This is a list of things I wish I knew when I started learning jazz. I have spent a few decades on this so far and I could have saved a lot of time and frustration, had I known the stuff I’m about to share with you. So I hope this helps. 1) Learn […]
9 Jazz Lessons I Wish I Knew Sooner Read More »
I’ve had my EMEO digital saxophone for a little over a year now, and I wanted to make this follow up video to tell you about some updates to the instrument, and new things that I’ve learned we can do with it. If you want to know more about what the EMEO is and
EMEO Digital Saxophone 1 Year Later… Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. My guest in this interview is Camille Thurman, an incredible saxophonist, vocalist, composer, and educator. In our conversation we talk about why she almost gave up music entirely, but how supportive teachers and fellow musicians brought her back which led to playing with
Why Camille Thurman Gave Up Music, and What Brought Her Back Read More »
Every saxophone I ever bought was really expensive. I just assumed they had to cost a lot in order to be any good. People told me that a cheap saxophone is garbage and I just believed that. Quality AND Affordability And then I got involved in producing my own design and I learned what
The BetterSax Tenor is Here! Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. How to Play the Saxophone Longer My guest in this interview is Don Braden, a renowned saxophonist and educator, who shares insights into his routines and habits that keep him mentally and physically fit at the age of 60. This has allowed him
How to Play Saxophone Until You’re 100 – Don Braden Read More »
ii V I Chord Progression Learning jazz improvisation can be really intimidating. I hear students say over and over again how will I ever learn to do this? I even said that myself when starting out. It seems as though the more you learn the more you realize how little you know. The good
When I Started Practicing THIS, Everything Changed Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. My guest in this interview Andrey Chmut, a talented Ukrainian saxophonist, who dared to dream big. Despite language barriers, he reached out to jazz legend Bob James via Facebook, expressing his admiration and sharing a song of his with him
How the Saxophone Changed his Life – Andrey Chmut Read More »
In this review video, I’m going to introduce you to 2 new alto sax mouthpieces that have been generating a lot of interest lately. Selmer has introduced their first (official) jazz mouthpiece, the Jazz Flow for alto saxophone. They have other jazz mouthpiece models in the works to keep an eye out for. And
Alto Sax Mouthpiece Battle: Selmer Jazz Flow vs. Meyer Bros. Connoisseur Series Read More »
My guest in this interview is the phenomenal French saxophonist Baptiste Herbin, who has developed a virtuosic level of playing through passion for the music, dedication and a lot of hard work. This video is completely in French but subtitles are available. Influences and the Development Process Throughout our discussion, Baptiste shares insights into his
How Much Did You Practice?! – Baptiste Herbin (en francais) Read More »
Yanagisawa, renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition, has recently introduced a new neck design called the Kz neck. We’ll look at the differences between the old and new designs, examining how they play and whether they’re worth considering for your saxophone setup. Comparing the Yanagisawa WO Neck with the Kz Necks I
How Much Do Saxophone Necks Change the Sound? Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. At the recent Namm show, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the renowned saxophonist Mark Gross for a captivating conversation about his musical journey spanning decades. From playing alongside legends like Dizzy Gillespie to sharing his wisdom with
Mark Gross: The Necessary Components for Jazz Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Did you know that Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were opera fans? It’s well known that Charlie Parker was very much into classical music and that Dizzy Gillespie predicted that their music would become the classical music of the future.
The Charlie Parker Opera Lick Read More »
If you’ve ever wished for a clear, proven path to becoming a better saxophonist — without endless trial and error — you’re not alone. Thousands of players worldwide have joined the BetterSax Membership to accelerate their progress, deepen their understanding of music, and have more fun every time they pick up their horn. Whether you’re
Rapidly Improve Your Saxophone Playing with the BetterSax Membership Read More »
If you’re aiming to improve your saxophone playing without spending a dime, you’re in the right place. The BetterSax Shed offers a treasure trove of free saxophone content—spanning all skill levels—to help you play better, faster, and with confidence. What’s Inside the BetterSax Shed? The BetterSax Shed is your go-to resource for free saxophone lessons,
Best Free Saxophone Lessons Read More »
Where to Begin Ready to kick off your saxophone journey the right way? Let’s make sure your gear is set up to support your progress—not hold you back. Below, you’ll find exactly what you need to start strong and stay inspired. Best Beginner Saxophones Most beginners start with an alto sax, and sometimes a tenor
Best Beginner Saxophone Gear Setup Read More »
The BetterSax Geeklet The Geeklet is my favorite saxophone accessory and it has changed everything for me when it comes to reeds. The Geeklet is incredibly easy to use, while making every reed play so much better. Learning how to make just a few adjustments to your reeds can make playing the saxophone so
BetterSax Geeklet the Best Saxophone Reed Adjustment Tool Read More »
BetterSax Classic Tenor In 2020, the BetterSax Alto was introduced with the aim of offering a high-quality instrument at an affordable price, and its success has been remarkable. Responding to popular demand, we have just released the BetterSax Classic Tenor, which follows in the footsteps our mission with the BetterSax Alto. What sets this
BetterSax Classic Tenor Read More »
BetterSax Burnin’ Baritone Mouthpieces Introducing the BetterSax BURNIN’ baritone mouthpiece, meticulously crafted in the USA by Jody Jazz. This expertly designed and hand-finished mouthpiece boasts a roll-over baffle for exceptional power, projection, and brightness, ensuring your sound stands out when needed. Its large chamber delivers a lush warmth and depth, creating a complex and
BetterSax Burnin’ Baritone Mouthpieces Read More »
What was your very first saxophone mouthpiece? If you’re like me, you probably don’t remember. It was whatever came in the case with your first instrument. Mine was a rental sax and the mouthpiece had deep teeth marks gouged into it. Bleh. I’ve seen some pretty gnarly mouthpieces on beginner setups and besides often
Your FIRST Saxophone Mouthpiece Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Most Common Saxophone Bad Habits I can pretty much guarantee that everyone watching this is guilty of at least a couple of these bad saxophone habits. We all have bad habits that are holding us back from being better versions
Start Breaking These 7 Bad Saxophone Habits Read More »
Check out the audio podcast version of this post on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Have you seen all these videos lately about YouTubers quitting? I’ve been watching a few myself, and then I came across Rick Beato’s 10 minute completely unedited monologue about how he finds them very fascinating. He mentions in his video
A Musician’s Perspective On Quitting YouTube Read More »
