Tag: Ear Training
A Set of Pentatonic Scale Exercises to Super-Charge Your Technique, Ear, and Improvisation
Tweet This article was written by guest contributor, Bobby Stern, a long time professional saxophonist, jazz player, educator, Bari Woodwinds endorser and author of “The Melodic Minor Handbook: A Jazz Player’s Perspective” as well as a new self published eBook “Slick Licks That Stick!” This is a very useful series of exercises for building your chops and acclimating your ear to different [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
Killer Exercises to Get Your Fingers Flying Gracefully Through Every Key
Tweet This guest article is from saxophone and multi-reed player, composer, recording artist, and educator Sam Sadigursky of SamSadigursky.com. For those of you who have read my previous articles, I’m a big proponent of taking the time to get comfortable in any major or minor key. The exercises I’m going to be covering in this [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
The Four-Note Warmup
Tweet This guest post is from saxophone and multi-reed player, composer, recording artist, and educator Sam Sadigursky of SamSadigursky.com As an improviser and composer, I do my best to always add an element of creativity and ear-training to all the practicing that I do. Often, my practice time is quite limited, so being able to address several [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
How to Make Your Long Tone Practice Bearable, and Even…Fun?
Tweet Yes, I know, they’re not as fun as learning that hip new Mark Turner lick or wailing over Jamey Aebersold. But they’re necessary. The “they’re” I’m referring to are, of course, our dreaded long tones. But the truth is, they don’t have to be so torturous. There’s things you can do to make them more [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
A Set of Mouthpiece Exercises to Boost Your Tone, Big-Time
Tweet Did you know that playing on the mouthpiece alone is a great way to train the muscles in your mouth and throat to respond extremely effectively in getting you the best and biggest sound you can possibly get? If not, I’d recommend checking out this article. Although the article I just pointed you to [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
A Guide to Playing in a Big Band Saxophone Section
Tweet This article is a guest post from Jeff Rzepiela, whose transcriptions of saxophone solos by the greats can be found at www.scooby-sax.com. Playing in a big band’s sax section can be a thrilling experience. When the section is in synch, it can be like the Blue Angels flying in perfect formation. On the other [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
Practicing Voicing to Make Your Sound Bigger and More Focused
Tweet Voicing on the saxophone is an aspect of playing the instrument that many of us don’t really get into until we’re in the more advanced stages. Those exposed to this practice early on are among the lucky ones. Ummm…what do you mean by “voicing”? As far as I see it, voicing refers to the [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
Three Quick Lessons from Three Classic Sax Licks
Tweet This guest post is from world touring keyboard player Steve Nixon. He is the owner of the jazz education website www.freejazzlessons.com. Ok, saxophone players. I have a confession to make right off the bat. Even though I’m a piano player I’ve always had a secret connection to the saxophone. The first time I heard [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
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