How Much Did You Practice?! – Baptiste Herbin (en francais)

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 journey as a saxophonist, offering valuable lessons on technique, sound production, and improvisation. He recounts the players who had a heavy influence on him as a developing player, such as Maceo Parker, Grover Washington Jr, Charlie Parker, and Cannonball Adderley among many others.

Baptiste reflects on the challenges and joys of navigating the diverse landscape of musical styles, from classical to funk and jazz. He emphasizes the importance of his various influences and how they helped him to develop a unique musical identity. He also discusses encounters with prominent figures in the jazz world, whose guidance and mentorship have profoundly influenced his approach to music.

The Language of Jazz

Our conversation delves into broader themes of musical development, including the parallels between spoken language and jazz improvisation. Baptiste draws connections between learning a second language and mastering the complexities of bebop, highlighting the importance of methodical practice, analytical listening, and ongoing exploration. This interview offers so many great insights into Baptiste’s musical journey, his dedication to continuous learning and growth, and the profound connections between language, culture, and improvisation in jazz music.

Practice Routine

Baptiste emphasizes the necessity of self-critique and humility in saxophone practice, advising students to prioritize fundamental skills like timing, sound production, and improvisation. He shares his meticulous approach to practicing, and shares what he focuses on. Baptiste also discusses his equipment preferences, highlighting the importance of experimentation and objective self-assessment in finding the right gear.