This is my Blog for music related things that happen to me. Useful articles posted by other people will be linked from the Music Info page.
I will only post on here when I feel that there is something of interest to say, rather than trying to do something everyday.
Please feel free to leave comments and feedback
Best wishes
Dave
The date for the next workshop is April 11th in Leicester (south wigston). We have got a lot to live upto after the last one, but we are working hard to make it as good.
It will be run along the same lines as the last event (large ensemble, small groups and improvisation)with one exception, the improvisation section will be split into small groups, each with their own tune to work on, this will make the performances more interesting.
If you would like to join us for the day, please contact me either through here or staxofsax@gmail.com
cost of the day has remained the same, £30.00 per person.
We look forward to hearing from you, please don’t delay in booking as 8 of the 20 places are gone already.
see you soon
regards
Dave
If you didn’t make this workshop, you missed out on what was probably the best one yet. 22 players coming from far and wide had great fun with James Brown’s I Feel Good, in the large ensemble session. We had 3 sopranos and 2 Baritones plus balance made up of Altos and Tenors, so all the parts were evident and we managed to complete it and try it with plenty of different soloists in the improvisation section. Its an arrangement I would certainly recommended to any group.
The small ensembles played the Baby Elephant Walk, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Night Train and Bare Necessities, with good performances from one and all.
After lunch Nick Hislam led the Jazz session, getting the group to look and play the chords for Sweet Georgia Bright, then back to the small groups again to work on the improvisation, whilst the other group members invented a backing for the soloist. For the last 30 minutes we had a Jam with everyone who wanted too, taking a go at improvising a solo.
Yet again the feedback has been really good, with 6 people already booking their places for the 11th April event.
We had 5 new players this time, which is always good to see, and another new one booked on the April gig.
I took some videos of the Jam session and once I have worked out how to upload these then I will let you know.
If you would like to join us for our next session, then please get in touch either through here or at staxofsax@gmail.com
Well yesterday guys you made it a really fun day
Thanks
Dave
I am really getting into this busking scene, I just enjoy playing to an audience (not always a static one!) whilst also trying to improve what I do.
I went again today and used what has become my normal pitch, near Leicester Market. It was very cold but I was well wrapped up, however the tips of my fingers were exposed. The index finger of my left hand actually went numb, I couldn’t feel it at all.
Now for those of you that are saxophonists, you know that this finger is pretty important when it comes to playing. Without it nothing else works. Somehow it did its job, but I was getting worried about using the button Bb so I started to use the alternative options. This is ok if you have practised the pieces using the options, but to do it on the spot can lead to some errors.
Twice I thought about going home as things had gone quiet, but the first time I decided to go back to my original set and play those again. This did start an influx of donations again. The second time, I decided to play one more number and as I finished a lady approached me for a business card, as her son runs a restaurant and is looking for musicians for a Saturday evening once a month (and it’s paid) and she thought I sounded good enough. Just shows that it can pay to hold your ground.
I left after 2 hours as I needed to thaw my fingers out before this afternoons lessons, and after counting up the days donations it was financially worth it too.
I am now exploring the possibility of some thin cotton gloves with the fingers in place to stop this happening again, I will let you know what I discover, or if you have any ideas feel free to let me know.
For those of you that have never busked, get out there and do it. Its great fun and you meet some very interesting people and get paid to practise, what more could you want?
regards
Dave
We have booked the next 2 workshops so that people can plan ahead and make sure their place is reserved for a day of magic horn blowing.
The format is receiving loads of positive comments so there is no plans to change at the moment, however we will keep looking to improve and welcome feedback from delegates.
The large ensemble piece is being arranged as we speak and the parts will be sent as usual before hand so you can have time to practice.
The small groups will work on different tunes and finish with a performance to the rest of the delegates before lunch.
After taking advantage of a very good onsite cafe, we will work with Nick Hislam, musician and educator throughout the Midlnds, on the improvisation session.
Nick sends out the tune and backing tracks for you to get used too before the day, so no jumping in feet first.
The aim of the day is to provide you with an opportunity to play along side people who enjoy the saxophone as much as you do, in a variety of situations and styles. We challenge you but in a fun and educational way.
We have retained the cost of the day at £30 per person and managed to book the Leicester South Salvation Army hall in South Wigston, Leicester.
Loads of free parking and a great cafe.
It sounds like a good day to me! To see the photos from previous events check out our staxofsax facebook page.
Come and join us and you wont regret it. To Book your place you can email me at staxofsax@gmail.com
see you soon
regards
Dave
Dave
We had a really good day on the 29th December with 13 sax players of all ages and abilities joining us for the last workshop of 2011.
After a good warm up, we worked on Chris’s arrangement of ‘Don’t go Breaking my Heart’ Chris explained that Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote this one under assumed names of Orson & Carte (that was bad!).
After a short break the small groups worked on I’ve got Rhythm, Mambo No.5 and the Charleston and with only an hour to rehearse, there was some very good performances at the end.
The afternoon saw Nick Hislam leading the group in learning Blue Bossa and how to improvise over the chords. He had sent out the relevant dots and some scales to everyone before hand so that people could have a look before the day. The 2 hours session soon went and people had plenty of questions even after all of that playing.
The next workshops are book, so please have a look at the new post and give me a nudge if you feel that this is something that you would like to join us for, we would love to see you
regards
Dave
As the year draws to an end, I would like to thank each and everyone of the 3270 visitors to this site and wish you all a very Happy New Year. It doesn’t matter whether you play a Mk VI or a cheap and cheerful horn that has seen better days, as long as you play to the best of your ability and enjoy what you do, your audience will enjoy it too.
This year instead of making one big resolution, why not make a small one and once you have achieved that, make another one. That way you will see more progress throughout your playing during the coming 12 months.
I am going to start the ball rolling with mastering my scales over the whole range of the horn. I will report back once I have this under control.
What are you going to do for your first challenge?
Happy new year to you and yours
Dave
