Author Archives: Andy

Just learn all the notes

Learn the Chromatic Scale and practice it regularly (i.e. semitones all the way up). Bottom 4 notes are really hard. ‘O’ shaped embouchure for Bb, B, C C# ‘ee’ shaped embouchure for D and upward ‘eh’ shape on upper register  … Continue reading

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How can I get better at the saxophone?

How do I actually get better at playing this instrument? Earlier in January, I had a look at various videos on Youtube. The common consensus is really simple to say, but actually hard to put into practice (literally!) – you … Continue reading

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Are Chinese Saxophones any good – part 2

I took a bit of a gamble the other week, and bought a cheap (probably Chinese) saxophone on Amazon for about £200. From what I’ve read recently, the quality of instruments coming out of China has been improving all the … Continue reading

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Abide With Me (in F)

A golden oldie, a wonderful Hymn. In F on a Bb Tenor Saxophone. (Starts on an A) Play along with the words… (the quiet soprano solo works well if you play along in the upper register) Also in F, There’s … Continue reading

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How Saxophones are made

A look inside the Selmer factory in france

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Are Chinese Saxophones any good?

In this video Richard Ross of RSR Sax explains the quality of Chinese-made saxophones, how things have changed since the 1960s, why the latest Chinese models are good, and how it changed his business model Chinese Saxophone Quality He also … Continue reading

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Alternatives to Scales

Here’s a little trick if scales have got a bit boring; Pick a scale as usual (I’m working on a web app for that!), then instead of just climbing up and down the stairs as normal, play some simple tunes. … Continue reading

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Saxuet website – music for lots of well known tunes

I just came across this site – http://www.saxuet.qc.ca/TheSaxyPage/Standards_In_Bb.htm, with a large listing of music scores for well known tunes for saxophone. Thanks to Saxuet in Canada for making these scores available. Band Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/SaxuetJazz/  

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Mouthpieces now available 3D-printed

I just stumbled across this. It’s a 3D-printed mouthpiece! http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:25996    

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BeatBox Sax

Amazing sounds from a saxophone! Every Breath You Take Bach Cello Suite

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