Mr.Conductor...I'm Out of Reeds: Tips for Taking Care of Your Reeds

We all know that conductors and private teachers hate hearing the words "I only have one reed left and its not good" or, "sorry..my last reed just broke".

Well here are some tips if you don't already have your own method of keeping more than one good reed in your case, and making them last long enough so that you don't waste more money.

Single Reed Player Tips (Saxophone, Clarinet, etc.)

1. I always see a lot of people do this. Never ever leave your reed on your mouthpiece when you are done playing! It leaves moisture in the reed which not only makes it softer and harder to play on, but is also a hot spot for growing bacteria and mold. Very bad for your reeds and health.

2. Let your reeds dry out completely every now and then. It is okay to have them moist and ready to play, but the more moist they get and the longer they stay that way the softer and lower quality your reeds will be.

3. Before playing it is always good to soak the reeds you will be using in water. But not to long just a minute or two.

4. If you get a bad reed in a box of reeds don't throw it away. It is possible to use a reed shaper or knife to get it how you want. If you don't have one of these or don't know how to use one, ask your private teacher. The picture above (held up to light) shows what a good reed(left) and an uneven reed(right) look like. The uneven can be fixed.

5. Buying soft reeds (below a three) is generally not a good idea. They don't last as long and the sound isn't always as good. Once a reed is broken in that number on the box lowers 1/2 or 1 number. That is always something to consider.

6. Don't buy Rico reeds...nuff said.

Double Reed Players(Bassoon, Oboe, English Horn, etc.)

1. Follow steps 1-4 for single reed players of course.

2 If a reed is falling apart there are ways to save it.
A If the wire is coming loose get a pair of players and push it up.
B If the thread at the bottom of the reed is loose you can use clear fingernail polish to harden it again and keep it tight.
C If the reed has shifted(the sides or corners of one blade are hanging of the other blade) then you can use a razor to cut those edges off.

3. When choosing a double reed chose one that is open and both blades are curved evenly, and never get soft reeds for the same reason that single reeds should not be chosen soft.

If you have anymore tips feel free to post them under comments.

Another Music Joke

It's my FIRST blog post, but I have another joke to add to the list.


"What happens when a piano falls down a mine shaft?"

"Uuuh!?"

"A-flat minor"



Thanks!!!!!!

Musical Instrument Jokes: Just for Laughs

How do you tell the difference between a violinist and a dog?

The dog knows when to stop scratching.

How do you keep your violin from getting stolen?

Put it in a viola case.

How do you make a cello sound beautiful?

Sell it and buy a violin.

A double bass player arrived a few minutes late for the first rehearsal of the local choral society's annual performance of Handel's Messiah.

He picked up his instrument and bow, and turned his attention to the conductor. The conductor asked, "Would you like a moment to tune?"

The bass player replied with some surprise, "Why? Isn't it the same as last year?"

How do you get two piccolos to play in unison?

Shoot one.

Why is a bassoon better than an oboe?

The bassoon burns longer.

What is the definition of a half step?

Two oboes playing in unison.

How many clarinetists does it take to change a lightbulb?

Only one, but he'll go through a whole box of bulbs before he finds just the right one.

How many alto sax players does it take to change a lightbulb?

Five. One to change the bulb and four to contemplate how David Sanborn would have done it.

What's the difference between a saxophone and a lawn mower?

1. Lawn mowers sound better in small ensemles.
2. The neighbors are upset if you borrow a lawnmower and don't return it.
3. The grip.

What's the difference between a baritone saxophone and a chain saw?

The exhaust.

How to trumpet players traditionally greet each other?

"Hi. I'm better than you."

What's the difference between trumpet players and government bonds?

Government bonds eventually mature and earn money.

What is a gentleman?

Somebody who knows how to play the trombone, but doesn't.

What is the dynamic range of the bass trombone?

On or off.

How do horn players traditionally greet each other?

1. "Hi. I played that last year."
2. "Hi. I did that piece in junior high."

What's the range of a tuba?

Twenty yards if you've got a good arm!

What did the drummer get on his IQ test?

Drool.

What do you call someone who hangs out with musicians?

A drummer.

From Harold Weller on Facebook:

How to Cook a Conductor

---

Ingredients:

One large conductor, or two small assistant conductors
26 large cloves of garlic Crisco or other solid vegetable shortening (lard may be used)
1 cask cheap wine
1 lb. alfalfa sprouts
2 lbs. assorted yuppie food, such as tofu or yoghurt
One abused orchestra

Instructions:

First, catch a conductor. Remove the tail and horns. Carefully separate the large ego and reserve for sauce. Remove any batons, pencils (on permanent loan from the principal second violin) and long articulations and discard.

