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This article is a lesson that comes to us courtesy of world-renown saxophonist, Jon Gordon, and also appears in his book, Foundations for Improvisors. For nearly all jazz improvisors, the chord progression that is most familiar is the two-five-one (ii-7, V7, I), which is the basis of be-bop harmony. However, as we learn to expand [read more…]
This article is in response to an article by renowned NYC jazz saxophonist, Mike Lee titled, “How Did ‘Licks’ Become a Four Letter Word?”. Click here to read it if you haven’t done so already. Mike and I agree on one thing. There is no faster way to go from a clueless beginner to [read more…]
The advent of social media has allowed me to witness the re-emergence of the phenomena of “lick” haters. The complaint against licks, I think, boils down to musicians sounding uninspired and clinical because their improvisations sound like exercises and don’t illicit a sense of freedom and spontaneity that true art requires. The conventional wisdom is [read more…]
If you’ve found your way to this article, chances are pretty good that you know who Michael Brecker is. Chances are also pretty good that you’ve spent many a listening session in awe of his legendary, unparalleled command of the saxophone as well as his often-imitated-never-duplicated improvisational vocabulary. For most of us, he ranks at, [read more…]
For those 10 or so of you who follow the Best. Saxophone. Website. Ever. on social media or are subscribed to the sax tips newsletter, by now you have probably heard me blather on about saxophone recording artist and master class clinician, Adam Larson’s new video course, Lightning-Fast and Crystal-Clean, which I am publishing through [read more…]
Introduction This marks my 8th year attending the annual NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show and it’s pretty remarkable how much the show has grown in attendance year after year. Similar to the 2018 NAMM Show, this year’s show was filled with exhibitors showcasing products new and not-so–new, including saxophones, necks, ligatures, mouthpieces, reeds, [read more…]
I realize that learning how to position your left hand thumb on the saxophone properly isn’t the most glamorous subject. But. Oh. Is. It. Important. Bad left hand thumb placement is everywhere. It’s an epidemic. I encourage you to engage your peripheral vision and start spying on your fellow saxophonists. See? The various thumb positions [read more…]
In my book Easy Easy Bebop, I refer to the lesson below as “the magic of the neck strap”. The short tip from the book has helped so many players that I decided to give further information on finding the “sweet spot” in the adjustment of one’s saxophone neck strap. As you know neck straps are [read more…]