Author Topic: Anyone Here A Musician? (Read 18020 times)

jh45gun · « **Reply #30 on:** January 15, 2005, 08:41:27 AM »

In your dreams! Bambams!

Besides she probably allready has a 3 year old! :shock: :-D :shock: :lol:

BamBams · « **Reply #31 on:** January 15, 2005, 09:01:08 AM »

Yeah, but I'd climb up into my own high chair for her!

jh45gun · « **Reply #32 on:** January 15, 2005, 01:21:01 PM »

Better watch out she may lock you in and leave you sitting in that chair! :eek: But at least you could say you were getting up in the world! I could post good looking chicks with guitars here all day long also but GB may think we are getting off topic. :wink:

BamBams · « **Reply #33 on:** January 15, 2005, 02:09:24 PM »

Naw....we're still on topic, and you KNOW that girls with guitars are never as pretty as the girls with saxophones. Nice try using GB as an excuse though. He's already seen Anabelle anyway.

Why does music have to be so darn expensive? Back when I used to play, I could get sax reeds for about .75 cents. Now the good ones are up to about 3 bucks a piece. I was stunned to learn this. Playing a sax is now as expensive as smoking cigarettes - albeit one is much better for the lungs than the other.

Well, back to listening to Dave Sanborn et all.............

jh45gun · « **Reply #34 on:** January 15, 2005, 05:57:13 PM »

Try playing guitar. Constant buying strings, Pics, Cords ect. Then if you play a electric guitar there are so many other goodies to temp you into buying them amps, pedals, stands ect. Plus guitar players may sing which sax players can't if they are playing :roll: so that includes microphones, cords, sound systems ect ect ect. Be happy at paying for just reeds!

Dali Llama · « **Reply #35 on:** January 16, 2005, 05:51:29 AM »

This post has been deleted. There's just no good reason to write serious personal criticisms and observations regarding the other posters on this thread.

BamBams · « **Reply #36 on:** January 16, 2005, 10:14:53 AM »

Okay you guys. Who is self-taught, and who took lessons? I'm curious. I am 98% self taught - still self teaching actually. I know it would be better to take lessons, but that is just not available to me at this time. Should a person simply concentrate on mastering their instrument first, or is it important to focus on the genre of music that is your goal, and just let the mastery come as it may? Does anyone understand what I'm talking about? *laughing*

Dali Llama · « **Reply #37 on:** January 16, 2005, 10:26:00 AM »

Post deleted - way off topic. In the future, direct your complaints to Graybeard. This is a music thread.

jh45gun · « **Reply #38 on:** January 16, 2005, 11:21:13 AM »

Self taught. I had a few lessons but have you ever noticed a lot of these folks do more showing off trying to impress you than actually teaching you. I found learning from friends by watching and doing was easier and I had previous lessons in music playing trumpet in school and I had a habit of playing by ear doing that also so learning guitar was easy for me.

BamBams · « **Reply #39 on:** January 16, 2005, 03:40:21 PM »

I know the type of "show offs" you're talking about! They are usually trumpet and guitar players. HAHAHAHA!

Seriously though, I took "basic" lessons about 15 years ago. It was kind of weird because he was a high school band teacher and French Horn player. He tried his best to teach sax, but once we got beyond basic music theory and simple technique, his inexperience with the instrument got in the way of me. We parted friends.

What I'm doing now is trying to completely master the instrument to the point where I can flow and improvise (Blues & Jazz) and discover my own voice and sound. Tonight in fact, I've pretty much decided to go through the "Universal Technique" book from cover to cover and bone up on scales and transposing. This book is about 2 inches thick, but it opens with a guarantee that if you complete the whole thing, and practice seriously, you'll definitely be a first class player. We shall see! I think I'll be close to where I want in about a year or two, that's just a guess though.

I play for self gratification mostly. I find it very relaxing, almost spiritual. I don't try to impress anybody, but hey, if that ever happens, it's icing on the cake and reward for all the hard work and time I've put into practicing. Sure, nothing wrong with a pat on the back every once and awhile.

jh45gun · « **Reply #40 on:** January 16, 2005, 04:46:17 PM »

Quote from: BamBams

I know the type of "show offs" you're talking about! They are usually trumpet and guitar players. HAHAHAHA!

Seriously though, I took "basic" lessons about 15 years ago. It was kind of weird because he was a high school band teacher and French Horn player. He tried his best to teach sax, but once we got beyond basic music theory and simple technique, his inexperience with the instrument got in the way of me. We parted friends.

