https://youtu.be/d68km44l4dI So, it has been around 5 years since I began practicing the saxophone again. I would like to think I have gotten better. For sure, I have not progressed as far or as fast as I once did when I was younger. I have managed to practice 2 to 3 times a week. However, … Continue reading Practice & Progress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycHdItqF5Iw The Allora Paris Series Alto Saxophone Allora Paris Series Alto Saxophone This is the sound of the Allora Paris Series alto saxophone. I find it to be a satisfactory instrument, though sometimes, I do feel like there is some resistance. There are times when I find it a little difficult to play in tune … Continue reading Allora Pairs Series Alto
https://youtu.be/UczHSWO_7dE I don't know what happens sometimes. It has been about 3-1/2 weeks since I practiced and now I'm struggling again. Technique suffers the most and the fastest. Embouchure is okay, but I still feel weakness. However, this didn't keep me from recording and posting on Youtube. The video above is a demo of a … Continue reading The Jumbo Java
After a couple of years of trying new mouthpieces, I have come to the conclusion that the Vandoren V16 hard rubber mouthpiece is the best mouthpiece I have in my arsenal. It is the one that gives me the least resistance. I am closer to the truest tenor sound with this mouthpiece than any other … Continue reading Mouthpieces I Use
https://youtu.be/eF6ZEkdTe2Y David Sanborn has been one of my favorite saxophone players from the beginning. In fact, he was my first. I was in high school the first time I heard him play. Unfortunately, I have never heard him perform live. My first exposure was a recording of him performing with Randy Crawford at the Montreux … Continue reading David Sanborn
https://youtu.be/DCxTNxK9dvY This used to be a popular song by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Mack Gordon. It was released in 1942, the year my mom was born. I'm not sure if my mom knew it though. She liked a lot of great music. I didn't discover tunes like this until I was in college. Only … Continue reading There Will Never Be Another You
This week I want to try out some other reeds. For more than 29 years now, I have been using Vandoren Java reeds; both the red and green boxes. Lately, I haven’t been getting as many playable, right out of the box, reeds as I would like. That does not mean I don’t get to … Continue reading Exploring Other Reed Options
I am forever trying new mouthpieces, reeds, saxophone necks, sax harnesses, etc. Am I really in need of these items? Not really. For the most part, I am satisfied with 99% of the equipment I have for my tenor sax. It boils down to this; I like trying out new stuff! So, here I am … Continue reading A Mouthpiece Comparison
I'm still not practicing every day. However, I have been getting 3 to 4 days a week for several hours. Despite not being able to practice every day, and I am improving. I have noticed some of my old muscle memory is coming back. Some muscle memory is good, and some I need to try … Continue reading Sweet Progress
Angel Eyes is one of my favorite songs. It is a great ballad, written by, Earl Brent and Matt Dennis in 1946. It has been recorded by many artists over the years. It is a bluesy ballad with lots of room to get your improvisation groove on. However, today I am just posting a very … Continue reading Angel Eyes
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