Lost my mojo

[QWales]

Hey bluetone, if you are in or around Cardiff I can recommend Sax/Jazz for Fun class in the Atradius building on Tuesday evenings between 18:15 and 20:00 £10 and a music class on Monday evenings at the Gate 18:00 - 20:00 £9.50. Both classes have people who have been playing from between 2 to 6 years. There is an advanced class at the Gate that starts immediately after the beginners one.

I should also mention that we tend to get out and about for a Jam session/busk here and there with the Tuesday night class, where the emphesis is more about learning songs and having a go at improvising over them.

The Monday class tends to stick with a handful of basic(ish) tunes and there is more emphesis on breaking down the song into its components and seeing what different ways you can improvise with it.

 

[gladsaxisme]

Some great advice from Colin and the rest as usual, sounds to me like your a bit fed up of the grind to do your grades, so drop them and start to enjoy your sax for you and what you want to do on it,grades don't make you play better they just show you have attained a certain educational standard in you playing but have they made you enjoy your playing more, doesn't look like it to me, I get so much pleasure just doing what I want to do on the sax, my overall improvement may be slower but it's not a race and I never ever think of stopping playing or even giving it a break, I think your tutor may be treating you like his younger student with a defined grade structure to achieve and maybe your not enjoying this approach you don't have to take the grades to learn the stuff required to pass them and if you fancy doing a grade later you can miss a few out and jump to a later grade .....most important ENJOY YOUR SAX ....John

 

[Profusia]

Hiya. Came on site to check yardsale, then saw your post. Been in the blue shadow for a few months now. Its horrible and dont know what caused it. Probably perceived lack of progress. Never dared to stop playing. I'm ok for a day now and then saying stuff that, but I feel dreadfull if I dont practice. So I try to take it for what I think it is, mental overload, and assume it will go away one day. Maybe posting on here means it is going away. Band I played with a few times a year or so ago have asked me back, practice today, so take heart, everything changes in time. In practice I changed what I was doing to get along. Stopped reading altogether and got stuck into chords and scales and improv in lots of keys, but each to their own. Be a shame for you to pack up, and I am very sure that if you are on the look out, another band opportunity will come along soon. I also have a plus, going to school for a few days at the end of the month, Benway I think its called. There, feeling better already. Hope you do too.
Best wishes
Mike

Possibly "Benslow" Mike? I assume you mean their Big Band week? I haven't tried them yet but they have a Jazz Improv Long Weekend course scheduled in October I'm tempted to try.

Correction sorry, the Big Band thing is end of July - perhaps their Summer Saxes course end of this month?

They aren't exactly cheap courses, that's the problem.

 

[Mister Levity]

I've been playing two and a half years and passed my Jazz grade 2 at the end of last year.
I now feel like I've run out of steam a bit as I don't want to do anymore grades. I want to get out and play with other musicians.
I've been to a couple of jam nights but they were full of rock guitarists so I couldn't hear a note I was playing. I've got a few things I practice but the hardest thing seems to be finding opportunities to play with other musicians which I would like to be the next step.

 

[thesaxman71]

I've been playing two and a half years and passed my Jazz grade 2 at the end of last year.
I now feel like I've run out of steam a bit as I don't want to do anymore grades. I want to get out and play with other musicians.
I've been to a couple of jam nights but they were full of rock guitarists so I couldn't hear a note I was playing. I've got a few things I practice but the hardest thing seems to be finding opportunities to play with other musicians which I would like to be the next step.

you said it yourself, the fact is you just got to hunt out your local jam sessions, maybe even go to a jazz bar and tap the musicians there on the gig, i'm sure they will help out and put you in the right direction,
good luck, happy hunting

 

[trimmy]

I've been to a couple of jam nights but they were full of rock guitarists so I couldn't hear a note I was playing.

You have a belief in yourself otherwise you wouldn't of got up on a jam night, so why not try some busking the good weather is here ?

 

[trimmy]

"There's a series of fake books that are fun. You can go pop or classical or 60's or 40's. All transposed into easy keys to get you going"

What are these books called? Where can I get them?

