training techniques

6180 Views 46 Replies 12 Participants Last post by marton, Dec 14, 2007

marton

Discussion Starter · Oct 30, 2007

i've been tootling along on my tenor for about a month to six weeks now.

at first, i was just really amazed at how easy it was to just whip up and down a scale and how great it sounded. but then, i started playing along to cd's - about a week ago - and my technique has taken a quantum leap! it's rather amazing at how quickly i progressed just from that.

now, i'm going to go to a jam session i set up. two bass players, a drummer and me. i'm a huge, massive ornette coleman fan, and by that i don't mean i'm obese.

21 - 40 of 47 Posts

jrvinson45

· #21 · Nov 15, 2007

DP,
I was just thinking earlier today that I kinda missed your "Shaft" avatar... nevermind, I never realized that I had become an avid cricket fan! You just got my vote for best avatar!

:cheers: :cheers:

marton

Discussion Starter · #22 · Nov 15, 2007

Dog Pants said:
Whoa the f*** up there horsey!!!

Marton,

Fist things first, G'day and welcome and all that.

thanks

just to clear the air here, Hak wasn't really having a go at you [sounded like it to me]....until you got stroppy and started carrying on like a big girl's blouse. <- that's nonsense. he didn't have to say a word about it but insisted on telling me how full of it i am because i'm enthusiastic about what i'm up to.] He's not a Richardhead, he's a nice bloke, and even after you've had a go at him,he'll still offer you all the help in the world. Pull your head in.[ditto to what i said prior]

Just a few tips, from one Aussie to another.

1. We are outnumbered on this forum by a zillion to one.

2. Most of the other people around here don't understand 50% of what we write. So it often happens, that people read things into a post that were not intended. Next thing you know, it's handbags at 10 paces.

3. Of the remaining 50% that do understand our language and colloquialisms, 45% of these find our humour incredibly offensive. The other 5% think were mad as a cut snake.

4. As an Aussie you are statistically 13.275 times more likely to be banned from this forum as omembers of other nationalities. [my life doesn't depend on whether or not i'm banned from this forum so whatever]
5. Most of the good horns and parts to keep them running, come from overseas. Many overseas sellers will only sell and ship locally. That's where having friends and contacts in the worldwide sax community pays a huge dividend. Making friendly with the Seppos and the Poms and the Krauts and the Frogs and the Dagoes, and the ***** and the Micks, etc, is just plain helpful. So try not to insult everyone, you never know when you'll need a friend. I'm proud to say I have friends in all the 3rd world countries I listed above.

6. The guys that play the Wangaratta Jazz festival are probably pretty decent players. Unless you spend big $$$ and get them all "smashed as a crab on a rock", you're gonna be in over your head. Big bollocks to you for having a go, but don't be upset at someone trying to offer a friendly warning. Just do the Aussie thing and have a laugh. [i have every intention of going to this jam, and i have every intention of learning as much as i can. whether or not i fall on my ****? meh. whatever, it's all education]

7. Don't listen to a word I've said. I'm probably not the best source of wisdom around here, on matters concerning forum behaviour.

Anyhow, welcome mate and do the right thing and drop Hak a PM.[you're kidding right? not a chance. he owes me an apology, not the other way round]

thanks for being reasonable anyway

i'll post an update on how i went when the jam's over. win lose or draw.

hakukani

· #23 · Nov 15, 2007

First off, let me say that I am a HUGE fan of free jazz--from ornette, through Dolphy, Ayler, Brown, Sam Rivers etc. etc. other names you can think of.

I will apologize to you Marton, not for what I've said, but the fact that I believed you understood that guys that haven't played sax very long aren't going to play at the level of Ornette Coleman, plus I don't really think it's quite the place to start learning the horn--or about music.

I remember being a lot younger and thinking that 'free' meant 'unstructured' and doing my own 'thing'. I thought that I was misunderstood in my playing, and that all the mouldy figs just couldn't hear the naturalness in my improvisations.

After I stunk up a few bandstands, and scared a few old drunks at art 'happenings', I wised up and realized it was just that I really didn't really know what I was doing---this after I had been playing and studying for almost 20 years! It's now been 41 years, and I finally feel like I'm starting to get a handle on this music thing.

By all means have fun with your playing--I said that before. But why start a thread like this in a discussion forum as if it's your own blog---especially when we don't really know a thing about you--or you me, other than the fact that you had enough shekels to plonk down on a saxophone, and know some blokes to play with?

