My goal with these reeds reviews is to describe the reeds I feature as thoroughly as possible so that you, a bassoonist with a different instrument, elevation, embouchure, etc., can decide if these reeds are right for you. I tested this Forrests Gold Label contrabassoon reed on January 25, 2016 in Rexburg, Idaho (elevation 4,865 ft). The […]
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GoBassoon Contrabassoon Reed Review
My goal with these reeds reviews is to describe the reeds I feature as thoroughly as possible so that you, a bassoonist with a different instrument, elevation, embouchure, etc., can decide if these reeds are right for you. I tested this reed on January 25, 2016 in Rexburg, Idaho (elevation 4,865 ft). The temperature inside was […]
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When I received my package from GoBassoon in the mail, I was very impressed by the presentation of my new GoBassoon reeds. The graphic design and branding of these reeds is second to none. They came in this handy tin (that can also double as a terrific reed case once a few holes are drilled […]
Continue readingMore TagSelling Reeds to Students
Would you benefit from selling your own hand-made reeds to your students? How much should you charge? Is it worth it? There have been times in my teaching career where it has been a wonderfully convenient thing–and then other times when it has caused me way more stress than I bargained for. Learn from my […]
Continue readingMore TagPlastic Reeds
My first bassoon teacher used plastic reeds. They were thin and produced a weak sound, but I didn’t know any better. They were cheaper and easier to play on than cane reeds, so I played on them for a couple of years. Then I switched teachers. Whoa. I quickly learned that plastic reeds were the worst […]
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Do you have as many private students as you would like? When I started this blog in 2015, I did not have enough students. (Perhaps that’s why I thought I had time to start a blog.) I soon found myself with more students than I could handle. A waiting list is a beautiful thing. The […]
Continue readingMore TagEvery-other-week Lessons
This post is about the every-other-week lesson schedule. I don’t like to put students on this schedule. I try to avoid it at all costs, unless the cost is that the student will have no lessons. Every-other-week lessons are better than no lessons, obviously, so these are the measures I have put into place to […]
Continue readingMore TageCards with Custom Audio Tracks
In lieu of a Christmas recital, my studio sends out personalized eCards to friends and family. Check out our 2015 studio card. The music is a quartet arrangement of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (actually, all the parts were read straight off of a piano part–easiest arrangement I’ve ever done.) The card will open in a […]
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If you are looking for easy Christmas music for a student, look no further. Here are some resources that will get your kids practicing! Who can resist playing Christmas music? First Year Players For my new beginners, I use easy piano music. Piano music at this level has teacher duet parts that work just as […]
Continue readingMore TagGive Yourself a Yearly Raise
Are you making the same amount per lesson this year as you did last year? Do you get stressed out when you think about raising your rates? Here are a few ideas that are meant to motivate you. Every “real” job I’ve ever had gave raises at least annually. Why should teaching music be any […]
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