(bottom of page)
CafeSaxophone Forum
Cafe Moderator
Commercial
Animals Show us your pets.
I apologise in advance but rest assured the Café is not going to turn into Facebook.
As a competition maybe the photo with the most likes or funnies gets a prize. I can offer a Cebulla or B.Air neck strap, as a prize. Might think of a few more. Or else a book or DVD. Or something else.
As a competition maybe the photo with the most likes or funnies gets a prize. I can offer a Cebulla or B.Air neck strap, as a prize. Might think of a few more. Or else a book or DVD. Or something else.
343 Replies
·
23141 views
Saxophones Selmer no longer supreme!
Okay so I was saddened when I saw this video today and a little shocked but not all that surprised.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PYOU5SgysM
One of my favourite players Eric Alexander has moved to a Chinese brand saxophone. Can I blame him? No as I have done the same and most of my playing buddies have cashed out of the high end French and Japanese horns. They cannot justify the investment on return and these are gigging musicians who say it just doesn't matter!
I just booked a friend and a killer alto player for a gig this past weekend. He now sells insurance, he gave up gigging a few years ago but jumped at the offer of $400.00 for an hour wedding gig. Insurance sales are not paying the bills. He has sold off all his expensive Yamahas and now has Eastern music horns.
How many young players are on Chinese or Taiwan horns these days?
The times they are a changing - sell your VI's because the up and comers won' be lusting after them. 😎
Introducing our newest BetterSax artist, Eric Alexander!
One of my favourite players Eric Alexander has moved to a Chinese brand saxophone. Can I blame him? No as I have done the same and most of my playing buddies have cashed out of the high end French and Japanese horns. They cannot justify the investment on return and these are gigging musicians who say it just doesn't matter!
I just booked a friend and a killer alto player for a gig this past weekend. He now sells insurance, he gave up gigging a few years ago but jumped at the offer of $400.00 for an hour wedding gig. Insurance sales are not paying the bills. He has sold off all his expensive Yamahas and now has Eastern music horns.
How many young players are on Chinese or Taiwan horns these days?
The times they are a changing - sell your VI's because the up and comers won' be lusting after them. 😎
36 Replies
·
736 views
Saxophones Another Beaugnier
Apologies for a lengthy absence from the Cafe, new home (with neighbours) and other commitments has restricted my playing/practising/generally making a noise somewhat.
I have been happily playing on my Martin, again many thanks to @griff136 and my local tech.
I have expressed my admiration of the Beaugnier marque on several occasions and when a Noblet came up on Ebay I couldn't resist it but several characteristics are different to research I have done into the Beaugnier models, no bent nail bell brace, angled left hand pinky keys, right hand bell keys, different C/Eb key design and different keyguards. I found the same tenor model sold by Stohrer Music some time ago identified as a Beaugnier and a similar alto tested by jazzmanted on Youtube.
It's in superb condition, plays nicely and came with a 1950's Vandoren Perfecta which works really well with the horn. Anyone else come across these.
I have been happily playing on my Martin, again many thanks to @griff136 and my local tech.
I have expressed my admiration of the Beaugnier marque on several occasions and when a Noblet came up on Ebay I couldn't resist it but several characteristics are different to research I have done into the Beaugnier models, no bent nail bell brace, angled left hand pinky keys, right hand bell keys, different C/Eb key design and different keyguards. I found the same tenor model sold by Stohrer Music some time ago identified as a Beaugnier and a similar alto tested by jazzmanted on Youtube.
It's in superb condition, plays nicely and came with a 1950's Vandoren Perfecta which works really well with the horn. Anyone else come across these.
110 Replies
·
9781 views
Mouthpiece/Lig FS Mouthpieces for sale
Hello, I have two excellent mouthpieces for sale in perfect condition.
Tenor PPT - 8* - £150
Soprano Pillinger - PJ 7 (LAR) - £125
Happy to take questions
Pictures below
Tenor PPT - 8* - £150
Soprano Pillinger - PJ 7 (LAR) - £125
Happy to take questions
Pictures below
1 Replies
·
74 views
R & B, Blues, Soul Recommended Blues Listening
My teacher has suggested trying to improvise over a blues progression.
For various reasons I've barely touched my saxes since, I'm after some listening recommendations to give me a little bit of inspiration.
So what should I be listening to?
For various reasons I've barely touched my saxes since, I'm after some listening recommendations to give me a little bit of inspiration.
So what should I be listening to?
