Date | Event |
2/1/2022 | This class will focus on the basic areas of recorder technique: breathing, blowing, fingers, and tongue, and will apply the principles to Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. You’ll play along with me on duos, and with my recordings. January 11: Breathing and Blowing - The Path to Beautiful Tone January 18: Tongue - The Mechanics and Art of Articulation with Single Tonguing January 25: Tongue continued, with Paired and Double Tonguing February 1: Fingers - Fleet and Nimble is the Name of the Game February 8: Tone - Vibrato, Straight Tone, Crescendo/Decrescendo Geared to intermediate players but all who would like to develop stronger technical skills are welcome. Pitch: A=440. Mostly alto work, but some work with other sizes will be included. You may take all five classes or as many as you like. Each class is $25. |
2/1/2022 | This class will focus on three of Bach’s cantatas that use the recorder. We’ll work on the recorder parts and learn about the context and history of each cantata. We’ll play along with parts of recordings. January 11: BWV 106 - Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit January 18: Continuation of BWV 106 January 25: BWV 152 - Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn February 1: Continuation of BWV 152, and introduction to BWV 182 - Himmelskönig sei willkommen February 8: Continuation of BWV 182 For upper intermediate to advanced recorders. Alto recorder. Pitch: a=440, but let me know if you have an alto at a415. You may take all five classes or as many as you like. Each class is $25. more info... |
2/2/2022 | Wednesdays at 12:00 noon PST (Feb. 2 ,9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6) You know that the lowest note on the alto is an "F'. But then you encounter music in which the alto part goes way below that "F'. You are casually told: "Just read the alto line an octave up." Easier said than done! By the end of this 10-week class, you will easily make the octave transposition without blinking an eye or losing a beat. Each class is one hour long. Register by sending an email to funck.inga@gmail.com. $ 150 per class. Payments are made directly to Inga Funck, either via check, PayPal or Zelle. more info... |
2/2/2022 | No matter where you are in your recorder playing journey, Recorder Players West is the right place for you! Are you looking to improve your skills (fingers, tongue, breath, rhythm, etc.) or to have the chance to play with others? Whatever your goal might be, our classes cater to different skill levels, ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced, and you will surely fit right in. Due to COVID-19 circumstances, classes are held once more via Zoom. You will be playing duets with a professional recorder player (instructor Inga Funck) – guaranteeing a gratifying musical experience! Each class is 1.5 hours long. To be placed into the right class, please fill out the questionnaire included at the end of this document. Teaching our classes will be Inga Funck, who always manages to make classes fun while helping each student to grow as musician. She is exposing students to a rich body of repertoire from different centuries, styles, and countries. Inga is a professional recorder player, has played with members of the LA Phil at the Disney Hall and is an experienced teacher. Outside of Recorder Players West, she is offering private lessons as well as other classes independent of RPW. Schedule and cost: Newcomers who have not yet been to a Zoom class with Inga will be given one free class before they have to decide whether or not to join. Music will be sent via email -- no charge for copying music! Dates and times are as follows: Pre-Intermediate Class Fridays, 12noon PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) Intermediate Class Wednesdays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 2 ,9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6) or Thursdays, 7pm PST (class dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7) Advanced Class Fridays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) The tuition for the Fall 2021 classes is $150 each (or $135 if you are brand-new to Recorder Players West and are making use of the first free class). Registration: To register you must contact Suellen Eslinger by phone, text, or email before the start of the class. Please make sure to include your best email address so that we can send you the Zoom link and the music before the classes begin. home phone: (310) 542-0817 cell phone: (310) 872-6901 email: suellenesl@verizon.net To pay, mail a check made out to Recorder Players West to Suellen at the following address: Suellen Eslinger 2801 Barkley Ln. Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Scholarships and Donations to the Scholarship Fund: A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. To apply, please contact Suellen Eslinger. To donate to our tuition scholarship fund, please add the donation to your tuition check or pay by separate check. Call Suellen if you have any questions! (310) 872-6901 more info... |
2/2/2022 | Intermediate Ensemble Wednesdays, January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, March 2: 7 - 8:30 PM, EST Elegant Renaissance songs and fantasias, dances, Spanish villancicos, early baroque sonatas, English country dances, and a few modern surprises. A=440 Fee: $90 for all 6 classes For more information on either class and to register, please email tysontsurutani@gmail.com |
