Author Topic: Anyone Here A Musician?  (Read 17798 times)

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Offline JPSaxMan

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Anyone Here A Musician?
« Reply #120 on: February 02, 2005, 03:54:00 PM »
Well right now I'm using a student model Artley. I think it's student model. Not sure. Fairly nice. Nice rich sound. I'm using...I think...I'll check later...a 3 size mouthpiece with 2 1/2 VanDoren's.

I've never picked up Aebersold. I've heard good things, so I might. I was using some old method book. Taught me lots. Went through it in a few days. If and when ya get goin on clarinet, lemme kno so I can help ya along. It's a tough start. As opposed to the sax, you almost have to 'frown' your ombeshure and you have to tighten your lips way up. But once you start you're good to go. I suggest lower/middle octave first then start up into the higher octave. I can hit a high B on the clarinet, which is like hitting a high F (high high F) on alto sax. I've heard of some hitting high D on clarinet, but I can't even hit high C. Getting there.  :D
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Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

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Offline BamBams

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« Reply #121 on: February 02, 2005, 04:22:37 PM »
It's going to be awhile before I take on the Clarinet - probably a couple years at least.  I've still got a long way to go on the sax.  I've been using method books also, but I feel like I've got to get some more training in the genre that I want to play - otherwise I am just going to get too bored during practice.
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Offline BamBams

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« Reply #122 on: February 02, 2005, 05:05:34 PM »
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #123 on: February 03, 2005, 01:20:04 AM »
Thanx BamBams!

However at this time I still don't have the funds needed.  :cry: I guess my Bundy will have to do me until I can get me a Selmer. But that was a nice sax. The other Mark VI tenor I saw somewhere looked pretty beat up. I don't necessarily want one of them. I'm not even sure if I want a used sax. I'll see wut happens.

What do you think you're playing level on sax is? I mean, if you're at an intermediate level or even the beginning of professional level, you can start out on clarinet. By the time I was a senior in HS, I was almost at the proffesional level (then again I had been doin it since 5th grade :lol: ). We had a band at my HS called Wind Ensemble. We played grade 3 and 4 music (I think hardest music in the world is grade 5?) and that kept us on our toes. Sometimes the songs were easy but playing them was a challenge. My first year in there I was on bari, second year alto, then third and the rest of my HS career I was on tenor. Very cool experience.

Good luck with the sax! Keep me posted!  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?

Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Offline BamBams

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« Reply #124 on: February 03, 2005, 03:24:24 AM »
Consider me an absolute beginner. I'd put my playing ability at about a 2nd year student of the sax, or less.   I'd put my theory level at about a 1st year musician, or even less. You are many years ahead of me in terms of musical experience.  I've been gaining a lot of "head" knowledge, but I'm a newbie when it comes to the practical application of that knowledge.  
 
I've been doing MUCH thinking about this lately.  I've recently realized that my biggest obstacle - the biggest point of frustration - to improving is that I want to walk before I've crawled enough.  I think it's hard on me because I'm a "natural" with the sax (like a duck takes to water) who wants to fly,  but I don't have enough mastery of the instrument yet to play what I really want to play.  I also don't have enough theory understanding either.  Somehow, I've gotten myself into a big hurry without realizing it.  I hear how I sound now, and I become very encouraged, but I'm trying to take steps that are too big.  I need to slow it down and learn to just relax, and enjoy my time with the instrument again.

I'm sounding good on simple ballads, etudes, and things, like "I Don't Know How To Love Him," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water"  but then I see the other side - the side where I cannot yet improvise freely or play well enough with other muscians.  So to me, the bottom line is:  I haven't mastered the instrument enough at all.  I'm someone who started out, didn't get all that far, and is now trying to make a serious go of it many years later because his love for the instrument never died.   When I can easily play a simple tune in all 12 keys, then I'll feel a bit better.

For those reasons, I believe that inserting another instrument right now into my regimen would  throw me off track since I haven't "mastered" the one I'm learning.  After taking a 15 year lay off from playing, my muscles are still adapting back to the sax.

I think I'm just going to follow the "Bird's" advice for awhile:

"Master the instrument first, and then the music."