Remove the hearing aid and discard (it never worked anyway). Examine your conductor carefully--many of them are mostly large intestine. If you have such a conductor, you will have to discard it and catch another. Clean the conductor as you would a squid, but do not separate the tentacles from the body. If you have an older conductor, such as one from a major symphony orchestra or summer music festival, you may wish to tenderize by pounding the conductor on a rock with timpani mallets or by smashing the conductor between two large cymbals.

Next, pour one-half of the cask of wine into a bath tub and soak the conductor in the wine for at least twelve hours (exceptions: British, German and some Canadian conductors have a natural beery taste which some people like and the wine might not marry well with this flavor. Use your judgment). When the conductor is sufficiently marinated, remove any clothes the conductor may be wearing and rub it all over with the garlic.

Next, take your orchestra and put as much music out as the stands will hold without falling over, and make sure that there are lots of really loud passages for everyone, big loud chords for the winds and brass, and lots and lots of tremolos for the strings. (Bruckner might be appropriate). Rehearse these passages several times, making certain that the brass and winds are always playing as loud as they can and the strings are tremoloing at their highest speed. This should ensure adequate flames for cooking your conductor. If not, insist on taking every repeat and be sure to add the second repeats in really large symphonies. Ideally, you should choose your repertoire to have as many repeats as possible, but if you have a piece with no repeats in it at all, just add some, claiming that you have seen the original, and there was an ink blot there that "looked like a repeat" to you and had obviously been missed by every other fool who had looked at this score. If taking all the repeats does not generate sufficient flames, burn the complete set of score and parts to all of the Bruckner symphonies.

When the flames have died down to a medium inferno, place your conductor on top of your orchestra (they won't mind as they are used to it) until it is well tanned, the hair turns back to its natural color and all of the fat has dripped out. Be careful not to overcook or your Conductor could end up tasting like stuffed ham. Make a sauce by combining the ego, sprouts and ketchup to taste, placing it all in the blender and pureeing until smooth.

If the ego is bitter, sweeten with honey to taste. Slice your conductor as you would any turkey. Serve accompanied by the assorted yuppie food and the remaining wine with the sauce on the side.

Warning:

Due to environmental toxins present in conductor feeding areas, such as heavy metals, oily residue from intensive PR machinery manufacture, and extraordinarily high concentrations of E.coli, cryptosporidium, and other hazardous organisms associated with animal wastes, the Departments for Conductor Decimation (DCD) recommend that the consumption of conductors be limited to one per season. Overconsumption of conductors has been implicated in the epidemiology of a virulent condition known as "Bataan fever." Symptoms of this disorder include swelling of the brain, spasms in the extremities, delusions of competence, auditory hallucinations and excessive longevity.

Did you ask Santa for a musical instrument?

If you've been nice, Santa might bring you that guitar or keyboard you've been dreaming of.
Now you just need to learn how to play!

Come to our FREE music lessons the day after Christmas and start making music.

At Scrollworks, everyone who walks in the door gets free music lessons!
Instruction is offered in piano, drums, guitar, winds, and strings.
Instruments are provided, or you can bring your own.
Ages 7 to adult.
Lessons last about 30 minutes. Try more than one instrument!
No need to register in advance.

This will be our last weekend at Cave9 at 2237 Magnolia Ave S:
Friday, December 26 from 3:00 to 5:30 and Saturday, December 27 from 12:00 to 5:30.

Starting January 2, Cave 9 and Scrollworks are moving to 105 Richard Arrington Jr. Avenue above GreenCup Books
We will have an open house beginning at 2 pm on January 2 only.
After that, class times will be the same:
Fridays, 3 to 5:30 pm
Saturdays, 12 to 5:30 pm

Bring your family. Tell your friends.

Metropolitan Youth Orchestras of Central Alabama (MYOCA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing musical talent in the youth of central Alabama. We offer opportunites tailored for the performance level and maturity of each individual, from FREE lessons (all instruments) offered through our Scrollworks program to group lessons, pre-orchestral instruction, and full youth orchestras.

Students of diverse racial, social, cultural, and economic backgrounds are encouraged to explore and cultivate their musical talent and contribute to Alabama's musical culture. Our goal is to see that certain look in each student's eye that can't be described or measured: a spark of insight, a twinkle of engagement, pure joy.
Learn. Play. Teach. Give.
Please help us help Santa deliver the twinkle:
We welcome volunteer teachers of all ages.
We need musical instruments, sheet music, and cash donations.
Please consider sponsoring a student for a year: $150 pre-orchestral, $250 MYCO, $300 group lessons, $350 MYO.
Donations of any amount are appreciated.
You may donate using the button on the sidebar or by mail to: MYO, PO Box 320947, Birmingham, AL 35232.
Email for instruments and music.

