New Youtube Series!

Hi everyone!  I wanted to tell you about another Clark Media production that is now available to the public!  My fantastic euphonium colleague, Hiram Diaz, came to me in the spring with a great idea to make a new series of videos.  Hiram, like many euphonium and trombone players, has been playing the 20 Counterparts duet series written by Tom Ervin, for many years.  These are duets written to accompany the Bordogni/Rochut etudes that so many of us incorporate in to our daily practice.  The videos include Hiram performing the duet part - the player utilizing the video provides the Bordogni etude.  Hiram also has some excellent comments at the beginning of each video encompassing his performance practice and musical ideas about the piece.  To purchase the original sheet music book, Counterparts, go to Tom Ervin's official website.  

Vlog: Articulation Clarity

Hi everyone!  Things have been kind of nuts this year!  Hence, not too many videos.  I was discussing this subject with my dad, Jimmy Clark, the other day, and had some thoughts that I wanted to get out!  

For those that haven't checked in for a while, go to Clark Media Productions to see what I've been up to for much of this past year, in addition to my regular duties with "The President's Own", U.S. Marine Band.  It's been a fun year!

If you have any thoughts on the video, I'd love to hear them!  Chime in with your comments below or on the Youtube channel.

"Pathfinder" Trombone E-Course for Young Trombonists

Hi everyone - I hope you are all having a great summer!  Things have been busy here, but we’ve managed to get some good relaxing in as well.  I know I’ve been posting a lot of video blog (vlog) entries this summer, and quite honestly, I’ve just been enjoying making videos and the process that goes in to that!  I hope what I’ve made this summer has been interesting and helpful to you!

This week’s blog post is a little different.  I’ve been working on an idea that’s been bouncing around inside my head for quite some time now, and it’s getting close to being ready.  Every year, when I have new students starting lessons with me, I seem to take a week or two to get my footing.  I find myself searching for music, trying to find old scale sheets on the version of Finale I had three years ago, etc.  On too many occasions, I have found myself frantically writing out a new piece of music on the computer the night before a student’s lesson (or the hour before!).  This becomes especially important when I have a beginner student that needs guidance.  I decided to finally get all the materials I use with my young students together in one place, and package them together, along with a number of videos covering the fundamentals of trombone playing, as well as a complete warmup and daily routine for beginner students.  

Announcing…..

The Pathfinder Course for Young Trombonists!

The Pathfinder Course features video content recorded in 1080p HD with excellent audio quality

The real heart of the course is the warmup I’ve developed over the years for my own students.  It draws on Remington and other routines in use by many brass players.  I’ve also recorded play along videos with a metronome track, for students to cue up at home for their own practice sessions.  It’s common for students (and parents) to feel a little lost between lessons, or between days that their band class meets.  This course aims to help young trombone players practice with purpose, and to develop a daily practice habit of fundamental concepts.

When you purchase the course, you receive:

• a comprehensive collection of short videos covering fundamentals of trombone playing (breathing, posture, mouthpiece buzzing, etc.) as well as practice skills and concepts
• a video especially for parents
• play along video of the entire warmup routine
• PDF warmup booklet (3 pages)
• handy teaching materials: scale sheet, circle of 5ths, position chart

I’m currently building the Course page on my website.  Check back at www.virtualtrombonist.com soon for more information, and to watch some sample video.  I will also be posting an introductory video in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks so much!  If you have a young student, or know parents of young students, please share this with them!

The Pathfinder Course features play along tracks for young students to practice with

Hack your Double Tongue - Family Secrets exposed!

Need some help getting your double tongue super clean and, most of all, functional!?!?  In this week's vlog, I expose my super effective, blue collar approach to double tongue practice. Check out the video for more!