YAPPA BABA: Those were the Ukrainian words, hand-drawn in large letters on the front of the card. Translation: OLD WOMAN. Me, an old lady? It was my birthday, you see, and I was turning the grand old age of…23. In the moment, I laughed. On further reflection I realized—it’s true! Old souls…wise beyond their years […]
Rhapsody in Blue
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to tonight’s match. In one corner, weighing 120 pounds, meet the master of the light touch and melodies that whisper your name, please welcome Smoooooooth Jazz! And in the opposite corner, weighing 240 pounds, with the burden of tradition firmly clamped to his shoulders and the clout of […]
Pump Up The Jam
And now…drum roll please…some tips from my GREATEST STUDENTS! I’m talking la crème de la crème, a small pool of high achievers who consistently amazed me with their exceptional abilities. Their skills were so good, so consistently solid, I was left slightly in awe. Now, none of these students were practice maniacs. Far from it. […]
Good Vibrations
Generally speaking, I agree with Leonardo da Vinci that, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” But sometimes a note just needs a little something-something, that je ne said quoi to highlight its function in the musical line. Love it or loathe it, vibrato is often the tool for the job. Interested Student: “What is vibrato?” Teacher […]
With A Little Help From My Friends
Ned Flanders: “Hi-Diddly-Ho-Ho-Homer! Was that Lisa practising last night? Golly gee whilikers, it sounded amazing!” Homer Simpson: “Saxamaphone— saxamaphone— that’s all I hear these days. And now Lisa wants to attend the NASA 2023 Biennial Conference.” NF: “Well, what’s wrong with that, neighbour? A little fellowship is good for the soul.” HS: “If that’s how […]
Higher Ground
Lusting for new tips that make playing the saxophone easier? I am. I always am! Whose teaching day isn’t improved with a couple of new tricks to test out on your students? Basic Concepts and Strategies for the Developing Saxophonist by Frank Bongiorno, published in 2022, is available in both paperback (in the $30 USD […]