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
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?
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
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
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
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
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 so. Whatever it was/is, it was a full-blown sickness; fever, chills, coughing, headaches, stuffiness, clogged … Continue reading 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 home alone all day on Thanksgiving and the rest of the weekend. I did practice … Continue reading 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 have a long way to go. I don't know if I will ever be a … Continue reading 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 repair shop, they would find nothing wrong with it. I want to resume practicing regularly. … Continue reading My Weakness Is Overwhelming
tonelovette.com 