They are called 'Fake books' and lots to choose from.......http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...rl=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=fake+books
You can also get them on the devils junkyard 😀

 

[Colin the Bear]

"There's a series of fake books that are fun. You can go pop or classical or 60's or 40's. All transposed into easy keys to get you going"

What are these books called? Where can I get them?

If you google "fake 40's" or "fake classical" or go on amazon and put in fake books under books.

I would post a link but the technology isn't working. You'll have to fall back in initiative.

EDIT

Ha ha nothing wrong with the technology, it appears to be operator error. Who'd a thought

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...eywords=fake+books&sprefix=fake+books,aps,178

 

[Philly123]

Hey bluetone, if you are in or around Cardiff I can recommend Sax/Jazz for Fun class in the Atradius building on Tuesday evenings between 18:15 and 20:00 £10 and a music class on Monday evenings at the Gate 18:00 - 20:00 £9.50. Both classes have people who have been playing from between 2 to 6 years. There is an advanced class at the Gate that starts immediately after the beginners one.

I should also mention that we tend to get out and about for a Jam session/busk here and there with the Tuesday night class, where the emphesis is more about learning songs and having a go at improvising over them.

The Monday class tends to stick with a handful of basic(ish) tunes and there is more emphesis on breaking down the song into its components and seeing what different ways you can improvise with it.

Hi Bluetone,

I reiterate QWales. Don't know where you're based in South Wales, but if you can get to Cardiff Bay on a Tuesday evening, come along to the Sax for Fun Workshop. it is good fun, quite a small group of between 4-6 AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. PM me or QWales for details.

 

[trimmy]

"There's a series of fake books that are fun. You can go pop or classical or 60's or 40's. All transposed into easy keys to get you going"
What are these books called? Where can I get them?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...rl=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=fake+books

I would post a link but the technology isn't working. You'll have to fall back in initiative.

Ohhhhhhh like that is it prof, I provide a link for ya and the Bear gets the thanks fffffffffffffffffffffff !!!!!!!!!!!!
some people have no manners......I'm hurting here :crying::crying::crying:

 

[jeremyjuicewah]

They aren't exactly cheap courses, that's the problem.==========Hi Profusia. Yeah, summer saxes. And no, its not cheap and I have flights too. If I'd not booked early in the year wouldnt be going. Its not been a good one earnings wise. But looking forward and will post impressions (ho ho).

Sorry to go off topic all.
Mike

 

[bluetone]

Hi everyone. Just want to say thanks again - some great ideas. I think I need to change my lessons to less than once a week, it's just the place I go they only offer it as once a week.

The Cardiff workshop sounds great, if only I could get there. I live about an hour away and my lovely son has just been asked to attend football on Tuesdays as well as Mondays. I keep planning all the things I can do when he's old enough to drive!! Only 3 years to go.

I think I'll look around for a more flexible lesson structure and/or some people to jam with.

Just to fess up I have enjoyed the grades up until the last one - I'm a mathematician/accountant and I normally love a bit of structure and purpose, but I think I should be letting go a bit and just enjoying playing. I've surprised myself with how much I've enjoyed playing jazz and particularly the improv (even if it's a bit scary in the beginning).

Now I'm off to Amazon to look up the fake books.

Thank you everyone again - I feel better already from all the feedback.

 

[Jeanette]

Hi everyone. Just want to say thanks again - some great ideas. I think I need to change my lessons to less than once a week, it's just the place I go they only offer it as once a week.

The Cardiff workshop sounds great, if only I could get there. I live about an hour away and my lovely son has just been asked to attend football on Tuesdays as well as Mondays. I keep planning all the things I can do when he's old enough to drive!! Only 3 years to go.

I think I'll look around for a more flexible lesson structure and/or some people to jam with.

Just to fess up I have enjoyed the grades up until the last one - I'm a mathematician/accountant and I normally love a bit of structure and purpose, but I think I should be letting go a bit and just enjoying playing. I've surprised myself with how much I've enjoyed playing jazz and particularly the improv (even if it's a bit scary in the beginning).

Now I'm off to Amazon to look up the fake books.

Thank you everyone again - I feel better already from all the feedback.

Sounds like a plan🙂


Jx

 

[Colin the Bear]

Oh! Oh! OH!

