Charlie Parker Tunes as Practice Etudes
About two weeks ago I started working on a couple of Charlie Parker tunes: Donna Lee and Ornithology. I was
Jazz, practice, Practice Mindset, Practice Techniques
Practice Mindset, Practice Techniques
When you Can’t Practice – Listen!
When life gets too busy or travel keeps you away from your instrument, you don’t have to stop making progress. Learn how active listening and mental rehearsal can help you “download” new techniques, master tricky passages, and continue improving—even when you can’t pick up your horn.
Finding Instruments, Getting Started
Returning to Music: A Guide to Finding Your Next Instrument
Getting back into music after years away is an exciting journey, but if you no longer own an instrument, finding the right gear can feel like a massive hurdle. The good news? You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a professional setup to get playing again. From hidden gem used brands to low-risk rentals, here is a practical guide to finding a reliable, budget-friendly student instrument that will get you back making music without the frustration.
Practice Mindset, Practice Techniques
Rebuilding Jazz Sax Repertoire After a Long Break: ‘Oleo’ by Sonny Rollins
Want to learn jazz standards without the stage fright? Think of your backing tracks as a flight simulator. Here is what happened when I tackled Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo” after a break, stumbled into an unexpectedly fast backing track tempo, and used the “sink-or-swim” method to build up performance confidence in private.
Equipment Testing, Professional Saxophones, Review, Tenor Saxophone
A Vintage Saxophone Player’s Review of 5 Modern Saxophones
How do today’s top professional tenors stack up against a century of saxophone history? As a vintage Buescher player, I headed to Nashville to put five modern horns from Yamaha, Keilwerth, P. Mauriat, and Cannonball to the test. Here are my honest thoughts on tone, ergonomics, and where I’d actually put my money.
Practice Techniques
Dusting Off the Horn: My Routine for Getting Back Into Playing Shape
Stepping away from your instrument is easy; stepping back is where the real work begins. Here is the exact practice routine I’m using to rebuild my saxophone chops, endurance, and tone after an extended break.
Practice Mindset, Practice Techniques
Coming Back to Music After a Break? Keep These Two Things in Mind
Coming back to music after a long absence is tough. Your coordination is gone, your endurance is shot, and the frustration of past vs. present ability can make you want to put the horn away. But you can’t force your way back. Discover the two essential mindsets that helped me navigate the slow crawl of progress and rebuild my playing, one five-minute session at a time.