Here are two short transcriptions of solos Chris Potter did on a March 8, 2008 Masterclass. The bootleg was floating around the internet (www.dimeadozen.org) and I was lucky enough to grab it. In these two examples Chris is showing the differences in his playing style from when he was younger to now. The first solo […]
Donny McCaslin Blues Solo in 6ths Tenor Sax Transcription
Here’s another solo transcriptions I started working on yesterday. This is from a clinic recording of Donny McCaslin demonstrating using sixth intervals while improvising over a standard blues on the tenor saxophone. I have no idea what this is from or even where I got it but it must have been on the internet somewhere. I tried […]
David Mann’s Tenor Saxophone Solo-Sun Down Transcription
Here’s another great David Mann transcription from a Bb Blues that was sent to me from Igor Tomanoski. This is a solo that Dave played on the tune Sun Down. I made a few minor additions and changes to the transcription of some notes and rhythms I heard. This solo is another great example of […]
Neffmusic Lessons: Where do I start?
Now that the Neffmusic site has over 500 lessons to choose from, the two questions I get asked the most every week are: “Where should I start?” and “What should I do next?” (Also, “What mouthpiece should I buy?” but that is a different subject than we are dealing with today). To answer these questions, I […]
David Mann’s Tenor Saxophone Robusto Funky Solo Transcription
Here’s another great David Mann transcription that was sent to me from Mark Sepinuck. John Blevins did all the hard work of transcribing this one. He’s braver than I am to tackle the cadenza at the end of this solo………..Thanks for transcribing this John! David Mann Here’s a short bio of Dave that I found […]
David Mann’s Tenor Saxophone Robusto Blues Transcription
Here’s another killin’ blues transcription I have been working on. This is 14 choruses of a swingin’ blues that David Mann recorded as a demo for the 10mFan Robusto hard rubber mouthpiece last year. As soon as I heard this clip I put it on my list of solos to transcribe. There are lots of great ideas and […]
Chris Potter playing the alto saxophone at 15………….
Here’s an interesting video I just found the other day! This is Chris Potter playing a gig when he was 15 years old! Chris Potter is one of the top tenor saxophone player’s in the world right now. It is so interesting to hear where he was at when he was just 15 years […]
Tony Dagradi Tenor Saxophone Solo Transcription on Invitation
So this week I wanted to keep to my transcription goal but things have been a bit hectic around here. I was playing a Benjamin Allen Tony Dagradi model tenor mouthpiece most of today while I was practicing and it reminded me of a Tony Dagradi solo on Invitation that I had heard a while […]
Michael Brecker Transcription-Blue Bossa 1985
Happy Holidays Everyone!! Here’s another new transcription I have been working on. It’s Christmas Eve, the wife and kids are in bed, the presents are under the tree, not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse, when down from Steve’s office arose such a clatter, the sound of Michael Brecker……that was the matter………. This is […]
Ken Okutsu High Baffle Tenor Mouthpiece Review
Today, I am reviewing my first hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece from Ken Okutsu in Japan. It is the high baffle model and has an 8 tip opening which is .110. I hadn’t heard of Ken Okutsu before but he emailed me asking if I would be willing to try his mouthpieces. I of course […]
Michael Brecker Transcription of Confirmation-Berklee Clinic 1987
Here’s another new transcription I’m working on. Every once in a while I get in a mood to transcribe some Michael Brecker. Then, after I get started I soon think “What the heck was I thinking? This is crazy!” It’s usually after I have slowed down one section to the slowest it can possibly go and […]
9 Great Tenor Saxophone Mouthpieces to Compare
This is from a comparison post I made some years ago of 9 great tenor saxophone mouthpieces. I thought it was worthy of a repost since it has been awhile since I made it. On all 9 clips I’m just playing a simple Bb blues (C for tenor) I’m trying to keep it relatively […]
Great Transcription of George Coleman over Cherokee Changes
Here’s a burnin’ tenor saxophone solo from the great tenor saxophonist, George Coleman. This is from his album “Amsterdam After Dark”. The solo is from the tune “Apache Dance” which has a solo section over the changes of “Cherokee”. I was actually given this solo transcription by a teacher at Berklee College of Music almost […]
Benjamin Allen 10E .135 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing another hard rubber tenor saxophone mouthpiece from Benjamin Allen. It is another 10E model but this one is at a huge .135 tip opening. I have to admit that I have never played a .135 tip opening before. I usually start complaining that a tip opening is too wide when I hit […]
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