28 Replies
·
425 views
Clarinet Stupid question about clarinets
Having recently fallen in love with the bass clarinet but being very naive about all things clarinet related can I ask a question to any clarineteers out there. How do I tell if a Clarinet is a German system model? I’m trying to get a case for my 1960s Kolhert and the question- is it German system or not- keeps on coming up. Any assistance on this one?
10 Replies
·
1961 views
Cafe Moderator
Commercial
Playing the saxophone What are the most common problems. Either for yourself or students if you teach?
I know what mine are (or were) what about yours?
Originally I think it was tuning but I probably wasn’t aware - which is another problem in itself.
Another one was finding my playing was inconsistent so it was difficult sometimes to pin down issues.
Originally I think it was tuning but I probably wasn’t aware - which is another problem in itself.
Another one was finding my playing was inconsistent so it was difficult sometimes to pin down issues.
choose up to 4 common problems you have experienced, either you or your students?
17 votes total
29 Replies
·
544 views
I can't even suss out what the benefit might be.
It's outside the box - will give them that. 😀
Not a P. Mauriat hater - one of my backup altos is their Black Pearl and it's a really great looking horn but not really sure what they are going for here.
R&C beats them for efficiency. They are claiming Two Voices from only one bell lol...
It's outside the box - will give them that. 😀
Not a P. Mauriat hater - one of my backup altos is their Black Pearl and it's a really great looking horn but not really sure what they are going for here.
R&C beats them for efficiency. They are claiming Two Voices from only one bell lol...
9 Replies
·
155 views
Miscellaneous Is AI taking over!
I just made this with AI today (inspired by my daughters recent wedding) and was totally mind blown... The song itself, band, singer and sax solos were just too good... There's no future for humans in music if this is just the early stages!
Walk her to forever
Walk her to forever
650 Replies
·
28101 views
Saxophones Pork Tales: Saxophone Repair DIY Adventures.
Tales from a pig that likes to stick his nose into everything.
Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?
1) Search the net.
2) Find the color.
3) Order color.
4) Study task on University of YouTube, aka; For destruction by DYI presented by pro tech.
Do the cleaning & prep.
Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……
Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !
Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?
1) Search the net.
2) Find the color.
3) Order color.
4) Study task on University of YouTube, aka; For destruction by DYI presented by pro tech.
Do the cleaning & prep.
Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……
Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !
1120 Replies
·
63788 views
Beginner Saxes Arbiter pro sound... Taiwan.
just got myself a Arbiter pro sound sax, it stamped Taiwan and s/n 481296, someone said it was from about 1988 as it not stamped London... plays really well and I really like it a lot just wanting to know more about it as information seems very scarce...
41 Replies
·
5341 views
Miscellaneous Foroverse - what's all that about?
As an amateur standup comic would ask.
Just a forum feed consolidation place?
Like a better RSS reader?
Or
Some kinda VerticalScope Inc without the rapacious capitalism?
A new land-grab that'll turn the screws later?
A community led collective utopia?
Or
A multiverse for fora where threads can be confused and make sense at the same time?
Just a forum feed consolidation place?
Like a better RSS reader?
Or
Some kinda VerticalScope Inc without the rapacious capitalism?
A new land-grab that'll turn the screws later?
A community led collective utopia?
Or
A multiverse for fora where threads can be confused and make sense at the same time?
20 Replies
·
260 views
Dear Forum Members,
I’m very glad to host my first SOTM here in the café. I choose „The Chicken“ from Pee Wee Ellis. I’m shure, most of you know the song from Jaco Pastorius, but there are several other recordings out there.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgntkGc5iBo&list=RDTgntkGc5iBo&start_radio=1
Here are lead sheets in C, Bb and Eb (one document) and some backing tracks (many more on youtube).
Dropbox
For soloing and scale decisions, I found this guitar video helpful, but I personaly think blues most of the time and try to play groovy and in time instead of overthinking the notes too much.
Hoping for many funky contributions!
All the best
Dirk
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQZbsadHm2A&t=17s
I’m very glad to host my first SOTM here in the café. I choose „The Chicken“ from Pee Wee Ellis. I’m shure, most of you know the song from Jaco Pastorius, but there are several other recordings out there.
Here are lead sheets in C, Bb and Eb (one document) and some backing tracks (many more on youtube).
Dropbox
For soloing and scale decisions, I found this guitar video helpful, but I personaly think blues most of the time and try to play groovy and in time instead of overthinking the notes too much.
Hoping for many funky contributions!
