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Brandon Hood: clarinet + educator

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Brandon Hood currently serves as Director of Bands at Havenview Middle School in Memphis, TN. As a product of the Memphis City Schools system, Hood graduated with honors from Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. His undergraduate studies were completed at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Additional studies were completed at the University of Texas, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Memphis.

As a clarinetist, Hood credits the late Dr. Gordon Bobbett as his primary musical influence. Hood also studied clarinet with Carmine Campione, Dr. James Gholson, and Rena Feller. Hood has also performed for Karl Leister and Ixi Chen. Hood has performed with the Memphis Symphony, Knoxville Symphony, Knoxville Opera Company, Germantown Symphony, and the Rhodes Orchestra. Hood has performed in all of the main musical venues in Memphis, and has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY. Hood is currently the first call clarinet sub for the Temple of Deliverance, COGIC church orchestra.

As a lead music educator, Hood’s band at Havenview Middle School is one of the most comprehensive middle school programs in the Memphis City Schools. The band has consistently placed at every competition entered. During the school year 2010-2011, the Havenview band won first place in every competition entered.

Hood has presented on best teaching practices at the district level. Hood also is the first band director to post pedagogical resources on Mediasite, a website developed for sharing best teaching practices.

Hood’s research interests include best teaching practices for beginning musicians and studying sacred music.
 

Chromatic Exercises

Brandon Hood. Clarinet Chromatic Exercises (pdf) BHC-SA006-001 $2.99

"The purpose of these chromatic exercises is to develop fluid technique throughout the chromatic range of the clarinet. Too often,clarinet players become obsessed with practicing diatonic passages while completely ignoring chromatic development. I would use these exercises in the following manner:

1. Never miss a note. I have left metronome markings out of the score because each performer will play these exercises at a different speed. The performer will still perform with a metronome. The wise performer will strive for mastering the passages by playing as even as possible. Slopping through these exercises is counter-productive to the goals of the exercise! One should never miss a note while practicing. If you are missing notes, you are practicing too fast. Slow the metronome down and strive for 100% accuracy, regardless of the tempo.

2. Perform as if every note is important. Have you ever heard a performance where every note is not heard clearly? When playing through these exercises, regardless of the register, play with full supported air. This will enable the performer to develop a full sound.

3. Develop your perfect hand position. As you increase speed, you will notice that your hand position may keep you from playing at your optimal speed. While holding the clarinet in the left hand, let your right hand rest hang freely to the side. You will notice the hand is in a relaxed position. Without moving the fingers, bring your right hand up to the clarinet and place your thumbnail under the thumbrest. Your fingers should be in a natural, curved 'c' shape. Now repeat with the left hand, placing the hand at the top joint. While you play, your finger should only move off the keys enough to produce an in-tune sound. Unnessecary movement leads to decreased technique.

Happy practicing!" -- Brandon Hood, Memphis, TN, May, 2011

pdf (9 printed pages)
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