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
Category: Practice
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?
Practice & Progress
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
Sweet Progress
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
The Need for Consistency
If you have seen the last few videos I've posted, you've seen that I struggle with consistency, and I have not delivered an unflawed performance in a while, and I know it is because of my lack of consistent practice. I want to remedy the problem somehow, but I don't know-how. I work a lot. … Continue reading The Need for Consistency
Holiday Practice Schedule
Leading up to the holidays, I have been making some slow progress in the practice room. For the next couple of days, I will have to put in some quality practice time. I will probably work on some scales and technique-building stuff. My embouchure has been feeling pretty good. I can practice for at least … Continue reading Holiday Practice Schedule
Still Practicing & Improving
For the past few days, including Thanksgiving, I have not been feeling well. I caught a head cold, and my nose has been stuffy up. My ears have been ringing and rumbling, causing me some dizzy spells. So I sat home alone all day on Thanksgiving and the rest of the weekend. I did practice … Continue reading Still Practicing & Improving
Musical Progress
So, it has not been every day, but I have been playing my sax at least three times a week. It has been nearly a month. It doesn't take long for the facial muscles to come back to strengthen the embouchure. I can last for two hours of practice now. Another thing I have noticed, … Continue reading Musical Progress
I Should Have Kept Practicing
I don't practice like I should. It is the reason I sound the way I do. I came across this video in my photo library. At the time, I had been practicing sort of regularly. As I watched the video, I realized that I was on the verge of something. I had nearly learned this … Continue reading I Should Have Kept Practicing
Work Vs. Practice
I have not been able to balance my time between work and practice. I really needed to work. I was drowning in debt. So, a job was necessary. And it has helped a great deal. I have nearly paid off one major credit card debt and have been able to squash other small debts. The … Continue reading Work Vs. Practice