The best part that hopefully everybody "gets" is the absolute joy in your playing
Thanks Wade.Its took a long long time of woodshedding to get to a place were i like my playing and sound.Alot has to do with maturing as a player also.As you know i'm a busy guy that plays in alot of styles which has helped to get to my stage.We have talked about our thoughts in PM's and you know i think i'm a melodic,lyrical vibe player.Thats what feel and hear in my head.I'm not a very good be bop player.I like the hard bop style of Dexter Gordon but i dont want to play in that kind of style.I like you think the sax as a voice.I came to learn over many years that the most important thing is space,dynamics,phrasing,feel and trying to tell a story,your story.I made a choice along time back to try and not play,sound like so many other players.There are so many good players i know but they all sound the same.They play in the same kind of style,every space filled with a bop line.They have great chops etc but most the time there just letting the changes play them.As said i love players that are unique ,melody,lyrical for me any day.As for the word technique which is a big factor if you want to put your thoughts straight through to your horn can be over used.The important thing is getting a nice blend of all the factors in your playing and finding a place were you like yourself.Your right about things getting analyzed to death.Playing with your heart and balls means more to me than Coltranes changes in all keys.I also set myself a goal long long ago never to have a bad gig.I only allow myself to go no lower on the scale than say 7 out of 10 which is playing good.A 10 is very very very rare but betwenn 7 and 9 and i've done my job well.There is no way i'm going anthing less than 7 unless my arm falls off.As people here know i love gear.I've done this on and off for so long but the important thing is i have never let it take away from my learning,practice,woodshedding routine.If i miss a day on my horn i feel guilty.Been this way forever.You got to put in the time,listen and enjoy it.The scary thing is the great stellar stars still practice well into there old age.Its a never ending journey but still fing a place were you like yourself is the important search for me.Only the last few years i have found this.Yes i have soooo much more i need,want to explore,work on,soooooo much more but i kinda like my little vibe i've got going at the mo.Warts and all.The good and the bad.