Your questions answered about all things music and saxophone! You can send me questions about saxophone gear, playing tips, practice techniques, tone production, improvisation, reading... You get the idea! No question is too large or small!
2025 Sessions:
January 2025: This video covers techniques like long tones, articulation, interval training, jazz improvisation, must-know tunes, and even the saxophone’s role in Celtic music.
February 2025: Ever struggled with fast phrases? Confused about modes and music theory? Dealing with mouthpiece issues, memorization struggles, or embouchure fatigue on long gigs?
In this Q&A, I’m tackling your biggest saxophone challenges—from switching between alto and tenor, to writing your own jazz etudes, handling tricky sound engineers, and even tips memorizing tunes!
March 2025: Wondering if it's time to switch from alto to tenor? Confused about overtones vs. altissimo, or why your tuning app says you're always off?
In this Q&A, I’m answering your saxophone questions—from choosing the right strap and posture, to tackling 16th note triplets in “Your Latest Tricks,” to expanding on a 2-5-1 progression like a pro.
We’re also diving into reed adjustments, soundproofing your practice space, learning melodies by shape, and the best book for total beginners to start improvising.
2024 Sessions:
Ever struggled with fast phrases? Confused about modes and music theory? Dealing with mouthpiece issues, memorization struggles, or embouchure fatigue on long gigs?
In this Q&A, I’m tackling your biggest saxophone challenges—from switching between alto and tenor, to writing your own jazz etudes, handling tricky sound engineers, and even tips memorizing tunes!
January 2024: Economics of reeds, learning road maps, overcoming mental blocks and more.
February 2024: The most questions ever! everything from reeds, reading and improvising!
March 2024: Stuffy D's! Help with high notes! What are these 'x' and '+' markings? and more!
April 2024: How the mouthpiece changed through sax history! Best videos for the II V I, What body part is best for feeling rhythms? and more!
May 2024: When to replace a saxophone reed, learning about chords and improvisation, automatic recall of music theory.
June 2024: Motivation, triad paris, finger speed, memorising tunes and chordsand much more!
July 2024: "Gb or F#? Best way to learn by ear? Is it a minor key? Master complicated sections? How does Candy Dulfer do it? Play over multiple chords per bar? How should a senior citizen learn? Are sharp D's a problem with my sax? Combat sticky keys?"
August 2024: This Q&A covers busking rules, structuring practice across instruments and key centers, and resolving technical issues like saliva rattling in the mouthpiece. It explores vowel shapes for register control, altissimo fingerings, lacquered vs. unlacquered saxes, and using blues scales in improvisation. Additional topics include tuning a C-melody sax, timing solos, and mastering chord inversions.
September 2024: This Q&A covers key saxophone practice tips, from prioritizing exercises and mastering basic technique to improvising on "Take Five." It also offers advice on injury prevention, developing a unique style, choosing a mouthpiece, improving rhythm, and staying motivated during practice.
October 2024: We cover topics like improving memory for chord inversions, maintaining practice motivation, playing by ear, cataloging licks, understanding jazz progressions (e.g., backdoor progression), articulation tips, mastering tricky palm keys, improvising over similar chord changes, and overcoming sticky pad challenges.
November 2024: Products to prevent sticky saxophone pads and extend pad life. Explore the pentatonic scale for improvisation, find "My Way" backing tracks, and build confidence for busking. Learn music notation abbreviations, basic DIY sax repairs, clear jazz phrasing, and effective phrase start/end notes.
December 2024: Discover tips for using iReal Pro, practicing swing with a metronome, and rhythm exercises with Time Guru. Learn about ligatures, mouthpiece tips, and essential maintenance tools. Master articulations, growling, altissimo, and festive tunes. Troubleshoot common sax issues, improve your embouchure, and reduce air noise for a pro sound. Perfect for practice and live performances!"