So it's back to the woodshed for me - where I belong.  Into more advanced theory, and developing a mastery of the saxophone.  Listening to more and more jazz, learning the ii/v7/v, progressions, etc.

When my tax return comes in, I'm going to send off a substantial order for Aebersold learning materials.  It will take me years to get through it all, but at least I'll have it all on hand here when I am ready for it.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #125 on: February 03, 2005, 10:02:19 AM »
Well, lemme think...by the time I was in 9th grade the light bulb finally went on that I was developing, as I honked into my alto/tenor/bari, my style that would stick with me until the day they pried my horn from my cold dead hands. My style is a smoother, more relaxed style. At times, articulate as it needs to be, otherwise, fairly cool. I'm not rigid in ombeshure or anything like that, I just let it come naturally.

You need to do the same thing. Obviously you're getting discouraged because you want to be able to play what you can't (I'm not exactly sure who/what you're playing). Don't let it bother you. Fortunately, when I was playing in my grade school, I had NO CLUE who Kenny G, Grover Washington, David Sanborn were and that's probably a good thing.

If ya need any more intel lemme kno. And I think we can feed off of each others failings/successes.  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?

Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Offline BamBams

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« Reply #126 on: February 03, 2005, 01:39:05 PM »
Here's some sax jokes (some pretty funny, some not) that I found on the web today:


What's the difference between a garbage truck and a bass sax...
One's a massive, noisy, scum-encrusted hulk and the other is a public sanitation vehicle.

What's the difference between a drummer and a tenor sax player?
Drummers get paid to play... somewhere else.

What's the difference between a tenor sax solo and a bottomless pit?
It's reasonable to hope that a bottomless pit won't go on forever.

What is the difference between a sax and a chainsaw?
- Chainsaws sound better in ensembles.
- Your neighbors get upset if you don't return their chainsaw.
- Vibrato.
- The Grip.
- The Exhaust.

What is the difference between a bari sax and a 57 Chevy?
You can tune a 57 Chevy.

What's the difference between a tenor and a bari?
The bari holds bigger plants.

What's the difference between a dead skunk in the road and a crushed sax in the road?
Skid marks before the skunk.

What is the difference between a soprano sax and an onion?
Nobody cries when you chop a soprano sax into little pieces.

What is the difference between a SCUD missile and a bad sopranoino player?
The sopranoino player could kill you.

What is the difference between a saxophone and a trampoline?
You take your shoes off before you jump on a trampoline.

What is the difference between government bonds and alto players?
Government bonds eventually mature and earn money.

What's the difference between a dead snake lying in the middle of the road and the dead jazz tenor player lying beside it?
The snake might have been on its way to a gig.

What's the difference between the creationist theory of the origin of life and a bari sax?
The theory does not have as many leaks.

What's the difference between a saxophone and a vacuum cleaner?
You have to plug in the vacuum cleaner before it sucks.

Light Bulb Jokes (Run for your life!)

How many sax players does it take to change a light bulb?
Five. One to do it and four to comment on how David Sanborn would have done it.

How many soprano sax players does it take to change a light bulb?
Better get the drummer to do it. The sopranos are all busy fighting about Kenny G.

How many alto players does it take to screw in a light bulb?
- One. She holds the light bulb as the world revolves around her.
- Sixteen. They do everything in large groups.
- One. But he will do it too loudly.
- They aren't going to. Does God change light bulbs?

How many tenor players does it take to change a light bulb?
- None. She will get her boyfriend the drummer to do it.
- Just one, but she'll take two hours trying to find just the right one.

How many bari players does it take to screw in a light bulb?
- Ten. One to hold the light bulb and nine to drink until the room spins.
- One. But the vibrato will break three bulbs.
- Don't let them! They'll drool in the light socket and electrocute themselves!
- Well, if it takes and IQ of ten to screw in a light bulb...Two Hundred.

Miscellaneous

What do you call a "Naked Lady Conn"?
Hornography!

A man goes into a second hand shop.On the shelf is a brass rat.
"How much?".
"I'll take it".

He walks out with his brass rat heading for home. After half a mile he hears a scampering noise behind him, Looking round he sees a large black rat following him. A hundred yards further on and he is joined by hundreds of large black rats all following him. He comes to the town square and passes a number of busking saxophonists.

