The Energon Pub

[First-Aid]

Break a leg!

[Burn]

So I won a Jupiter valve Trombone on E-Bay today, should be here by the end of the week (hopefully).

I was introduced to valve Trombones when I toured Canada with the school band so so many years ago (1990 to be precise) when the trombonist let me touch it and I've wanted one ever since.

Sadly, it was the only thing of hers she let me touch while her best friend hooked up with my billet buddy ... we were just left to look at each other awkwardly ...
#awkardstoriesfromburnslife

[First-Aid]

So I won a Jupiter valve Trombone on E-Bay today, should be here by the end of the week (hopefully).

I was introduced to valve Trombones when I toured Canada with the school band so so many years ago (1990 to be precise) when the trombonist let me touch it and I've wanted one ever since.

Sadly, it was the only thing of hers she let me touch while her best friend hooked up with my billet buddy ... we were just left to look at each other awkwardly ...
#awkardstoriesfromburnslife

Valve trombones confuse and frighten me...

[Burn]

MOOSEY!

I summon this thread from the depths and violate my dislike of necrobumping just to demand your attention in it!

[Moosey]

MOOSEY!

I summon this thread from the depths and violate my dislike of necrobumping just to demand your attention in it!

I am here!
As I've mentioned a few times, I'm in high school, so I'm not as professional as everyone else here.. Still a cool thread and a fun reed, thanks for necroing it!

Back to instruments, I play clarinet and recently picked up tenor sax. Recently fell in love with jazz and am considering at least minoring in music during college.

[Burn]

I wouldn't call myself a professional. I know jack and **** theory and have trouble identifying the notes above and below the staff and if I can identify them, have no idea how to play them!

[Rodimus Prime]

Recently I decided I need a creative hobby. So I'll be taking some saxophone lessons in the near future. Always liked that sound.

[Moosey]

Recently I decided I need a creative hobby. So I'll be taking some saxophone lessons in the near future. Always liked that sound.

Classical or jazz?

[First-Aid]

Which type of saxophone?

[Rodimus Prime]

I always liked jazz music, and I would like to learn that style, even if just basic stuff. It relaxes me and it would be neat to play some music to myself on my own. As for the type of saxophone, I am not sure. At this point it's just a creative idea I have, I haven't done any research as far as which type of saxophone would be best for me. I did get a saxophone from an ex-girlfriend which she used to play, but I don't know what kind it is. I'll have to check it out. I am just trying to figure out if I should invest my time in some online tutorials or seek out someone to actually teach me.

[Burn]

Post some pics of it (and also some dimensions) and we'll be able to identify it for you. Heck, we'll take the brand and the model number too (can be tricky to find) and we'll be able to tell you all about it.
(I've spent far too much time researching second hand instruments I've found on places like E-Bay)

As for how you should learn ... I'm not sure how good online lessons are, but I doubt they'd be any better than face to face. At the very least, have a few lessons to get you on your way.

And while you think it would be neat to play on your own, trust me, you get yourself in with a good band and it feels soooooo much better. You connect, you feed off each other, you inspire, you push, you bond.

The bond I have with my 2nd Trumpet? Absolutely ridiculous, we finished playing a piece the other night and just high fived each other without even looking at each other.

That bond and camaraderie? That's what makes playing music so damn good.

[First-Aid]

I also recommend lessons. There are things that an instructor are going to be able to tell you that videos cannot: ombechure correction, posture, lung usage (there is such a thing as overblowing), personal prefernces on reeds and mouthpieces, feel for the music (need to lay back in the beat more?).

As for instruments, I personally have a Yamaha Intermediate model. The student models tend to have more tinny, weaker sounds and, believe it or not, can be harder to play notes on as the quality just isn't quite there (pads misaligned, etc). Intermediates are great because they are less than half the cost of pro models, but have almost no discernible difference in sound quality. If you have sax-related questions, please feel free to hit me up. I've played for 20+ years.

For fun, the band I'm playing in: www.pinkhouses.net I play keys, accordion, and sax.

[Rodimus Prime]

Thank you for the advice and offers, I will definitely take you up on them. I have to get the sax out of the closet, it's been in there for almost 2 years, I just never had the time until now. It's in its case, as it was bought, so I hope there are no problems with it from sitting for that long without cleaning or usage.

[Burn]

As for instruments, I personally have a Yamaha Intermediate model.

I snagged a YTR-4335 off E-Bay last year, about half the price of retail. Didn't quite have the money to spare (yay for home loan drawback!) but once I got it, no regrets whatsoever.

Prior to that I was using one of the band Trumpets, a much cheaper brand (Selmer I think) and the difference was noticeable straight away. My playing got so much better.

My 2nd Trumpeter has a YTR-1335 from when she was a kid so it's about 20 years old, and when he comes along, the son of our Alto Sax player has the same but modern model. You can feel and hear the differences between all three models. Mine is the best but the 20 year old 1335 is way better than the modern 1335. As you said, the sound on the student models are shocking.

Thank you for the advice and offers, I will definitely take you up on them. I have to get the sax out of the closet, it's been in there for almost 2 years, I just never had the time until now. It's in its case, as it was bought, so I hope there are no problems with it from sitting for that long without cleaning or usage.

Chances are it will require a service. You'll probably need a new reed, and you'll have to check on the key pads.

