April 10, 2017
Not only can saxophone repairs be costly, but some issues can take some time to fix–cutting away from valuable practice time that’s crucial to your progress and success. As with any instrument, it’s important to be aware of some common issues you might experience, and have a proper understanding of the causes and solutions to […]
February 7, 2017
Hello fellow Teaching Artists! My name is Mike Casey. I’m a saxophonist, songwriter, and teaching artist currently living in Hartford, CT. I am also the saxophone, flute, and clarinet instructor at the Avon, CT Music & Arts location. My debut album The Sound of Surprise: Live at The Side Door comes out in February and […]
November 2, 2016
You’ve been teaching Band for a while, and can’t seem to figure out why your saxophone students continually squeak when they articulate. Why is it so difficult for my saxophone students to play a “D” on Alto or a “G” on tenor cleanly? You also notice that your saxophone students play so loud and can’t […]
October 25, 2016
What do you if you’ve always found a sense of community in band but the new town you moved to doesn’t have one? You could wait for someone to discover your musical talents or you could start your own band. That’s exactly what Jason Morley-Nikfar did when he founded the Triangle Pride Band. Music & […]
October 23, 2016
In the first part of this series, we introduced you to Giardinelli mouthpieces, reeds, and accessories, but did you know Giardinelli sells premium brasswind and woodwind instruments, too? Giardinelli may be a newer brand, but in their short existence they’ve built a name for themselves as a premium instrument manufacturer. If you’re ascending to the […]
August 14, 2016
If you’re thinking about taking up the saxophone, you might be considering whether you should purchase a new instrument or rent one until you’re sure the saxophone is something you’re seriously interested in pursuing. Similarly, if you have a child who is interested in playing the saxophone, but you aren’t sure if he or she […]
July 30, 2016
The saxophone is a versatile and expressive instrument and, with proper training and lots of practice, can be relatively easy to play. Many musicians agree that, although it’s not always the easiest to handle, the saxophone is one of the most vocal sounding instruments in all of music. If you’re new to the instrument, or […]
May 13, 2016
When it comes to saxophones, there are four major varieties: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Among these, the alto and tenor saxophones have become favorites among musicians, composers, and listeners. Professional musicians, including John Coltrane (tenor) and Charlie Parker (alto), have brought the two types of saxophones into the mainstream. While both saxophones are often […]
April 20, 2016
When you play the saxophone, you should expect to have some trouble with your reeds. Finding a reed that produces a great sound is one hurdle but, even if you find the perfect set of reeds, you’ll still have to adjust them so you can achieve the sound you want. There are numerous ways to […]
March 21, 2016
In its simplest terms, embouchure means what you do with your mouth; therefore, saxophone embouchure is what you do with your mouth while playing the saxophone. If you’re new to playing the saxophone, learning and perfecting the proper embouchure is one of the most complicated facets of mastering the instrument. Although there is more than […]