2/3/2022 | -Thursdays at 12:00 noon PST (class dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7) Are you a soprano recorder player who is secretly longing for the lower sound of the Alto? Have you thought about transitioning from Soprano to Alto but are really nervous about learning f-fingerings? If you are planning on playing with other musicians, sooner or later you will be asked to play recorders other than the soprano. This 10-week class introduces f-fingerings step-by-step in manageable increments. You will also refine your breathing, work on your tonguing and articulation, and strengthen your rhythmical skills. Not to mention all the fun you will have with the vast repertoire written for Alto! Each class is one hour long. Register by sending an email to funck.inga@gmail.com. $ 150 per class. Payments are made directly to Inga Funck, either via check, PayPal or Zelle. more info... |
2/3/2022 | Thursdays at 2:00pm PST (class dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7) Rhythm is fundamental to your musicianship. If you are struggling with rhythms even just a little, taking the time to isolate rhythm as a practice will benefit you tremendously. Learn to maintain a steady beat and to identify when you are off. Develop a keen sense for even the most complicated syncopated rhythms. After this 10-week class, your rhythm will be rock solid, despite being nervous about sight-reading a new complex piece or playing in front of an audience. Each class is one hour long. Register by sending an email to funck.inga@gmail.com. $ 150 per class. Payments are made directly to Inga Funck, either via check, PayPal or Zelle. more info... |
2/3/2022 | Thursdays at 4:00pm PST (class dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7) Want to become an asset to any recorder ensemble by being able to play the bass recorder? Or perhaps you have just recently bought a bass recorder and want to become proficient at reading the bass clef? OR you fell in love with the lower sound of the bass instruments? Sign up for this class if this describes you. Each class is one hour long. Register by sending an email to funck.inga@gmail.com. $ 150 per class. Payments are made directly to Inga Funck, either via check, PayPal or Zelle. more info... |
2/3/2022 | Join us for a playing meeting that you'll never forget! Recorder and traverso player Francis Colpron (artistic director & leader of Les Boreades de Montreal) has all sorts of great music selected for low intermediate to advanced players. more info... |
2/3/2022 | No matter where you are in your recorder playing journey, Recorder Players West is the right place for you! Are you looking to improve your skills (fingers, tongue, breath, rhythm, etc.) or to have the chance to play with others? Whatever your goal might be, our classes cater to different skill levels, ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced, and you will surely fit right in. Due to COVID-19 circumstances, classes are held once more via Zoom. You will be playing duets with a professional recorder player (instructor Inga Funck) – guaranteeing a gratifying musical experience! Each class is 1.5 hours long. To be placed into the right class, please fill out the questionnaire included at the end of this document. Teaching our classes will be Inga Funck, who always manages to make classes fun while helping each student to grow as musician. She is exposing students to a rich body of repertoire from different centuries, styles, and countries. Inga is a professional recorder player, has played with members of the LA Phil at the Disney Hall and is an experienced teacher. Outside of Recorder Players West, she is offering private lessons as well as other classes independent of RPW. Schedule and cost: Newcomers who have not yet been to a Zoom class with Inga will be given one free class before they have to decide whether or not to join. Music will be sent via email -- no charge for copying music! Dates and times are as follows: Pre-Intermediate Class Fridays, 12noon PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) Intermediate Class Wednesdays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 2 ,9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6) or Thursdays, 7pm PST (class dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7) Advanced Class Fridays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) The tuition for the Fall 2021 classes is $150 each (or $135 if you are brand-new to Recorder Players West and are making use of the first free class). Registration: To register you must contact Suellen Eslinger by phone, text, or email before the start of the class. Please make sure to include your best email address so that we can send you the Zoom link and the music before the classes begin. home phone: (310) 542-0817 cell phone: (310) 872-6901 email: suellenesl@verizon.net To pay, mail a check made out to Recorder Players West to Suellen at the following address: Suellen Eslinger 2801 Barkley Ln. Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Scholarships and Donations to the Scholarship Fund: A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. To apply, please contact Suellen Eslinger. To donate to our tuition scholarship fund, please add the donation to your tuition check or pay by separate check. Call Suellen if you have any questions! (310) 872-6901 more info... |
