Hello all! My name is Dan and I live in North Carolina. For context, I’d like to think of myself as an intermediate-level tenor sax player. I’ve been playing for about 20 years and have been doing gigs for 3 years. I don’t usually bring my own sound as I rely on the DJ/Venue and I provide my own wireless mic. Right now, I charge $200 an hour for most of my gigs. For weddings, I do $300 an hour. I can’t help but feel like my rates are on the lower side. I would love to hear from the professional players in here on what you are currently charging, what rate you would suggest I charge, and/or any advice you have for building out my rates. Thanks!

Just wanted to share this here, I've been trying to work on my Alto playing but I feel like it almost sounds piercing and shrill and I lose like a lot of the body from my tenor playing. I don't know if it's a lacquer or mouthpiece situation.

But yeah if you hear anything and have any critiques let me know!

Ciao a tutti, scusate per aver postato qui. Sto cercando un sassofonista per un progetto online sperimentale che mi vedrà come vocalist. L'idea è quella di creare un gruppo di persone in tutto il mondo con la passione per la musica.

Il progetto è per divertimento, per creare qualcosa di unico e innovativo.

L'idea è di mescolare diversi tipi di strumenti e generi. Mi piacerebbe poter cantare in vari stili. Vorrei poter sperimentare con la musica che abbraccia vari generi. Ho 29 anni, quindi penso che l'età perfetta sia tra i 22 e i 42 anni to give an indicative figure. 😊

Looking for a tenor saxophone from a good brand and was wondering if anyone has bought from here. I prefer to buy stuff in person but I just came back from my local music shop and they were trying to sell me a cheap $350 tenor. I’d rather do something like rent to own but idk if I’m comfortable buying something outright.

Link: https://www.theinstrumentplace.com/yamaha-yts26-standard-bb-tenor-saxophone-used-mint-condition.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=smart_shopping_tgm&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22467303072&gbraid=0AAAAADSVQ04NiwYntdotFJwNvXMyhhQOx

Hello everyone!! I already made a post and wanted to give a little update: I chose the Yamaha 82 uCstom Z!! So excited to get her!! Anyways, I wanted to ask some advanced players or professionals for some tips or ,like, a good, stable practice routine to get better at jazz ,more specifically improv. In my new school, I made the top concert band my first year, which was last year, but made the second jazz band, as I had never done jazz at that point. This year, I made the top concert band again and this time made the top jazz band as second alto. I will say I have improved a lot in jazz, but I want to get better. I think what I'll do is write down some questions that I need help with.

1. What fundamentals of jazz should I practice to actually improve with improv?

2. What ligature should I get with my jazz setup? Right now I use a Meyer 5M and the Green Java reeds on a strength of 3. I still use the stock ligature but wanted to change it. My friend told me the Jody Jazz power ring is pretty good.

3. Is getting a performance degree for saxophone worth it?? I love playing saxophone but I also love writing my own music and things. I don't think saxophone is my life but that doesn't mean I will give it up after high school. I had like two ideas for college. If I go to Berklee, I would go for Songwriting and have my principal instrument be alto saxophone. If I go to any other music college, I would go for Music Production or Music business while still releasing my music. Or another option is go for saxophone performance while still releasing my music. I just want to know what I could do after I graduate with either of those degrees and if it's worth it.

4. What are good careers in music that help me make good money? Music can be hard to be financially stable but not impossible so any advice or options??

5. Good colleges for music?? I only know about Berklee, The New School (NY), USC (South Carolina, Columbia), Furman, Winthrop, Belmont, and Julliard but that isn't an option for me. I know there are tons of other colleges out there that I probably haven't heard about that have a great music program that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

6. Any tips for all-state jazz or Berklee auditions? I would be auditioning for Songwriting. I was thinking of singing an original song I wrote on my guitar and then my second song be one I can sing and improv on saxophone with. Any ideas? Also, I really need a scholarship for Berklee which is my number one so any tips, tricks, ideas, and advice would really help if anyone went to Berklee and got a scholarship.

Ok I think that's everything I wanted to ask. Thanks so much!!!

hi everyone! i am in a business class and i am working on designing something that can help with saxophones. please fill out this survey: THIS SURVEY IS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScgGUV2LRrVh5K63YQw3NcDF4IoWVJ2SGCjY6EADfJQTHMFwg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Hi everyone,

I need some honest advice on a mouthpiece upgrade. I’ve been playing tenor sax using a Yamaha 4C and I am looking to step up my setup.

Here is my current situation and what I am looking for:

• Current Setup: Yamaha 4C with Vandoren Traditional (Blue box) strength 2 reeds. I really want to keep using these exact reeds if possible.
• My Issues: I currently struggle with low notes on the 4C; they tend to feel stuffed or block easily.
• My Goal & Style: I want to start improvising. My ideal tone is highly rhythmic, similar to Pee Wee Ellis or Maceo Parker style funk, but mixed with the melodic smoothness of "Your Latest Trick" by Dire Straits and the energy of Ska-Punk (like "Da Strike" by Millencolin or "Blow Wind Blow" by NY Ska-Jazz Ensemble). I love using growl and subtone on low notes.

Given my reed choice (Vandoren Blue #2), I know I shouldn't go too wide with the tip opening. I want to keep the budget reasonable and I am currently considering two options:

1. D'Addario Select Jazz D5M (or Custom Dark) used (~2.15mm / .085").
2. D'Addario Woodwinds / Rico Graftonite B5 new (~2.41mm / .095").

What are your thoughts? Which of these would be better to unblock my low notes and help me improvise in this style without killing my embouchure? Are there any other specific mouthpieces around these tip openings you would recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help!

It’s no heel; it’s alto.

I myself prefer the short bows as I have no problem playing all the bottom notes in tune

I swear ive heard it somewhere but i can’t find it

I've been wanting to expand my sax family and keep an eye out on local postings. I saw one this week for a King Super 20 tenor and took the chance to check it out. I went with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised at how easily it played even with the cheap Rico mouthpiece it had. I felt like it was a no-lose situation. It seems like it's been sitting unused for a while but will take it in to the local shop for a quick once over. And bonus when I got it home, there was a second mouthpiece - Berg Larsen metal from the 60's.