Past the square he turns down a side street.The rats are closer now and he is becoming frightened. He runs. They run. He turns left down the river bank and in panic throws the brass rat into the river. All the black rats vere off and jump into the river and drown.

The next day he passes the second hand shop again. He goes in and enquires if they have for sale a brass saxophone?
Contributed by Erictwigger@cs.com


One day, Saint Peter was interviewing a group of men to see if they should be let into Heaven...
He asked the first man what good deeds he had done in his life. "Well, I struck it rich in the oil business when I was young. While I was alive I earned a few million and donated half of that to charity." "Very good. Go on in," said Saint Peter.
"What did you accomplish in your lifetime?" he asked the second guy. "I invested in Microsoft and made three billion dollars. I left it to my children so that now none of my children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren will ever have to work," he proudly replied. "That's amazing!" exclaimed Saint Peter, "Go on in".

Now the third person walked slowly up to Saint Peter. "What did you do to better the world?" Saint Peter asked. "Well, I only made five thousand dollars", he replied humbly. Saint Peter then asked, "What instrument did you play?".


How many psychologists does it take to change a sax mouthpiece?
Only one, but the mouthpiece must be willing to change!

Two salesmen are in a bar...
One says to the other, "I bet you I can relate to anyone in this bar, I'm such a good salesman." The other replies, "You think so, huh? Well, sure. But I pick the guys." "Ok," says the first, "you're on."
The other grabs the guy sitting at the table next to them and tells the first salesman, "Here, this one." This first subject is dressed in a three-piece suit and is carrying Wall Street Week. The salesman asks him, "What's your IQ?" "190." So they chat for a while about the stock market, particle physics, and Non-Euclidean geometry.

"Ok," says the other salesman, "That was pretty good, but you still have two to go." He looks around and grabs a guy dressed in jeans, a tee-shirt, and a baseball cap worn backwards. The salesman asks him "What's you're IQ?" "About 100." So THEY chat for a while about baseball, cars, and the various women in the bar.

"Fine," says the other salesman, "But there's still one to go." He goes to the back of the bar and grabs a really scummy looking guy in a muscle shirt and shorts. The salesman asks him "What's your IQ?"

"About 60."

"What kind of reeds do you use?"


Hey, did you hear about the bari player that graduated high school?
Me neither.

What did the bari player get on his IQ test?
Drool.

What's the last thing a saxophonist says in a band?
"Hey guys, wanna try one of my songs?"

How do you tell if the stage riser is level?
The drool comes out of bothe sides of the bari player's mouth.

A man dies and goes to Heaven...
Unlike he had expected, Heaven is essentially a really long hallway with doors on either side, each with a short IQ range listed on it. Inside, he learns, the rooms are perfectly tailored so that the conversation will match the intelligence of the people in them.
He opens the 170 door. "Well," comes the conversation inside, "I've always found Fourier transforms to be a rather limited way of interconverting what are fundamentally..."

SLAM. Too rich for him. He heads down the hall a bit to the 115 zone and opens the door. "I just read 'Generation X'," comes a voice, "and though Coupland doesn't do too badly in identifying his generation's fundamental angst, I was a bit confused by..."

SLAM. Not bad, but now the man was getting curious, and wanted to see what was further down the scale. He tries 95. "Hey, did you read the paper today? Says interest rates will go up again..."

SLAM. How about 60? "Huh. Thought 'Married With Children' last night was pretty funny. Didn't get the bit about the hooters, though..."

SLAM. It was getting pretty bad. He tried 35. The people inside were looking at one another and drooling.

Finally, he came to the one marked with a 10. He hesitated, fearing what he would see when he opened the door. But he did, seeing only two guys inside.

"So," one said to the other, "what brand reeds do you use?"


How is a tenor solo like a sneeze?
You can tell it's coming but you can't do anything about it.

"The only reason President Clinton is still appreciated is because he plays the sax."

