Why do we practice? While I am actually practicing, I don’t always enjoy it that much. Like running, I prefer HAVING practiced to practicing. Many days, in my practice, nothingContinue readingWhy Do We Practice?
Use Your Things
I like my things to look lived in. There’s a certain joy in cracking open a brand new book that no one has read before – but what a pleasureContinue readingUse Your Things
On FLOW
Have you seen Soul? That new Pixar movie? We watched it a couple of weeks ago – and then again last week, because it’s just that great! I’ve never seen theContinue readingOn FLOW
Look for the Lulls
I discovered something about myself during this lockdown. I discovered that I can practice after 4pm. I’m a morning person. I’m fresh in the morning, I feel smart in theContinue readingLook for the Lulls
Maybe Believe the Science
I had a session recently with a very intelligent, very self-aware guy, an oboist who largely has his act together. He challenges me and my teaching in a way IContinue readingMaybe Believe the Science
On the generosity of Instagram practice accounts
Classical musicians are trained to make it perfect. To make all the notes correct, to make it sound like the CD, to do it the way everyone else has doneContinue readingOn the generosity of Instagram practice accounts
COMMUNICATING Through the Mask
I was just trying to pick up my kid’s prescription at the pharmacy. No, it’s INGLE. EYE ENN GEE ELLL EEEE. Between the mask covering half my face andContinue readingCOMMUNICATING Through the Mask
When to Cheat
I got an email from an oboist a while ago, back before COVID. After thanking me for the reeds I had sent, and complimenting the warm tone they had, theyContinue readingWhen to Cheat
Separating it Out
Last semester, my student came in with the Hoedown from Copland’s Rodeo. Let me guess, I said – the low tonguing passage? Of course she assumed that she had aContinue readingSeparating it Out
Resonance
When my students get too MOUTHY with the oboe, I put them in a corner. Really. They tend to play the oboe only from the TOP of their body, northContinue readingResonance