2/4/2022 | No matter where you are in your recorder playing journey, Recorder Players West is the right place for you! Are you looking to improve your skills (fingers, tongue, breath, rhythm, etc.) or to have the chance to play with others? Whatever your goal might be, our classes cater to different skill levels, ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced, and you will surely fit right in. Due to COVID-19 circumstances, classes are held once more via Zoom. You will be playing duets with a professional recorder player (instructor Inga Funck) – guaranteeing a gratifying musical experience! Each class is 1.5 hours long. To be placed into the right class, please fill out the questionnaire included at the end of this document. Teaching our classes will be Inga Funck, who always manages to make classes fun while helping each student to grow as musician. She is exposing students to a rich body of repertoire from different centuries, styles, and countries. Inga is a professional recorder player, has played with members of the LA Phil at the Disney Hall and is an experienced teacher. Outside of Recorder Players West, she is offering private lessons as well as other classes independent of RPW. Schedule and cost: Newcomers who have not yet been to a Zoom class with Inga will be given one free class before they have to decide whether or not to join. Music will be sent via email -- no charge for copying music! Dates and times are as follows: Pre-Intermediate Class Fridays, 12noon PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) Intermediate Class Wednesdays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 2 ,9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6) or Thursdays, 7pm PST (class dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7) Advanced Class Fridays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) The tuition for the Fall 2021 classes is $150 each (or $135 if you are brand-new to Recorder Players West and are making use of the first free class). Registration: To register you must contact Suellen Eslinger by phone, text, or email before the start of the class. Please make sure to include your best email address so that we can send you the Zoom link and the music before the classes begin. home phone: (310) 542-0817 cell phone: (310) 872-6901 email: suellenesl@verizon.net To pay, mail a check made out to Recorder Players West to Suellen at the following address: Suellen Eslinger 2801 Barkley Ln. Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Scholarships and Donations to the Scholarship Fund: A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. To apply, please contact Suellen Eslinger. To donate to our tuition scholarship fund, please add the donation to your tuition check or pay by separate check. Call Suellen if you have any questions! (310) 872-6901 |
2/4/2022 | No matter where you are in your recorder playing journey, Recorder Players West is the right place for you! Are you looking to improve your skills (fingers, tongue, breath, rhythm, etc.) or to have the chance to play with others? Whatever your goal might be, our classes cater to different skill levels, ranging from pre-intermediate to advanced, and you will surely fit right in. Due to COVID-19 circumstances, classes are held once more via Zoom. You will be playing duets with a professional recorder player (instructor Inga Funck) – guaranteeing a gratifying musical experience! Each class is 1.5 hours long. To be placed into the right class, please fill out the questionnaire included at the end of this document. Teaching our classes will be Inga Funck, who always manages to make classes fun while helping each student to grow as musician. She is exposing students to a rich body of repertoire from different centuries, styles, and countries. Inga is a professional recorder player, has played with members of the LA Phil at the Disney Hall and is an experienced teacher. Outside of Recorder Players West, she is offering private lessons as well as other classes independent of RPW. Schedule and cost: Newcomers who have not yet been to a Zoom class with Inga will be given one free class before they have to decide whether or not to join. Music will be sent via email -- no charge for copying music! Dates and times are as follows: Pre-Intermediate Class Fridays, 12noon PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) Intermediate Class Wednesdays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 2 ,9, 16, 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr. 6) or Thursdays, 7pm PST (class dates: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7) Advanced Class Fridays, 2pm PST (class dates: Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11 18, 25, April 1, 8) The tuition for the Fall 2021 classes is $150 each (or $135 if you are brand-new to Recorder Players West and are making use of the first free class). Registration: To register you must contact Suellen Eslinger by phone, text, or email before the start of the class. Please make sure to include your best email address so that we can send you the Zoom link and the music before the classes begin. home phone: (310) 542-0817 cell phone: (310) 872-6901 email: suellenesl@verizon.net To pay, mail a check made out to Recorder Players West to Suellen at the following address: Suellen Eslinger 2801 Barkley Ln. Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Scholarships and Donations to the Scholarship Fund: A limited number of tuition scholarships are available. To apply, please contact Suellen Eslinger. To donate to our tuition scholarship fund, please add the donation to your tuition check or pay by separate check. Call Suellen if you have any questions! (310) 872-6901 more info... |
