Saxophone beginners Come on now, join the band....(Beginners blog)

cappers · 2026-05-05T16:10:25+0100

We have a gig on Tursday at our usual seafront cafe-bar. Set lists are prepared in advance so we can practise beforehand. Those who can and want to put their names down for the solos and depending on performance at the rehearsals are chosen by the MD and BL for the gig.
I asked for and was given Tenor Madness, and A Foggy Day, plus the finale piece Green Onions, where all the soloists take 24 bars.

So I was quite surprised to see the revised set list also has me listed for Alfie's Theme and Cold Duck Time! I played both last rehearsal and apparently they were good. I do enjoy Alfie's Theme, love that 60s groove (I imagine Michael Caine walikng down Piccadilly cliking his fingers to the beat!), but after hearing Sonny Rollins' solo (and @mrblackbat 's) I felt well out of my depth. So I played it simply, sparingly, repeating short refrains derived from the melody and it seemed to work. Hope I don't make a hash of it on the gig!

JSL · 2026-05-05T16:31:07+0100

cappers said:
So I was quite surprised to see the revised set list also has me listed for Alfie's Theme and Cold Duck Time!

You can do quite a lot with a minor pentatonic on both of those tunes. But pay attention to the song form and rhythmic element also. And be sure you have the head down on those tunes (I assume you probably do). Should go well. Have fun!

cappers · 2026-05-05T19:14:31+0100

JSL said:
You can do quite a lot with a minor pentatonic on both of those tunes. But pay attention to the song form and rhythmic element also.

My teacher and MD both stress the importance of rhythm, then melody, then harmony. Also tempo, dynamics, timbre etc.

Whether or not this is the 'right' way, I tend to solo by what I'm hearing in my head and ears. If I know the song, the key and most of the chord tones I just wing it. A bum note is only a semitone away from a good one, repeat it and it stylistic.

Digger2054 · 2026-05-05T19:23:47+0100

cappers said:
My teacher and MD both stress the importance of rhythm, then melody, then harmony. Also tempo, dynamics, timbre etc.

Pretty much echoes the advice my teacher has given. It's possible to make one note sound interesting.

My problem is I'm completely empty inside when it comes to making up a rhythm, and internalising the pulse.

cappers · 2026-05-05T20:07:35+0100

Digger2054 said:
My problem is I'm completely empty inside when it comes to making up a rhythm, and internalising the pulse.

I've always hummed to myself and made up melodies in my head. Lonely only-child syndrome?
My mother was a professional dancer in her younger days. Perhaps I've acquired her sense of rhythm and timing.

Pete Thomas · 2026-05-05T20:23:20+0100

Digger2054 said:
My problem is I'm completely empty inside when it comes to making up a rhythm,

But a lot of people think rhythm is about complexity. I like to think it is about being spot on with, or locked in to, a groove and the relationship of your notes with those of the people you are playing with.

JSL · 2026-05-05T21:10:30+0100

Pete Thomas said:
But a lot of people think rhythm is about complexity. I like to think it is about being spot on with, or locked in to, a groove and the relationship of your notes with those of the people you are playing with.

Spot on ^^^^^. I was just getting ready write that you don't necessarily have to 'make up' the rhythm. You can listen to and lock in with the rhythm section. Then I read Pete's post, and he said it better.

It's true you can add in certain elements like syncopation and choose the duration of the notes you use, but whatever you do has to fit the groove, which is already there if you're playing with a band. Playing by yourself is a different matter (Sonny Rollins was a master at that), but that's not what we're talking about here.

Dr G · 2026-05-05T22:40:06+0100

cappers said:
We have a gig on Tursday at our usual seafront cafe-bar. Set lists are prepared in advance so we can practise beforehand. Those who can and want to put their names down for the solos and depending on performance at the rehearsals are chosen by the MD and BL for the gig.
I asked for and was given Tenor Madness, and A Foggy Day, plus the finale piece Green Onions, where all the soloists take 24 bars.

So I was quite surprised to see the revised set list also has me listed for Alfie's Theme and Cold Duck Time!

Interesting to see this tune pop up. I was listening to some new (to me) CDs this weekend and noticed Cold Duck Time playing.