Xaphoon Basics- Tutorial (Pocket Sax)

Xaphoon Fingering Chart: xaphoon.com/pa...
Learn Some Tunes: • Xaphoon Stuff
Good Beginner Reeds: a.co/d/081evBq
Support Me (if you dare): paypal.me/Mike...

[@traceycollyer348]

As a woodwind teacher, I was delighted to learn of the existence of this neat little gadget. Mine was only $20 an came with 5 reeds. So about $30 worth of reeds! I am finding there is a massive amount of range in each note. I can bend each one at least a tone in each direction and am having to learn exactly which spot is the C pitch. The rest of the notes come and go as to how accurately they want to come out. It is harder (I am having less instant success) going from alto sax to the xaphoon, than going from clarinet to alto sax. But fun!

[@MichellesMusic]

Thank you for this tutorial. As a piano and voice teacher, I don’t get a lot of opportunity to play reed instruments. I got a xaphoon for Christmas and decided to teach myself for fun. I was struggling a bit, as it was not like the recorder. Thanks again.

[@brockbedfordFPV]

Just picked up a xaphoon myself!! As a tenor sax player found this would be a fun way to get extra practice in and keep things fun and interesting!!! Thanks so much for making this content!!!! Your the only one truly teaching this stuff in a fun easy way to learn keep up the great work and hope you put out more videos in the future!!!

[@mbensonmusic]

Should have some more stuff soon!

[@brockbedfordFPV]

@@mbensonmusic killer dude!! I’ve been slowly plugging away at the full songs you got up🙌🏼…you are the only person I can find truly teaching the steps of this instrument and putting up follow alongs and learnable videos for it embrace it and keep killing it my guy!! A super fun instrument to play while I wait for my tenor to come back from repairs keep up the great work I know how much hard work it can take and I’m sure anyone who stumbles across you surely appreciate the work thanks so much look forward to following you for long time!

[@nobody2021]

I've been wanting a saxophone, but they are very expensive. You can buy cheaper used ones but it's kind of a crapshoot because you don't know the condition it's in and it might need some degree of an overhaul from a tech which is going to increase the cost more. The one I've been looking at is 350 used but it could need like $200 worth of work from a tech, maybe more, and then at that cost I may as well have bought a Yamaha. I ordered one of these last night, I hope it scratches the itch in my brain of wanting a sax because it's so much cheaper. If it doesn't, and it just makes me want one more then I'll count that as a positive as well because it was a cheaper way to try out something that sounds like a sax without having to pay real sax money.

[@wilkyesilva7211]

I just LOVE this tip of TAH. When you blow and then says: TAH! the TAH release your tongue on a magic way!. Here in Brazil they said to me say: TÚUU but your tecnique is much better! Thank you so much guy!!!!

[@mbensonmusic]

TAH is great for reed instruments, TU works well for flute or trumpet

[@jasonbrackstone]

Just picked one of these up, never played sax or one of these, and love the sax sound and heard that the fingerings is the same. Great video

[@harpintn]

I fiddled with one of those for several weeks not long after they came out. I couldn't do much with it, so I put it aside. I am glad it is working for you.

[@user-qi6xl8hg2j]

Well you are making it sound in tune unlike other vids I've watched, bought one on a whim I usually play guitar and banjo,

[@mbensonmusic]

That's a big compliment- these things don't play in tune easily!

[@WhiskyWeiss]

I'm so glad I found this video! I'm an alto sax player and I haven't played in awhile, so this has been refreshing getting back to music! It's a little different...ok a lot different lol than a sax but the fundamentals with the mouthpiece are the same. I'm having a hard time following the charts, but you explained everything wonderfully! It feels good to make notes come to life again!

[@eickelpasch12]

yo thank you, I just got my pocket sax today and the stuff youve posted in the last year has been really helpful (also the sheet music link). also just want to say you sound much better, first video i saw was careless whispers from a year ago lol

[@mbensonmusic]

Glad they're helpful- for the sound, I stop used plastic reeds, the Xaphoon likes traditional cane reeds much more it seems.

[@helgevig5134]

I LOVE how you explain things. Xaphoon looks like a fun little instrument to play with!

[@mbensonmusic]

Thanks!

[@helgevig5134]

Now I have tried the classic Xaphoon myself though, and sadly I gotta say I'm not a big fan. The big thick mouthpiece is not very comfortable to blow on, and the fingering is quite tricky for me with my small hands.

