john

of course! having full and good control over the 2 and a half range of the sax is all we need to conquer the altissimo range.
the first and very important exercises we start with are in fact improving some of these things so you might very well be able to get off to a fast start.
Once you get thru the overtone/harmonic exercises you will…[Read more]

nice vibrato and intonation…way to go Chuck!

thanks sx very interesting observations. I like the Durga but not as much as my MBI Guardala….I’ve been using it a bit more mostly cause I’m getting some repairs done on my MBI. I agree with you tho and even tho it’s not my fave I can see why some like it best

yup, what you’re saying is right on. My friend was an airline pilot and flew to China regularly and bought cheap instruments there (knock-offs)….mostly guitars but I asked him to bring me back a couple altos, they were less than $200 each. I could barely play them and the guys at the repair shop refused to work on em in fear that after they…[Read more]

since my last post which was several hours ago, I’ve been playing my durga, working on intonation and reeds that go well with it…
I do feel a bit better about it but the tone that comes from my Guardala can’t be beat. I have come to this realization only after recording myself and comparing. Simply playing it didn’t tell me this cause they both…[Read more]

wow the guy did a great job on the harp…or what some guys refer to as the Mississippi saxophone!

sure Dan I sent it thru email let me know if you didn’t receive.

from what I could see it went thru fine. Let me know if you are still having an issue.

I agree with much of what these players talk about..My Durga is a 2 so an older one I believe. I do like it but since I don’t use it that much my intonation is not as good as my Guardala which I’ve played for 30 years! So ya, I would sound better on it if I spent more time with it, but they are nice sounding and easy to blow. It’s one I would…[Read more]

@Ronnie, yes it’s ok to order, the distributer is back, I just forgot to take that notice down.
I think you’re on the right track as far as reed strength for you…when I switched I went from a Vandoren cane #3 to an Onyx Medium. so 2.5 should be good for you. If it’s a bit hard you can shave it a bit….or also try the 2. It’s almost impossible…[Read more]

yes exactly….the first synthetic I tried was a Legere and I didn’t like it at all so I kept away from synthetics. Years later I tried the Fiberreeds and they were WAY different and I switched right away.

Carbon or Onyx?
I tracked the life-span a few years ago and did do a video on it….for me, they last between 6-10 months depending on my playing habits and schedule. Still, a LOT longer than cane.

Once we’re that high exact fingerings aren’t needed because we can hit them with overtones… so you might be able to get it with the same fingering as the lower F#, just change your embouchure

ok that’s just going from G# to A. So to play the A you are holding down your 1st and 2nd fingers…to play G# you add the 3rd finger on the G and the 4th finger on the side G# key. it’s just one movement to go from the G# to A. Lift the 3rd and 4th fingers off with one move and you’re left playing the A. Just practice that move over and…[Read more]

right…I only use the tall ones…have 2 and haven’t had the short ones for decades!

James did you get the Carbon or the Onyx?

the only jody jazz I recall trying is the “Jet” which was very nice.

yup, it’s a great tune. Gonna re-cut it with the boys in the studio soon to get it on an upcoming album that will go to the streaming stores soon.
I think I did it in the same key as Cannonball which is Zawinal’s key.

Hey way to go Robert…
If you need the concert version just let me know and I’ll do it for you. I don’t normally include it cause it’s very rare someone asks for it.

Hey Bill, if you could let me know where in the video it is exactly I might be able to see what I did.