In picking up these students, one of the first things I do, is try to correct any deficiences that they might have in terms of the very basics. Some of them don't even know how to properly put a clarinet or saxophone in their mouth, and as a result they dont' have a good sound. Some of them have never learned how to articulate or tongue the notes. This is not their fault, but I feel it is on my shoulders to correct these very basic fundamentals of sound production as soon as I can. . .

Enhancing Self-Esteem in the Performance Arts
By Dr. Patrick J. Cohn

Many athletes and performers I work with often wrongly determine their self-worth by how successful they feel about their career. When an athlete performs well or feels successful, he or she can feel good about him or herself. But the opposite is also true: despair and low self-esteem results when this person does not perform well or view him or herself as a failure. Self-esteem is a core issue in my work because it affects every aspect of your life, not just dancing.

New students will be $25 per half hour.

Current students will see a nominal price increase for now, not a sudden jump.

I am still debating my attendance policies for this fall. Also, my schedule will probably not be as flexible in terms of weekend availabilities. I need to schedule a day off for myself.

I will be distributing the new studio policies, price increases and an availability sheet to everyone in September once I know more about my schedule.

I created some issues for myself in speeding up the tune. While the tempo was good, the execution wasn't. I should have stayed under tempo.

According to the judge, my tuning was good, and the balance between my chanters and drones were good. I was surprised at this considering I had to ditch my Wygent drone reeds that morning. They were failing due to the humidity.

The judge commented that my chanter sounded thin, and the same judge said the same thing about my bands chanters as well. I think it is due to the higher pitch we were at.

Bottom line, I need to slow down, and I need to lower my pitch.

Next stop - Maine Highland Games

I just really don't know what to expect. There are 27 people competing in my grade and category. I just have to look at this one as getting my feet wet.

When I looked at the EUSPBA available categories for my grade (IV Sr) There are several including 2/4 march, slow march, 6/8 and piob. Almost every competition only holds the 2/4 and the piob for IV Sr. It looks like I will only get one shot at playing the slow march and 6/8 this year. I don't even have a piob to play, much less know how to play one at all. I really need a teacher for that, and well, mine's not available. I may have to wait until next year to do piob at all.

So tonight, after playing for a 6:45 birthday party, I have to get in the car and drive down to Norwalk and stay over night so I can be there in time in the morning for registration.

The band is also competing in Grade V competition. We sound pretty good, but I think there are 15 bands competing in our grade. This will only be our second competition since last fall, which was a real eye opener. Our drum section has cleaned things up and we've compacted it a little, no extra drums.

More to come tomorrow night. . .

Good:
It came apart. I actually had bought some penetrating oil for this thing thinking that I would have more trouble. Luckily, all the screws came loose with just about no issue at all.

It still has the Buescher snaps.
This horn has what is called "Snap-In Pads. The pads were designed to snap in with a metal resonator snap. You lift out the snap and take out the pad.

Bad:
A couple of rods are seriously bent, but that's really no big deal. Just means an excuse to buy another piece of equipment. Maybe I can find a used bench motor.

Worse:
Somebody in their infinite wisdom used an enormous amount of shellac on the pads. So, when I heated it up to get the shellac loose, the snap came out with the pad. It looks to have been re-soldered at some point, so I think someone just did a bad solder job. I'm heating pad cups up with a mini-butane torch, I wouldn't think it's enough to make those come un-done. I think I'm going to drop a line to another tech and see if perhaps I should have it silver soldered back in.
These pads should have little to no glue. Ideally none, but perhaps just a tack to keep it from spinning around. These have a TON of glue in them. It won't be pretty.

I recently obtained this Buescher True Tone Alto circa 1922-1924. It is a low pitch model in need of a total restoration. I will update the entries on this with pictures as I work on it. I have not attempted any disassembly yet as I wanted to document its condition before I did so.

More pictures in the extended entry. . .

I have downloaded a great piece of software to help me with my ear. . . EarMaster It's helping, but I get stuck on the thirds every time. I think I need to figure out some other identifying characteristic on the way these things sound.

Technique:
Major Scales in Fourths at 110, Minor Scales in Fourths at 90

Repertoire
Berio Sequenza IXb
Bach Partita in A minor (yes on saxophone)
Ravel Sonatine pour piano (transcription for saxophone)
Laitman I never saw another butterfly

Quartet
Desenclos Quartet
Rivier Grave et Presto

Ensemble
Stravinsky Pulcinella
Andriessen Workers Union

So, what did I do musically on my vacation? Nothing. I didn't even listen to music. We listened to audio books the whole time. But I did do this: I spent many hours actually contemplating what I want to work on this year, and when I am going to do recitals and where. So here are some things I want to work on. .

Glazunov Concerto - for the Concerto competition this spring. I just have to memorize, so I'm going to continue with my plan of memorizing a section everyday.

Fuzzy Bird Sonata - I like this piece, the key it is written in is rather "uplifiting" so to speak. Maybe this fall.

Lauba Steady Study - I bought this, and now I can't find it. But maybe this fall as well

Berio Sequenza IXb - I have it and haven't done it yet. this fall also

The thing I'm wondering about is. . . when should I plan my recital? Should I do it earlier or later? I could do it this fall and be done with it. Then just concentrate on things for spring semester.

the other issue is: I have to do an Independent Study project. It has to be "academic" meaning it's a research project and I have to either do a presentation or a lecture recital. hmm lecture recital. . . That could be easier I think. . .We'll have to see. What to do. . . .

But, I'm back from vacation, I have to get ready to leave for a gig, and get my practice schedule together this week.