What I'm doing now is trying to completely master the instrument to the point where I can flow and improvise (Blues & Jazz) and discover my own voice and sound. Tonight in fact, I've pretty much decided to go through the "Universal Technique" book from cover to cover and bone up on scales and transposing. This book is about 2 inches thick, but it opens with a guarantee that if you complete the whole thing, and practice seriously, you'll definitely be a first class player. We shall see! I think I'll be close to where I want in about a year or two, that's just a guess though.

I play for self gratification mostly. I find it very relaxing, almost spiritual. I don't try to impress anybody, but hey, if that ever happens, it's icing on the cake and reward for all the hard work and time I've put into practicing. Sure, nothing wrong with a pat on the back every once and awhile.

When the dog stops howling you know your on your way!

Just kidding! If nothing else if you enjoy it that is all that counts though I found out with my guitar it was nice making extra money for over 30 years playing in weekend bands! :grin: :grin: :grin: :wink:

Sarge · « **Reply #41 on:** January 17, 2005, 10:24:11 AM »

Self taught

BamBams · « **Reply #42 on:** January 17, 2005, 10:40:16 AM »

How about you guys showing us some of these guitars? If you need help getting them posted, just let me know.

Here's a bit of Candy playing "Bakerstreet" live in Europe at a public appearance - lest anyone think she's all eye candy - pun intended. *smiles* Granted she's not David Sanborn - but she's not far from it either. Sanborn is my biggest influence.

http://www.paradisefirearms.com/CD.mp3

jh45gun · « **Reply #43 on:** January 17, 2005, 03:23:15 PM »

Left is a old Japanese guitar from the 60's about 65 I would guess. Headstock says Demian or something like that as near as I can tell it is a Goya or a Teisco. On the right is my Peavey Reactor Telecaster guitar. Amp is a Crate 60 and the Pedal in the forground is a modeling pedal a Digitech PR80 which has tons of guitar effects and amp and guitar models meaning it can mimic different amps and guitars.

BamBams · « **Reply #44 on:** January 17, 2005, 04:56:20 PM »

Nice looking guitars Jim! I had to lighten up the image in photoshop to really see them, but that's probably because my monitor isn't the brightest around. Looks like you're all set up and ready to play? How often do you practice? I'm curious, do you find it hard to transpose and play with Eb or Bb horns? I've found that some guitarists, mainly outside of jazz and blues, hate to play with horns.

Oh, here's my sax. 1924 Buescher True Tone - all original finish 24k gold plated. Cost me $160.00 at a pawn broker who didn't know what it was. hehehe....estimated value is about $1100.00. I took it as a sign from above that God was giving me his divine "thumbs up" to start playing again.

jh45gun · « **Reply #45 on:** January 17, 2005, 05:36:21 PM »

Nice Sax! I have never seen any sax or trumpet or any other horn sell for that low in a pawn shop. I have seen some cheap clarinets but then they are not brass either. I guess you better keep a eye on that shop to see what else he has cheap.

Not really hard for a guitar player to play in any key on the neck as long as you know where to go. For those that do not a CAPO on the neck in the BFlat or E Flat positions should allow you to cord normal and yet be able to play along. I have had sax players fill in with us and they seemed to be able to follow along in the right key no matter what key we played so it must not be a major problem. I have been playing for so long I only practice if I want to learn a new song or if the urge hits me to pick it up. Lately with the carpel tunnel problems I have not picked it up as much to give my fingers a rest. I should not type as much either but do. :shock:

BamBams · « **Reply #46 on:** January 17, 2005, 05:47:44 PM »

That's what I always thought. It really doesn't seem to be so hard for a guitar to pretty much go with anything. I think the guys I wanted to play with just didn't know what they were doing, or they didn't want a horn around, and gave me a bunch of lame excuses? I hate it when people take advantage of someone else's ignorance.

I once even thought about getting a "C-Melody" sax - which hasn't been made in over 50 years, just to make it easier on concert "C" instruments that I might want to play with, but alas, I decided to spend that money more wisely. (I think?) Anywho, that's what I'm trying to learn right now: How to follow all the chords and scales. I'm using an electronic keyboard with built in rhythm section and percussion to practice with. This is working out really good. I can have the keyboard produce any chord in any key there is. Perhaps in the near future, I'll make an *.mp3 file and you can tell me how badly I suck. *laughing*

Well, this pawnbroker says he's been in business for about 10 years here and there. He and I know eachother kinda well, and he let me take the instrument home for several days before I committed to a sale with him.

