RCJ Pictures

 

 

Back to normal

I have completed one more grad class... 3 credits closer to graduation!

Tonight's practice session included pentatonic scale work, as well as harmonic overtones.  I like this for control of the horn practice.  Also played some Berg tunes I have been transcribing, as well as some new Tom Scott and the Hornheads.

I have been switching between Vandoren Red Box and Blue Box reeds.  Tonight was the blue box.  I may force some time on them, I think they force me to have a truer emboucher.  If I tighten up the throat or start biting, they let me know by squealing immediately!  However, when the emboucher is just right, it sounds nice.
One thing I do have to find is a sound deflector for myself when I play on RCJ.  When the rhythm section gets fired up, WOW are they loud!

More tomorrow, after dinner with the Mother in Law......

RCJ at the Ale House

Good Band last nite!!!!  Lots of energy, great dancing.
Personally, I won some, and lost some.  We did have some balance issues, as a band, so we have some group work to do.  It is just a matter of some private rehearsal time.
Finding a drummer for the Europe gig would be good, though.

SO, this week, now that my grad class is over, I will work on transcribing some Tom Scott, and Bob Berg.  Since I brought the book home, I will also look at some of the "wood shed" parts that need attention.
Scale work will include more pentatonic, and further work on diminished scales.

More of the same

The doldrums of practice have hit..... same drill and practice, everyday!  But I am enjoying the fact that the consistency is there.  I'll have to get the iPod out to start playing along again.

Great control

My control of the tenor has come a long way in the last month.  I almost feel confident.  Transcribing has helped me hear changes much easier - not that I hit everything ( not sure one should) but I do not get lost any more.

Working on the last of a grad class, and will finish in about 2 weeks.  I think I will probably return to RCJ this Feb. 26th as well.

Bill Sargent Band

Great gig last nite - at the Italian Community Center.  The occasion was the Italian Carnavale, and did they throw a great party.

The band was good,  everyone was on their best musical musical behavior.  We improvised "When the Saints Go Marching In."  So, I'm sitting in the 2nd Alto chair, and I'm looking at others who are not getting clarinets out.... this is a great opportunity! I became the dixieland clarinet player, and took a solo that even I did not know I could play!  Not sure what possessed me to do this, but it was fun!

The best lesson ever in playing from the heart......

LL

Short practice sessions

Life has indeed gotten in the way of the clock, so my time is limited. Thank god for saxophone stands, so I can just leave the horns set up, and practice when I want to.
Have gotten some transcribing in, very short sections, which is proving to be more beneficial for progress.
Alto has gotten more attention this week, as I have a Bill Sargent gig this Saturday...

LL

Interesting band last night

I took the night away from my tenor to play my bari sax.  Played on the All American Jazz Orchestra at Papa's Social Club on Burleigh Ave.

I played well, and had some surprises.  Overall, I was happy with my 2 solos ( I took one from the 2nd Alto player - she does not improvise) and one that was charted for me.  The charted one was a tune that I have been uncomfortable in the past - but I was comfy last night - YAY!  The other one went well, but the unusual form threw me off a little.

Transcribing has made me more aware of time, I noticed that the band has a tendency to rush.  It has been a long practice road with the iPod, and it is interesting for me to hear new things.  I'll keep playing along with it.  I also fit a few Bob Berg ideas in my solo - very cool.

LL

Fabulous nite!

Great (but short) practice session - pentatonic scales galore!  Blew through some gospel changes, hit some cool turnarounds, and great overtone exercises.

Before that - had a decent 3.5 mile run.  I got a cramp in my side, but I have not been drinking enough water, and it really did not surprise me.  I never drink enough water in winter.
Then, a great dinner with the family - mother-in-law came over!
Then, a homework writing assignment that was not too difficult, and some opportunity to be my witty, common sense self. 

Life is good, but I am still jobless for next school year.......
Here is a pic of me on the band stand:

LL