[SactoPete]

I did a search, and surprisingly didn't come up with anything...

I'm curious what experienced players / teachers would say are some of the most significant, common, and/or disastrous bad habits that players may develop and should consciously avoid.

Off the top of my head, I can think of things like biting and "throat tonguing", or not practicing with a metronome, but those are pretty basic, and I'm sure there's many others that I myself fall prey to - could be embochoure-related, fingering habits, practice routines, whatever...

Thoughts?

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Lifting the finger too high off of the keys while playing, changing the embouchure to improperly coddle the upper and lower extreme ranges of the instrument, and the biggest one you've already mentioned, biting!

 

[Jaice Singer DuMars]

I just posted several:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=69437

 

[Al Stevens]

...changing the embouchure to improperly coddle the upper and lower extreme ranges of the instrument

I keep reading that, and my only response is, if I want to play those notes, that's what I have to do. Maybe it works with a C* for classical playing, but on a 7* or 8? I just can't do it.

So, while feeling guilty about it, I watched a Dexter Gordon video with a lot of closeups of Dexter playing and guess what? His chops are all over the piece when he changes pitch. If it works for Dexter...

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Check out someone like Parker. Jaw is fixed in place like a bear trap throughout the range. Just because an esteemed "lion" learned to cope with an unorthodox compromise doesn't mean it is the best way to go.

Still, if it works for you and you're happy, cheers.

 

[Grumps]

...I watched a Dexter Gordon video with a lot of closeups of Dexter playing and guess what? His chops are all over the piece when he changes pitch.

Just curious, but was he on the 10M or the VI in that video?

 

[Al Stevens]

He was on the 10M. It's a DVD of live concerts in 63 and 64 in Europe.

 

[Grumps]

That explains it then. I would wonder if you'd catch him doing as much later with a VI.

 

[SactoPete]

In "Round Midnight" Dex is playing on a VI, and you can see him move his emb all over the place as well (plus that crazy lig placement!).

Pete

 

[ratracer]

Definitely the day job. Interferes way too much with the practice I so desperately need!!!!!!!!

 

[BobbyC]

Lifting the finger too high off of the keys while playing, changing the embouchure to improperly coddle the upper and lower extreme ranges of the instrument, and the biggest one you've already mentioned, biting!

I fear I am the epitome of what not to do.