What he did was look for similar saxophones on eBay to determine it's value, but the problem there is that 99% of the eBay horns are laquered brass and not 24K gold plated. This makes a huge difference in value, because Buescher would put a coat of solid silver plate over the horn first, to make the gold adhere, and then 4 coats of gold over that. In addition, most horns on eBay aren't really in this good of shape and need alot of EXPENSIVE work to bring them back -- especially an 80 year old horn like this one. This one did not. Buying a sax on eBay is like asking someone to shoot you in the foot. It's a serious gamble as a simple overhaul runs about $600.00.

He was originally asking $199.00 for it. When I brought it back to him at the end of three days, I explained that I would have to put in about $60.00 to correct some minor problems - which was true. Some of the springs were just a tad bit weak. Sooooo....he came down to $160.00.

He told me that he believes the horn had stayed in one family before I got it. What suprises me the most though, is that whoever sold it to him must not have had a clue either. Someday, I'm going to send it over to a guy in Washington to have it restored back to 100% new condition. I wouldn't normally do that, except this horn plays even better than it looks. I may never want for another one.

Are you familiar with Tom Waits? Have you played any of his stuff?

jh45gun · « **Reply #47 on:** January 17, 2005, 06:06:11 PM »

well your pic shows in in nice shape you really got a deal. As far as the sax and guitar thing goes I would guess after a sax player knows all the scales and keys he should be able to follow anything like any good musician. Of course this is depending on skill and of course the more you follow different musicians the better you get at following songs you are not familular with or different styles, ect.

BamBams · « **Reply #48 on:** January 17, 2005, 06:13:23 PM »

Quote from: jh45gun

I would guess after a sax player knows all the scales and keys he should be able to follow anything like any good musician.

That's right, just put all the responsibility on me! HAHAHAHA
Oh, and another thing about the keyboard, it can't COMPLAIN about my playing either!

It could be worse....if I hadn't played a little years ago, my neighbors would have to suffer through 1000 attempts at "Camptown Races." Of course, 1000 attempts at "Bridge Over Troubled Water" probably isn't much better is it?

About the hands. I think I might have a little something going on with mine also. They get "stiff" from time to time. Right now, I've just been ignoring it and sometimes stretching my fingers back. That seems to help some. When I welded, my fingers would get so stiff that I would literally have to pry my hands open when I woke up in the morning. I guess that as we get older, we gotta deal with more of these types of things.

Sarge · « **Reply #49 on:** January 19, 2005, 05:35:21 AM »

Quote from: BamBams

Sanborn is my biggest influence.

]

What? You mean BootsRandolph didn't influence you?

Robert · « **Reply #50 on:** January 19, 2005, 05:55:22 AM »

I am self taught at the expense of many unlucky victims over a period of many years. I play pretty good now though. I do a little bit of lead stuff for fun, but mostly play fairly straight rythm guitar to accompany original vocals. I never really learned hot licks, have focused more on the songs. Maybe in my old age I will become a real player.

BamBams · « **Reply #51 on:** January 19, 2005, 05:58:56 AM »

I hear you Robert. At my age, the best I could hope for would be semi-pro, but if it's one thing I "think" I've learned:

Even though we must set goals to have direction, it's really the quality of the journey that makes up for most of our life, and not necessarily arriving at the destination. *smile* I enjoy playing and learning - that's what counts for me.

BamBams · « **Reply #52 on:** January 19, 2005, 06:06:10 AM »

Quote from: Sarge

Quote from: BamBams
Sanborn is my biggest influence.

]

What? You mean BootsRandolph didn't influence you?