Collaborate with Yo-Yo Ma

Similar to the YouTube Symphony project, Indaba and Yo-Yo Ma invite you to Celebrate & Collaborate:

In celebration of his album’s upcoming release, Yo-Yo would like to share the joy of collaboration with Indaba’s international community. To get you started, he has recorded the melody of the traditional song, "Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace)". Collaborate virtually with Yo-Yo by adding your own counter-melody or record an entirely new set of variations.

Via Music is Not for Insects

Be in the Orchestra Newsletter!

Jay Nelson, who plays oboe in both orchestras and saxophone in the jazz ensemble, is working on a newsletter about the activities of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, the Magic City Youth Orchestra, the jazz ensemble and the beginning strings and winds ensembles.

Jay would like to know if you've participated in any music competitions or received any music awards that he could recognize in the newsletter.

Please email him at jnelson@myorch.org.

The Left Hand supports MYO & Scrollworks with our own soap! (Is that a hint?)

The Left Hand sells Scrollworks soap by the bar and in gift baskets. Half the proceeds are donated to our program. I have just opened a new bar of Scrollworks soap and it smells so delicious--reminiscent of opening my violin case in my youth. Perhaps you can encourage someone you love to practice more with a bar in their stocking!

The Left Hand is a small batch, independent worker's collective from Tuscaloosa dedicated to quality, natural and organic body care. They created the company as an outlet for their creative energies, to provide an alternative to petroleum based skin care, and to promote environmental consciousness by example. They strive to have a positive relationship with their fellow workers, their customers, their community and their environment through quality craftsmanship and responsible business practices.
They also edit a creative journal, The Sinister Compendium and run an underground book exchange.

25 Proven Methods for Ruining Your Child’s Music Education

Via the Confessions of a Band Director blog:

This was an article referenced in a letter to the editor of the November 2008 issue of The Instrumentalist magazine. The article originally appeared in a 1951 issue of The Instrumentalist.

25 Proven Methods for Ruining Your Child’s Music Education

1. Buy him the cheapest instrument possible so he can look forward to earning a better one.
2. Always point out all his shortcomings; never praise. There’s no sense in spoiling him.
3. Always call him for practice when the ball game is going best; call in a loud demanding voice so his friends will feel sorry for him.
4. Insist he practice at a certain time each day without exception. Lay down the law. “Either you practice when I say, or you quit!”
5. Insist he practice the most uninteresting music the longest. You can’t learn to play an instrument by playing tunes.
6. Don’t invite other children over to play instruments with your child. They make too much noise, kill too much time, have too much fun, and track in too much dirt.
7. be sure to mention at the dinner table how little your child has practiced each day.
8. Never help him with his practicing. There is never time.
9. Add another hour of practice when he misbehaves.
10. Call loudly from the kitchen or basement every time he makes a mistake. Make jokes such as “Was that a sick cat I heard?” and “If you can’t do better than that, you should give up.”
11. Stop him if he practices anything for fun other than his lesson. Music is serious.
12. Threaten periodically to stop his lessons unless: (a) he practices much more, (b) he plays better than another student, (c) he takes better care of his instrument, (d) he gets beter grades, (e) he makes his bed each morning, (f) he treats his parents with more respect.
13. Insist on perfection in everything connected with his music; 100% or its no good. He’ll appreciate this when he grows up.
14. Don’t let him play for his friends or anybody else until he can really play the instrument well. After two or three years he’ll be able to surprise them.
15. Catch him off guard the first time you want him to play for someone and ask him in front of everybody to play something. If he refuses, insis that he play; if he still refuses, announce that he’s through with music. By all means don’t help him select and work up a number to play for company.
16. Rest your nerves after a hard day’s work by telling him not to practice where you can hear him. “Take that thing down to the basement. Don’t I deserve a little peace and quiet?”
17. Insist that he take private lessons from the strictest, driest teacher in town.
18. Be sure to point out his shortcomings often, especially in front of the teacher or fellow students. It will make a better impression then.
19. Don’t take him to a concert until he’s old enough, and don’t take him unless he can play well enough to appreciate it.
20. Insist he can’t take band or orchestra unless his grades improve in academic subjects. Band is just play.
21. Insist that he take a foreign language in high school instead of band or orchestra.
22. Don’t pay attention to his music making; you don’t care whether he practices.
23. Use music as a wedge for getting other things done. Threaten to cut off his lessons if he doesn’t wash the dishes every night.
24. Don’t buy him a good instrument until he plays extremely well. No sense in wasting money.
25. With some parents, the real secret is to nag effectively and regularly. Others manage to ruin their child’s music-making by disregarding it almost completely.