Just had an idea of how to get more fun practice.


Take the sax to the football matches. Be the cheerleader. What a shiny vuvuzela they will think it is heheheheh

 

[Philly123]

Hi everyone. Just want to say thanks again - some great ideas. I think I need to change my lessons to less than once a week, it's just the place I go they only offer it as once a week.

The Cardiff workshop sounds great, if only I could get there. I live about an hour away and my lovely son has just been asked to attend football on Tuesdays as well as Mondays.

Hi again Bluetone,

Shame you're not able to get to our workshop in Cardiff, but our workshop tutor has been thinking about setting up a similar thing around Newport Way, if that would be closer for you. Don't know which evening she's thinking of, or even how definite this is but could find out if you're interested.

If you live in Westwise direction, I think there might be some things going on in or around Swansea way. Perhaps our very own TomMapfumo can say what's going on down there.

 

[bluetone]

I'm close to Abergavenny, but the football is in Newport, so it would depend on timings and proximity. I know someone who lives in Newport who I think would be very interested though so keep me posted and I'll pass it on.

Thanks again.

 

[Kath]

Hi - I'm in the dolldrums too . . . . I've only been playing for 6 months and thought I was doing sort of OK. I practice for at least 2 hours a day and last weekend felt confident enough to play live to real people! So I played for 15 friends at a 50th birthday party. Beautiful surroundings, everyone in tuxedo's I thought the Godfather theme was apt (and more importantly, really quite easy on the fingers) I played it, they all danced and said they loved it, but then I did the stupid thing of watching the video back. It was appalling - my timing was out, I hit at least 1 bum note, there was absolutely no emotion in the piece whatsoever, and my tone was rubbish due to the nerves tightening my throat up. So all in all I felt like a complete amateur. My greatest fear was that I'd sound bad and boy did I.

Every bit of hope and self confidence has gone away and I feel like I've fallen out with my sax 🙁 We're just not friends at the mo! I need to pull myself together . . . . any advice people????? Please . . . .

 

[Colin the Bear]

The playback is something to get used to. It's like hearing your spoken voice recorded for the first time and realising you don't sound anything like you thought you did. I am constantly surprised at what a thick northern accent I have on recordings. I don't seem to have one when I speak.

Same with your playing. A video camera won't catch the full range of tone of the instrument. We all tighten up infront of an audience. Bum notes? Yes of course, it was live. It's why we pay so much to see a master at work.

Six months playing and you're on stage with an audience who appreciated you. You're doing fine.

Record yourself often and listen back after a couple of days. You'll start to hear where you want to improve or change and any bad habits will become apparent.

You may play best when you have least confidence. Where there's life, there's hope and loving and hating the saxophone at the same time and in varying amounts is just par for the course lol

 

[thesaxman71]

but then I did the stupid thing of watching the video back. It was appalling - my timing was out, I hit at least 1 bum note, there was absolutely no emotion in the piece whatsoever, and my tone was rubbish due to the nerves tightening my throat up. So all in all I felt like a complete amateur. My greatest fear was that I'd sound bad and boy did I.

Every bit of hope and self confidence has gone away and I feel like I've fallen out with my sax 🙁 We're just not friends at the mo! I need to pull myself together . . . . any advice people????? Please . . . .

no no no! stop with that negative thought process NOW!! 🙂
You did a great positive thing by listening/watching back at what you played, for the following reasons:

1..you reawakened yourself in that you probably were playing a while thinking all is good but in fact you got a bit complacent in your playing. THEN when you recently heard/seen yourself you seen some issues and are now well prepared to fix them, that can only be a good thing.

2..you and your sax are still great partners and if you fix what you think is wrong then, believe me, you will be even more inspired to play the sax....

this i say from my own experience, maybe you should try this...
so what i do is i just record myself, see what i feel i need to fix then i fix it. It becomes a very good and fulfilling method and also a more inspiring part of a practice routine..

if you want further advice indepth then PM me

 

[gladsaxisme]

I'm in awe of you to have the bottle to go out and do that after only six months playing, it was probably no where near as bad as you perceived it always remember you sax is your friend so get back to enjoying it right away ......John