Not really an influence, but I do enjoy listening to Boots! -- also Hodges and the "Bird." Hodges because he played on the same sax I'm playing. Sanborn has simply arrived where I want to go. The old bebop stuff is pretty good, but my tastes are a little more in line with maybe Cannonball and Desmond than Boots Randolf. Have you heard them? I find that all of these old guys have a thing or two I'd like to borrow. OR is it steal? These guys are all legends for a variety of reasons, and each has a different voice to hear.

jrdudas · « **Reply #53 on:** January 20, 2005, 03:43:43 AM »

When I first got a guitar (about age 13), my grandmother sent along some money for lessons. That money didn't last long and I have to admit that I really didn't learn much. The only muscian friends that I had played the accordian, I couldn't learn much from them. Actually, today I am really interested in learning some Zydeco music on the accordian. Anyway, I learned a few things from some guys when I was in the military, enough to play rhythm in a band. Finally, in my mid 20's I decided it was now or never, so I started taking lessons again. That continued over the next 10 years and three teachers. The one I studied with the longest was a jazz player who had played with the big bands from age 16 to about age 40, and always earned a living as a pro player. He and his wife both taught and played jobs together. He was a great player and and we became friends and I miss him (he passed on some years back).

After that I taught guitar and bass for a while, private lessons and classes at a community college. My experience is that if you learn to read music well and learn your instrument equally well you will always be able to play with others and the choice of material is almost insignificant. On the other hand, I have known some great guitar players who do not read music and have had very few lessons. My personal opinion is that if you have only lessons and have not at least tried to learn through other methods, your playing sounds sterile and lacks feeling. I think the best approach is to learn everything you can by any means you can and from anybody. There's always someone who is a better player for a variety of reasons.

As for sax and guitar not working well together; it's been my experience that some guitar players panic when they see a Bb or Eb chord. The real answer to that problem is for them to learn their BAR chords and forget about the capo. We have a really good vintage guitar show here twice a year and I find it interesting to listen to what goes on there. Those folks trying out guitars and playing the loudest are the ones who know three power chords and about nothing else. If you walk around and listen for the quiet players you'll find the ones who really know what they're doing.

John

tomaldridge · « **Reply #54 on:** January 20, 2005, 05:08:16 AM »

I officially started playing drums in 1959. I've played concert & symphonic; street with marching bands, drum & fife, Scots bagpipes, and drum/bugle corp; rhythm & blues, rock, country, hotel music, polkas, and my favorite is still that studio jazz/rock with the big band and all the singers, but I love it all. There are two genres I haven't had a chance to play (Latin & Texas Swing), and two instruments (bodrhan and taiko). In a lot of ways, it's like shooting and dog sledding:

Perfection is impossible
The basic skills are very important
It's expensive, and getting more so
If you give it, it will take every part of your life and all your resources, leaving you with nothing, but feeling richly rewarded
If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand

BamBams · « **Reply #55 on:** January 20, 2005, 03:00:24 PM »

Wow....lot's of musician's around here, and lot's of good information and advice also!

I've heard a lot of "Cajun" music when I lived in Louisiana. If that stuff doesn't get you on your feet, I think nothing probably well. On the other side of it, there is some that sounds even spirtual.

You know what I'd like to see? A book that goes through the entire history of music. From it's earliest beginnings, to present, and shows which genres progressed into which. If anyone knows of such a book, please let me know.

I have a cold this week, so I haven't been able to play the horn for days now. Oh well.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #56 on:** January 20, 2005, 04:37:34 PM »

Well well BamBams, I see we have something in common. I too am a sax player. I currently play alto, tenor, and bari saxes. Gonna get a soprano soon. Selmer Model 53

. I also play clarinet. Then I have some extras, djembe (African drum) and digeridoo (Australian wind instrument). My alto is a student Armstrong I've had since God knos when and it's still in good condition. Tenor for now is a Bundy II (by Selmer...only reason still using it) and I really don't own a bari, used to use the school's bari but have experience on it. I am more self taught than anything. Took some lessons, but mostly self taught. Those hours of practicing add up to something, ya kno

. Are you a Kenny G fan? I am probably his biggest fan (except I don't go to the concerts

). For some reason a lot of sax players I have run across don't care for him. Dunno why :? . Jealousy? Nah. :-D

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #57 on:** January 20, 2005, 04:44:03 PM »

Candy Dulfer...first female saxist I ever saw. Interesting. Bambams, I second your notion on her :wink:

BamBams · « **Reply #58 on:** January 21, 2005, 01:15:24 AM »

Greetings fellow sax player!

