Teach What You Know!
Written by Dr. Edwin C. Kruth Reprinted from the winter 1991 LeBlanc Bell A Simple Caveat to the Inexperienced Teacher: Teach what you know! Teach what you know – it’s a seemingly ridiculous statement, a needless admonition, almost insulting. Too...
Understanding Reeds
Written by Phillip O. Paglialonga Republished in 2010 with permission from Conn Selmer Keynotes Magazine The secret to a good performance rests in a good reed Reeds are made from a specific type of cane known as Arundo donax. Traditionally this cane is grown in the...
Intonation Basics for Young Clarinetists
Written by Clark W Fobes Republished in 2010 with Permission from Conn Selmer Keynotes Magazine Proper intonation for young students is a problem that is very often ignored in the hopes that “it will eventually get better”. I believe that good intonation...
I Have To Sing?
Written by Robert C. Rawlins Republished in 2010 with permission from Conn-Selmer Keynotes Magazine Young instrumentalists should learn to sing so they can learn to hear “You mean I have to sing?” I hear this question time after time when administering...
Great Teaching: Something We All Should Aspire To
Written by David Branson Originally published in 2012 with permission from Conn-Selmer Keynotes Magazine The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. ‘The great teacher inspires.’ – William Arthur Ward...
The Importance of Performing
Written by Dr Tim Lautzenheiser Originally published in 2010 with permission from Conn-Selmer Keynotes Magazine Having always been a fan of words-of-wisdom, notable quotes, inspirational road signs, etc., it is interesting to observe how our mind reframes this-or-that...
French Horn Clinic
Written by Philip Farkas Originally published in 2010 with permission from Conn-Selmer Keynotes Magazine It is often said that the string instruments are, because of their tone quality, the easiest to listen to for long periods of time without tiring. This is...
The Clarinet Embouchure
Written by Dr Edwin C. Kruth Originally published in 2010 with permission from Conn-Selmer Keynotes Magazine Over a period of years, I have had many opportunities to study young clarinetists, both beginning and advanced. I have observed a number of common faults,...