Two tenor players meet...
"Hey man, long time no see! What's happening?
"Don't talk about it! I've had the worst time lately. You know I split up with my wife?"
"No, man I never heard. Sorry."
"And my house burned down with my saxophone in it?"
"Wow, I didn't hear about that!"
"And then I got these terrible cold sores."
"Hey I'm really sorry, no one told me."
"Then because of all my troubles and a horrible borrowed horn I played the worst gig of my life last Saturday night."
"Yeah, I heard about that!"

How does a bari sax player's brain cell die?
Alone.

Mabel and Ethel were walking down the street one day, when Ethel spied a frog sitting on the sidewalk...
"Help me, help me!" the frog said, "I used to be a classical saxophonist, but an evil witch turned me into a frog. The only way to break the spell is to kiss me. Help me, help me!" So Ethel picked the frog up, put it in her pocketbook, and they continued to walk along. Shortly, the frog popped out of Ethel's pocketbook, and repeated (in its inimitable way), "Help me, help me! I used to be a classical saxophonist, but an evil witch turned me into a frog. The only way to break the spell is to kiss me. Help me, help me!" Ethel picked the frog up, put it back in her pocketbook, and they continued to walk along. "Why'd you do that?" asked Mabel. "Why didn't you kiss the frog and break the evil spell?" "Frankly," replied Ethel, "you can make a heck of a lot more money with a talking frog than with a classical saxophonist!"

Why can't sax players play punk music?
Ever tried to play sax with a pierced lip?

What do you say to a sax player in a three piece suit?
Will the defendant please rise.

Why can't you hear a soprano on a digital recording?
Recording technology has reached such an advanced level of development that all extraneous noise is eliminated.

How many bari players does it take to make a batch of chocolate chip cookies?
10. One to stir the batter and nine to peel the M&Ms.

Small wonder we have so much trouble with air pollution in the world when so much of it has passed through saxophones.

A senile old man started walking through town everyday in hopes of seeing interesting new things...
On the first day, he saw a restaurant offering elephant ear sandwiches. He said to himself, "That's interesting. I'll go back home now." The next day, he walked along and suddenly found a dog that swallowed a cow in one gulp. "That's enough for today", he said. The very next day, he heard strangely melodic, low pitched music. He slowly walked around the corner and found a tenor sax player practicing. "Okay Harold, you need to go home now. Too much excitement has you hallucinating!"

What do you call a tenor saxophonist without any money?
A professional.

Why don't tenor players play hide-and-go-seek?
No one will look for them.

How do altos greet each other?
"Hi. I'm better than you".

What does a lawsuit and a saxophone have in common?
Everyone is happy when the case is closed.

What's the definition of a "nerd"?
Someone who owns his own C melody sax.

What do you call a bari sax player with half a brain?
Gifted.

Why are bari saxes so big?
It's just an optical illusion. The baris aren't big, it is just that the player's heads are so small.

Why are alto's so small?
It's just an optical illusion. The altos aren't small, it is just that the player's heads are so big.

Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get away from the saxophone recital.

What is the definition of a half step?
Two altos playing in unison.

How do you get a tenor to play C flat?
Take the batteries out of her electric tuner.

What do you call a saxophonist after his girlfriend breaks up with him?
Homeless.

Why do saxophonists set their alarms for 6:00?
Most stores close at 6:30.

What would a tenor player do if he won a million dollars?
Continue to play gigs until the money ran out.

Why is a bari sax a divine instrument?
Man blows into it but only God knows what comes out.

A saxophonist comes home late from a gig...
Too tired to carry her sax upstairs, she decides to leave it in the car for the night. When she wakes up she heads to her car only to see the back window smashed in. When she looks inside she sees two saxes.

Why do saxes march when they play?
It is harder to hit a moving target.

One day Timmy came home from school very excited...
"Mommy, Mommy, guess what? Today in English I got all the way to the end of the alphabet, and everyone else got messed up around 'P'!" His mother said, "Very good, dear. That's because you're a bari player." The next day, Timmy was even more excited. "Mommy, Mommy, guess what! Today in math I counted all the way to ten, but everyone else got messed up around seven!" "Very good, dear," his mother replied. "That's because you're a bari player." On the third day, Timmy was beside himself. "Mommy, Mommy, today we measured ourselves and I'm the tallest one in my class! Is that because I'm a bari player?" "No dear," she said. "That's because you're 27 years old."