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marton

Discussion Starter · #24 · Nov 15, 2007

hakukani said:
First off, let me say that I am a HUGE fan of free jazz--from ornette, through Dolphy, Ayler, Brown, Sam Rivers etc. etc. other names you can think of.

I will apologize to you Marton, not for what I've said, but the fact that I believed you understood that guys that haven't played sax very long aren't going to play at the level of Ornette Coleman, plus I don't really think it's quite the place to start learning the horn--or about music.

I remember being a lot younger and thinking that 'free' meant 'unstructured' and doing my own 'thing'. I thought that I was misunderstood in my playing, and that all the mouldy figs just couldn't hear the naturalness in my improvisations.

After I stunk up a few bandstands, and scared a few old drunks at art 'happenings', I wised up and realized it was just that I really didn't really know what I was doing---this after I had been playing and studying for almost 20 years! It's now been 41 years, and I finally feel like I'm starting to get a handle on this music thing.

By all means have fun with your playing--I said that before. But why start a thread like this in a discussion forum as if it's your own blog---especially when we don't really know a thing about you--or you me, other than the fact that you had enough shekels to plonk down on a saxophone, and know some blokes to play with?

okay, thanks for this.

let's just clear things up here okay? i never once said i play like mr. coleman.

also, i defer to your - and all others - technical grasp of the sax is much better than mine.

BUT ...... i am going to do everything i can to get to where i can express myself through sax as clearly as is possible and as fast as is possible. if that includes "stinking up the bandstand" then i will stink up the bandstand.

i know you don't like to hear me refer to my past violin playing, but the fact that i've played in bands before on violin and on cd recordings which i can point you to on the web if you like, means that i have a little bit of understanding of musical morés. you'd give me that much wouldn't you? not that it matters to me whether you do or don't.

i'm head over heels in love with my tenor and i'm going to parade my relationship around town as much as i can and hope to deepen that relationship as time goes by. "as time goes by?" that reminds me.....i think i'll learn how to play it.

this isn't a blog i realise that, but it is a thread that i started and if i get attacked whether for real or perceptually, then i think you'd forgive me for responding.

anyway, i don't want bad blood if i can avoid it, so how about we just forget this incident and call it a misunderstanding?

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hakukani

· #25 · Nov 15, 2007

OK. Peaceout:flower:

cleger

· #26 · Nov 15, 2007

Let's all sing

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roger

· #27 · Nov 15, 2007

Seems someone's knickers got twisted.

jrvinson45

· #28 · Nov 15, 2007

Marton,
I'm sure that you're reacting to what's being said defensively; however, I'd like to point out that "stinking up the bandstand" is something most of us have done at one time or another. It's just that most of us didn't go out there with the intent of "stinking" in the first place. If you have the "so be it" attitude, then you've yet to learn that playing in front of people is playing FOR the people, and they have every right to expect a good show. If they don't get it because you're not prepared, you probably won't have to worry about doing it very long. The music is about the music, the performance is about the audience. If everything goes all right you'll be allowed to pay your homage to both. If you go in with the attitude that "so what if I stink it up somewhat" everyone will know and you'll earn yourself a reputation, just maybe not the one you wanted. Festina Lente.

marton

Discussion Starter · #29 · Nov 16, 2007

this thread passed into "purple monkey typewriter" territory on the first page so don't expect me to respond to any more posts.

Dog Pants

· #30 · Nov 16, 2007

Aye, but reply you will. And sooner rather than later methinks.

Despite your teenage protestations of "whatever," you do care, otherwise you wouldn't have blogged. Just because you didn't get the response you wanted, is no reason to carry on like a pork chop. You're Australian fer chrissakes. Get over it and get on with it. Nobody here is out to get you. You asked the question and got an honest answer. What did you expect? There's guys here that have been playing professionally since before you and I were born. Did you really think they were gonna blow their load over some newbie who's been playing for 4 months?

Put it behind you and get on with the game before you give the rest of us Aussies a bad reputation.

RootyTootoot

· #31 · Nov 16, 2007

marton said:
don't expect me to respond to any more posts.