[@mbensonmusic]

@@helgevig5134 I agree on the mouthpiece being uncomfortable, that's always been rough for me!

[@helgevig5134]

@@mbensonmusic I honestly felt violated having to put that thing in my mouth.. 😅 Sorry but I ain't gonna put up with that no moe 😤

[@GeorgWaltl]

this video just saved an instrument to be thrown out of the window;) Thank you

[@toinethomassen5116]

Woooow! It made a sound!! 😱❤️ The fast air tip did it 👌 thanks 😁 now to wait for morning so I don't wake the neighbours 😇

[@mbensonmusic]

Glad I could help! Good luck in your practice!

[@kimjeyo9728]

need more videos of it. pls tell us the differences between reeds

[@sablang5297]

Thanks a lot for this excellent video. It is super helpful. I just got a Xaphoon and love it.

[@Godsglory777]

Great, very helpful good sir. I just started playing mine today! It's not easy, but your video has given me a great foundation, which as anyone knows is key to started anything right. 🙂👍

[@urusingthewrongaccount2449]

how are you at it now?

[@Godsglory777]

@urusingthewrongaccount2449 not very good, to be honest. I haven't given up, It has just become a low-level priority on my long list of goals. Thanks for inquiring though.

[@TunnelPlaya]

I absolutely CAN NOT have my teeth directly on the thing. The vibration shakes the shit out of my skull and i cant handle the buzzing feeling in my nose

[@mbensonmusic]

I feel the same- it makes my nose itch! You can get mouth piece patches that will help. a.co/d/dL8zIZd

[@jojobarby7416]

There are little Rubber stickers to stick on top of the mouth piece on a saxophone; they make it much mote manageable and it's more comfy for teeth too :)

[@johnvalencia7488]

What if you remove your top teeth?

[@vanjo36]

I sub because you help me solve my problem thanks. Beginner here

[@mbensonmusic]

Thanks for the sub!

[@yell50]

Well that has put me right off having to buy reed because they wear down quickly I am glad he mentioned this as I won't be buy this instrument now.

[@mbensonmusic]

I write off reeds on my taxes- it adds up, haha.

[@nobody2021]

Is it just me or does the F sound off? I think it's flat? Is that a matter of embouchure or is that just what it sounds like?

[@mbensonmusic]

I find playing the Xaphoon in tune very challenging! Don't be alarmed if some notes sound off.

[@Ghozyalfarizy]

thid helprd me s lot im so happy thank you!!!

[@greglord7796]

Perfect, thank you!

[@Starduckvalley]

This is a great tutorial

[@danielpalmersofficial]

Thank you, I have a pocket saxophone and I’ve been dying to learn it properly for ages now. ✌️😙

[@adalbertomartins]

There isn’t 11 holes fingering chart in your description!!!

[@williemacon30]

When I first got this instrument I was so angry because I could not find the right videos for finger placement if I would have found your video I probably would had stay playing it

[@OlalereEmmanuel-zz9iu]

Thank you sir ,but sir can you do video of how to play key c major on the mini pocket saxophone

[@nathanielkreeger3020]

Thank you for creating and posting this video!!

[@mozolewski]

Hi, have you notice any mouthpiece wear down marks where it's in contact with teeth?

[@mbensonmusic]

That's normal if you've been playing- you can get mouth piece patches to protect your instrument.

[@leoniebosch6673]

Very helpful!!😊

[@mexiko4868]

It is tickling terribly on the lower lip!

[@mbensonmusic]

That’s normal! And your lip will toughen up with more practice.

[@starlingwatch3921]

Thanks for the good video.. do you have a video on teaching me some klezmer music?

[@mbensonmusic]

I would check out some clarinet videos on Klezmer- they would easily apply!

[@frankcohen8662]

@@mbensonmusic Thanks. I found a bunch of Klezmer tutorials. About half have songs I'd like to play and they inevitably go lower than low C.

[@alexcarter8807]

Huh-huh-huh-huh-huh you said butt.... The Rico reeds in the light blue box are good, generally new students get orange box ones which are good but the light blue box ones are a good value.

[@finnomara4148]

Making myself all confused ..with. C xaphoon you play in key of F. Would that not make it an F xaphoon?

[@chAIboIBoogie]

Thank you. I've been trying to decide if I want to take up practicing this or not, I like how portable the instrument is and the sound as well. Can you play "careless whispers" on the xaphoon?

