River Cities at the Waupaca Ale House

Great nite last night!  Band was much better, all the way around.  There was a different sense of balance, intonation, and general musicianship.  Hopefully  we are on a permanent up swing.....
Many of the harder charts came together last night.  We still had some spots, but everyone was listening to each other, and we were able to get back on track quickly.

Rico Jazz Select

The reeds I use on my bari.... now I am using them on tenor as well.  Great full sound.  Still have to work for better control, but that will come with time.  I will get a nice practice session in this Thursday nite, right before RCJ.

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Looong rehearsal

6 hours of RCJ today!  We were at the Sky Club, set up in a square, and worked out many of the ensemble details that need to be rehearsed once in a while.  We are all looking forward to this trip, and want to put our best musical foot forward. 

And alot was accomplished!

#3 reed are the ticket!

I have graduated to #3 reeds again!!! This is a major accomplishment for me.  I worked out on a V16 tonite, and will try other Vandy cuts, as well as RRJS 3Med unfiled - like I use on the bari.  God, I hope this works!
Gearing up for a marathon rehearsal this Saturday in Plover.  Lots of playing and listening.

LL

3-17

Happy St. Patricks Day to all!

Practicing tonight was short, but productive. 

I have been playing on reeds that are too soft.  As I review recordings, my tone, and work with the tuner for tone nuances and intonation, I started to think about what I do on bari sax.  Baritone sax is my strongest axe right now.  SO, I have been playing a mouthpiece identical in size to the bari mouthpiece, but the reeds I have been using for the tenor are much softer.  Logic then told me to try a harder reed.  I have a 3 1/2 Vandy ZZ on, which is a little stiff, but playable, and solved some problems.  This is an area I will continue to work on and update.
Now to get the leak at middle C fixed.......

More tomorrow!

LL

The All American Jazz Orchestra 3/16

A nice evening reading charts with Chet Zientek and the All American Jazz Orchestra.  This band has been rehearsing for about 10 years.  I like subbing with them, because their charts are unique.  I rarely play the same charts on this band that I do on other.
An added suprise was Victor Cerda singing with us.  He sang a few Buble charts - one that we play in RCJ.  Good music, good people, and lots of fun.
My reeds are giving me fits, again.  I think they are too soft, so I ordered some harder ones.  I would really like to find some consistancy.......

3-15 Practice

The Ides of March are upon us!

Tonights practice work included some more rhythms and charts from RCJ, as well as pentatonic scales and blues scales. 

Mitch sent out recordings from this past friday, for our evaluation and reference.  As I listened, I noticed my tone is harsher than I would like it to be.  I also noticed that how I attack a note is weak.  This is somewhat disturbing to me, as I always thought I blow through the horn fairly solid.   Part of my problem may be the reed, but I think that part of it is also just me, so I spent some time blowing through patterns and recording myself.  I did put a different cut of reed on the tenor, and will try it on the All American Jazz Orchestra tomorrow night.  I am going to focus on how I get air through the horn, with more attention to an even tone.
Funny, with all of those who have worked with me over the years, this concept has never been mentioned.  Hopefully I can get it fixed.

LL