What makes you sound unique on your instrument?  One way is the understanding and implementing of Dynamics and Articulations.  In this introduction/primer video, Christopher gives a few humorous examples of how we use this concept in speech as well as music, and how you can use it to become a more interesting and dramatic player.

In this insightful video, Christopher gives a quick overview of the seven most common types of Dynamics/Articulations used in music.  You'll learn the basic concepts of manipulating Volume, Attack, Duration, Timbre, Pitch, Tempo and Ornaments/Embellishments.  There will be several videos dedicated to each of these amazing elements.

In this first video regarding Volume and Attack, you'll learn all the basic terminology describing the use of volume in music, how volume and attack are both similar and different to each other, and get ready to practice these different concepts on your instrument (which you'll do in the next few videos!).

Now that you understand the concepts of Volume and Attack, we'll give you specific exercises and applications to build this concept into your everyday playing.  First, we'll have you playing everything loud, then everything quiet...and then mixing it up to make for some interesting music!

A great way to create excitement in your music is to learn how to slow increase (crescendo) and decrease (decrescendo) volume.  Enjoy putting this concept into your playing.  Most people don't use the concept of volume in their playing.  When you do, you'll set yourself apart from most others!

By now, if you've been working on the videos, you should have a pretty good idea of at least the benefits of manipulating volume in your playing.  Let's up the ante!  Can you change the volume of each note you play?  The results will add so much character to your playing.

Now that you've gone through all the amazing exercises to bring Volume and Attack into your playing, we demonstrate how you can put it all together to create interesting and exciting solos.

Educator and Saxophonist Christopher Moore talks about the way reeded instruments can practice and articulate their volume.

Dr. Kevin Horan talks with Christopher, who does NOT play anything you blow into, how trumpet and brass players manipulate volume to make their playing more dynamic.

Violinist Bonnie Brown discusses how string and bowed instruments can manipulate volume in their playing.

Christopher talks briefly with woodwind genius Merv Johnston about the three levels of volume flute players can think about and incorporate into their playing. 

The "duration" of a note refers to how long you hold a note for.  For example, if you are playing quarter notes, you will be playing a note on every beat.  However, how long you hold that note out until the next beat can be manipulated.  It can be short, long or somewhere in between. Christopher lays it all out for you.  Duration can be an extremely powerful articulation when you understand how it works.

If you play something "naturally", how long are you holding out the notes.  Is everything you play short?  Long?  Something in-between?  Or maybe you're playing notes that are long and short, but it's happening inconsistently without you even knowing about it. Once you know how you tend to play notes, you can then learn to manipulate your duration to suit the musical situation.

In this lesson, Christopher gives you six distinct rhythms to use that will help you become a master at "duration". You'll also get to download the pdf worksheet, so you can practice this anywhere!  At the end of this Unit, he gives you a great way to incorporate this concept into your playing.

One of the biggest challenges with using the articulation of duration is the tendency to inadvertently speed up or slow down the tempo of what you're playing.  We demonstrate how you can prevent yourself from falling into this trap. 

Now that you truly understand how to manipulate the length (duration) of the notes or chords you play, Christopher shows you how to put it all together and get it incorporated into your music.

Wandering Woodwind Englishman Mervyn Johnston talks about how you can manipulate the length (duration) of your notes on the flute, and gives some insight as to how you can use this concept to create cool musical ideas. Merv and Christopher also have a great discussion on dynamics in general.

You can manipulate timbre by changing the way you articulate a note.  All instruments have their own natural way to change the tone of their sound (and with the help of external tools, i.e. mutes, effects, mouthpieces, etc.) This Unit gives a very general overview of the concept of timbre.

Each individual instrument has its own ways of manipulating timbre.  In this Unit, woodwind professional Melvyn Johnston demonstrates these concepts on the flute. NOTE: Other instruments will be presented in general dynamic articulations in later videos.

Even if you can only play a few notes from a scale, you can create beautiful melodies, riffs and licks.  Once you are comfortable with your notes, try expanding the RANGE of notes you play to increase the number of PITCHES (notes) you have access to. 

Woodwind Kingpin Mervyn Johnston demonstrates how to manipulate the pitch (range) of the flute. 

Another way to play "dynamically" is to change up the kind of rhythms you play.  In this Unit (like other Units in Rhythm/Timing and Scales), we focus on the individual subdivisions in a beat: 8th Notes, 8th Note Triplets, 16th Notes and 16th Note Triplets.

Dr. Kevin Horan gives a general overview about how to practice and implement dynamics on the trumpet. He also has a great discussion with Christopher about the importance of practicing, learning and playing etudes to help in these musical skills.

Dr. Kevin Horan continues his conversation and demonstration of how to practice dynamics and articulations on trumpet. 

English woodwind player Mervyn Johnston talks about the concept of dynamics and how it applies to the clarinet. 

Although truly unique to each different instrument, Christopher introduces you to the most common ornaments or embellishments that musicians use to add a "human sound" to their playing.  The concepts of vibrato, slides, trills, grace notes, muted and ghost notes, bends and other articulations are mentioned. NOTE:  Watch the subsequent videos for specific instruments and what ornaments they use. 

Once you learn how to manipulate various ornaments and embellishments (as well as all the dynamics and articulations you've learned in these videos), Christopher demonstrates how you can use a backing track to start implementing your newfound ideas. You can also apply these embellishments to a melody you already know.

Musician and educator Chris Moore demonstrates various ways you can ornament and embellish notes on a saxophone...and use these concepts to make you sound like a big bowl of Awesome Sauce!

Mad Dog and Englishman Mervyn Johston discusses and demonstrates how you can ornament notes on the soprano saxophone.

Performer and educator Dr. Kevin Horan talks with Christopher about the many ways a trumpet player can ornament and embellish notes.

Bonnie Brown talks about the various ways string players can use ornaments and embellishments in their practicing and playing.

Woodwind madman Mervyn Johnston talks about and demonstrates the ways you can ornament notes on a clarinet.