How do you handle lesson scheduling? I was getting tired of phone and email tag, so I enlisted the internet to help me out. I’m coming to the close of my second summer using the website www.youcanbook.me for scheduling. It has been amazing! This isn’t a sponsored post or anything—it just worked well. Here are Read More …
I remember learning tenor clef. My bassoon teacher told me I needed to learn it, but didn’t tell me how. I went to the music store and asked for tenor clef flash cards. They didn’t exist (this was pre-internet, of course). After a few months of hard slog, I finally had it figured out. I Read More …
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get your students (or yourself) equipped to adjust reeds. This is not a post on how to adjust reeds, rather it’s a list of the specific things to collect so the adjustments can happen. The following is a list of the materials I recommend and Read More …
Teaching students to breathe properly is difficult. Teaching them to support is even more difficult. An approach that works for some students won’t work for others. I’ve collected advice from around the web (and the library) to help you as you teach your students proper breathing/support techniques. All students struggle to understand what the diaphragm Read More …
Have you ever wanted to play bassoon in Italy? I have, so I am thrilled to announce that I’m a faculty member with the InterHarmony International Music Festival (Session II, July 12-24). This fantastic summer festival takes place in the beautiful mountains in Tuscany (not too far from Florence). There is no age limit for applicants; Read More …
*UPDATED May 10, 2016: My updates are in BOLD These reeds come from the husband and wife team Frank and Kim Wangler. They are both accomplished bassoonists, and they both test the reeds before they are sent out. They offer two reed styles—the standard and the premium. Their website says the difference is that the Read More …
Have you ever heard of Andreas Eastman bassoon reeds? I hadn’t until about a year ago when a student of mine showed up with three of them. She told me she had purchased them on Amazon. I did a little research on these Eastman reeds. They are not made by a person named Andreas Eastman. Read More …
Rae Feldcamp of RFReeds makes beautiful, customizable reeds. My reed came in a small box with batting to keep it safe. The reed itself has a few features that are unique. As you can see in the picture, the third wire is exposed. The portion of the reed that is wrapped is also shorter than Read More …
*UPDATED May 10, 2016: My updates are in BOLD I’m going to let the cat out of the bag right now and say that Tom Hardy’s reeds are my favorite reeds. I could play on them all day. They are everything I want a reed to be. I’ve been given old reeds by a few Read More …
Charles Double Reeds offers many different bassoon reed options. This is a review of their student reed in medium strength. The reeds came in jewel cases/boxes. On the underside of the case is a label that reads “Soak in warm water not more than two minutes. Adjust opening by squeezing tip when wet.” The intended Read More …