Simple Not Simpler

How many fresh starts can a person have? I’ve refocused my musicmaking attention back more fully on what can be done using an Apple iPad. It’s fascinating the capabilities and often unusualness of music creation and production apps found on this device. I find I get bored with the limitations of hardware based music making devices. But, more so than the tech utilized, the refocus is on a…

The adage “You can never go home again” is more true to me now than ever. After several years trying to get my saxophone chops up, I’ve come to the realization that it’s time to move on. I sold the instrument I grew up on, played my way through the military and college on in the mid-1990s. Twenty years later I made several solid attempts at regaining my playing chops, but have realized that…

2.5 octaves seems adequate

Settling in with my new alto sax. Still a few nits I’d like my local tech to look at, but he’s been busy gigging in pit orchestras so will have to wait a bit. No worries. I’ve been switching mouthpieces and reed strengths to find what works. May have settled on the Morgan and #3 strength. But I do so love the tone and fluidity of play on a #2. (Do I really need the high notes?) I’m not one for…

I repurposed a carving knife stand I carved (chip carving technique) in the early 2000s. New life as a mouthpiece and recorder stand suits my needs. It was quite dusty deep in the chips. m Cleaned up nicely. Still needs a bit of finishing touches, e.g.: cork in the bottom of the holes. Carved stand, 2002 Closeup of carved stand

Getting used to a new instrument is a challenge. Ever so slight differences between finger touch alignment, spring tension, and harmonic tendency all throw a bit of confusion into the mix. It’s a lot like adjusting a driver’s seat in a luxury sedan. It may take awhile, but once it’s locked in… so comfortable.

Build (embouchure) Back Better

Building the saxophone embouchure takes time. Muscles, position, throat opening, air flow… all take time to come together in that necessary combination. It’s satisfying when the thing becomes second nature.

The new alto arrives tomorrow, slightly delayed due to normal post-COVID shipping issues. Got a few things together today in preparation. Until then… Peace.

Get set and in the groove

Finally taking time to do some setup in order to have things ready when I want to record some of the instruments I have handy. In the box recording is not an issue. My acoustic instruments on the other hand… I’m using Studio One for my DAW work. Great software with full support for the controllers I have available. Additionally, the Studio One RC iPad app helps control recording and simple…

Playlist continues through the morning

My morning routine of late has been: up at 7am make coffee check on pups and spouse start a playlist or new LP browse NYT front page do mini crossword start wordle check Facebook and Twitter make more coffee All this takes about an hour. The playlist continues through the morning until I start a practice session.

We do what is needed

A friend online suggested recently that we should blog about our musical life. To leave breadcrumbs. To document. To outline. I started doing that here a few years ago and let the words here linger and fade. Pandemic shifts in focus drove me away. It was a confusing couple of years, actually. People were losing their Lives; millions are gone now. Attention focused on how to care for loved…

Let it ride. Risk it. Live it.

Ideas and action. Brush to the canvas. Breath to the horn. Overthinking is not helpful. Doubt slows the process. Put the pen to paper. Note to page. Let it ride. Risk it. Live it.

Practice Journal: January 25, 2021

I started using a practice guide designed by Dr. Wally Wallace recently. Wallace takes a “practice less (material), but more focused” approach. He’s designed a practice guide and a monthly practice guide, focusing on tone and control. His videos are concise and witty. What more can one ask? Today I practiced much of the January guide this am. Spent about an hour. In the overtone section, all…

Better days. Peace.

I thoroughly enjoy playing jazz with other musicians. The freedom and melding of ideas. There’s nothing like it. I hope to be involved in this form of music making again. Now, though, it seems I will continue the solitary creation. Playing on my own. Working on forms that appeal to me… sooth me… excite me… inspire me. I’m working on my sound. My tone. Controlling my instrument. Designing the…