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 Read More…
Saxophone Microphone Review and Audio Shootout
February 19, 2014 by 41 Comments
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 Read More…
Silverstein Saxophone Ligature Review
November 11, 2013 by 29 Comments
Today, I am reviewing a new ligature made by Silverstein Works. For years I have heard about the amazing results that musicians would get from string ligatures. These whispers and rumors were usually heard on different clarinet boards and forums that I would visit. These posts were so compelling and convincing that I had Read More…
The “Reed Geek” Universal Reed Tool
March 5, 2013 by 4 Comments
Back in December, I was lucky enough to get a Reed Geek “Universal” Reed Tool to try out. Anyone that has been to my house for lessons has probably noticed the shoe boxes on my shelves in my studio. These shoe boxes are filled with every reed I have ever tried and not liked in Read More…
More Saxophone Teachings from Joe Allard Via Harvey Pittel
February 14, 2013 by 4 Comments
Harvey Pittel is an award winning and internationally acclaimed classical saxophonist who has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s greatest orchestras and has recorded extensively as a soloist and with ensembles including his own saxophone quartet. He is the Professor of Saxophone at The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Read More…
Saxophone Mouthpiece Trial Tips
February 14, 2013 by 8 Comments
I’ve had a ton of questions emailed to me over the years about all the mouthpieces I have reviewed. Some of the typical questions are: -How do I switch to different mouthpieces so often? -How do I know what reeds to use? -Why do I choose the ligatures I do? -How do you know if Read More…
Jazzlab Saxholder Neckstrap Review
November 14, 2012 by 7 Comments
Today, I will be reviewing a new neckstrap by Jazzlab called the saxholder. This is a revolutionary neckstrap that is designed so that there is no pressure whatsoever on the neck and upper spine of the player. A few years ago, I started having numbness and tingling in my hands and arms. I would get Read More…
Joe Allard Lesson Videos
June 2, 2011 by 1 Comment
Joe Allard (December 31, 1910 – May 3, 1991), a native of Lowell, MA,was a famous saxophone and clarinet professor at Juilliard, The New England Conservatory and The Manhattan School of Music. Some of his most famous students were: Michael Brecker, Eddie Daniels, Bob Berg, Dave Liebman, Paul Winter, Steve Grossman, Kenneth Radnofsky, Bill Pierce Read More…
Warburton Modular Sax Neck System
April 18, 2011 by 8 Comments
I have an exciting product to review today. It is the Warburton Modular Sax Neck. This is one of the coolest products I have ever tried. Whoever thought of it is a genius. Basically, it is a neck that has no tenon or cork on it. The two items that are missing can be screwed Read More…
Bending Notes on the Saxophone
April 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A great sax player has mastered the art of bending and shaping their notes to express what they want to convey. It might be a mood, attitude or emotion. There is no doubt that bending notes adds excitement and emotion to a solo. Bending notes on the saxophone is one of the coolest things that Read More…
Free Universal Method for the Saxophone
November 27, 2010 by 1 Comment
I was looking around the internet today for a music book that I could use in my online video lessons. I’ve had a bunch of requests for some lessons on sight reading and I thought it would be cool if I could find something to use that was in the “public domain”. I was surprised Read More…
MacSax Empyreal Alto Saxophone
July 20, 2010 by 10 Comments
Today, I’m reviewing the MacSax Empyreal Alto Saxophone. This sax is manufactured in Taiwan for the MacSax company in Austin Texas. This is the Unlacquered Finish model. It looks like bare brass which gives it a cool vintage look. I am told that the brass is subjected to a gas treatment that gives it a Read More…
What Difference Does the Saxophone Ligature Make? Part 2
July 16, 2010 by 51 Comments
In part one of this blog post on “the differences a ligature can make” I talked about the difference a ligature can make to a saxophone player from his or her perspective. (For those of you who don’t know, the ligature is the device that holds the saxophone reed to the mouthpiece) How it can Read More…
Does Your Saxophone Equipment Matter?
April 19, 2010 by 12 Comments
The ongoing debate in the saxophone community is whether equipment really matters. By equipment we mean the brand of saxophone, mouthpiece, ligature, reeds, neck, pads and resonators. Some people will even argue that the type of material, screws and resonance stones on the body of the sax make a difference. I’ve had students come in Read More…
Marc Jean Ligature Review
April 18, 2010 by 23 Comments
Around the middle of February I received an email from Marc Jean at Musique de Marc asking if I would be interested in trying one of his Marc Jean ligatures. He said it was a new design and that many players of note were digging it. I was a bit skeptical as I get a Read More…
What difference does the ligature make? Part 1
April 8, 2010 by 20 Comments
A saxophone ligature is a device that holds the reed against the table (flat part) of the mouthpiece. Most people wouldn’t think this is that big of a deal, I mean how hard is it to use something to make the reed stay against the mouthpiece? You could use a rubber band if push came Read More…
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