tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.comments2022-03-03T11:52:36.630-05:00Bennett's TenetsTravis Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08891366352065069146noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-63571522615242777942022-03-03T11:52:36.630-05:002022-03-03T11:52:36.630-05:00Very thoughtful bloogVery thoughtful bloogLeehttps://www.leevaldez.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-64681339090143794082014-04-23T19:08:08.913-04:002014-04-23T19:08:08.913-04:00http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kVsvTJuMmQQ
Natalie M...http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kVsvTJuMmQQ<br />Natalie Merchant - Henry Darger (Phil Myers) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17006624845981123297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-14187944638614759032014-04-23T17:27:36.592-04:002014-04-23T17:27:36.592-04:00https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_WhE7mBwK8 Sincer...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_WhE7mBwK8 Sincerely Jane - Janelle Monae<br /><br />Thanks for the list! What an awesome asset!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01784819295290428743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-83138526602158857122013-05-30T08:47:39.746-04:002013-05-30T08:47:39.746-04:00I've tried an endless variety of rims, and of ...I've tried an endless variety of rims, and of all sizes. But I always end up back on the 18.5... 8-) Stick with it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-90306933996963327222012-09-06T22:29:14.104-04:002012-09-06T22:29:14.104-04:00I'm amazed that you made such a large change i...I'm amazed that you made such a large change in diameter size -- seems like it might have been good to do it in gradual increments rather than all at once. (Of course, that adds to the expense...)<br /><br />Best of luck with the change -- I'll be interested to know how it ultimately works out for you.Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11633967390492270136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-50467038180831684432012-08-23T13:24:26.464-04:002012-08-23T13:24:26.464-04:00great article, Dr. Bennett; enjoyed your commentsgreat article, Dr. Bennett; enjoyed your commentsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-67308417800138726882012-08-20T11:48:33.889-04:002012-08-20T11:48:33.889-04:00Hi Mike! Yes, I was certainly cheering for the Jam...Hi Mike! Yes, I was certainly cheering for the Jamaicans on the track. When the SMBQ visited Kingston last May, I asked several locals where I could find Bolt, but nobody knew his secret training location. :o)Travis Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891366352065069146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-42814359314531934712012-08-19T14:02:04.471-04:002012-08-19T14:02:04.471-04:00A brilliant idea, Travis, to use "training&qu...A brilliant idea, Travis, to use "training" instead of "practice". <br /><br />I watched a lot of the Olympics too, and have used the competitions in Archery, Shooting, Gymnastics and Running, as well as Diving for useful metaphors in explaining the musician experience.<br /><br />But conductors don't usually give us such great hugs as those athlete's coaches do.<br /><br />Did you cheer for Usain Bolt and the Jamaican team? Mike Brubakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065245846262417519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-9007675645860223552012-07-21T21:26:51.026-04:002012-07-21T21:26:51.026-04:00Here's another blog discussing slow practice, ...Here's another blog discussing slow practice, and it includes some great links: http://www.bulletproofmusician.com/is-slow-practice-really-necessary/Travis Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891366352065069146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-62031701633409937972012-05-21T15:17:41.424-04:002012-05-21T15:17:41.424-04:00I guess my view is somewhat different than most......I guess my view is somewhat different than most... I don't think that horn teachers should always play the pitches for their beginners, nor do I think their playing should dominate the lesson. The student then becomes reliant on that "pitch finder" and is hindered when trying to play on the correct pitch themselves. I do think, however, that the teacher should play some in order that the student hear the necessary tone. My beginning teacher never played, so I am mostly successful with pitches, but I have to work on my tone. Now (as a high schooler), I prefer to hear my newer teacher play so that I can hear the nuances and articulations that I lack. I can definitely see both sides of the argument, though.Amy Meltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-15461190248196010962012-03-05T16:17:15.156-05:002012-03-05T16:17:15.156-05:00Here's a comic that deals with counting rests!...Here's a comic that deals with counting rests! <br /><br />http://www.tonedeafcomics.com/how-musicians-count-through-rests/Travis Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891366352065069146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-14677610115803980582012-03-05T12:41:17.667-05:002012-03-05T12:41:17.667-05:00I use a similar (but different) 1-hand system:
