Writing
Articles
Writing on practice, repertoire, glissandos, mutes, and the working life of a contemporary trombonist — plus reflections on teaching, ensemble work, and FlowFrame.
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Canzonas Americanas
I’m a little behind on this. Canzonas Americanas with music by Derek Bermel, was released last November, and since then it’s received decent reviews. The Guardian says Alarm Will Sound plays with “panache,“and Anne Midgette of the Washington Post placed the…
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Inner Monologue
Jason Price, a friend and trumpet player, recently forwarded a request from a friend of his. The person is working on a book on “inner monologue,” the silent thoughts running through your head during performance and is interested in hearing…
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Physical Therapy for Musicians
On the 21st, I went with Wes Thompson, a student of mine at Messiah College, to Shulman & Associates Physical Therapy. He’s been having some soreness in his face, most likely brought on by overuse, and he’s gone to Dr.…
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The Little Things
I often think of a story I once heard about Cal Ripken Jr (possibly apocryphal): to help avoid hand/wrist injuries he could be found slapping his hands against the asphalt after practice to build callouses/thicken bones/become generally more badass. The point being…
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Castérède – Movement 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u1RKRjh0tQ&list=UUEMQAAO-m6bK_8GxuEAdR0w&index=1&feature=plcp
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Trombone for the Holidays
Top picks for holiday gifts. General Accessories: Shar 3 in 1 Metronome and Tuner – An excellent clip-on device that can tune by vibration. Boss BR-80 Micro Br Digital Recorder – Portable multi-track recorder. Hercules Trombone Stand – A trombone stand that fits…
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Riley and Mozart
Two performances last week and both were challenges in endurance. The first was Terry Riley’s In C with DICE (Dickinson Improvisation and Collaboration Ensemble), a new flexible-instrumentation group at the college, and Third Coast Percussion; the second was Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes…
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Impediments to Progress: Holes and Loops
David Waters, my professor in grad school, referred to deficiencies in technique as “holes.” Just like a depression in your yard, the hole could be filled with the right tools and some hard work. Others call them hurdles or obstacles.…
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Halloween Trombones
A performance from Rice University, my Alma Mater. Yes, the trombonist on the right appears to be wearing boxing gloves.
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Everything You Never Cared To Know About the Trombone Glissando
The Trombone Glissando The single most common “mistake” I see from composers in trombone parts is the unplayable glissando. Perhaps the most famous is from the fourth movement of Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra: Can’t do it (for reasons I’ll explain…