Brass Playing Articles
For Professional Musicians
Babylon 5 and the Power of Collective Bargaining
Brad Howland – July 2005
I prepared for a recent round of symphony orchestra negotiations, not by studying negotiation techniques, but by watching all five seasons of the television show Babylon 5 and writing down several key concepts. Those ideas were then brought into the negotiating process, with excellent results. I believe that Babylon 5 is a helpful resource for any musician going into a contract negotiation.
Six Golden Rules for Conquering Performance Anxiety
David Leisner – December 2004
Performance anxiety can begin so innocently. First you notice someone in the front row tapping his feet. You wonder to yourself whether you're really maintaining a steady beat. Then someone else whispers something to her neighbor, and you worry that perhaps your hair is disheveled or your tie is crooked, or maybe you're making those funny grimaces again that you thought you'd conquered. Worse yet, they are probably discussing how strange or inappropriate your interpretation is, or they are commenting on how many notes you are missing (you are missing a lot by now). Oh, your teacher is really going to yell at you. And your girlfriend or boyfriend is going to be very disappointed. Your students aren't going to know what to say to you because this is going so badly. Your hands are shaking or sweaty or cold. Maybe you're not cut out for this stuff after all...
Handy-Dandy Guide to Music Industry Acronyms
Brad Howland – October 2004
Have you ever attended a meeting of your AFM Local and been confused by the acronyms? I certainly have, which is why I made this quick reference. Feel free to print it and take it to your next union meeting, and you too will soon be slinging acronyms with aplomb!
Barry McCommon – October 2003
Brass teachers need to educate their students to put their own personal interpretation on the music, rather than training them to be a carbon copy of the teacher. In his own teaching, Barry tries to give his students the tools and freedom to make a musical statement uniquely their own.
The Complete Low Brass Excerpt Collection
Brad Howland – November 2003
A huge collection of orchestral excerpts is now available on CD. It's an amazing resource for trombone students, professionals and teachers, or for any low brass player that plays in an orchestra.
The Business of Getting More Gigs as a Professional Musician
Brad Howland – August 2003
Musician, writer, and speaker Bob Popyk has long been familiar to union musicians as a monthly columnist for the American Federation of Musician’s newsletter, the International Musician. His book offers a wealth of information for anyone wanting to earn a decent living playing music.
Frances McGuckin – June 2003
There seems to be a serious misconception that accountants can survive on no sleep for four months, work eight days a week, 30 hours a day, and not make mistakes–all for a small and reasonable fee. Get your taxes in early and make your accountant's life a lot easier!
Why Practicing Berg's Opera “Wozzeck” is Like Painting the Golden Gate Bridge
Brad Howland – March 2003
Practicing the trombone part to Berg's 20th century masterpiece "Wozzeck" is a huge, ongoing maintenance job, just like painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Here are four sample licks from a virtuoso trombone part, with advice on how to prepare them.
Quick Cleaning Method for the Mobile Trombonist
Brad Howland – December 2002
Here's how to clean out that "slide-cheese" if you are away from home and don't have your cleaning tool with you. Bonus tip: how to clean the mouthpiece with a piece of paper towel.
Brad Howland – September 2001
You can use the CD writer and software on your computer to make a multimedia CD that can be distributed to different computers and platforms, and even played on a standard home or car CD player. Why would you want to do this? So you can make a demonatration CD for your group that combines music samples with data files containing promotional material, song lyrics, pictures, videos, etc.
How to Design a Great Concert Program
Brad Howland – May 2001
I borrowed most of the ideas in this article from a book by Robin Williams: The Non-Designers Design Book, Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice. In this book she talks about the four basic principles of good graphic design: Proximity, Alignment, Repetition, and Contrast. These principles can be used to design a great program, whether it be for a solo recital, orchestra/band concert, or CD recording.
When Chops Go Bad: What To Do if you Have to Play
Brad Howland – September 2000
All brass players experience it at one time or another: puffy or swollen "chops" after playing a tough concert or audition. Sometimes we have no choice and must play again, and swelling in the lip and cheek muscles can be extremely uncomfortable, even painful. Are there any remedies we can use for temporary relief? Yes! Here's what to do if your chops are swollen and you simply have to play.
Play Without Pain: Repetitive Use Injuries and What To Do About Them
Brad Howland – September 1999
Brass players can suffer wrist and arm pain, tendinitis, shoulder problems, neck strain, and chronic upper and lower back pain. In physiotherapy, our complaints are known collectively as "Repetitive Use Injuries," or RUIs. I managed to eliminate the pain that bothered me for many years using a holistic approach and a combination of activities. We need to examine all aspects of our lives, and try to make the small gradual changes that lead to success.