2/4/2022 | 1) Renaissance/Early Baroque Consort for advanced amateurs and professionals Fridays, January 21, 28, February, 4, 11, 18, 25: 7 - 8:30 PM, EST Sublime polyphony and dramatic trio sonatas. Works of Josquin, Ruffo, Rossi, Castello, and many settings of the famous melody L'homme arme. Gain practice experience in understanding the Renaissance modal system through discussing the character and musical structures of each piece. A=440 Fee: $90 for all 6 classes For more information on either class and to register, please email tysontsurutani@gmail.com |
2/8/2022 | This class will focus on the basic areas of recorder technique: breathing, blowing, fingers, and tongue, and will apply the principles to Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music. You’ll play along with me on duos, and with my recordings. January 11: Breathing and Blowing - The Path to Beautiful Tone January 18: Tongue - The Mechanics and Art of Articulation with Single Tonguing January 25: Tongue continued, with Paired and Double Tonguing February 1: Fingers - Fleet and Nimble is the Name of the Game February 8: Tone - Vibrato, Straight Tone, Crescendo/Decrescendo Geared to intermediate players but all who would like to develop stronger technical skills are welcome. Pitch: A=440. Mostly alto work, but some work with other sizes will be included. You may take all five classes or as many as you like. Each class is $25. |
2/8/2022 | This class will focus on three of Bach’s cantatas that use the recorder. We’ll work on the recorder parts and learn about the context and history of each cantata. We’ll play along with parts of recordings. January 11: BWV 106 - Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit January 18: Continuation of BWV 106 January 25: BWV 152 - Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn February 1: Continuation of BWV 152, and introduction to BWV 182 - Himmelskönig sei willkommen February 8: Continuation of BWV 182 For upper intermediate to advanced recorders. Alto recorder. Pitch: a=440, but let me know if you have an alto at a415. You may take all five classes or as many as you like. Each class is $25. more info... |
2/8/2022 | If you have never played recorder before, or if it has been eons ago since you have played, this is the course for you! Build a solid foundation for learning recorder through the American Recorder Society’s 4-part beginners’ course for alto recorder starting on March 1, 2022. Professional recorder teacher and performer Jody Miller will lead you through this course and help you build good recorder technique from the start. Tuesday, March 1, 7:30 PM EST (4:30 PM PST) Thursday, March 3, 7:30 PM EST Tuesday, March 8, 7:30 PM EST Thursday, March 10, 7:30 PM EST To register for this free course, please click HERE. |
2/9/2022 | Intermediate Ensemble Wednesdays, January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, March 2: 7 - 8:30 PM, EST Elegant Renaissance songs and fantasias, dances, Spanish villancicos, early baroque sonatas, English country dances, and a few modern surprises. A=440 Fee: $90 for all 6 classes For more information on either class and to register, please email tysontsurutani@gmail.com |
2/10/2022 | If you have never played recorder before, or if it has been eons ago since you have played, this is the course for you! Build a solid foundation for learning recorder through the American Recorder Society’s 4-part beginners’ course for alto recorder starting on March 1, 2022. Professional recorder teacher and performer Jody Miller will lead you through this course and help you build good recorder technique from the start. Tuesday, March 1, 7:30 PM EST (4:30 PM PST) Thursday, March 3, 7:30 PM EST Tuesday, March 8, 7:30 PM EST Thursday, March 10, 7:30 PM EST To register for this free course, please click HERE. |
2/11/2022 | 1) Renaissance/Early Baroque Consort for advanced amateurs and professionals Fridays, January 21, 28, February, 4, 11, 18, 25: 7 - 8:30 PM, EST Sublime polyphony and dramatic trio sonatas. Works of Josquin, Ruffo, Rossi, Castello, and many settings of the famous melody L'homme arme. Gain practice experience in understanding the Renaissance modal system through discussing the character and musical structures of each piece. A=440 Fee: $90 for all 6 classes For more information on either class and to register, please email tysontsurutani@gmail.com |
