CafeSaxophone Forum

Bobby G
Last reply · posted in PLAYERS
I've been having a lot of fun playing my soprano sax this week. What soprano sax-players are there out there for me to listen to?

Cheers, Bob
15 Replies · 71 views
Grumps
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro
The dates have been announced for the 2027 International Saxophone Symposium hosted by the Navy Band at George Mason University: January 8-9.

Plan your trip now if you're coming from afar.
13 Replies · 585 views
Pete Thomas
Cafe Moderator Commercial
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)
And care to share it with us?
173 Replies · 9150 views
mizmar
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)
Inspired by the convolution of the Show us your pet and Help a Hedgehog threads...

Here's one from another thread;

Red Squirrel
(They exist in Norway)


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860 Replies · 41035 views
for sale - a rare beast, the Phil-tone Isotope. This has been discontinued for a while, it was a collaboration between Phil-tone and Theo Wanne -beautifully made piece as you'd expect. Comes with the original wooden box. Big step baffle so unsurprisingly leans towards the bright side with a clean, modern sound, but I found it to be capable of a bit more warmth and versatility than a guardala for example.

Always used with a patch, I've removed this to give it a clean up for selling and you can see on the photos there's a bit of a colour difference on the beak where the patch has been stuck on. There's also some discolouration on the table which I've shown in the photos below, this was there when I purchased it (I'm not the first owner) but doesn't affect playability - table is flat and rails are unblemished. I've found myself to be more comfortable on rollover baffles, but this needs to be enjoyed by someone instead of sitting on my shelf. UK postage only please.

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0 Replies · 11 views
Selling my PPT tenor mouthpiece, 8* tip opening. Very lightly used, always used a mouthpiece patch but have taken this off to clean it up for sale here. Will be posted with the original packaging and tube. Nice versatile piece, lots of reviews/demos on the site already for you to peruse. UK postage only please. Thanks for looking!


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0 Replies · 19 views
Tales from a pig that likes to stick his nose into everything.

Paint that S. How difficult could it be ?
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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.
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Do the cleaning & prep.
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Paint and cleanup / detail the edges with hard cotton swabs. Sounds easy……:confused:
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Yeah tha guy Matt makes it look easy.
Anyone remember your first experience cooking bacon crispy while still in the frying pan !
1015 Replies · 56589 views
mizmar
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro
In an arrangement of Oye Como Va, by Johnny Ferreira we have

1000000714.webp

DFDFDFA on the second register, then at the top.

I'm just about stable on D to altisimo A - good exercise for me!

But G is quite far away, fungering wise..
My best alt A is L23+a side key.

How would you approach the fall?

Thanks.
17 Replies · 148 views
Andy Hornblower
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro

Saxophones  C Melody Saxophones

I've been interested in C Melody saxes, for a while.

Apparently, they were quite common in the 1920s-30s, and the general concensus seems to be that the designs got better as time went on. Earlier models were often made in High Pitch (a tuning system that predates using A=440Hz), and should be avoided, unless you want to accompany a Highland bagpipe player.

From what little research I've done, it seems Conn made some of the better sounding ones, and their later models were improvements over the earlier ones. The ones with a "straight" neck, similar to an alto, are supposed to be good. Personally, I don't really like the S shaped neck on a tenor.

Anyway, here's one I've asked about recently. I've posted a couple of these pictures in Ads's review discussion thread of the Sakkusu C Melody sax, but here's all I have.

This is a 1924/1925 Conn C Melody, currently for sale at the Trevor Jones shop in Bristol. It's in low pitch, has had a partial repad, and is ready to play.



Bristol is a bit far for me to visit so I asked if they could send me photos, particularly of the hand positions, because the ergonomics are a bit different on these old saxes, and C melody saxes in particular.