What is the least used sentence in the English language?
"Isn't that the saxophonist's Porshe?

What does "Da Capo" mean to a tenor player?
Go back to the beginning but play it right this time.

How do you get a jazz tenor to play softer?
Give him some music.

How do you get a jazz tenor to stop playing?
Put notes on the music.

Two bari players walk past a bar...
Hey, it could happen.

Why is playing the soprano sax like throwing a javelin blind folded.
You don't have to be good to get someone's attention.

In an emergency, a jazz tenor player was hired to do some solos with a symphony orchestra...
Everything went fine through the first movement, when she had some really hair-raising solos, but in the second movement she started improvising madly when she wasn't supposed to play at all. After the concert the conductor came round looking for an explanation. She said, "I looked in the score and it said `tacit'- so I took it!"

What do altos use for birth control?
Their personalities.

Two bari players walk into a bar.
What's funny is that you would think the second one would have seen the first one do it.

Why do sax players wear their neckstraps around?
So they can get disability discounts.

What do you call a tenor player with a beeper?
An optimist.

How do you know if a saxophonist is at your door?
His hat says "Pizza Hut".

How do you improve the aerodynamics of a saxophonist's car?
Take off the Pizza Hut sign.

Why do sax players leave their reeds on their car's dash?
So they can park in handicapped spaces.

What calendar does a bari player use for his gigs?
"Year-At-A-Glance".

A group of terrorists hijacked a plane full of alto players...
They called down to ground control with their list of demands and added that if their demands weren't met, they would release one alto player every hour.

What does a jazz sax player say at a gig?
Do you want fries with that?

Why don't sax players like playing soprano?
There is no place for them to hide their drugs.

How many C melody sax players can you fit into a phone booth?
All of them.

If lost in the woods, who do you ask for directions - an in-tune tenor sax player, an out-of-tune tenor sax player, or Santa Claus?
The out-of-tune tenor sax player. The other two indicate that you are hallucinating.

There is a man on a boat that is in a shipwreck...
The boat crashes on a jungle island and the man is greeted by natives. In the distance, he hears the sound of drums. He asks what the drums are for and the chief answers, "The drums must not stop." The man is forced to stay the night in the natives' village. All through the night the drums keep on going so he got no sleep at all during the night. He got up in the morning and went to the chief again, begging him to know why the drums couldn't stop. The chief answered, "Because, when drum solo stop, sax solo start."

What's a saxophone made of?
God knows what, but it sure sounds like old lawnmower parts.

Why did Adolph Sax invent the saxophone?
He hated mankind but couldn't build an atomic bomb.

Kenny G gets on an elevator and says "Wow! This ROCKS!"

How do you put down a tenor sax?
Confuse it with a bass clarinet.

When should a saxophonist change his reed?
Whenever a difficult section comes up in the music score.

Which is the ideal place to practice on a tenor saxophone?
A: In Saddam Hussein's bedroom.
B: Five fathoms under the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
C: In a deserted coal mine.
D: None of the above.
Correct answer: D, None of the above. A saxophone player never, but never practices. The risk of learning to play is too great.

The reason why so many weird noises comes out of the business end of saxophones is that Mr. Sax never issued any instructions on how to use them...
Contrary to popular belief, saxophones are percussion instruments and are meant to be beaten by hammers. Large hammers.

A man has been trapped on an island for several years when he sees a small wake in the water...
After a time, a lovely lady scubadiver rises from the surf. She walks to the man and exclaims, " You must be miserable, how long has it been since you have had a great smoke?" While the deranged man stammered for an answer, the lovely lady unzips the side pocket on her sleeve, and produces a Cuban cigar. She gazes into the now-smoking man's face and whispers, "and how long has it been since you have had a real drink"? Again the man stammers as she unzips her other sleeve to produce a flask of ancient Brandy. As she teasingly unzips the main zipper to her wetsuit, she asks, "And how long has it been since you have known real pleasure?" The man scrambles to his feet and yells "Oh my gosh, you don't really have a saxophone in there do ya?"
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Offline BamBams

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« Reply #127 on: February 03, 2005, 01:43:33 PM »
Quote from: Fishman029
You need to do the same thing. Obviously you're getting discouraged because you want to be able to play what you can't (I'm not exactly sure who/what you're playing). Don't let it bother you. Fortunately, when I was playing in my grade school, I had NO CLUE who Kenny G, Grover Washington, David Sanborn were and that's probably a good thing.