1-t...I use a similar (but different) 1-hand system:<br />1-thumb up<br />2-add index up<br />3-add middle up<br />4-add ring up<br />5-add pinky up (so all 5 fingers are up)<br />6-thumb (only) down (leaving other 4 still up)<br />7-index down<br />8-middle down<br />9-ring down<br />10-pinky down (all 5 fingers down)<br />The tens digit I just track mentally.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-43921688502441641132012-03-04T18:33:06.752-05:002012-03-04T18:33:06.752-05:00Your system is great, but an improvement I use is ...Your system is great, but an improvement I use is that 1-9 are counted on my left hand (index finger is 1, thumb is 5, and then start adding fingers for 7-9) and 10 becomes the index finger on my right hand. Then when I reach 20, I add a sencond finger on my right hand and so on. When I reach 50 - thumb, I raise the other fingers and 60 becomes thumb plus index. Using this system you can count to 100, a number rarely exceeded in Horn literature. This use of fingers for counter comes from a childrens method of mathematics that is much more complex that the simple counting here.David Demoresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10622249803178782235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-67606985001692029982012-02-27T08:59:46.008-05:002012-02-27T08:59:46.008-05:00In Die Zauberflöte, where I had a stretch of 465 r...In Die Zauberflöte, where I had a stretch of 465 rests (first clarinet part), I wrote in the first bassoon's part when he needs to wake me up. He was playing practically the whole time, so that worked pretty well. Otherwise I use the method you described above.Monica Free Mielkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-13609348237502602602012-02-23T22:06:39.620-05:002012-02-23T22:06:39.620-05:00Great article Dr. Bennett; I can identify with th...Great article Dr. Bennett; I can identify with the comment about we all love classical music, many of us just don't know it yet.<br />good one. Through you I have grown to love classical music. SABAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-26428546817955225382012-02-23T18:21:44.213-05:002012-02-23T18:21:44.213-05:00Thanks, James! You must have recognized that I &qu...Thanks, James! You must have recognized that I "borrowed" some of the wording from your interview with Doug Hill! In my defense, I shared many of his beliefs before reading that article. I'm excited to hear what he has to say at the Southeast Horn Workshop next weekend. Hope to see you there!Travis Bennetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891366352065069146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-32519498572147472342012-02-23T14:13:51.265-05:002012-02-23T14:13:51.265-05:00Hi Travis,
Excellent work! Teaching philosophies...Hi Travis,<br /><br />Excellent work! Teaching philosophies can be very difficult to write, and I think you've done a great job expressing what it is we do as both applied and classroom teachers.<br /><br />Best regards,<br /><br />JamesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-5792575396964248432011-12-04T11:40:34.615-05:002011-12-04T11:40:34.615-05:00My teacher John Zirbel played in many of my lesson...My teacher John Zirbel played in many of my lessons. I absolutely loved it. Firstly, because his sound is just... the most beautiful thing I've ever heard. I was really striving to sound like that. Hearing him on CD and live with the Montreal Symphony is great, but there is something about sitting there one on one in a lesson and hearing him play. We focused mostly on sound and nuance. And hearing him do those things and having me mimic back at him -- more valuable than any verbal cues. <br /><br />My undergrad teacher didn't play as much. I didn't need it in the same way then, however. With him, I focused on improving technique, getting better at the horn. I knew what those things sounded like and I knew how to phrase. With Zirbel, I was searching for my sound and my artistry. What better way, than to hear from the master?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-11788559524529262202011-11-30T17:07:21.335-05:002011-11-30T17:07:21.335-05:00Well, for sure it depends on the student, the kind...Well, for sure it depends on the student, the kind of repertoire and the schedule of the repertoire.<br />With the young students I play a lot because usually they have difficulties on knowing the pitch of the notes. With the older I try to explain by words and only play when I feel they are not understanding. I do this on the beginning of a new repertoire, but more they are near a concert or exam, I "step out" and avoid playing in the classes.