Quick Technique Diagnosis

March 9, 2026

Quick Technique Diagnosis

by Clint Kubala

Educational Representative, Palen Music Center

It is the season of solo & ensemble and here is one woodwind player's go-to when it comes to learning literature or fixing problems fast.

Here is our excerpt in question:

Focusing on the last measure, I would start practicing by playing groups of two notes shifting one 16th note at a time to find my problem areas.

Once the tedious work is out of the way I would switch to groups of five notes, once again shifting one 16th note at a time.

The next set of patterns will focus on articulation, and then some rhythm to distract my mind from the task at hand.

1. Slurs -

2. Articulated -

3. Slur 2, Tongue 2 -

4. Tongue 2, Slur 2 -

5. Slur 3, Tongue 1 -

6. Tongue 1, Slur 3 -

7. Offset Slur 2, Tongue 2 -

8. Offset Tongue 2, Slur 2 -

The next two patterns involve changing the rhythm. I kept the subdivision of this excerpt the same but while teaching I commonly refer to them as follows:

1. Dotted 8th/16th -

2. 16th/Dotted 8th-

Now after navigating through all these changes returning to the original way it was written makes it feel easier and more manageable.

It should be noted for students that through this process:

Tone is never sacrificed for technique
Phrasing is never ignored
Adjust the tempo in BPM of 4’s

Happy practicing and bonus points if anyone recognized the piece!

Clint Kubala

Educational Representative

Quick Technique Diagnosis

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