[@8754roberto]

Thank you 😊

[@dsbirdi1313]

Hi Ben.i am your big Fan watching you all video tutorials. I bought Xaphoon from kijiji .May be it has wrong reed I can't make any sound since last 2 days I am trying .please tell me which reed should I but to listen my first sound .

[@mbensonmusic]

Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4W6pYGaqMiJoZY

[@annabellee4252]

Hello, love your videos!! I have a question... do you need to put the reed into your mouth to soak it with saliva before you play? I have seen some saxophonist do this, but I don't know if it is the same for the xaphoon. Thank!

[@mbensonmusic]

Soaking in water is best, but saliva will get the job done, too!

[@annabellee4252]

@@mbensonmusic thank you :-)

[@rianukeevs]

Please tell me, does he have the same fingering as the saxophone?

[@mbensonmusic]

It's similar, but definitely not the same- you'll be using your left pinkie a lot more with the Xaphoon.

[@devicetechnologycontrol9767]

What reed you use i will bought it.

[@mbensonmusic]

Tenor sax reed- try a Rico brand 2 or 2.5 to get started.

[@MrSmoocher01]

To the T !!!

[@whenitype]

hi, is it alto or tenor reed? sorry for newbie question

[@mbensonmusic]

Tenor!

[@whenitype]

@@mbensonmusic thank you sir

[@seaweed8rain]

is it still comfortable if i play with my right hand at the top instead of the left?

[@mbensonmusic]

Left should be on top, it's that way for other wind instruments as well!

[@leonsaieg2959]

cant even get it to sound yet :c damn, thanks for this class tho

[@mbensonmusic]

Check this out, it might help! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4W6pYGaqMiJoZY

[@noth9617]

How do i do it without biting my lip off while im concentrating too hard? Also why does mine go bonkers when i cover the 4th or 5th hole? 😂

[@mbensonmusic]

Relax by thinking of the sound "Oh" while you play- weird sounds are usually either from not covering holes or being too loose/tight with your mouth.

[@lOl-dg5bx]

Hi! I've tried to play with other instruments on the xaphoon and it doesn't work....I play the notes slightly higher or lower, do you have any idea why?

[@mbensonmusic]

The Xaphoon has terrible tuning! (at least mine does) Usually it's sharp for me (too high) so you can lower you tongue/jaw a bit to bring it down or tighten up to bring it up. Good luck!

[@lOl-dg5bx]

@@mbensonmusic I'll try. Thank you so much for helping me!

[@essentialinformer]

I haven't been able to make Any sounds

[@mbensonmusic]

The big things to look out for is placing the reed correctly (everything is lined up) and don't let your mouth get tight when you blow- you'll need lots of air!

[@essentialinformer]

@@mbensonmusic I let three people try with 2.0 reeds, one of us is Full of Air.. lol.. for sure, I think something is wrong maybe it has a crack inside

[@mbensonmusic]

@@essentialinformer yeah, that's not normal, especially with a soft reed like that! Sometimes it is the equipment, not you, haha

[@essentialinformer]

@@mbensonmusic I gave up and purchased a Yamaha VS 120, Sounds Good with 2.0 reeds, now I just have to learn to play something

[@taisonlaw]

👍

[@pickenchews]

Anyone else with small hands struggle to get that top hand to cover all the holes?

[@mbensonmusic]

I have pretty small hands myself- you can utilize the 'pipers grip' where you use the 2nd or 3rd joint of your finger to cover the hole instead of your fingertip.

[@Denise-SA]

Which Key is the Xaphoon in?

[@mbensonmusic]

Key of C- no need to transpose!

[@MahendraKoli-v8o]

Im form india pls hindi notes sa re ga ma

[@Pp-ok4ux]

Please

[@breannamercer6804]

Do you have to soak the reed?

[@mbensonmusic]

It's helpful, but you can also just put it in your mouth to get it wet.

[@kudu42]

Can you mute these? Asking for demented husband and son.....

[@mbensonmusic]

You could play them outside in a forest maybe? Not much you can do indoors though...

[@romantea3506]

F sounds way out of tune. Is it just me?

[@mbensonmusic]

My higher F is generally very out of tune! The xaphoon can be tricky to tune, especially on the higher note. Adjust your mouth position to change the pitch as needed.

[@adminp-plast407]

Reed should be soaked in water before use.

[@mbensonmusic]

This is true!

[@amj.composer]

If they're sax reeds they can work without water and with saliva alone