Yup, dat's my problem!  I am really slowing myself down now.

Quote
If ya need any more intel lemme kno. And I think we can feed off of each others failings/successes.  :D


Thanks a LOT!  I need all the sax playing friends I can get.  Too bad we live so far away from eachother.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #128 on: February 03, 2005, 02:37:35 PM »
Some of those jokes...wow..some were doosies  :-D .

I have another tip for you. If you're just a beginner, take off the metal mouthpiece. You should have at least 8 years (that's right, eight years), before you even touch a metal. Either use the plastic mouthpiece that came with the horn or go get a hard rubber mouthpiece. Your pitch will be so hard to control on that metal it isn't even funny. My 10th grade year in HS I asked my director about a metal mouthpiece. If looks could have killed. He said, "You need to at least wait two more years before you even think of a metal mouthpiece." He then showed me the painful demonstration of how if he started off on a high G he could move his lips so he ended up playing a high C. And if you don't have the lip position that comes with experience, your pitch will be WAY off. Something I think you should definitely do.  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?

Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Offline BamBams

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« Reply #129 on: February 03, 2005, 03:28:22 PM »
Naw....I've been doing fine with the metal mouthpiece.  I'm not stubborn, but the facts "speak" for themselves. I've checked all my tones against an electronic tuner, and I'm right where I ought to be, given the horn.  

Metal mouthpieces come in different sizes ya know? What kind of magic happens after 8 years?  Charlie Parker became great after just 4 years. Of course he practiced for 11 hours a day!

People learn at different rates too! A lot of the "old school" musicians won't put a metal piece to their lips, but they're missing out in my opinion.  If you stop and think about the fact that metal mouthpieces come in all shapes and sizes, I think you'll see my logic.    

Have you ever read, "The Art of Saxophone Playing," by Larry Teal?  It's considered the "bible" on sax playing.  It was written MANY years ago, and he says that the mouthpiece for you is the one that fits you properly and has the right facing.  On materials, he says it doesn't make a bit of difference otherwise.

Anyway,  this is what your teacher believed, but I'm being totally honest when I tell you that plenty of professionals think the opposite of him on this subject.  If you want to discuss it  with those folks, go on over to the "sax on the web" forums.  They'd love to debate it all month long.  You'll get my mouthpiece when ya pry it from........*laugh*
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #130 on: February 04, 2005, 01:42:14 AM »
Well, I suppose if you have the facts straight plus the fact about the pitches, I guess you're OK.

Keep jammin!  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?

Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Offline BamBams

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« Reply #131 on: February 04, 2005, 09:01:37 AM »
I think so.  So far, I've been able to play everything I've learned to play without any problems.  If I get to the point where the mouthpiece becomes a limiting factor, then I'd have no problem with investigating a new one.  If I was rich, I'd order about 5 different ones and pick out the best one.  Unfortunately, there aren't ANY good music stores around here that cater to woodwind players.  If I was rich, I'd open up one of those too! *smiles*

Speaking of being poor.  I got a great idea for making "swabs" the other day.  You know those 100% silk swabs that cost about $20 a piece? I went to Goodwill the other and picked up some silk scarfs for about a buck a piece.  A couple minutes on the sewing maching, and walla!

What type of neck strap are you using?  Mine is just nylon strap.  It kind of rubs me raw after awhile of playing.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #132 on: February 05, 2005, 03:52:12 AM »
Ditto. When I first was doin sax in the 6th grade, all the kids thought I had hickies on my neck (I wish  :) ) because the strap was making my neck red.

Didn't practice the instruments last nite. Just didn't feel up to it. SHOOT ME :twisted: . TTYL.  :D
JP

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Offline BamBams

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« Reply #133 on: February 05, 2005, 04:13:39 AM »
Can't shoot you, because I'd have to shoot myself first.  hehe!

