Tag: practicing
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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…
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What a great tune! My Old Flame was written by Arthur Johnston & Sam Coslow in 1934. I don’t know who all have recorded it, but I do know that it was performed by Mae West in the film, Belle…
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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…
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We’re nearly 14 days into the new year, and I have already lost my drive for a little bit. I last practiced about a week ago. It shouldn’t last long, but I hate it when it happens. As I’ve said…
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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…
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I have been increasing my practice hours. Sometimes, I feel I am getting better. Sometimes, I think I have not improved at all. Sometimes, I feel like quitting, yet I keep trying. I can’t stop. What can I say? I…
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Starting in 2017, I began practicing. I had to buy a new saxophone, in fact. After I left the Navy, I had no desire to play anymore. The only saxophone I had was a worn-out alto made by Yanagisawa. I…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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So, I have been feeling better lately. I got a chance to play the horn this week, and I wasn’t in as bad a shape as I thought. My embouchure feels pretty good, and my technique is not horrible. I…
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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…












