5 Habits that will Change Your Sax Playing Forever | Sax Lesson | Dave Good Sax

[@davidcudlip6587]

Have to agree with the tip on "Playing with Others". Coming from a Bluegrass guitar and mandolin background, playing with and jamming with others that were a notch above my level helped push me harder. And the help that those players gave me was and still is greatly appreciated. Music truly is a community endeavor.

[@davegoodsax]

Who said it .... that in order to improve, be the worst musician in the band? There is truth and wisdom in that. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@davidcudlip6587]

@@davegoodsax John Lennon once said he wasn't sure if Ringo was the best drummer in the band :)

[@Edmant]

Words of wisdom. The bit about isolation resonated with me. I've been 'making a noise' with my sax for about 9 years off and on, but my playing improved dramatically 18 months ago when I took up weekly lessons and I had to play in front of my teacher.

[@davegoodsax]

I'm glad you hooked up with an in-person situation.....it works, yes?

[@ellwoodblooz]

I’ve seen things that belong to (a younger) me! Thanks Dave.

[@DavidBeecroftMusic]

Right on the money!

[@davegoodsax]

Thanks for watching...happy holidays to you and yours

[@robinmarwick1982]

Thanks Dave, a cup of coffee and one of your videos is a great way to start a day.

[@davegoodsax]

Thanks for watching. Nothing better than a steamin' hot cup of joe, eh?😅

[@BigParadox]

I grew up with music around me. The result for me is that now I can easily invent melodies in many genres, it just flows.

[@davegoodsax]

@@BigParadox that's what I'm talking about. We listen, we absorb, and the language becomes second nature. Bravo!

[@neilripsch6624]

I totally agree with you about playing with others - it’s so important. Hendrix did it, Parker did it. I wish I would have played sax in HS or college but I didn’t and it’s taking me longer to make that move.

[@davegoodsax]

Quincey Jones said it doesn't matter when you get started....ok? You're on the right track.

[@maxhoecker]

Great tips! Especially playing with others! You’ll learn more in one night than two weeks of practice by yourself. Also, 6: record yourself. Especially over a backing track. You’ll find all of your weaknesses. Try recording a verse and chorus of a song in one take as perfectly as possible. It’s amazing how much better you are after finally nailing it.

[@davegoodsax]

Yes -- recording your practice is a great tip. Thanks.

[@ghanamanb3823]

Thank you

[@davegoodsax]

I hope this stuff helps

[@neilripsch6624]

Dave - for me - it’s “what” do I practice and how will it fold over to improvisational, melodic music?

[@davegoodsax]

Great question. So first, I believe in memorizing the melody of whatver song you are planning on soloing over. Therein lies your roadmap. The melody is made from scales and it carries the rhythm. There's a great deal of information to work with in the melody. Get it to where you can nail it every time. Start there, and get back to us with your progress. You got this.

[@fluteluc1]

When I was younger, I had lost my voice and had no idea why. Atone poit I rinced out the sax's neck and green gunk came out. Perhaps there was a correlation there.

[@davegoodsax]

Ahhh....glad you cleaned your gear!

[@josekuykendall5592]

I start doing street performing it force me to play 4 to 6 hours a day

[@davegoodsax]

Perfect! Take note, friends...

[@westonhuffman7908]

Well, I wonder how much lip pain is involved in playing the tenor sax.

[@davegoodsax]

@@westonhuffman7908 with the right embochure, shouldn't be too much, if any. Work with a teacher who can see what you're doing, ok?

[@davegoodsax]

LOL😅

[@danieloconnell2978]

First?

[@davegoodsax]

Yes, listen to music. Music is a language. And you learn by listening. Crazy, but many students of music -- don't listen to music.

[@tikibarry2279]

#1 You mentioned SING. We are imitating a singer when we play sax. I'm surprised how many musicians can't sing a simple pentatonic riff. #2. You horn is in the background on a stand. Very accessible. Not in its case. It makes it easier to walk by and pick it up.. #3 Play along to professional recordings with sax players. It's hard to find good local musicians. The worst musicians are drummers playing alone, without any regard to musicianship. I've seen bands where it's a musical "orgy" , except for the drummer is " masturbating".

[@davegoodsax]

All good points, thanks. But I will say that my own musicianship improved for the year or so I played with a drummer who could never find the one after a fill. No kidding.

[@tikibarry2279]

@davegoodsax Drummers today are mostly idiots. I've been playing drums for 55 years, but I have a degree in music and play other instruments. I played to Buddy Rich albums at 15. Had to join the musician's union. Toured the summer I was 16. Musicianship is dwindling everywhere but with pros.

[@tkannen]

Clean your mouthpiece with warm water, not hot. Especially on hard rubber pieces.

[@davegoodsax]

I use hot....but it just gets a rinse. What are the problems with using hot water?

[@ridgewayTx]

I believe that I discolored mine with hot water and dish detergent. 😮 still plays good.