Tag: Practice

  • Well, it seems I have lost my drive for practice again. For several months, I have neglected to pull the horn out for even a little bit of practice. I guess it is age. I can’t seem to muster the…

  • So, today, I began practicing again. I played for several hours (maybe 4). I started the day doing some recording work for Harry Rios. He is a cruise ship musician. He plays piano, and he is a band leader. It…

    The Life of a Wannabe Sax Player
  • I’m not quite sure what I am doing with this blog. I rarely have time to write. I spend most of my time in the practice room at home. Then, when I get good and frustrated there, I go out…

    A New Music Year 2024
  • 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…

    Tired of Sour Notes
  • 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…

    Music or Life?
  • 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…

    Increasing Pain
  • 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…

  • 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…

    Sweet Progress
  • 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.…

    The Need for Consistency
  • I was tested, but the test came back negative. I have had the Moderna vaccine several months ago. And since my test came back negative, I have to assume I have had the flu for the past 7 days or…

    Flu/Covid?
  • 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…

    Still Practicing & Improving
  • So, for about a week now, I have been pulling out the saxophone. The first time I played it, I lasted approximately 15 minutes. After doing it a week, I can now last an hour. My embouchure is weak. I…

    Why Can’t I Stop?
  • So it has been a while since I’ve practiced the saxophone with any consistency, or at all. My embouchure is so weak it makes me feel like my sax is leaking. I’m sure that if I took it to a…

  • Yesterday I received a new mouthpiece for my tenor sax, and another one today. I know, right? More mouthpieces. Well, it happens, especially when you can’t get your shit together. Your embouchure is weak and you can’t seem to get…

    Mouthpieces, Saxes, & Practice
  • Well, it has been a while since I’ve posted here. In fact, it has been a while since I have practiced on a consistent basis. When I started working last March it got harder and harder to practice. Then I…

    Hello Again