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Ermm... there seems to be a 2 file upload limit. Hopefully, that's per post

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The thumb rest is apparently soldered on, so can't be adjusted easily, but the position looks good for reaching the right side trill keys (Bb/C/high E). This seems to be an issue on the Sakkusu / Thoman C Melody (see https://cafesaxophone.com/threads/sakkusu-c-melody-saxophone-review.13705/Ads's Sakkusu C Melody review[/URL])

The "L" stamped below the serial number indicates it's built for "Low" pitch - i.e. designed for modern A=440Hz tuning. I've read different accounts of what was meant by High Pitch (and maybe there was more than one definition), but the consensus seems to be it was at least A=450Hz, or A=453Hz - kind of between semitones, in modern tuning, and too far out to compensate for by positioning the mouthpiece differently etc.

It's important to check for that when buying any brass or woodwind instrument from that period. I think military bands kept it going for a while longer, in Britain. Scottish bagpipe and Irish/Scottish Bb flute players tend to still use it, as I understand it. It's certainly the normal tuning for 5 or 6 key Bb flutes.
568 Replies · 70912 views
skeller047
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)

Miscellaneous  What is “Politics”?

In the current thread on AI, Pete reminded us to keep politics out of the discussion, and to put side queries in another thread. So here is the side query…

When does a discussion become political? If something is an important societal topic (e.g., the state of music education, or the emergence of AI), there are certain to be politicians and government employees involved somehow. (Well, maybe not in music education, more’s the pity.) I’d like some clarity and perhaps a discussion on where the line is.

Case in point - government involvement in and support of health care. In most of the developed world, this is a non-issue. In the USA it’s a political hot potato. But this topic is important culturally and socially. Studies on strategies for extending lifespan. What tests to get, and where and how to get them. Seeking advice on a particular health condition. Etc. Here in the US, this can stray very easily into political waters - because of the various money, power and philosophical opinions around the subject.

So if I say “I think taxpayer funds should be used to provide a sensible baseline of health care support for everyone”, is that political? Or do I have to add something about a particular politician, or perhaps discuss specific legislation, to make it cross the line? “Joe Blow is an idiot because he thinks Medicare should be cancelled.”

I ask because topics like AI and healthcare affect us all, both as musicians and as humans in society. (Also as saxophonists, because some AI systems seem to think one needs 7 or 8 fingers per hand to play one!)

In the current discussion of AI, which is important IMO, there are obvious cultural and societal implications around the uses of AI. And these very easily stray into discussions of current political topics because various governments and government agencies are actively involved. Some guidelines on where to draw the boundaries of the discussion would be helpful.
29 Replies · 361 views
Jeanette
Cafe Moderator Café Supporter
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)

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
2790 Replies · 80578 views
aldevis
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)

Miscellaneous  watches

Before I subscribe a forum about watches, where I will realize that only expensive pieces made in 1962-63 are worth wearing,
is anyone knowledgeable about automatic watches and straps?
829 Replies · 25863 views
C
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro
Been playing a year now and looking at getting a wireless clip on mic. The Isolo Choice mic comes with mic, transmitter and receiver WITH effects like echo and reverb. Thinking of getting one but concerned will it be ok in the UK it ships from Taiwan. Assuming the 9v power supply can be used in UK. It’s the effects I am after. Anyone in UK bought one they are £425. Thanks . Chris.
48 Replies · 9991 views
D
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)
Hi, everyone! While I am a new member here, I’ve been involved in sax forums since 2006. I’m a retired music teacher and have played tenor sax for 50+ years. I still have the old Buescher in the closet in favor of my MKVI. Like many others, I have a bit of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), so I seem to be dangerous to my bank account. I look forward to the discussion and insights on the forum with all of you!
11 Replies · 145 views
mpjbiker
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro
Anyone using one on tenor? What are your impressions and thoughts? Cheers!
7 Replies · 121 views
LarryS
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)

Miscellaneous  Woodwind Forum no more?

A general woodwind forum I often visited seems to have gone caput. Its been in accessible a few weeks now.

7 Replies · 263 views

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