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Tips

Miscellaneous tips related to performance, practice, pedagogy, and repertoire.

PSA: What is up with Baritone Treble Clef Parts?

We get questions that are not always horn related and in the fall I had a question about baritone treble clef parts. I believe...

Tips to Consider to Improve Your Auditions

I judged two concerto competitions on Thursday, which reminded me of this post full of tips on taking all types of auditions from the original...

The “Support from the Diaphragm” Myth

Last night, Randy on American Idol said something that made me go "oh boy." As the audience applause swelled before a transition to co-host Ryan...

Tip: Making a Bad Piece Sound Like Something

This is an important skill to develop for any musician because, honestly, you will play a lot of bad music over the course of...

A Few Audition Tips

Audition observations from a committee member. Recently I had the pleasure of being on an audition committee for the Arizona Opera. It has been a...

Transposition Tricks: Bass Clef

An old trick for reading concert-pitch bass clef. Many times at freelance gigs, I am expected to play at sight all sorts of music -...

Tip: Keep a Mute in Your Car

Since the time I played in The Nashville Symphony I have kept a mute in the back of the car. The idea is that if...

An Important Tip from Quantz on Cadenzas

Students often struggle a bit with their cadenzas. With juries (performance exams) coming for many horn students the next two weeks, the following quote...

PSA: C-sharp (fourth space) Should be One of your Best Notes

Intonation is always a topic among hornists. One note I listen for carefully is C-sharp, third space. This should be a great note; often...