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Bobby G
Last reply · posted in JAZZ THEORY
I've been doodling around with arpeggios a bit, having fun with trying to place where one composed of nothing but minor thirds fits (this is a diminished, right?) as a route from one chord to another.

I seem to have 'discovered a chord' that comprises the notes of B, D, F and A, which seems to my ear to lead into first an E major or E7th (in effect lowering the F and A by a semitone) chord before resolving to an A major. What is this thing called? Have my uneducated fumblings led me to something useful?

Cheers, Bob
3 Replies · 184 views
teen37
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro
So guys😊☺️. I ve recently discussed with some of you, possible upgrades to move on from my Arbiter Pro jazz tenor. I almost went to try out a selmer SA80I but decided against it in the end.

Now, whilst I am not in any rush to move on just yet, I think it is definitely on the cards to happen at some point over the coming months. 😉

I was very drawn to a Selmer initially, but have stumbled across some YouTube videos on the Conn 10m.

Having watched a few comparison videos on Selmer mark VI Vs Conn 10m, (not that I was looking at the Mark VI 😳) I immediately noticed how different the tone was between them. The selmer sound much cleaner, crisper, whereas the Conn was a little warmer, fluffier 😳 (is that sacrilege to use fluffy and Conn in the same sentence?.... 🤔😳🤷)
I thought it would be just that one video so I watched a few others and yeah, it was still "fluffy" ☺️ I really liked the "fluffy" sound.
Someone said it was because they were made during the Swing era and so were more "harmonic" and "softer" built for a more acoustic environment and they blended well in a section with the likes of Buescher's. In context, this made so much sense to me.
Someone commented in my last post that perhaps I didn't really know at this stage what direction I wanted to go in looking for a new/old tenor, they were correct, I didn't know. But now I think I do 💡😳🤔

So... If this is a light bulb moment could y'all please enlighten me as to your opinions and experience with the Conn 10m tenor sax.

Is there a particular year or time period that was better than others to look for?

Any faults to look out for?

Are they harder to blow because they are so old?

What's an average price these sell for?

And really any other areas I've not thought about 🤔☺️
110 Replies · 1802 views
Grumpikins
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro

Saxophones  What to avoid?

New here, first question?

I'm a tuba player, looking to find a saxophone(s) for occasional doubling. I took a saxophone class when I was in school 20+ years ago. Went very well, really enjoyed it. I play in a group that is frequently short on saxophones and abundant with tubas so I can fill in where needed.

My question isn't what horns should I look for, but what i horns i should avoid. There's always those certain ones that are no good all around.

I'm looking for dirt cheap used instruments. I really like old instruments. I'm very good at repairing things and I work in a machine shop with access to all the toys. Thank you
40 Replies · 974 views
T
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro
Okay so I was saddened when I saw this video today and a little shocked but not all that surprised.

Introducing our newest BetterSax artist, Eric Alexander!​

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. 😎
116 Replies · 3345 views
teen37
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro

Tech/maintenance  I did it! 😂😉🎷

So my neck cork came loose last week and I managed with by being careful when fitting my mp.
But I decided to tackle replacing it once my new corks arrived yesterday.
So, armed with @Stephen Howard Haynes manual i got to work. It was a bit nerve wracking as I haven't done any repairs on my horn before. Give my an angle grinder or stihl saw or road breaker or any construction power tool and I'm away 🤔👷😂
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but this was more on the delicate side 😳😂
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9 Replies · 97 views
T
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro
So, in the C melody discussion, and elsewhere, was discussion of the Couturier-Lyon & Healy - Holton path and the related products. I alluded at the time to my Couturier-design Holton Collegiate soprano, so here it is. I have many photos so will probably have to break this into several posts.

Overall view
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Here is the distinctive LH table, with integrated C# and G#.

IMG_4681.webp
2 Replies · 49 views
For those on Facebook, listen to this Irish folk tune medley by Eddie Barbash.

View: https://fb.watch/v/6fc-PYXdq/

His website and YouTube channel are also well worth checking out. Folk, classical, jazz, blues, latin, ... he has (for me) a refreshingly wide repertoire of performances and playing styles.
0 Replies · 41 views
  • Informative
Reactions: mizmar
Filip
Last reply · posted in Yardsale - Sell, buy & swap

Saxophone FS  Hanson VIII Alto

As per thread title, lovely example of Hanson VIII which I bought in 2020, in fantastic condition bar the octave ring being very slightly bent + slightly chipper cork on the neck, otherwise in pristine condition. Plays top to bottom super easily 🙂.

Comes with original case (never used since I also have a hiscox).

Happy to answer any question, provide more photos or let anyone try it in person.

Open to reasonable offers.

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1 Replies · 114 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 !
1199 Replies · 67789 views
scotsman
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)

Miscellaneous  Anyone know this company?

😉😉 Evening all.. I have been looking for an alto sax for a pal and have found some interesting Conn altos on the Vintage Sax.co.uk site.. Is there anyone in the cafe had any dealings with them.. Regards. 😉😉
2 Replies · 129 views
PiccoloPirate
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro

Tech/maintenance  Vise Advice

Picture of vise with V notch.
1. Why do some vises have that?
2. Not great for using parallels.

Thoughts for making something to allow use of parallels for milling.
Will be making small mounts for optics and other precision items, like metal bridges for string instruments, motor bike parts/mods, etc etc.

Might drill thru the rear block, from the back, make a metal plate, with counterbores, that is wider than the V notch and bolt it on when necessary.

Thicker parallels are an option, but they are not often used, like a parachute. 🙄

Thx
PP

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9 Replies · 269 views
Pete Thomas
Cafe Moderator Café Supporter
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)

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.
359 Replies · 24203 views
S
Last reply · posted in Saxophones: gear, playing, repair, impro

Theory & Impro  learning theory and improv

hello
I have been playing saxophone for roughly 13 years but only maybe half that time seriously
i play jazz
somewhere along the way on my practice i started skipping theory and fundimentals like learning all the keys, arpeggios, scales chords, and chord structures and how chord structures over songs work and how to propelry do voice leading, and i just started playing by ear and transcribing stuff without understanding how it works harmonically.
I found i have hit a wall where my playing doesnt make sense a lot of the time and i just play lines that i think sound good without understanding why. i think it is wrong
how can i re-learn the fundimentals and un-do these years of bad habits built up without having to completely re-learn everything i know about playing. i feel like my playing is still at a beginner level because i have not mastered the fundimentals when in reality i should be at a much higher level by now with my playing
22 Replies · 425 views
Tenor Viol
Last reply · posted in Breakfastroom (chat and relax...)

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.
387 Replies · 14593 views
T
Commercial
· posted in Expired promo threads
This is a test
0 Replies · 32 views
T
Commercial
· posted in Expired promo threads
test 5
0 Replies · 16 views

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