<br />Most of all I think the teacher should be able to know the student, specially in individual lessons, because some understand better with words and some with music. One aspect I really believe the teacher should play always is when doing warm up, with scales, metronome to give the example. Students tend to give more importance to solo repertoire and forget the scales and exercises, and here I really think is not enough only say you should warm up and practice scales with metronome. Is useful take some specific classes and play this technical aspects with the student to give the example.Ricardo Matosinhoshttp://www.ricardomatosinhos.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-32297742639171272022011-11-30T12:43:40.296-05:002011-11-30T12:43:40.296-05:00I agree with Roger Kaza; playing duets is a great ...I agree with Roger Kaza; playing duets is a great way to interact with students. <br /><br />I will always be grateful to my first horn teacher in high school who insisted on playing those "Amsden's Celebrated Practice Duets" at the end of every lesson. It taught me a LOT about style and tremendously helped my sightreading. We'd switch parts regularly.Cameronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11633967390492270136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-65693565278671763442011-11-24T11:23:51.669-05:002011-11-24T11:23:51.669-05:00You're right T, the last movement is Glorious....You're right T, the last movement is Glorious. You performed flawlessly as principle, and I hope we get to hear more of you "in the hot seat".David Ginnhttp://www.xfit.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-80335244712490435842011-11-17T18:21:17.029-05:002011-11-17T18:21:17.029-05:00Great discussion, Travis. I've only been teach...Great discussion, Travis. I've only been teaching horn for a few years. I hardly played at all with my first horn student, except for little passages here & there. I don't remember what prompted it, but one day, we played thru an etude together. The student gave me feedback that this was tremendously helpful and I have to agree based upon the almost instant improvements I saw in his performance. Then I got my second horn student. When I tried this "successful" approach with her, it back fired! She really seemed to resent it, as if I were dominating HER lesson with MY playing! I believe we have to be flexible & willing to try different approaches with different students. I agree that listening to recordings isn't always the best way. When I started one student on her first Mozart solo, she came to her next lesson totally frustrated after listening to a lightening fast performance on YouTube. "You really think I can do that?" she asked incredulously. I took her through the piece slowly, one mini phrase at a time. First I'd play, then she'd imitate. She felt a lot more confident in her abilities after that. <br /><br />ValBEforHornhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12118865086515094155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-78157221785541559872011-11-11T17:42:55.120-05:002011-11-11T17:42:55.120-05:00Except in seventh grade, I've never had a horn...Except in seventh grade, I've never had a horn teacher play in lessons much except for duet excerpts like Beethoven 8. Consequently, any time I'd hear my teacher actually play, it was a wake up call: as in "wow, I need to practice if I want to sound that good." Another similar experience was hearing the professors' ensemble at the southeast horn workshop. In retrospect, I think I would have liked to hear my teachers pay more often. Other students may not need it as much. Different strokes for different folks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-58653605539163556402011-11-11T09:13:27.270-05:002011-11-11T09:13:27.270-05:00I agree with your point of view, Travis. CDs are ...I agree with your point of view, Travis. CDs are great, but they aren't "in your face" the way someone next to you is. The student has to hear what it should sound like "up close," because that is usually the only place we hear ourselves. <br /><br />I try to avoid at all costs showing off, and will only resort to that if the student is really clueless or has attitude. Most of the time I'm just trying to demonstrate one way (my way) to solve a particular musical problem. If the student has his or her own way which works just as well, all the better.<br /><br />Playing duets with the student is an awesome way to communicate style and musicianship while still allowing autonomy. Plus, it keeps you in shape! Highly recommended.Roger Kazanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5973959644210143604.post-3694669643752159352011-10-06T14:10:10.723-04:002011-10-06T14:10:10.723-04:00Great advice! Seems like common sense that we shou...Great advice! Seems like common sense that we should practice more right notes than wrong ones... Hopefully you're getting some more people to hop on the bandwagon.Austin Baughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07709655568220684465noreply@blogger.com