SYOS Custom Mouthpiece Let's talk about the SYOS mouthpieces I have purchased. I genuinely like the sound I get, but getting that sound is not as consistent as I would like. When I get the sound I'm looking for to happen, things are great, but it does not happen every time I play the horn. … Continue reading Final Thoughts On SYOS
Author: Tony T
Tired of Sour Notes
I don't think I will ever be the kind of sax player I'd like to be. I don't have the motivation. I enjoy playing the saxophone, but at the same time, it can be the source of much frustration. I practice for hours at a time and make no progress. Sometimes, I record my practice, … Continue reading Tired of Sour Notes
My Custom Syos Mouthpiece
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U79hU4DPvLw In this clip, I am playing a custom-made SYOS mouthpiece for the tenor sax. I was going for a darker sound, with just enough high-frequency to cut through. I really like this one. I find it very comfortable and easy to play. I like trying new mouthpieces. At first, I was looking for that … Continue reading My Custom Syos Mouthpiece
A Near Miss With SYOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR9hm1lQRM0 So, I had to put my saxophone in the shop. It has at least two leaks that I could detect. When they leak air, it makes it very hard to play. I didn't realize how bad it was until I pulled out my other saxophone to see if it would be easier to play. … Continue reading A Near Miss With SYOS
Music or Life?
For the past several weeks I have changed my approach to practicing standard jazz tunes. I am learning to outline the chords of the song. Up until now, I had only learn how the chord progression works, and determined what scales I could use to improvise. Learning to outline the chords of a song seems … Continue reading Music or Life?
Zappatini Sax Harness
So today, I received in the mail a new saxophone harness from the the Miller Marketing company. Like saxophone mouthpieces, I have bought several different ones, trying to relieve the stress on my neck. I believe this to be the best saxophone harness on the market. Sax neck strap I used typical neck straps right … Continue reading Zappatini Sax Harness
Progress & Equipment
I think I am the only one familiar with this blog's content. So, I guess I'm just writing to journal my musical progress. I AM making progress. I believe I am playing better jazz than I ever have in the past. I am better at analyzing chord progressions. I am steadily adding new tunes to … Continue reading Progress & Equipment
Take The “A” Train
https://videopress.com/v/W8f0hu7a?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true I haven't even practiced today, or yesterday for that matter. I have been in some extra pain. My upper back seems to be broken. At least that's what it feels like. This is a recording from a couple of months ago as I was learning, Take The "A" Train. It is a song from … Continue reading Take The “A” Train
Increasing Pain
Since getting out of the Navy, my back pain has only increased. I got out in 2007 and by 2010, it had become necessary to have back surgery. Twelve years later, my pain is worse. My 2010 lumbar fusion seemed like a good idea at the time. However, as I have learned, when you fuse … Continue reading Increasing Pain
SYOS Mouthpiece
SYOS Tenor Sax Mouthpiece Ever since I began playing the saxophone again a few years ago, I have also been on the prowl for the best mouthpiece I can find. While in the Navy, I started playing on a Guardala Brecker II metal mouthpiece. I loved it! I got a great sound out of it … Continue reading SYOS Mouthpiece