Today, I am reviewing a new transcription book titled “The Real Jazz Solos Book”. This is another great book by Hal Leonard that is filled with great jazz solo transcriptions. Unlike many other transcription books, The Real Jazz Solos Book has transcription from a variety of different musicians including as far back as Louis Armstrong […]
Reviews
Saxophone Microphone Review and Audio Shootout Part 2
Walter Ruckdeschel wrote a great in-depth review of 8 different stand mounted microphones that can be used for live gigs a number of months ago. I was so fascinated that I asked him if I could post his finding here for everyone to see. Walt emailed me today and said that he had just completed […]
D’Addario Select Jazz Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a new mouthpiece from D’Addario called the Select Jazz alto saxophone mouthpiece. I heard about the D’Addario Select Jazz model from a friend of mine who ordered one from Sax Quest and was blown away by it. His email and raves were enough to rouse my curiosity and review one of […]
RS Berkeley Legends Dexter Gordon Tenor Sax Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing another RS Berkeley Legends tenor saxophone mouthpiece that was sent to me by Les Silver at RS Berkeley. RS Berkeley has come up with the revolutionary idea of trying to find mouthpieces that were played and loved by jazz legends (deceased and still living)………and then copying them exactly so that we […]
Phil-Tone Rift Alto Mouthpiece Review
Today, I am reviewing another great mouthpiece by Phil Engleman at Phil-Tone mouthpieces. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his excellent mouthpieces in the past. The Equinox,the Eclipse, the Solstice, the Tribute, the Sapphire, etc…………… Phil came out with this new alto sax mouthpiece a […]
The Real Latin Book Review
Anyone who has been following my blog for awhile knows that I can be a bit of a nut when it comes to Real Books. I love getting new tunes that I have never played and trying them out on gigs. Sometimes when I do a duo gig for a cocktail hour the piano player […]
ReedJuvinate Woodwind Reed System Review
Today, I am reviewing a product called the ReedJuvinate Woodwind Reed System. As a woodwind player, you are probably already aware of what a pain reeds can be to keep and store. How do you best store them? I’m always curious about the different ways people store their reeds when not in use. I’ve seen […]
Rigotti Gold Reed Strength Comparison
Today, I thought it would be interesting to write a reed strength comparison article on my blog. I was trying a new Phil-Tone Mosaic 7* tenor mouthpiece this morning with different strength Rigotti Gold reeds when I had the idea to record some clips and throw it up on the site to see what some […]
Phil-Tone & Theo Wanne Mosaic Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece (Updated)
(Update: this original Mosaic review was of a prototype Mosaic mouthpiece but since the review Phil has tweaked and I think improved the original design of the Mosaic mouthpiece. He has been kind enough to send me a new model to try. I am updating this review and sound clip for the new production model.) […]
Reed Placement Poll
I thought it would be interesting to run a poll to see where everyone places their reeds on the mouthpiece when setting up. I know many of you will think this is nonsense and you might assume that we all do this the same but I have had so many students come in my studio […]
Morgan Fry Ebonite Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing another mouthpiece made by Morgan Fry. Morgan Fry is a great mouthpiece maker and refacer in England. I have reviewed some of his mouthpieces in the past and had him do some refacing work for me. I have always been impressed with his work and craftsmanship. If you do a search […]
Morgan Fry Ebonite Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am excited to review a new mouthpiece made by Morgan Fry. Morgan Fry is a great mouthpiece maker and refacer in England. I have reviewed some of his mouthpieces in the past and had him do some refacing work for me and have always been impressed with his work and craftsmanship. If you […]
Saxophone Microphone Review and Audio Shootout
I recently had a member on my site (Walter Ruckdeschel) post an in-depth review of 8 different stand mounted microphones that can be used for live gigs. I was so fascinated that I asked him if I could post his finding here for everyone to see. If I didn’t have my hands full teaching and […]
Vigilante Detroit Rock Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Jennifer Price at Vigilante Mouthpieces. There are 10 models to choose from on the Vigilante website. Today, I am reviewing the Detroit Rock which is the brightest mouthpiece that they make. (I also just did a review of the NYII to which is their 4th brightest mouthpiece) […]
Vigilante NYII Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Jennifer Price at Vigilante Mouthpieces. There are 10 models to choose from on the Vigilante website. Today, I am reviewing the New York II which is the 4th brightest mouthpiece that they make. (I also have a Detroit Rock to review next which is their brightest mouthpiece.) […]
Mouthpiece Recording Test Survey
I have been experimenting lately with different recording distances and settings for my mouthpiece reviews. Usually, I record dry with no effects about 2 feet from the microphone. I’ve noticed that darker sounding mouthpieces can sound rich and beautiful in this setting but many times the brighter more powerful mouthpieces can sound harsh, shrill, edgy, […]
Absolute “Alto+” Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Alto +”. There is also an Alto AL, Alto ST and an Alto R model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Soprano and Tenor saxophones as well. […]
Absolute Alto ST Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Alto ST”. There is also an Alto AL, Alto + and a Alto R model on their website. You can also find all these models for Baritone, Soprano and Tenor saxophones as well. […]
Absolute “Soprano +” Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by the Absolute company. These are made in Italy and this model is called the “Soprano +”. (I call it a ST model in the recording but it is the + model) There is also a Soprano AL, Soprano ST and a Soprano R model on their website. […]
The John Coltrane Omnibook Review
*I posted all the recordings I could find on Youtube that go with this transcription book at the bottom of this review………Enjoy! Those of you who know me and my musical history know the impact the Charlie Parker Omnibook has had on me since I discovered it in High School many years ago. I was […]
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