[First-Aid]

Thank you for the advice and offers, I will definitely take you up on them. I have to get the sax out of the closet, it's been in there for almost 2 years, I just never had the time until now. It's in its case, as it was bought, so I hope there are no problems with it from sitting for that long without cleaning or usage.

I agree that a service checkup will be needed. The pads can dry out and lose seal. New reed is a given. I use La Voz myself. Highly recommend them.

[Moosey]

Thank you for the advice and offers, I will definitely take you up on them. I have to get the sax out of the closet, it's been in there for almost 2 years, I just never had the time until now. It's in its case, as it was bought, so I hope there are no problems with it from sitting for that long without cleaning or usage.

I agree that a service checkup will be needed. The pads can dry out and lose seal. New reed is a given. I use La Voz myself. Highly recommend them.

I 3rd the opinion that you should probably get a check up. Glad to hear that you're taking up music, Prime

[Moosey]

Went to the Jazz Showcase in Chicago last night to see the Eric Shneider/Pat Mallinger quintet. Was absolutely amazing, both are super talented saxophonists, and the quintet seemed to have a lot of great synergy.

[First-Aid]

Went to the Jazz Showcase in Chicago last night to see the Eric Shneider/Pat Mallinger quintet. Was absolutely amazing, both are super talented saxophonists, and the quintet seemed to have a lot of great synergy.

I do enjoy the small groups, but honestly my favorite is still the good, old-fashioned big band. Nothing beats the sounds of the 20's and 30's played by 17 really talented musicians. In honor of those decades coming up again, I would like to request that those styles and bands be revived. I want a freakin zoot suit....

[Burn]

So I've been helping to organise the towns first ever Jazz Festival which is this weekend.

Find some pictures here when I upload them over the next few days.
https://www.facebook.com/Innisfail-Jazz ... fications/

Weather is a bit iffy, but plenty of marquees going up. People are also bitching and moaning about the lack of advertising (we're working with the larger festival) but that's mostly because they're ignorant twits who don't read the local newspaper, listen to the local radio station, don't see the heap of posts about it on Facebook, or don't see the 200 posters around town.

I'm also going to take a crack at this.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yamaha-Corne ... 2807334a8d
Even though I don't really have the money for it. I would like a Cornet and this is really just a basic student model which is all I need.

[Cobotron]

Well this is nice. Lots of different kinds of music makers in here.

Since Burn and others are horn blowers, I'll toot mine.

I started playing bass when I was 11. I started writing songs when I was 13. I started off in college studying art, but quickly changed to music. I got my degree in Jazz Performance. I've played in all kinds of bands. From school bands to jazz bands to rock, R&B. Funk, Electronica. If it needs a bass I'll play it. Never been in a country band, but I've written a few country songs in my day. I have had both minor success and major as a song writer and performer, but most important I have always had fun.

My favorite kind of music is Soul, R&B, and Funk. Mostly music from the late 60's to the early 80's. I really like instrumental Jazz Funk from the 70's from America and Brazil. Herbie Hancock, Roy Ayers, Azymuth to name a few. I like a funky bass line and I love some synth in my jazz.

I once put out a Jazz Funk EP called, Do You Like Robots?
I do, but music and art might be the only two things I like better.

Great thread. Can't wait to chat.

Break a leg with the festival Burny!

Edit: *Checks date of post* Oh wait. It already happened. How was the gig?

[First-Aid]

I once fell asleep on stage playing country music. Didn't miss a note.

[Burn]

Edit: *Checks date of post* Oh wait. It already happened. How was the gig?

I live in a small rural town populated by negative individuals who jump up and down pissing and moaning that there's nothing to do in this town.

And then don't support things when they're on.

The performances were fine, but the crowds didn't really hang around. It's what I expected from this town.

[Burn]

If anyone is interested, the Queensland State Band Championships is on this weekend. I'm not involved (I could have been, but didn't want to be) but a couple of other band members are.

Live stream, if it works for you.

http://event.5stream.com/6120

[First-Aid]

I would like to request prayers and well-wishes for myself. THe band I am playing with is doing a wedding on Halloween. The family has requested us to play "Cotton EYe Joe"...the dance version.

I may kill myself on stage.

[-Soundwave-]

Wow.

I started on Clarinet when I was 10. I played that til I was 14. At that point headed into High School, the second semester had a Concert band, and a Jazz band.. where the First had a marching band. I didn't want to have to take P.E. So I picked up the Tenor Sax. At that point, my director realized I had a knack for learning instruments. The next fall he threw a flute at me, which I learned in just about 30 mins, since most of the fingerings were so similar to the upper register of the Clarinet, and the Sax. That spring, I picked up the trumpet, and the French horn. Third year of High school, I stuck with the trumpet for the most part since that was the section that was lagging. Senior year. I moved down to Treble cleft Baritone as our low end didn't have one. For the Jazz part of it I played Trumpet, and I played Trombone for a few festivals, since I couldn't play trumpet after having my wisdom teeth removed. Too much pressure.

Right now, I have an alto sax, trumpet, trombone, flute, and a full drum set. I miss the clarinet though at times.

My kid is in high school, and it's funny as I see things repeating, when she picks up the alto.

And out of curiosity Burn did you learn to read the bass cleft?