Monthly Archives: November 2010

Reducing squeaks on the Bass Clarinet

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Gandalfe

I am a hobbyist who started playing clarinet three years ago. I find voicing the clarion range in the bass clarinet to be a challenge, especially because I am a doubler who’s main instrument is the saxophone. So these two … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Clarinet, Education, Music, Music Instruments, Repair, Video | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Hero Sets the Standard for ‘Duty, Honor, and Country’

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Gandalfe

Got this at work from a friend who’s cousin was one of the four soldiers behind SSG Giunta in this picture. Having been a soldier for over 20 years, this story spoke to me. There are really a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Heroes, Heros, In the news..., Military | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

MJB: 720 in the Books

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Gandalfe

Microsoft Jazz Band lays down the beat to Jan Savitt & His Top Hatters famous ‘720 in the Books’. This Jack Mason arrangement hits the sweet spot for both the band and the dancers. Guests Darren Motamedy on tenor sax … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Jazz, Microsoft, MJB, Video | Leave a comment

Foto du Jour: The Piano

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Gandalfe

How can you not luv a melancholy picture like this. Found on Flickr.com, it is delightful. If this piano could tell stories, I would bet they would be interesting. 

Posted in Art, Music Instruments, Photograph, Piano, Vintage | Tagged | Leave a comment

Bad Phone Etiquette ~ Really?

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Gandalfe

The mobile phone, like the craftiest of invasive species, knows no boundaries. It has crept into every inch of our lives, and spotting one in the bathroom or the bedroom can only elicit a weary response: “Really?” According to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cell phone, Humor, In the news..., Technology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Happy Veteran’s Day

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Gandalfe

As a veteran of the U.S. Army in the Corps of Engineers, now a retired Major, here’s my favorite Veteran’s Day video this week: Visit Microsoft’s ‘We Still Serve‘ Web site.

Posted in Holiday, Microsoft, News and politics | Leave a comment

Saxophone, the Universal Method

Posted on November 6, 2010 by Gandalfe

Looking around the WordPress universe using the search word, “Sax”, I discovered Neal Ramsay’s Universal Method for Saxophone and this lovely piece of art. Very fanciful Neal.

Posted in Art, Blogosphere, Music, WordPress | 6 Comments

Makin’ Whoopee

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Gandalfe

Here’s another video of my favorite creation, the Microsoft Jazz Band. Shaz Adams does the honors with Makin’ Whoopee. Here is it’s pedigree: The music was written by Walter Donaldson, the lyricist was Gus Kahn. It was part of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hobbies, Jazz, Too Spicy for some, Vocalist | 2 Comments

Saxophone Vintage Toys

Posted on November 1, 2010 by Gandalfe

Helen the Canadian (yes, I call her that) has blogged at the Bassic Sax blog for a while now. She talks about bass saxes and other rare instruments. She teases me with pointers to sales of vintage instruments that I … Continue reading →

Posted in Collectable, Hobbies, Saxophone, Toys, Vintage | 4 Comments