Tag: practicing

  • 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…

  • 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…

    My Old Flame
  • 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
  • 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…

    My Current Slump
  • 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 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…

  • 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…

    SyoSphere
  • 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?
  • 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.…

    SYOS Mouthpiece
  • 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…

    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…

    Mouthpieces I Use
  • I haven’t worked for several weeks because of back pain. The pain also affects my ability to practice as much as I would like. The weight of my go-to saxophone is pretty taxing on my neck and upper back. However,…

    Pain & Regret
  • 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…

    A Fine Romance
  • 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…

    Holiday Practice Schedule