App review: Fingering Woodwinds for iPhone

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Given how huge apps are, I figured there might be something in Apple's App Store.  And lo and behold there is "an app for that."  It's called Fingering Woodwinds for iPhone ($4.99, iTunes link).  The developer does have a separate iPad version as well for $6.99.  While I would like to review that one as well, sadly at the time of writing I don't own an iPad.

Fingering Woodwinds for iPhone is a great app.  It's not perfect, but every woodwind artist and band director (or someone who deals with multiple instruments) should spend the $5, well worth it in my opinion.  In fact, for the band directors who need quick access to both brass and woodwind fingerings, Patrick Q. Kelly has an app for that too.

 

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New Study: Playing Bassoon Protects Against Sleep Apnea

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SEATTLE, June 10 -- Compared with other members of an orchestra, musicians who played a high-resistance woodwind instrument were less likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea, researchers found.

In a study of 901 professional musicians, the woodwind players also had a lower risk of apnea than did singers or conductors, according to Christopher P. Ward, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, who reported the findings at the meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies here.

High-resistance woodwind instruments are those in the double-reed category, such as oboes, English horns, and bassoons.

The protective effect was only observed in those musicians who practiced an average of three hours a day, Dr. Ward said.

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Kenny G - Riot Suppressor

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Anybody catch the big game?  I think my ears have stopped ringing.

Being from Wisconsin, we were all very proud to see the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburg Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.  As with many Packer games, I spent it cheering on the green and gold with family.  While it was loud during the touchdowns, we all enjoyed another super Sunday tradition, Super Bowl commercials.

While the pre-game anthem may have caused a bit of controversy (I wonder if she get's paid less for not fulfilling the contract) and the half-time show many consider to be less than super, one commericial should at least speak to sax players.  

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