Category Archives: Guides

The Perfect Clarinet

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Gandalfe

If the world were perfect, it wouldn’t be. ~ Yogi Berra I have spent a lot of time helping family and friends find the perfect instrument within the constraints of their budgets. New musicians, young musicians, adult newbies and returning … Continue reading →

Posted in Clarinet, Education, Guides, Music, Tips and Tricks | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Pricing your Band ~ A Lesson in Economics

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Gandalfe

My favorite things in life don’t cost any money. It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time. ~ Steve Jobs I have been running the Microsoft Jumpin’ Jive Orchestra for approaching 12 years. Three to … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Band Management, FAQ, Guides, My World, Quote | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Music Notation Software Update 2015

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Gandalfe

Saw this article and wanted to put it in my reading file. The bottom line: Upgrade bottom line: SIBELIUS If you use Sibelius 7, I think that’s a good version to stick with for now. (that’s the version I use … Continue reading →

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G+ Hangout & Circle Review

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Gandalfe

Twice and thrice over, as they say, good is it to repeat and review what is good. ~ Plato I have been using Google’s G+ for a while now, but recently I started playing with Circles and Hangouts. After having … Continue reading →

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Finding that *Perfect* Community Band

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Gandalfe

I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me when I arrived on the scene. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Community, FAQ, Guides, WCB | Tagged | 1 Comment

Guide to Late Bloomers ~ Returning to Music Performance

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Gandalfe

“If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth.” ~ Sydney Smith Baby boomers are retiring in very large numbers. They are selecting hobbies that are … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Guides, MJJO, Music, My World, WCB | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Retirement Tales ~ Year One

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Gandalfe

“You know Jim, I’ve discovered that the more time one has, the more time one wastes.” ~ Byron Roberts (Suzy’s Dad) after hearing me talk about only having one job after retiring from the Army Reserves. Last year at this … Continue reading →

Posted in FAQ, Guides, MJJO, Money, My World, retirement, WCB | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Security 101: 1.2 Billion Passwords Hacked and YOU

Posted on August 9, 2014 by Gandalfe

First, the story. From USA Today. I asked a friend who does computer security, what to do about passwords. Here’s a small primer. He wrote up his suggestions for the layman here. 1. If you have a password that’s under … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet, FAQ, Guides, Security | Tagged | Leave a comment

When Microsoft Lays You Off ~ Tips from Someone who has been There.

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Gandalfe

For those of you who live in a cave, let me catch you up. Microsoft gave 12,500 employees walking papers last week. Note, Microsoft conducts these Reduction In Force (RIF) exercises every 3 to 5 years. This current RIF is … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, Guides, LinkedIn, Microsoft | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Cappadocia Turkey

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Gandalfe

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ~ Albert Einstein During a rare Glass family gathering at the parents’s house this weekend we were talking about wonders of the Earth. I don’t remember how we got … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservation, Guides, Travel, Vacations, Wikipedia | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments