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CafeSaxophone Forum
Introduction An introduction
Opps, that was horrible; needed to proof read, and divide into paragraphs, sorry about the scree in other words: gosh, and the beat goes on. Once we are at home, we can use the email on our cell phone, to organize drafts, to then transcribe here at the library. However, as long as we are here of the moment; we will try to create ex tempore.
We are a late blooming self-proclaimed prote'ge' of Bulgaria's greatest alto saxophonist Yuri Yunakov; whose 2005 workshop at noon on the lawn Saturday next the Sebastopol, CA VFW hall in Ives Park we were part of-with our Yamaha YAS-23. Same instrument by chance which Yuri Yunakov played in the famed band of Ivo Papasov, one of the world's two best clarinetists during the active part of his illustrious career-a year our junior. We also both by chance play Beecher B10 "white diamond" mouthpieces; ours a S4S facing, one of a few alto mouthpieces at Forrests Music, 1849 University Ave, sold us by Audrey Jackson circa 1996. www.forrestsmusic.com
During one of the annual California Herdeljezi Festivals. www.voiceofroma.com Their self-created style of music; earning the title "Wedding Music" since the Bulgarian government worried they'd corrupt the traditional folk music of the nation, allowed them to play only weddings.
Which were always overrun by uninvited guests; like hundreds, or thousands? Dance tunes lasting up to six hours, extended improvised solos, dusk to dawn and beyond. The musicians were sometimes arrested by the government who'd have their heads shaven, and Yuri Yunakov did some jail time too. Other occasions had the whole band crossing rivers with their instruments to avoid border crossings. On YouTube, he'd commented in an interview that the resistance was what made their music so popular.
The use of the saxophone then was unique, as were electric guitars and elements of jazz & rock; and also the synthesis of several different styles from various sources, like Armenian, Bulgarian, Romani..just our guessing here of the moment-probably accurate. Thus a nice way of getting more work, from anyone associated with any of those styles of music.
The ending of socialism in eastern Europe screwed their livelihood there however, since no longer could anyone afford to hire Ivo Papasov's band for five day weddings, circumcisions or whatever else traditionally, musical endeavors suited best. Thus Yuri Yunakov's relocation to New Jersey, and his career as a limousine driver; while gigging in NYC often.
Yuri, er Mr. Yunakov to you dud; was also Bulgaria's middleweight boxing champion three years in a row as a teenager; revered there as a boxer, as was Muhammad Ail world wide.
And, to continue mostly about women saxophonists and other women musicians; hey, and the local university women's basketball team WWU Vikings played in their home court for the national championship last year-and the place was nearly empty?!!
Kate Olson and I were for a brief while thinking about studying tenor saxophone together..we are horrible..though boxing too; our suggestion, using the leather mittens which we'd had to do winter-pruning while a four seasons apple worker, and fruit picker of all types, following our sojourn trying to find anyway to support ourselves* after an unusual music oriented BA at Evergreen College, as a one time member as a second tenor saxophonist in the briefly instituted jazz ensemble.
We did have a woman also interested in joining us with the Kate Olson boxing/tenor sax fantasy which didn't work out; a friendly grocery checker whose job disappeared during the breaking COVID-19 epidemic. We'd simply broached the notion off the cuff without much thought..people love the idea of playing saxophone!!
*We've some severe back problems, due a pair of spinal diseases prior to adulthood; so are trying to lobby in favor of getting our spine restructured with synthetic bone material. From birth or an idiopathic problem, creating a severe scoliosis to the right out of the pelvic floor; then a juvenile disease where cartilage failed to form between the vertebrate behind our sternum for awhile. Seeing our first back x-rays at age 24, there were tiny scallops where bone had rubbed against bone; before the cartilage reformed..
Stupidly our parents; folk with six births and five survivors, while trying to practice birth control; had fallen for the belligerent notion some M. D. s tried to foist upon innocents, telling our mother her milk would poison her children-so we were all raised on baby formula exclusively-no colostrum-zip, nada. Ick!! Said to cause both upper respiratory problems, and also musculoskeletal difficulties. Wonder who cooked up that sort of a notion; striking me as eugenics during the 1950s.
Oregon's great; where the Ku Klux Klan was said to run the whole state during the 1920s. [ boo!! ]
We moved from Kalama, WA to Eugene during 1957; where I'd gone to kindergarten and grade school at River Road Elementary, starting band class in fifth grade using our father's old saxophone; get this, who'd soloed as a sophomore alto saxophonist on "Harlem Nocturne' " under the baton or whatever, of Hugo Helmervick there in Aberdeen, WA class of 1942.
Hugo Helmervick went on to become the director of public music education first in Minneapolis then New York city.
Hey, ugly or not; our computer time at the library..is nearly over..ta da?
We are a late blooming self-proclaimed prote'ge' of Bulgaria's greatest alto saxophonist Yuri Yunakov; whose 2005 workshop at noon on the lawn Saturday next the Sebastopol, CA VFW hall in Ives Park we were part of-with our Yamaha YAS-23. Same instrument by chance which Yuri Yunakov played in the famed band of Ivo Papasov, one of the world's two best clarinetists during the active part of his illustrious career-a year our junior. We also both by chance play Beecher B10 "white diamond" mouthpieces; ours a S4S facing, one of a few alto mouthpieces at Forrests Music, 1849 University Ave, sold us by Audrey Jackson circa 1996. www.forrestsmusic.com
During one of the annual California Herdeljezi Festivals. www.voiceofroma.com Their self-created style of music; earning the title "Wedding Music" since the Bulgarian government worried they'd corrupt the traditional folk music of the nation, allowed them to play only weddings.
Which were always overrun by uninvited guests; like hundreds, or thousands? Dance tunes lasting up to six hours, extended improvised solos, dusk to dawn and beyond. The musicians were sometimes arrested by the government who'd have their heads shaven, and Yuri Yunakov did some jail time too. Other occasions had the whole band crossing rivers with their instruments to avoid border crossings. On YouTube, he'd commented in an interview that the resistance was what made their music so popular.
The use of the saxophone then was unique, as were electric guitars and elements of jazz & rock; and also the synthesis of several different styles from various sources, like Armenian, Bulgarian, Romani..just our guessing here of the moment-probably accurate. Thus a nice way of getting more work, from anyone associated with any of those styles of music.
The ending of socialism in eastern Europe screwed their livelihood there however, since no longer could anyone afford to hire Ivo Papasov's band for five day weddings, circumcisions or whatever else traditionally, musical endeavors suited best. Thus Yuri Yunakov's relocation to New Jersey, and his career as a limousine driver; while gigging in NYC often.
Yuri, er Mr. Yunakov to you dud; was also Bulgaria's middleweight boxing champion three years in a row as a teenager; revered there as a boxer, as was Muhammad Ail world wide.
And, to continue mostly about women saxophonists and other women musicians; hey, and the local university women's basketball team WWU Vikings played in their home court for the national championship last year-and the place was nearly empty?!!
Kate Olson and I were for a brief while thinking about studying tenor saxophone together..we are horrible..though boxing too; our suggestion, using the leather mittens which we'd had to do winter-pruning while a four seasons apple worker, and fruit picker of all types, following our sojourn trying to find anyway to support ourselves* after an unusual music oriented BA at Evergreen College, as a one time member as a second tenor saxophonist in the briefly instituted jazz ensemble.
We did have a woman also interested in joining us with the Kate Olson boxing/tenor sax fantasy which didn't work out; a friendly grocery checker whose job disappeared during the breaking COVID-19 epidemic. We'd simply broached the notion off the cuff without much thought..people love the idea of playing saxophone!!
*We've some severe back problems, due a pair of spinal diseases prior to adulthood; so are trying to lobby in favor of getting our spine restructured with synthetic bone material. From birth or an idiopathic problem, creating a severe scoliosis to the right out of the pelvic floor; then a juvenile disease where cartilage failed to form between the vertebrate behind our sternum for awhile. Seeing our first back x-rays at age 24, there were tiny scallops where bone had rubbed against bone; before the cartilage reformed..
Stupidly our parents; folk with six births and five survivors, while trying to practice birth control; had fallen for the belligerent notion some M. D. s tried to foist upon innocents, telling our mother her milk would poison her children-so we were all raised on baby formula exclusively-no colostrum-zip, nada. Ick!! Said to cause both upper respiratory problems, and also musculoskeletal difficulties. Wonder who cooked up that sort of a notion; striking me as eugenics during the 1950s.
Oregon's great; where the Ku Klux Klan was said to run the whole state during the 1920s. [ boo!! ]
We moved from Kalama, WA to Eugene during 1957; where I'd gone to kindergarten and grade school at River Road Elementary, starting band class in fifth grade using our father's old saxophone; get this, who'd soloed as a sophomore alto saxophonist on "Harlem Nocturne' " under the baton or whatever, of Hugo Helmervick there in Aberdeen, WA class of 1942.
Hugo Helmervick went on to become the director of public music education first in Minneapolis then New York city.
Hey, ugly or not; our computer time at the library..is nearly over..ta da?
4 Replies
·
423 views
Tech/maintenance Super glued pads - a cry for help
Hello, folks. Many of you may know me from that other site.
A while back, I bought a nice, shiny purple logo Yts-32 from a guy in Japan. It arrived unplayable due to leaks. No prob, I think. I'll fix 'er right up. Wrong again.
The pads are glued in with ca glue. Lots of it, filling the cups. It is very hard and thick. I have scraped out a couple of pad cups. It was a long, tedious drudge. Acetone barely softens the surface.
Is there a better way?
A while back, I bought a nice, shiny purple logo Yts-32 from a guy in Japan. It arrived unplayable due to leaks. No prob, I think. I'll fix 'er right up. Wrong again.
The pads are glued in with ca glue. Lots of it, filling the cups. It is very hard and thick. I have scraped out a couple of pad cups. It was a long, tedious drudge. Acetone barely softens the surface.
Is there a better way?
33 Replies
·
405 views
Saxophones Alto for warm tone
Me again!
I'm curious to know - what alto do you think produces the warmest, most mellow tone?
No particular reason for asking just pure curiosity........
I'm curious to know - what alto do you think produces the warmest, most mellow tone?
No particular reason for asking just pure curiosity........
32 Replies
·
449 views
Cafe Moderator
Cafe Announcements 📣 Testing new feature: Social Feed
As some of you have noticed we are testing a new forum feature that may or may not be made permanent. It is still under development so any critique, bug reports are welcome.
This is a different way of viewing recent posts, in a social media type view. This is never going to replace the existing traditional forum / subforum and new posts view, rather it's an alternative if you like that kind of view. So we don't need need an opinion on the feature itself. In fact I don't really like it myself. The reason is to make the forum more familiar and hopefully less perplexing for new users who may be used to this type of view but not the traditional forum format.
Currently the access to Social Feed is a sub menu item of New (along with the various different New views). You can also switch back and forth between the SF view and trad view via a link at the top of each thread. Social Feeds shows the latest started or replied to threads showing the first post and latest two or three replies. The Load More Replies link opens up each thread to show all replies (but we may reduce that to 10 or so at a time)
If you reply to a post in SF format it will show as "nested" but when viewing the same post in traditional view it will have the post it is replying to as a quote. (or rather, it should do with any luck)
Please supply any comments in this thread, so not interrupt normal threads with comments about the Social Feeds system.
Again: this is totally optional and will not replace any current view so we won't be taking a poll on whether you like/want it or not.
What will be most useful is if those of you who are used to this kind of feed with social media can comment in this thread which may be sticky for a while
This is a different way of viewing recent posts, in a social media type view. This is never going to replace the existing traditional forum / subforum and new posts view, rather it's an alternative if you like that kind of view. So we don't need need an opinion on the feature itself. In fact I don't really like it myself. The reason is to make the forum more familiar and hopefully less perplexing for new users who may be used to this type of view but not the traditional forum format.
Currently the access to Social Feed is a sub menu item of New (along with the various different New views). You can also switch back and forth between the SF view and trad view via a link at the top of each thread. Social Feeds shows the latest started or replied to threads showing the first post and latest two or three replies. The Load More Replies link opens up each thread to show all replies (but we may reduce that to 10 or so at a time)
If you reply to a post in SF format it will show as "nested" but when viewing the same post in traditional view it will have the post it is replying to as a quote. (or rather, it should do with any luck)
Please supply any comments in this thread, so not interrupt normal threads with comments about the Social Feeds system.
Again: this is totally optional and will not replace any current view so we won't be taking a poll on whether you like/want it or not.
What will be most useful is if those of you who are used to this kind of feed with social media can comment in this thread which may be sticky for a while
Do you use the social feed?
9 votes total
30 Replies
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2072 views
Saxophones Franken-sax?
My primary instrument is Tuba. Among tuba players there are quite a few who build what are called Franken-Tuba's. Basically we find old junk, sometimes buy new components, and build homemade conglomerations.
Is this a thing in the saxophone community?
Is this a thing in the saxophone community?
12 Replies
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240 views
Cafe Moderator
Café Supporter
Miscellaneous Daily Check In
Good morning,
We thought it might be good to have a thread where you can just come and say hi, tell us what you are doing today, have a moan, share an idea that you wouldn't necessarily start a thread for ( we can always create a new thread from posts here if it became a substantial discussion).
It doesn't have to be sax related🙂
Basically an easy way to connect on a daily basis.
So to kick us off, I am writing this whilst prepping a casserole for the slo cooker as I am playing sax today with café sax and need a quick easy tea when I get home.
I am still suffering with a cough which will impact my playing today and I am worried as we are playing our first care home gig next Sunday!!
Have a lovely Sunday
Jx
We thought it might be good to have a thread where you can just come and say hi, tell us what you are doing today, have a moan, share an idea that you wouldn't necessarily start a thread for ( we can always create a new thread from posts here if it became a substantial discussion).
It doesn't have to be sax related🙂
Basically an easy way to connect on a daily basis.
So to kick us off, I am writing this whilst prepping a casserole for the slo cooker as I am playing sax today with café sax and need a quick easy tea when I get home.
I am still suffering with a cough which will impact my playing today and I am worried as we are playing our first care home gig next Sunday!!
Have a lovely Sunday
Jx
2986 Replies
·
96041 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 !
1248 Replies
·
73654 views
Recipes What's Cookin'?
This is the one for pictures of food. Time for Superbowl chili!
I make it every year for the game, whether I watch it or not. In a pot I actually won... at a chili contest.
Now how 'bout a bowl of red:
I make it every year for the game, whether I watch it or not. In a pot I actually won... at a chili contest.
Now how 'bout a bowl of red:
169 Replies
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9509 views
Great Players Who sparked your love of Sax music
As an aside to Bobby's "first album' thread... I am curious to know which golden moment made you think "Now there's an instrument I fancy having a go at"
For me it was Tex Beneke. My parents used to play a lot of Glenn Miller when I was growing up. It was the only music I knew as a kid: big band stuff. Then I became a teenager and discovered Dick Parry's voice on Dark Side of the Moon, and thought "ok, this might be fun" After Dick it was Didier Malherbe from Gong and then my mate played me Charlie Parker and I was fully hooked!
For me it was Tex Beneke. My parents used to play a lot of Glenn Miller when I was growing up. It was the only music I knew as a kid: big band stuff. Then I became a teenager and discovered Dick Parry's voice on Dark Side of the Moon, and thought "ok, this might be fun" After Dick it was Didier Malherbe from Gong and then my mate played me Charlie Parker and I was fully hooked!
625 Replies
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114676 views
I'm wondering if anyone's noticed a change in the consistency of Vandoren Java Red reeds recently? My last two boxes have been noticeably substandard, with the last box not having a single, decent reed in it. Resistance has increased noticeably and the sound is much less bright. I swapped in an old Red and it was great.
It feels like they've changed how they gauge the Reds, or changed the design slightly. Is it just me or has anyone had this recently?
It feels like they've changed how they gauge the Reds, or changed the design slightly. Is it just me or has anyone had this recently?
16 Replies
·
314 views
Miscellaneous Photography - all aspects
Following various recent posts, I thought I would create a thread specifically for photography. Somewhere to talk about equipment, experiences, processing...
To start off, I was a Nikon user for over 40 years, but had to 'down size' as handling full-frame cameras and lenses was getting to be too much like hard work and giving me shoulder issues. My current digital camera is a mirrorless Fuji X-T5.
For film cameras, I have a Pentax MX, Mamiya RB67, and a Sinar F2.
To start off, I was a Nikon user for over 40 years, but had to 'down size' as handling full-frame cameras and lenses was getting to be too much like hard work and giving me shoulder issues. My current digital camera is a mirrorless Fuji X-T5.
For film cameras, I have a Pentax MX, Mamiya RB67, and a Sinar F2.
421 Replies
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16427 views
Saxophones Galasso
Olá, meu nome é Rodrigo. Eu toco saxofone tenor. Tenho um saxofone tenor Galasso — é um modelo antigo, mas muito bom. Podemos conversar sobre o saxofone?
39 Replies
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932 views
Miscellaneous Old Saxophone Advertisements or Case Emblems ?
Anyone have vintage catalogs, advertising or case emblem pictures / copies to share ?
Store emblems make for some fascinating historical research.
This sax below came from Smarts Music Shop. Could it be the one in display case ?
Store emblems make for some fascinating historical research.
This sax below came from Smarts Music Shop. Could it be the one in display case ?
70 Replies
·
1767 views
I found this ancient Otto Langey Saxophone Fingering Chart, circa 1890, inside the case of a 1921 C Melody sax. The condition is poor, but it's still a cool find. I gather it's a fingering chart for those transitioning from the "older" 12-key saxophone to the "newer" 15-key layout. I don't see a date on this anywhere, so the 1890 guess came from the PC.
12 Replies
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242 views
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