It is not necessary to apply all 25. Usually one or two will do the job.

Lois Pickard Scholarship Competition

We encourage our orchestra members to participate in the Lois Pickard Scholarship Competition:

The Lois Pickard Scholarship Competition is open to serious and gifted young musicians ages 12 – Senior High School. Students of strings, brass, winds, percussion and piano are eligible to enter in one category only. Entrants must reside in one of the following states: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Entry deadline is January 1.
We so appreciate Rosalind Rust and the Symphony Volunteer Council for letting us know about this year's competition!

We've made the top 100 list!

We're in the 'almost official' list of top 100 Music Education Bloggers!

MYO and MCYO at the Nutcracker

On Sunday, the combined orchestras performed before the matinee of the Alabama Ballet's Nutcracker and during intermission. Most of the orchestra members took advantage of the complimentary tickets provided by the Ballet to see the holiday classic. We've been invited to perform again at Friday's presentation of the Nutty Nutcracker.
The young lady in blue and her bunny came back to listen even before intermission began. She announced this was because her mom was afraid of the Nutcracker mice.

Nutcracker Tickets

Orchestra members will be admitted with no charge to Sunday's performance of the Nutcracker. Parents and siblings will be required to purchase tickets. We have not heard final word on whether a discount will be available.

Nutcracker Clarification

Orchestra members and their parents, friends and family will not be required to purchase tickets in order to participate in Sunday's performance.
Everyone will be allowed in the lobby at no charge to hear us play. Tickets are only required if families choose to attend the Nutcracker ballet performance!

MYO, MCYO, Jazz Ensemble, Beginning Strings: Nutcracker Notes and Winter Schedule

The MYO and MCYO will perform in the lobby of the Wright Center at Samford before the matinee of the Alabama Ballet's Nutcracker on this coming Sunday, December 14th.
Bring a folding stand, your instrument and your music. Dress: Black bottom, white top
Please arrive at 1:00 to help set up and warm up. We will perform for about 30 minutes before the show begins at 2:30. We will also perform at intermission.
Be prepared to play the ensemble pieces that Mr. Houston has distributed. Also be prepared to play a solo piece if you have one ready.
Last year, at the last minute, they gave our families a discount on tickets to the ballet. I have not heard anything at this time.
(Our own Grace Robinson and Flavia Pajaro van de Stadt are performing in the Nutcracker.)

Our free music lessons at Cave9 (2237 Magnolia Ave S) will be open on Fridays (3 to 5:30) and Saturdays (12 to 5:30) during the holiday break. We invite you all to join us there to teach and to learn and to share music and the good will of the season. On Friday, January 2, Cave9 and our Scrollworks free lessons will move to the 2nd floor over GreenCup Books at 1st Ave S and 21st St.

Mr. Houston will be preparing music for the new semester and distributing it by email over the next week or so. We will also post this sheet music for a short time on the 'Parents' page of the website (http://www.myorch.org/parents.html ). If you have not received music by Christmas, please email info@myorch.org to let us know.

In order to ensure that you have access to the information in these emails, we will post them on the 'Parents' page. They will also be posted on the orchestra blog (http://metroyo.blogspot.com/ ). You can subscribe to the blog email and thus be sure to not to miss the latest news.


Orchestra schedule for January and February:
Jan 5 -- MCYO rehearsal 6:30-8:00 Beginning Strings 6:30-7:30
Jan 11 -- MYO rehearsal 1:30-4:30 Jazz Ensemble 4:45-5:45
Jan 12 -- MCYO rehearsal 6:30-8:00 Beginning Strings 6:30-7:30

Jan 17 -- Taping of "Almighty Eyes" TV show. Best students from Hill, Cave9, a couple of the very best ensembles from the orchestras

Jan 18 -- MYO rehearsal 1:30-4:30 Jazz Ensemble 4:45-5:45
Jan 19 -- MCYO rehearsal 6:30-8:00 Beginning Strings 6:30-7:30 *Not at ASFA, at new Cave9 location?

Jan 20 -- Birmingham's inaugural celebration -Combined orchestras *not confirmed
Parents-if you have connections that would secure us a spot in the program, please do so!

Jan 25 -- Lobby concert before ASO family concert. Arrive at 1:00, perform from 1:45 to 2:15 -Combined orchestras.

