Saxophone Mouthpiece Buying Tips

So you’re looking for a new mouthpiece and you’ve found the process to be overwhelming. The selection is enormous and you just don’t know where to start. If this sounds like you, then you are in the right place. This article is here to help you simplify and de-stress (as opposed to distress) the mouthpiece …

Saxophone Playing Tips and Practice Suggestions

Articulation and Style When playing jazz, think of swung 8th notes as a triplet subdivision. Accent downbeats (not heavily, but enough to help with the time and feel). With difficult passages, this will help you maintain a steady pulse. Tongue with the middle of your tongue, not the very tip. Technique Always touch the pearls …

“Must Knows” for the Advanced Saxophonist

We’ve compiled a short collection of tips for the advanced saxophonist (someone with two years or more of experience). If you feel anything is missing from this article, please feel free to let us know in the comments! You can also read our tips for the beginning saxophonist here. What should you keep in your …

“Must Knows” for the Beginning Saxophonist

We’ve compiled a short collection of tips for the beginning saxophonist (someone with two years or less of experience). If you feel anything is missing from this article, please feel free to let us know in the comments! You can also read our tips for the advanced saxophonist here. What should you have in your …

Touring, Studio, and Local Musicians | Music Career Choices Part I

The Different Types of Performing Musicians There are really three main types of musicians – the local musician, the touring musician and the studio musician. More than ever, musicians are choosing to do a combination of both, but we’ll try to break down the two options for you anyway. The career that you choose is …

Words of Wisdom from Phil Sobel

We interviewed saxophonist and educator Phil Sobel a few years ago in partnership with Rheuben Allen Saxophones. Phil Sobel is a world-renowned saxophonist and educator and he has made a huge impact on a number of saxophonists all over the world. He kindly did an interview with us, answering several of our questions and as …

Finding Work as a Musician | Starting Your Career Part I

One of the greatest difficulties in becoming a musician is starting to find work. Most kids that graduate from college do not yet have steady work in music, and many are not even sure about how to approach beginning their career. The music world is enormous, and when you are fresh out of college, it …

Being Young in the Music World

The greatest struggle young jazz musicians face, is truly knowing what one needs to do to get their career started. When you first start out, it seems as simple as just playing your instrument. What few realize, is that there numerous other elements imperative to becoming a professional musician. Music, at times, can seem overwhelming. …

Working As Your Own Manager | The DIY Musician

As an upcoming artist trying to pave your way and setup your A-team, the difference between a manager, booking agent, and publicist can be pretty blurred. So, to start out, it is important to clarify the difference (especially since it’s illegal in some states for one person to take on more than one of those …

Repairing a Crack in a Clarinet

This article is part of a series of repair articles written Rheuben Allen. There are a number of reasons that the wood of your clarinet may crack and if it happens, there are two different methods you can use when repairing that meddlesome crack in your instrument. Keep in mind that it is always safest …