I've recently gotten over some kind of pneumonia type thing I think?  I felt sick for about two weeks straight and my energy levels went way down.  Now I've been coughing, etc.  I just can't seem to practice like I want.  Everyday, I wake up hoping I'll feel better enough to get on with my life like I did before I was sick.  I HATE setbacks!

Wouldn't it be great if, we were young again, had no responsibilities, and could just play the sax all day long!

In all your years of playing, what is the longest break you've taken from practicing?  I find that when l came back to playing after 15 years, my sight reading ability took the biggest hit.  I've had to go back and re-memorize all my notes.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #134 on: February 05, 2005, 01:27:49 PM »
Eh, actually never had a break. As busy as I always was, I managed to find time to honk on the horn. Believe it or not :) .

Now tell me, your first horn was stolen 15 years ago? And you've waited that long to get goin again? What's wrong with you man? I should slap you upside the head :-D . Kidding, of course.

What kind of horn do you have again? I saw a pic of it...looks like you can only hit a low C# on it? What's the highest note you can get it? I'm lucky enough to have the high F plus the F# key as well. Some saxes didn't come with them and I was the envy of some b/c they didn't have that # key  :twisted: .  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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Offline BamBams

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« Reply #135 on: February 05, 2005, 02:06:07 PM »
The "standard range" of the horn I have now is from a low Bb to a high F.  In theory, using the altissimo fingerings, I can get up to a high C - five lines above the treble clef.  In reality, I cannot do that yet.

I have no problems hitting the high F# with altissimo fingering though, but it sure would be nice to have that front F# key, but I can live without it.  Even though some people look at my horn as being limited, I don't see it that way.  I don't because this horn was literally the best selling horn of it's day - during the peak of the jazz era - the 1920's.  If I could play half of what those guys could play back then, I'd go pro and buy 6 more horns! *smiles*  

It's a 1924, Buescher True Tone - low pitch. Serial #172XXX.  Quadruple 24K gold plated over silver plate.  It has the Selmer MKVI type pads - with the plastic resonators on them.  I have more pictures if you would like to see them?  Would you believe I paid $160.00 for it?

Here's what it's really worth:

http://www.saxgourmet.com/VINTAGE_SAXOPHONE_VALUE_GUIDE.htm

Yup, went without any horn for 15 years.  I agree, that was very stupid of me.  I'd probably be VERY good by now if I had replaced it right away.

The horn I had stolen was a King Zephyr - Identical to the one Charlie Parker played in almost every way.  It was like losing a girlfriend.  For years I could close my eyes and remember the duets I played with my x-wife (another clarinetist) on the front porch.  We entertained the neighbors for hours doing that.

I like the Buescher better though.  It plays sooooooo nice.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #136 on: February 05, 2005, 02:56:10 PM »
So you have a little case of commencement. Out of the loss of the King Zephyr came a better horn. But that's sorta sad to hear about your King Zephyr  :cry: . Not just the physical value of the horn, but you obviously had sentimental value as well. That'd be like if someone stole my Armstrong. It was my brothers, but after a few years he gave it up. And years down the road, it became mine, and it trucked me through all my years in the spotlight.

Altissimo fingerings...tell me more. In all my years I've only heard of them. Do you have a link with fingerings? My curiosity itches.... :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

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« Reply #137 on: February 05, 2005, 03:02:40 PM »
I think I can get you a fingering chart for altissimo.  Give me a little while okay?

You know that those Armstrong horns are haunted right?  I dropped my Buescher off to the tech, and he was kind enough to loan me an Armstrong - but he had to tell me the story.

You see, he grew up with that horn.  Elementary school, middle school, high school, and even college.  When he got his master's degree in Saxophone, he sold it to some guy.

Years later, the horn came into his shop for repair from a totally different guy.  He thought that was kind of cool.  He fixed it, and sent it back out.

A few years later, it came back again for repair, from a totally different person.  Once again, he fixed it, and sent it out.

Then last year, someone came in and traded that horn (a different person again) for a new horn.