Jan 26 -- MCYO rehearsal 6:30-8:00 Beginning Strings 6:30-7:30

Feb 1 -- MYO rehearsal 1:30-4:30 Jazz Ensemble 4:45-5:45
Feb 2 -- MCYO rehearsal 6:30-8:00 Beginning Strings 6:30-7:30

Feb 7 -- Taping of "Almighty Eyes" TV show. Best students from Hill, Cave9, a couple of the very best ensembles from the orchestras, jazz ensemble

Feb 8 -- MYO rehearsal 1:30-4:30 Jazz Ensemble 4:45-5:45
Feb 9 -- MCYO rehearsal 6:30-8:00 Beginning Strings 6:30-7:30

Feb 15-- MYO rehearsal 1:30-4:30 Jazz Ensemble 4:45-5:45 (Final day of All-State Orchestra Festival)
Feb 16-- MCYO rehearsal 6:30-8:00 Beginning Strings 6:30-7:30

Feb 20-- Lobby concert before ASO concert. -MYO and ensembles


Looking further into the Spring:
Mar 7 -- Taping of "Almighty Eyes" TV show. Best students from Hill, Cave9, a couple of the very best ensembles from the orchestras, jazz ensemble

Cannot rehearse at ASFA on Mar 15, 16, 22. May choose other venue.

Mar 21--Taping of "Almighty Eyes" TV show. Best students from Hill, Cave9, a couple of the very best ensembles from the orchestras, jazz ensemble

March: Jazz competition, Major orchestra performance in large church venue.

No MYO rehearsal on April 12, which is Easter.

Last weekend in April or first weekend in May: Everyone plays--Orchestras, ensembles, recitals from Hill, NorthStar and Cave9.
Parents-we need help finding a venue for this concert!

Mr. Negrin on Dwight's Students

From: O. Angel NEGRIN
To: dhouston@myorch.org
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 12:34 PM
Subject: Your students

Hi Dwight.

Just heard a few of your private students in the UAB honor band auditions this past Thursday. As usual, your kids played great. Solid technique, precise rhythm, deft articulation, I couldn't ask for more.

I'm delighted that you're here in town doing what you're doing. It's a bigtime blessing. All the best to you, and congratulations for all the fine work you are doing, laying that rock solid foundation with the saxo kids.

Angel

--
O. Angel Negrin
Adjunct Instructor of Saxophone
Samford University
www.samford.edu

Adjunct Professor of Saxophone
University of Alabama at Birmingham
www.uab.edu

The MYO Orchestras at Cave9

Orchestra students are gathering at Cave9 on a regular basis to work on their music. We teach free lessons there on Friday and Saturday afternoons and will be open through the holiday break. Orchestra members, if you'd like to participate in these impromptu practice sessions, come on down. And be prepared to try another instrument or to teach or just to eat and drink and share with other musicians.


We teach free music lessons to anyone who walks in the door on Fridays from 3 to 5:30 pm and on Saturdays from 12 to 5:30 pm. We teach piano, guitar, drums, winds, and strings. Cave9 is at 2237 Magnolia Ave S.

Let's all eat at Monette's!

Madison's family has opened a restaurant in Hoover:

"Local restaurant veteran Paul Monnette said he has opened Monnette’s this week in the Village at Lee Branch on U.S. 280.

The family friendly restaurant will seat up to 160 people and serve pizza, pasta and salads, priced from $7 to $15 per person, he said.

Monnette’s will offer some unique features, including children’s artwork displayed on the walls, wine tastings near the front door and two sections of the restaurant divided into full-service, with waiters, and self-service, for a faster alternative, he said."

Children's Hospital Performance

Thanks to everyone at Children's Hospital for inviting us to perform at their tree-lighting. We really appreciate the chance to share our music with the staff and patients--a very special audience!

We were so excited that they ran out of chairs for us. We were expecting 20 students--and 28 played! Way to go!

And we really appreciate the attendance by so many of our board, including Craig Hultgren, Dr. Rick Nance, Dominique van de Stadt and Dr. John Robinson. Jim Harmon of Bridge28 also brought his family. Thank you all!

How to practice

Just found a website called How to Practise through MJ's blog. Check it out.

From the Practice Methods section:

Here's how to make sure you are ready for any performance.

In the weeks before your performance plan to complete the following:

• Run your piece(s) from start to finish without stopping (at least 10 times).
• Run your performance at different times of day.
• Do a dress rehearsal in the same clothes and time as your performance.
• Play with your accompanist as many times as you can.
• Memorise your piece even if you are using music for the performance.
• Record yourself. Note down points for improvement. Repeat.
• Play to an audience of friends and family.
• Imagine in detail what it will be like to give the perfect performance.
• Plan the day of performance in advance. Allow plenty of time for travel, warm. up etc. Ensure you don"t arrive in a rush.