[Craig Scott]

I found an app for iPhone called Tempo by Frozen Ape. It was free or a couple of bucks at most. Very versatile and adjustable.

[Craig Scott]

Johnny,

I’ve been working with the mouthpiece only for a couple of days and I can get maybe 5 notes in a scale so far. The breakthrough for me was getting down the the B-flat you started on in your video. To do that, however, my bottom lip had to be so loose that I felt air coming in between my lip and teeth and kind of puffing out that area below my lower lip. Felt like it was going to start flapping. Am I on the right track?

CS

[Craig Scott]

My G# also sticks sometimes. Why is that one the sticky one for so many players. Anyway, Yamaha sells packets of thin cleaning paper, but a clean bill or piece of paper probably works just as well.

[Craig Scott]

This looks like just the ticket. I plan to work this routine daily as well as learn a pile of music sent to be by the St. Petersburg Community Band. I’m going to go sit in on their Sept. 8 rehearsal and see how things feel. It’s back to Broadway medleys and Sousa marches – just like high school – but it should be fun, if I can still cut it. This practice routine will go a long way toward preparing me.

[Craig Scott]

I was thinking of Jimi Hendrix too.

[Craig Scott]

You can feel that bari as well as hear it. He builds a bottom that everybody else can stand on. I love that. Just bought King Curtis’s “Live at Filmore …” Wow. Pure soul. He had a guitar player with him for a while who went on to a pretty fair solo career.

[Craig Scott]

I’ve been doing a little experimenting with reeds that are stiff and hard to play. I soak it, then rub it up with my thumb for a while, alternating with soaking, It seems that just a little friction and pressure on a wet reed can help it flex and make it more playable. Of course a new mouthpiece and ligature have helped too.

[Craig Scott]

Again, I have found the answer to my questions in Johnny’s videos. Thanks for al your work JF.

[Craig Scott]

OK. That pretty much answers my question. Thanks.

[Craig Scott]

What are the characteristics of a reed that’s too stiff? How does it sound compared to one that’s too thin? How do you know when a reed is just crap right out of the box?

[Author]

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