Podcast: Ricky Sweum Talks Intonation, Embouchure, and Improvisation
For the premiere of our podcast – shockingly named “Best. Saxophone. Podcast. Ever.” – I was lucky enough to get to interview Ricky Sweum.
Ricky is an incredibly talented up and coming tenor and soprano sax player whose career includes performances with the likes of Gerry Gibbs, Clark Terry, James Moody, Jon Hendricks, and Terry Gibbs. He’s toured internationally with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra as well as “The Sound of Music” featuring Marie Osmond. These days, Ricky can be found playing to over a million people a year with the Air Force Academy Band while also serving as jazz ensemble director at Colorado College.
In this interview Ricky shares juicy tidbits about his career as well as the saxophone itself.
Topics Covered
- Ricky’s evolution from a New York jazz musician to his current position in the Air Force Academy Band
- Deciding on a career in music
- Detailed intonation and embouchure tips
- Ricky’s approach to listening and improvising
- Developing your career further as a professional musician
Check it Out for Yourself
Listen right here:
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Download the Podcast MP3
Hop on Over to Our iTunes Podcast Page
Learn more about Ricky at rickysweum.com.
Click here to purchase Ricky’s music
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Category: Best Saxophone Players
About the Author
I've been playing the sax since the late 80's, but my musical journey has run quite the gambit. The musical rap sheet includes tours with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and reggae master Half Pint, center stage at the L.A. Music Center, cozy cafes, raucous night clubs, gear-drenched studios, and the pinnacle of any musician's career - playing weddings in New Jersey! (duh). There's a lot of other stuff too, but you should be reading these blog posts and leaving comments instead. Now off you go!View Author Profile
[...] check out the website and click here to listen to the podcast: This entry was posted in Instruction. Bookmark the permalink. Organ [...]
[...] other day, my good friend and amazing saxophonist Ricky Sweum reminded me that since they’re so far removed from the things that students need to do, [...]
great interview
Hello Ben,
Glad you liked it! It was actually the first podcast I did and the sound quality is atrocious, which was too bad for Ricky. Fortunately his playing and expertise speak for themselves. :)
Thanks for the kind words,
Doron
[...] been practicing my overtones as outlined in this article here, where saxophone awesome-factory, Ricky Sweum shares some fun and effective exercises with us.The most exciting thing that I’m taking away [...]
[...] been practicing my overtones as outlined in this article here, where saxophone awesome-factory, Ricky Sweum shares some fun and effective exercises with us.The most exciting thing that I’m taking away [...]