet another ligature product from Vandoren, which comes in various colors and sizes, to take up shelf space.  The thing is, it is a good product, at a good price, and both the student/amateur and professional musician can benefit from.  I picked up the new M|O ligature back in June for the clarinet.  Prior to that, I was lucky enough to have an old Harrison ligature that was given to me, but had unfortunately gone the route of so many Harrison ligatures and snapped at a pressure point.

I do feel the ligature plays an important role in a player's overall sound.  While the ligature won't completely change your sound (they don't make jazz ligs or rock ligs), it certainly can open up the potential of the mouthpiece, and the player.  Ligatures come in various different shapes and sizes.  I generally think of them in 3 different classes.  Your basic, cheap models, usually metal and 2 screws or leather, inverted with 1 screw.  The $20-$40 class that have a bit more design and engineering to them.  And then the $40 and up class, which often look radically different from one another.  Beginners should be fine on what came with the instrument.  They haven't developed an embouchure yet that would be sensitive and can take advantage of what a good ligature has to offer.  Once you've got some years of playing under the belt is when you may demand more than your current set up can give you.  An upgraded ligature can free up vibrations of the reed, offering a better response, and can give the player more control over his or her sound.

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Keep Practicing

click image for printable PDF

This little gem has been making its way around my facebook musician circles.  It was first created by the web comic Odd Quartet, posted on March 22nd, 2011.  The original post can be found here.  I've instantly added them to my RSS feed, as should you.  

My students may find this taped to the studio door, as well I will probably put it up at various locations throughout my house.  I should make it wallpaper on my iPad.

Keep practicing.