All the best
Dirk
10 Replies
·
629 views
This is the only mouthpiece currently in production that can hold its own against my Otto Link Slant. I’ve been playing this Morgan Classical for a while now, and to me it's just wonderful. Finally, someone made a "no-baffle" baritone mouthpiece with a one-inch neck extension—essential for those who play a Conn.
I want to make clear that I have no sponsorship or any endorsement deal; I bought the mouthpiece just like anyone else. What do you think?
P.S. Turn on English subtitles in the youtube menu.
P.P.S I have played the Morgan Florida, which I returned for the classical. so you can compare both.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZFd2_aftKM
I want to make clear that I have no sponsorship or any endorsement deal; I bought the mouthpiece just like anyone else. What do you think?
P.S. Turn on English subtitles in the youtube menu.
P.P.S I have played the Morgan Florida, which I returned for the classical. so you can compare both.
10 Replies
·
246 views
Tech/maintenance Abalone key pearls
Needed to order from Amazon so I added a set of these to see what they're like: Bnineteenteam Key Buttons for Alto Sax, 9pcs Sax Abalone Shell Key Buttons Saxophone Key Button for soprano, alto and tenor saxophones : Amazon.co.uk: Books
Not expecting much. Most of the "real shell" pearls I've looked at seem to be covered in acrylic which means they're no different than a plastic key surely?
Anyway... for a fiver it's worth a go. Let you know what they're like once they arrive.
Not expecting much. Most of the "real shell" pearls I've looked at seem to be covered in acrylic which means they're no different than a plastic key surely?
Anyway... for a fiver it's worth a go. Let you know what they're like once they arrive.
141 Replies
·
8585 views
Saxophones Playing at Old people’s home
Evening,
I have been asked to play at a local old people’s home for a coffee morning for a hour. It’s for ages 65 up. The question is how many songs should I aim for and how long ie a hour straight of 2 , 25 minute sets with a short break.
I will be playing old Jazz ballads.
Thank you Paul
I have been asked to play at a local old people’s home for a coffee morning for a hour. It’s for ages 65 up. The question is how many songs should I aim for and how long ie a hour straight of 2 , 25 minute sets with a short break.
I will be playing old Jazz ballads.
Thank you Paul
81 Replies
·
5734 views
Member Blogs (currently active)
-
Saxophones Pork Tales: Saxophone Repair DIY Adventures.- Started by PigSquealer
- Replies: 1K
-
-
Trending
Popular Discussions on the Café
-
Saxophones C Melody Saxophones- Started by Andy Hornblower
- Replies: 689
-
Saxophones Carrying a tenor on a (motor)bike?- Started by Jay
- Replies: 779
-
Saxophones How will Tariffs affect Sax Prices?- Started by Ivan
- Replies: 465
-
-
Playing the saxophone The Cafe Trio grown to Octet down to Sextet- Started by trimmy
- Replies: 844
-
Great Players Who sparked your love of Sax music- Started by jools
- Replies: 619
-
Playing the saxophone Learn to play by ear or by reading music- Started by Taz
- Replies: 1K
-
Tech/maintenance My new "DIY" pads...- Started by DavidUK
- Replies: 393
-
Theory & Impro Do we really need theory?- Started by jbtsax
- Replies: 497
-
Misc Reviews Yamaha YDS-150 Wind Synth
- Started by Acc6441
- Replies: 301
-
Playing the saxophone Learning to Read v Playing by ear- Started by BigMartin
- Replies: 505
Featured Classifieds
Latest Song of the Month
-
-
SOTM SotM September 2026 - Autumn Leaves- Started by mrblackbat
- Replies: 27
-
-
-
SOTM SOTM June 2026 "And You Just Smile" (from ear to ear- training)- Started by LostCircuits
- Replies: 11
-
SOTM SOTM May 2026 - Always Remember Us This Way
- Started by MikeMorrell
- Replies: 39
-
SOTM SOTM April 2026 - Freedom Jazz Dance- Started by rhysonsax
- Replies: 14
-
SOTM SOTM and PETE (Play by Ear Training Exercise)
- Started by Wade Cornell
- Replies: 16
-
SOTM SOTM Feb 2026 - On Green Dolphin Street
- Started by mrblackbat
- Replies: 44
-
SOTM SOTM January 2026: Our Love Is Here to Stay- Started by GCinCT
- Replies: 46
-
SOTM SOTM December 2025: Wexford Carol
- Started by MikeMorrell
- Replies: 37
-
SOTM SOTM November 2025 - Red Baron- Started by sax panther
- Replies: 36