2/11/2022 | February Fiddler's Tune Book Play Along Friday, February 11, 7 - 8 PM, CT and Saturday, February 12, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, CT. During these sessions we will play and discuss tunes from the Greenblatt & Seay publication, “February Fiddler's Tune Book”. This collection includes fiddle tunes, folk songs, classical pieces, and some original Greenblatt & Seay creations for each and every day of the month. Each participant will receive a pdf copy of the “February Fiddler's Tune Book”. Pre-registration required. The fee for the “February Fiddler's Tune Book Play Along” is $10. For more information, and to register: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/workshops_millennium.shtml |
2/12/2022 | Want some new strategies for tackling Telemann? You've come to the right place! BCRS is thrilled to host a workshop with Lewis Baratz who will give you a fresh look at how to "do" Telemann. You already know that Telemann's recorder sonatas, chamber music, and his cantatas with recorder obbligato, are among the most charming and idiomatic recorder repertory. But they present technical and interpretive challenges, and can be at times daunting. In this workshop, Lewis will help us approach these works, guide us through meeting some of the technical challenges, and demonstrate an approach for tackling Telemann's ingenious recorder writing. Known for his supportive, charming, knowledgeable, and approachable style of teaching, Lewis will transform your ability to tackle Telemann. You'll come away with all sorts of practical tips and ideas that will improve your recorder playing. more info... |
2/12/2022 | February Fiddler's Tune Book Play Along Friday, February 11, 7 - 8 PM, CT and Saturday, February 12, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, CT. During these sessions we will play and discuss tunes from the Greenblatt & Seay publication, “February Fiddler's Tune Book”. This collection includes fiddle tunes, folk songs, classical pieces, and some original Greenblatt & Seay creations for each and every day of the month. Each participant will receive a pdf copy of the “February Fiddler's Tune Book”. Pre-registration required. The fee for the “February Fiddler's Tune Book Play Along” is $10. For more information, and to register: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/workshops_millennium.shtml |
2/13/2022 | Recently sea shanties have been popularized across social media, and with good reason: these songs offer a wealth of musical material to work with. We will take a selection of shanties from different countries, and interpret them in different ways: in a traditional folk style (derived from Irish music), with Renaissance divisions, the French Baroque, and even a little Vivaldi! At the end of the class you will have lots of new music to play, and hopefully feel more confident in applying these techniques of ornamentation to other music too. Sheet music will be provided beforehand. Geared to: Suitable for melody instruments, intermediate+ level. Pitch: A=440. more info... |
2/16/2022 | Intermediate Ensemble Wednesdays, January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, March 2: 7 - 8:30 PM, EST Elegant Renaissance songs and fantasias, dances, Spanish villancicos, early baroque sonatas, English country dances, and a few modern surprises. A=440 Fee: $90 for all 6 classes For more information on either class and to register, please email tysontsurutani@gmail.com |
2/18/2022 | 1) Renaissance/Early Baroque Consort for advanced amateurs and professionals Fridays, January 21, 28, February, 4, 11, 18, 25: 7 - 8:30 PM, EST Sublime polyphony and dramatic trio sonatas. Works of Josquin, Ruffo, Rossi, Castello, and many settings of the famous melody L'homme arme. Gain practice experience in understanding the Renaissance modal system through discussing the character and musical structures of each piece. A=440 Fee: $90 for all 6 classes For more information on either class and to register, please email tysontsurutani@gmail.com |
2/20/2022 | When: Sunday, February 20, 2 - 3:30 PM, MST Cost: $10 for non DRS members; free for DRS members ($30 to become a member) Canons are constructed from a single theme and at times, an enigmatic set of rules. The hidden, mesmerizing logic of these pieces has fascinated performers for centuries. For many composers creating puzzle canons was part of their convivial social lives. Perhaps it was the musicians’ equivalent of passing notes back and forth during class! We’ll examine some creative puzzles and enjoy playing through their solutions. Experience a few of the masters of the canon from the Medieval through the Romantic eras. To register, please email denverrecorder@gmail.com |
2/20/2022 | The Atlanta Recorder Society presents their February Playing Session with Jody Miller When: Sunday, February 20th, 3 - 4:30 PM, EST Join the Atlanta RS and Jody Miller for a chance to look at an excerpt from a six part Timothy Broege Recorder Sinfonia and then do an in depth study of Paul Peuerl's Suite No. 1. Jody will also provide practice videos and sound files after the February playing session. For more information, please visit https://ars.atlema.org/ |
2/21/2022 | In HPRS's monthly online Seminar Series in Early Music Performance, Dr. Lewis R. Baratz covers recorder technique, individual composers, and regional playing styles of the Renaissance and Baroque, deftly weaving together historical background, recorded and live performances of recorders alone and with accompanying instruments, detailed analysis of the music and instructions on learning to play it, with opportunities to play along and to ask questions. more info... |
