Let’s face it, saxophone ligatures can get pretty gimmicky and promise a whole range of benefits that aren’t always delivered. Sometimes those designs play great, but they usually come at the expense of functionality and a much higher price. Isn’t it interesting that many of the world’s top saxophonists choose to play on more basic,
How Sax Ligatures are Actually Made Read More »
Are you tired of the low notes not coming out cleanly on your saxophone? Or only being able to honk them out like a fog horn? Every saxophone player has struggled with this and believe it or not, the problem is not your embouchure. So in this video, I’m going to show you the fix
This Fixes Saxophone Low Notes Forever Read More »
It’s been 10 years since I uploaded the first video to the BetterSax YouTube channel so I thought it was time for a check in with you all who have been watching and following the journey of BetterSax. I wanted to talk about some of the big developments that have happened in 2025 and give
The Future of BetterSax Read More »
2025 was my 41st year as a saxophone player. I’m still learning new things, but more importantly… I’m still gaining a deeper understanding of the things I’ve learned a long time ago. So today, I’d like to share some of those lessons that continue to help me become a better sax player year after year.
25 Saxophone Lessons from Over 40 Years of Playing Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Every day I get messages from people who regret having given up the saxophone and want to get back into it. After hearing countless stories and working with thousands of students, I have identified the main traps that cause people to quit. In this
6 Things Older Saxophone Players Get Wrong (and regret) Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the scales you’re supposed to practice on the saxophone? I’m going to let you in on a secret. You only need three for the vast majority of music you’ll ever play. In this article, I’ll show you
Practice This Everyday for Fast Saxophone Technique Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. There’s a reason the curved soprano saxophone is making such a strong comeback, and it’s not just because of its charming appearance. After years of playing both curved and straight designs, I’ve come to appreciate a few key advantages that make the curved soprano
Why I Prefer Curved Soprano Sax Over Straight (Slightly) Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Do you ever wish you could study with one of the top jazz musicians in the world without paying a huge tuition bill or needing to pass an audition at a prestigious music school? Now you can. In this article, we’re sharing insights from
How Jazz Pros Practice Saxophone Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For years, teachers told me to “just play what I feel,” which made soloing super frustrating, until I learned that jazz improvisation isn’t some dark mystery. It’s actually an established language we communicate in. In this article, I’ll explain why that old advice is
I WISH I Learned Jazz Improvisation Like This – Stop Wasting Time Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Until now, a professional-level saxophone was out of reach financially for most players. But those days are over thanks to this. In this article, I’m going to tell you about the new saxophone that makes it possible to get a professional feel and sound
The Saxophone World Will Never Be the Same Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. I used to really struggle to learn and remember jazz tunes until I discovered an easy system of harmonic building blocks that unlocked the whole Real Book for me. So in this post, I’m going to walk you through three key standards using this
These 3 Songs Will Teach You Jazz Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Have you been struggling with the altissimo range no matter how much you practice? It used to feel impossible for me too until breakthroughs with my air, embouchure and mindset finally made everything click. In this article, I’m sharing seven tips I wish I
Altissimo Was Hard Until I Did This Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Ever wonder what pro sax players actually practice?I worked on scales and arpeggios for years without making any real progress, until I discovered a way to practice that led to huge gains. This method is simple and incredibly effective. It transforms basic exercises into
Just Practice Like This Every Day – Jazz Saxophone Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Want a beautiful saxophone sound, but don’t want to spend an hour a day on long tones? After years of practicing and teaching, I found a warm-up that delivers even better results in just five minutes a day. So, in this post, I’ll show
Gorgeous Sax Tone in 5 Minutes a Day Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Do you think you can tell the difference between me playing a sax solo and AI? I set up an experiment using the AI music app SUNO, and the results are freaky. I wanted to see if I could get AI to play the
I Replaced Myself with AI, Could You Tell? Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Why is the sax world buzzing about this new affordable bari sax? People kept asking us to make a lower-cost horn that sounds and feels pro, and we did it. In this post, we’ll walk through what makes the new BetterSax Classic Bari
The New BetterSax Bari Changes Everything Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. A Musical Brotherhood Spanning Decades Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring have been performing together for more than 20 years. While each is a force in his own right, it’s their work together that creates a uniquely powerful musical chemistry. Their latest album, Split
The Greatest Saxophone Duo of Our Time – Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Do you ever wish you could play your saxophone anywhere, anytime, without bothering anyone? For the past two years, I’ve been loving this super fun, pocket-sized sax. The keys are laid out exactly like the real thing, and it has solved my silent
Sax In Your Pocket! Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Are you tired of your solos falling flat even when you’re using the “right” notes?I used to feel the same way, until I discovered a super simple practice method that eliminated wrong notes and finally made my soloing click. This approach turns small scale
Practice This to Play Better Sax Solos Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Do you ever wonder how some saxophone players play incredible solos that seem effortless? After decades of teaching and performing around the world, I can tell you that it’s much more about how you practice rather than what you practice. This article breaks
Practice Pentatonics Like this Everyday for Killer Solos Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Staying Sharp at 75 At nearly 75 years old, George Garzone is still lighting up stages with an enormous sound, blazing technique, and fearless creativity. I caught up with him in Copenhagen after a couple of sets at Jazz Cup, and his playing had
George Garzone on Playing Jazz Saxophone Read More »