Now he has it back, and he LOANS it out to people from time to time, but he refuses to get rid of it.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #138 on: February 05, 2005, 03:05:47 PM »
Wow. Dunno if that's good or bad  :) . Eh well, I don't intend on getting rid of it anytime soon. After all, it's one of the few things from my family I have left. It's priceless to me, even though probably only worth $500-$600 in reality.

Take your time on the altissimo. Just would like to know. Thanx!  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

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« Reply #139 on: February 05, 2005, 03:20:11 PM »
Here ya go.  This is for Alto Sax.  I scanned it from the chart I have here at home.  One thing to remember is that many altissimo fingering are "suggested."  The reason for this is that you hit these notes by slight changes in your embouchure and air.  It helps to have a tuner so you know you're getting them right.  I'm told that a good alto player can get 3.5 octaves out of their horn this way.  If you are able to "bend" your notes already - which I am sure you are - then this is similar to doing that.

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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #140 on: February 05, 2005, 04:41:44 PM »
Sweet. Thanx.

I just got done with another awesome practice session. I'm gonna record myself one of these days. I played along on the clarinet to Kenny G's duet with Burt Bacharach titled 'Alfie'. Cool song. Even cooler when ya throw a clarinet in there :) . A good one of course. Ya don't want a squeak bag :roll: .  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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Offline BamBams

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« Reply #141 on: February 05, 2005, 04:57:01 PM »
When you start recording, let me know.  We can share recordings on the Internet pretty easily.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #142 on: February 05, 2005, 05:05:54 PM »
Oh my Lord I just noticed. My last post just expanded this thread to 5 PAGES. I bet this is GB history. Wow. Robert, you were right.  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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Doctor: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #143 on: February 05, 2005, 05:07:45 PM »
Alrighty. I might start as early as tomorrow. Get up around eightish have some breakfast then get goin. Ya kno, livin it easy.  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Offline BamBams

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« Reply #144 on: February 05, 2005, 06:03:57 PM »
Yeah, but all the other pickers an' grinners took off!  I guess the sax is too much for them.  Maybe they just aren't playing anymore, and the guitars have become neglected friends?  sad.....so sad.......*grin*

Well, I am planning to have a great practice tomorrow also.  I don't know what I'm going to sound like after a few days off, but I can't care, I gotta press on.  I'll mainly be doing some scale practice, and then maybe a ballad or two.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #145 on: February 06, 2005, 03:38:38 AM »
Now tell me, how can we share recordings? That'll be the bomb.  :D
JP

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Offline BamBams

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« Reply #146 on: February 06, 2005, 07:55:12 AM »
It's pretty simple, but you need some stuff to do it.

You'll need software on your computer that will record the music.  You'll need a microphone you can plug into your computer.  So basically, you just use that microphone to play into, and the computer makes the sound file.

As for transferring the sound file back and forth.  I can post mine to the web.  They can also be emailed, etc.  It's easier to just put them on the Internet and let the other guy download them though.

I've got a lot of music software here that I use to record myself.
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Offline JPSaxMan

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« Reply #147 on: February 06, 2005, 08:58:10 AM »
Well, I have that Adobe Audition so that's no problem plus the mic. But the quality of sound bites. It's way too choppy. Maybe a newer mic is in order.

That's why my session bombed today. I recorded a few things on alto then tried one on clarinet. Forget it. Pfffttttt :) .

I think e-mail may be best route. But that's after I get better sound quality.  :D
JP

Attorney: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in
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« Reply #148 on: February 06, 2005, 09:14:43 AM »
Those instrument mics can get quite expensive.  I had to find a way around it.  I went and bought a Radio Shack "lapel mic"  I'm not sure of the model number, but I cemented some red felt into the alligator clip, and I just clip it onto the bell of my sax.  The frequency range of this mic was on target also.  It cost me about $25.00 as I recall - much better than $200.00!  It also comes with a battery. The cord wasn't long enough, so I had to buy an extension cord for it also.  Dang it makes me sound great with some reverb! HAHAHA
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« Reply #149 on: February 06, 2005, 09:43:18 AM »
Hey Fish....earlier you asked what kind of music I like to play....I just found a song for you that is very close to it.  Notice the rhythm, harmony, and vocals.

It's a Sanborn song from the "Time Again" album called "Cristo Redentor".
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