Gazooks!!!! And there was I, hanging on your every word, marton!!

hakukani

· #32 · Nov 16, 2007

marton said:
i know you don't like to hear me refer to my past violin playing, but the fact that i've played in bands before on violin and on cd recordings which i can point you to on the web if you like, means that i have a little bit of understanding of musical morés. you'd give me that much wouldn't you? not that it matters to me whether you do or don't.

I would actually be quite interested in hearing your violin playing. I know a couple of violinists and a couple of cellists, and I like to listen to music. It's not just saxophone for me. Could you post a link?

Dog Pants

· #33 · Nov 16, 2007

3

jrvinson45 said:
DP,
I was just thinking earlier today that I kinda missed your "Shaft" avatar... nevermind, I never realized that I had become an avid cricket fan! You just got my vote for best avatar! :cheers: :cheers:

Her name is Lara Bingle. She was just another blonde, until she got picked as the face of the "where the bloody hell are you?" tourist campaign. Now she's a famous blonde and is attached to Michael Clarke, a promising young member of the Australian cricket team, who should have his mind on the current test series, rather than expending all his energy on young Lara.

Here's pics of the lovely Lara.

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RootyTootoot

· #34 · Nov 16, 2007

At last this thread is taking a turn for the better. Thank you, DP.

Bernards20040

· #35 · Nov 16, 2007

Ahhh the lovely Lara

I had to change my avatar for the cricket season too

Dog Pants

· #36 · Nov 16, 2007 (Edited)

Bernards20040 said:
Ahhh the lovely Lara
I had to change my avatar for the cricket season too

And a great avatar it is too!!!

Sir David Boon. a.k.a "Boony"

For those of you unfamiliar with "Boony" here's just one more reason to move to the Land of Oz. Only in Australia. Read on...

Opened the batting for Australia

Player of the series in 1987

Holder of the world record for most beers consumed on the flight from Sydney to London.

"Boon achieved much fame and notoriety for consuming 52 cans of beer on a flight from Sydney to London [9] before the victorious 1989 Ashes tour that saw Australia regain the trophy after five years of English dominance; the previous record had been held by Rod Marsh, who it is believed consumed 45 cans, although there is conjecture as to whether Marsh actually finished can #45, and some believe his attempt only equalled the record of 44 cans set by Doug Walters. Another passionate report of said record claims Boon finished 54 drinks totalling around 19.5 litres of beverages @ 5% alcohol (per 375ml serve), the majority of which consumed at such an altitude that the effects of the alcohol were doubled [10]. Boon is often jokingly referred to as the "Keg on Legs" because of his legendary drinking exploits and dogged, iconoclastic batting displays. He is a unique interview guest, often giving short, clipped, amiable answers to every question."

It's worth noting that all the blokes mentioned in the above Wikipedia quote, were members of the Australian cricket team. Legends all of 'em.

Boony is now a national selector of the Australian Cricket Team. Which means he and a couple of other blokes, get paid big $$$, to travel around the world, drink beer, watch the cricket, and stay in fancy hotels.

Not bad for a short fat bloke from an island full of inbreds just off the coast of Australia.

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marton

Discussion Starter · #37 · Nov 16, 2007 (Edited)

Dog Pants said:
Aye, but reply you will. And sooner rather than later methinks.

Despite your teenage protestations of "whatever," you do care, otherwise you wouldn't have blogged. Just because you didn't get the response you wanted, is no reason to carry on like a pork chop. You're Australian fer chrissakes. Get over it and get on with it. Nobody here is out to get you. You asked the question and got an honest answer. What did you expect? There's guys here that have been playing professionally since before you and I were born. Did you really think they were gonna blow their load over some newbie who's been playing for 4 months?

Put it behind you and get on with the game before you give the rest of us Aussies a bad reputation.

don't be silly. badly thought out responses by blithely oblivious people like yourself, are what gives you aussies a bad name.

want a cookie?

jrvinson45

· #38 · Nov 16, 2007

And that's the story of how marton became known as the man without a country...

curly

· #39 · Nov 16, 2007

I love it when Boony makes it into a thread !

marton

Discussion Starter · #40 · Nov 29, 2007

hmm, so far so good. jam went swimmingly....went so well we formed a band. sort of a funk jazz thing.

and i've booked a couple more informal jams with some other bands whose members are friends of mine

i suppose the point of this is that if you want a quick education in playing there's nothing better than playing with others.

feel free to jump on me yet again. *shrugs*

21 - 40 of 47 Posts

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