2/25/2022 | 1) Renaissance/Early Baroque Consort for advanced amateurs and professionals Fridays, January 21, 28, February, 4, 11, 18, 25: 7 - 8:30 PM, EST Sublime polyphony and dramatic trio sonatas. Works of Josquin, Ruffo, Rossi, Castello, and many settings of the famous melody L'homme arme. Gain practice experience in understanding the Renaissance modal system through discussing the character and musical structures of each piece. A=440 Fee: $90 for all 6 classes For more information on either class and to register, please email tysontsurutani@gmail.com |
2/25/2022 | Practical Practicing Workshop Friday, February 25, 7 - 8 PM, CT, and repeated again on Saturday, February 26, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, CT. For musicians who want to accomplish as much as possible during their private practice sessions. During the Workshop, many different practice techniques will be discussed, and demonstrated. By the end of the session, each musician will have a better idea of what to do, and how to do it. Pre-registration required. The cost for each workshop is $10. For more information, and to register: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/workshops_practicing.shtml |
2/26/2022 | Please join us Saturday February 26 at 1:30 EST(12:30 Central, 11:30 Mountain, 10:30 Pacific) when the virtual doors open for our monthly playing meeting. Annette Bauer of Cirque du Soleil will be our guest music leader. Music begins at 2:00 PM EST. more info... |
2/26/2022 | When: Saturday, February 26, 1:30 - 3:30 PM, EST Cost: Your first session is free; afterward, membership is $20 and each playing session is $15 Please join us with guest music leader Annette Bauer of Cirque du Soleil. She will lead you through an afternoon of delightful music. To RSVP, please visit www.navrs.org |
2/26/2022 | Practical Practicing Workshop Friday, February 25, 7 - 8 PM, CT, and repeated again on Saturday, February 26, 2:30 - 3:30 PM, CT. For musicians who want to accomplish as much as possible during their private practice sessions. During the Workshop, many different practice techniques will be discussed, and demonstrated. By the end of the session, each musician will have a better idea of what to do, and how to do it. Pre-registration required. The cost for each workshop is $10. For more information, and to register: https://www.greenblattandseay.com/workshops_practicing.shtml |
2/27/2022 | In this class we will work on the basic elements of what every recorder player needs in order to play well. They are the practical - and personalized - application of my articles on recorder technique from this last year in the American Recorder Society magazine. Although we will be going back to the basics, thus being apt for beginners, this material is just as essential for more advanced players. In our enthusiasm for playing more virtuosic pieces, faster and higher so to speak, we tend to rush by the elementary ingredients needed for a fluent, efficient, balanced and expressive musical interpretation on the recorder. Most obstacles that we encounter further down the road, in our Vivaldis and Medieval estampitas, are there because we’ve created unnecessary tension, overuse of the wrong muscles and somehow try to get past our own bodies and its mechanics, with no connection between the brain and the body. This is the reason why, when studying, we should always get back to those recorder essentials. In our class, we will follow the order of the articles, that is: posture, use of air, articulation and coordination. Posture. We will begin with correct posture, immediately applying all concepts, so be sure to have a comfortable place where you can sit up straight or stand up straight. We will also work on the placement of the fingers and all it involves (wrists, elbows, shoulders). You may want to have different sizes of recorders at hand, if you normally play them, to try out how you can best hold each size. Air. We will connect posture with breath work. Posture and breathing are intimately connected; tension in the body can cause inefficient and tense breathing, just as certain ways of breathing can cause tension in the body. For many beginners it takes time to really feel where and how they are breathing, so we will do some exercises to gain awareness and connect with the muscles that supply good breath support, and then we will move on to some more subtle breath work, including what I call “finding the center of the tone”, where we will work on improving our sound. Articulation. We will observe and try out how important the air is for efficient articulation. We will go through simple and double articulations and how they are produced, as well as how we can best practise them. I will also work on some basic rules for articulation you can apply to any piece. Coordination. Finally, we will work on coordination between the three elements. How do we get good coordination so that our playing doesn’t sound sloppy? What happens when our playing does sound sloppy and how to solve it? Geared to: recorders, intermediate and up. Pitch: A=440. Pitch: A=440. more info... |