In this letter

okay we kid, it's an articulation warm-up from Tad Calcara

...in honor of Thanksgiving. And probably a good one to do in between plans.

Since ours is a quiet, low-key holiday, with concerts of Dvorak's 7th Symphony this weekend, I will definitely be trying this warm-up in between making the blueberry galette and sitting by the first fire of the season!

Our featured clarinet guest of the month often shares their favorite go-to warm-up - and we are extra delighted that Tad, the principal clarinetist of the Utah Symphony, got his from his own dad! Which means he's been doing this since he was a wee lad of 9-10 years!

But wait... let's back up a little and give you a little introduction.

Please meet Tad Calcara!

We've been profiling this uber-talented, jazz-playing, train aficionado and in getting to know him, some truly fun facts have popped up:

• he plays cornet, bass and piano (!)
• has a turtle named Myrtle (haha)
• hikes and surfs (being a California kid)
• has been playing in Utah since 1998
• lived in the dual coast big cities of San Francisco and New York
• and the dual coast beach towns of Oceanside and Miami
• and spent a couple of years on Lake Erie... in Cleveland

We've also gotten some wisdom:

• always keep working on the basics, no matter what age or level you're at
• these are the tools for communicating to the listener
• the real magic of music making is sharing your unique ideas, communicating some original, imaginative and creative to the listener!

Here is the articulation warm up from Chuck and Tad Calcara - enjoy 😞

INSTRUCTIONS

• The goal of this warm-up is (1) to align your fingers and tongue, and (2) to continue using air especially when articulating and changing notes.
• If you have any inconsistencies in your air when you tongue and change notes, this excerise can be tricky (and a great diagnostic tool!)
• Once you keep your air consistent and move your fingers rhythmically, you will find a nice flow state in this exercise.
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Part One

• Play whatever scale you choose, moving a note each beat, but articulating in triplets.

• Ensure that you move your fingers right with the beat, and line up your finger motion with the tongue.
• Pro tip: practice with a metronome and start slow!

Part Two

• Now move a note every eighth note, but articulating in sixteenths.
• Ensure that you move your fingers right with the eighth note pulse, and line up your finger motion with the tongue.

Part Three

• Now play in sixteenth notes, every note articulated.
• Keep your finger and tongue motion lined up.
• Focus on keeping everything steady and even.
• Tip: set your metronome to sixteenth note subdivisions for even greater accuracy.

Notice how easy this scale feels now that your fingers and tongue are lined up, and you are using your air support!

Enjoy your holiday, and remember... the best way to snap out of your tryptophanic daze is by doing articulation exercises :)

Truth!!

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU TURKEYS!! love from,

Ixi & team dca

p.s. To prove that he really does play cornet, bass and piano (oh and drums) check out this fun video of the 1939 song "Good Mornin'" :D