Well ya hit the jackpot. I am someone who doesn't like Kenny G's music, and I am not jealous. Even better yet, I know exactly why I don't like his music, and the icing on the cake is: I respect your right to like him, and won't hold it against you. *smiles*

(taking another swig of Nyquil) I can't stand to listen to him anymore. For real! Years ago, when I first started learning, and before my "King Zephyr" was ripped off, I enjoyed Kenny's music. The problem was that I got to a point where I could see and hear where he isn't able to go while I'm listening to him. I get annoyed - even frustrated. My mind gets to thinking - "Go here now Kenny! Go there now Kenny!" If you watch his videos - notice the embouchure. He plays out da side of his mouth even though he has a normal overbite and flat teeth. I tried that once just to see what it would be like, and there was a whole lotta stuff I couldn't do that way - and neither does he - which is why I think he sticks to the soprano where he can reside in those octaves? Consider a low, sustained Eb on your Bari, try and play it out da side of your mouth. Anyway this leads me up to saying that the BIGGEST turn off for me is that he seems to enjoy living in the pentatonic realm at legato. How much of that can a person take? If I was a sea turtle crossing the ocean then maybe I could endure it longer?

On the plus side....many people like listening to him, and he's been great for saxophone sales in Taiwan. He's kept half of micronesia employed for the last 10 years. That is a good thing! He has way more money than I have, so he can afford engineers, the best intruments, etc etc. So, I'd guess he's been very blessed. He has mastered cyclic breathing, which is something I wish I could do. He won the world record for holding a note for something like 45 minutes, but I also know there are probably many players out there who could beat it, but would rather not bother. There you have it! I've nothing against him as a person though. I just can't swallow the music, (there isn't anything for me to digest). My honest opinion.

I played an old, student model alto Armstrong a couple months ago for a week that I borrowed when my Buescher was being regulated at the shop. It was quite different, but I was surprised just how easy it was to blow through that Armstrong. I would have no problems with having kept it as a backup. Somebody had left an old, Brilhart 5* in the case, and I tried to use that also, but YUCK, the tooth plate was so worn down that my teeth sunk into it. It made me want to barf.

What mpcs and reeds are you using. I'm using Vandoren ZZ reeds (2.5) on an Otto Link metal 5*. I was fortunate in that I arrived at this setup without going through a lot of changes first. I'd say my sound is a little dark - without a lot of edge. I would like to have just a little more edge than I have now, but that's kinda hard with a Link mpc. I've been thinking of giving Alexander Superial reeds a try and changing to a brighter ligature. Maybe an Oleg? If none of that works, one of these days, I'm going to get another Link with a wider tip opening - maybe a 7 or larger. Lot's of players are raving over those Alexander reeds, and saying they can go for months on them. Have you tried those?

Yup! Candy is very good! I was lucky to be able to communicate with her on another Internet BBS once. She has no problems with giving tips to newbies like me. Great person! Total package (ahem). She's also a fan of Sanborn, Joe Lavano, Phil Woods, etc. I really believe, if she hangs in there, she'll become a female Sanborn in another 10 years or so. I always get stoked when I see a female saxophonist - a serious one that is.

Now if I could just get her to give me lessons at home......

Oh, you may not know this name, but I got free tickets to hear this guy play at a college back in October. His name is Frank Morgan. He learned his stuff straight from Charlie Parker. His dad was a guitarist in Parker's band, and Parker took him under his wing when he was kid. Then he got too close to Parker and started doing heroin also. Spent a lot of years doing time for it too! When Parker died, he turned himself in to rehab. Now he's made a comeback at AGE 70! Darn he is good too! His band is called the "Frank Morgan Quartet" and he's touring all over the US with Cecil Macbee.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #59 on:** January 21, 2005, 05:21:17 AM »

To be entirely honest I don't criticize G's ombeshure and stuff like. I see where you're coming from. But I could care less :lol: . Every sax player has their style and I think we should let them have it. But I would definetly never be able to take that bari and hit a low C on it while playing out the side of the mouth. No way :eek: .

Well, I use Vandoren's when I can. But due to $$$, I've been using Rico Royal 3's. Not bad at all. I use Vandorens on the clarinet. Mouthpieces...I still have the crappy plastic mouthpiece that came with the alto when I got it back in the stone age. Looking to upgrade to a hard rubber, then a metal. I'm actually looking for suggestions on that if you're willing to suggest a hard rubber mouthpiece. The tenor mouthpiece I have isn't a smooth plastic BUT I don't think it's rubber either :? . Plays just as good.

I got a Kenny G album where he dueted with David Sanborn. They did "Picking up the Pieces"

. Nice to see two good sax players at it (or at least according to you, one good one and one who just plays out of the side of his mouth :-D ).