Tag: Practicing
Sax Virtuoso Rick Keller Shares Tips for Better Sound, Rhythm, Improvisation, and More
Tweet Rick’s Official Bio Rick Keller continues to explore and develop his musical voice. Both a sought after sideman and an artist, Rick is constantly composing and pursuing his own projects which define his commitment to creative expression. He has been inspired by music from many countries as a result of playing in concerts and [...]
Category: Best Saxophone Players
Tonguing Tips: Pushing the Limits of Your Saxophone Technique
Tweet Pushing Your Saxophone Technique Limits It’s true. There are physical limits to how many notes can be played with accurate timing, articulation, and proper intonation. However, there’s really no telling what those limits are. When practicing, it’s important to push ourselves to approach those limits to achieve greater proficiency. That will result in a [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
Can a Saxophone Neck Strap Cure Neck Strain While Playing?
Tweet While visiting the MACSAX booth at the 2013 NAMM show, the booth to the left was that of the saxophone accessory company, Jazzlab. At this booth, I found a new neck strap called the saXholder (yes, that’s the spelling that the company uses). Benefits of the saXholder I was able to talk to Silvin Jancic, [...]
Category: Saxophone Product Reviews
Tone Building Exercises Used By Many of Jazz Music’s Saxophone Masters
Tweet Someone once told me that, when speaking to Cannonball Adderley about tone after seeing him with Miles’ band, which included John Coltrane (!), he mentioned that they were seeking an “inspired tone”. Safe to say, they found it. An inspired tone, along with great time, are two traits that all masters have in common. [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
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
Reviewed: Greg Fishman’s “Hip Licks for Saxophone” Volumes I and II
Tweet The first time I saw Greg Fishman was when I attended Jamey Aebersold’s jazz workshop. Since then, Greg has come out with multiple educational books for saxophone such as Jazz Saxophone Etudes, Jazz Phrasing for Beginners, Tasting Harmony, and a good number more. The two books (to date) that make up Fishman’s newest series, [...]
Category: Saxophone Product Reviews
9 Tips Guaranteed to Make You Play Better by Relaxing More
Tweet Today’s article was inspired by a reader who posed the following great question: Any tips / advice on the critical skill of learning to relax when playing? Before I start a piece I try to breath deeply and let go of stress in the body. Despite this I can feel the tension rise, particularly [...]
Category: Best of the Blog, Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques
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