When it comes to gear talk among saxophonists, the usual suspects—mouthpieces, reeds, and horns—take center stage. But there's one piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked: the ligature. For the intermediate to advanced saxophonist, especially those navigating the…
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Jan 24, 2025
Mastering the AKAI Electronic Wind Instrument: How The Book of EWI Can Transform Your Playing
The AKAI Electronic Wind Instrument, or EWI, is one of the most innovative and expressive electronic instruments available today. With over 50 years of development, it has become a favorite among musicians for its versatility and ability to emulate a…
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Jan 24, 2025
Mastering Jazz Improvisation: Why "Blues & Rhythm Changes in All Keys" is a Game-Changer for Musicians
For jazz musicians, improvisation is the heart and soul of the genre. It's what transforms a collection of notes into a story, a feeling, and a shared experience with the audience. But mastering improvisation isn’t just about playing what “feels…
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Oct 18, 2023
The Art of Phrasing - A Harmonious Blend of Classical Precision and Jazz Expression
Greetings Saxophonists,
In the rich tapestry of musical expression, the art of phrasing stands as a universal pursuit, weaving its way through the genres of classical and jazz. This edition of our newsletter is a celebration of the harmonious blend…
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Mar 5, 2023
Choosing the Right Saxophone: Tips for First-Time Buyers
When purchasing a saxophone, it's important to invest in a quality instrument that will provide a rich and enjoyable playing experience. However, with so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to determine which saxophone is worth…
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Jun 20, 2022
Breathing - Important for Life, Important for your performance.
Breathing!
Breathing is vital for life and critical for saxophone players to optimize their performance. Without proper breathing technique, saxophonists may struggle to play long phrases, leading to subpar performances. Here are some essential breathing exercises for saxophonists to improve…
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Jun 18, 2022
"Jack of all trades" - Tips on doubling.
Doubling!
For those saxophonists who plan to make playing music their profession, playing several woodwinds is eventually a necessity in order to keep yourself in supply of enough work. There is also much to gain out of what you learn…
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Nov 19, 2020
Why Scales Are Not The Answer
I remember my first solo. I played in my High School's Junior Jazz Big Band. I was 15, and I played 2nd alto in the band. We had a concert at school. We played a funky rock tune, and…
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Aug 17, 2020
On the Passing of Steve Grossman
Today, I was informed by a friend, that a mutual friend posted on their Facebook page that saxophonist Steve Grossman, had died.
If you are or were a private student of mine, a follower of my posts, my YouTube…
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Jul 22, 2020
Product Review: The A.L.E. "Reed Balancer"
This time I'm reviewing the A.L.E. "Reed Balancer". Soon I'll be doing another video on reed preparation in general:
What it is, How to do it, What to look for, What to avoid, What tools are on the market.
See…
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Jun 16, 2020
Playing Exercises on the Mouthpiece
This video demonstrates how to start playing exercises on the mouthpiece and the reasons why you should do it.
Download the exercises here.
Apr 18, 2020
How to Practice and Learn Jazz Patterns Effectively
This video is an extension of a previously uploaded video "5 Things You're Practicing Incorrectly and How To Correct Them". - This video will discuss how to practice jazz patterns.
Check out the entire video here!
Enjoy!
