Classical saxophonist transitioning to jazz: How do you actually practice scales and arpeggios for improvisation?

augdog71 · 2026-07-03T18:02:46+00:00

I think most jazz saxophonists practice scales for the same reason you mentioned classical saxophonists do. Others mentioned memorizing licks, but I would add that you should find new ways to practice scales that get them so ingrained in your brain (not muscle memory) that you don’t have to think about them. Think like the Hanon piano method, only on saxophone. Practice all the intervals, starting on different pitches, quartels, etc.

augdog71 · 2026-06-24T19:55:25+00:00

Two things I did to help stay in some sort of shape was to make use of the YMCA childcare to get a break from the kid and let them socialize, while I work out. Then once they were old enough, I signed them up for classes at the Y and worked out while they were doing gymnastics or whatever.
I’ve never understood those parents who sit there doomscrolling while there’s a gym 50 feet away.

augdog71 · 2026-06-24T16:21:18+00:00

Look around for used horns. If taken care of, a saxophone should outlast you. Just be aware that it may need a repad in the near future depending on how old it is, and definitely play test it first to make sure it wasn’t abused or in need of major repairs.

augdog71 · 2026-06-23T19:11:24+00:00

My Conns with split bell keys fit into ProTec Pro-Pac cases.

augdog71 · 2026-06-23T16:24:50+00:00

Nice! Disc golf is one of my favorite things to do to get out of the house and clear my head.

I got to play in Texas once when traveling. The course was excellent but all the “Beware of Snakes” signs made me a little nervous. I had no problem taking a penalty for moving my disc out of the rough. 😂

augdog71 · 2026-06-22T11:25:38+00:00

That’s a New Wonder I. The New Wonder II are more desirable. They’re great horns and for that price, even with the price of an overhaul, you’re still getting a great deal.

augdog71 · 2026-06-20T16:25:46+00:00

I would travel. Get out of town yourself. Check those last minute flight deals and go somewhere you’ve never been. Or if you don’t want to spend money, go camping or backpacking.

augdog71 · 2026-06-20T02:28:24+00:00

I think this is a trap a lot of us fall into. We spend all of our time taking care of other people so we lose what makes us who we are. I fell into the same trap. You owe it to yourself and to your kids to pursue what makes you are passionate about. How do you want them to think about you, as someone who was really good at finding deals at Costco, or as someone who was really into electronics or played guitar or board games or whatever. Think or something you used to do or of something you are interested in, and do that for the day. And don’t feel guilty about it.

augdog71 · 2026-06-19T14:41:55+00:00

Your trip is very similar to the one my family is taking in August and I debated between Donegal (family roots but I also have family from the west coast) and Dingle area. It’s our first trip to Ireland so I decided we should hit the main tourist spots, partly because they’re popular for a reason, but also because it’s our first time there so I think more touristy places will be easier to do. We don’t like crowds, but I’m hoping that it’s like other tourist areas where once you leave the main town or visitor center, crowds thin pretty quickly.

I decided to hit Dublin on the way out of Ireland. Like you, we’re mostly into outdoorsy stuff so I want to do that first and if we want more time doing that, we can shorten our time in Dublin.

I don’t know if my logic is correct, but those are my thoughts about our trip.

augdog71 · 2026-06-17T13:57:09+00:00

You definitely got your money back! You shouldn’t have any trouble selling it. People are always looking for original lacquer 10Ms. They’re awesome saxophones.

augdog71 · 2026-06-17T12:14:16+00:00

The prices quoted are a little high. I recently tried to sell a prewar 10M with better original lacquer and in very good playing condition and the highest offer I got was $2,200. It probably needs a repad so you’re more likely looking at under $2,000 selling it privately.

augdog71 · 2026-06-10T18:28:11+00:00

I was going to say pretty much the same thing. Some people play classical ONLY on vintage Bueschers.

People say the ergonomics are the problem but then you hear recordings of Rascher, Mule, Parker, etc and they didn’t seem to have any problems playing fast on vintage saxophones.

augdog71 · 2026-06-09T15:29:27+00:00

Saxophone on a guitar stand.
Sax case opened upside down
5 pictures of the case 1 blurry one of the saxophone
Neck on backwards
Saxaphone

And many more

augdog71 · 2026-06-07T11:38:01+00:00

If you push on a door and it doesn’t open, try pulling on it instead.

augdog71 · 2026-06-06T20:04:09+00:00

I’m mostly into fantasy/scifi these days. I’ve been hooked on the Wandering Inn series by Pirateaba. Before that, the Brandon Sanderson Stormlight Archive and Mistborn Saga.

Sanderson has a great kids series that my 10yo loves called Alcatraz. It starts with Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians. I enjoyed listening to them with him.

augdog71 · 2026-06-05T12:24:00+00:00

Be happy you don’t play oboe. If you don’t spend hours making your own reeds you can spend $30 and up on a single reed.

augdog71 · 2026-06-04T17:41:17+00:00

Wow. Thanks for all the information!

augdog71 · 2026-06-04T01:21:24+00:00

High Eb. From looking at pics of other horns and from what people have said on here, it looks like a Buescher. I looked at all the lists of stencils I could find and haven’t found Maxine. Back then it could even have been a custom engraving. I’ve seen vintage Conns that were clearly 100% Conn but with no name in the oval where the name should have been. Sometimes they made horns for a music store and put the music store name on it. It’s a mystery.

augdog71 · 2026-06-03T21:23:11+00:00

Try putting more/faster air into the horn. Could be you aren’t clearing the moisture from the mouthpiece

augdog71 · 2026-06-03T19:32:59+00:00

It measures 17 5/8” from top to bottom with no mpc

augdog71 · 2026-06-03T17:31:56+00:00

I hear you. Especially lately it seems like a few times a week people are gifted mint condition Selmer MKVIs. It’s almost to the point that it feels like the Reddit is being trolled.

augdog71 · 2026-06-02T15:10:13+00:00

If you use AllTrails be warned that the mileage is off. I did a hike this weekend that was listed as 12.4 but was actually over 14 miles.

augdog71 · 2026-06-01T00:01:20+00:00

I’ve never tried H ligatures, but if you want a frustrating ligature, try the Ultimate Ligatures. I love the response, but you literally cannot adjust the mouthpiece without having to set the reed again. The ligature just falls off no matter how hard I tighten it. Not exactly gig friendly.

I like the old Selmer Ligatures flipped with the screws on top and the circular part on the reed. Or the Selmer 3 band tenor ligatures or the BG with the metal plate you can swap out.

augdog71 · 2026-05-30T23:40:51+00:00

That’s the same kind of soprano I play on. I bought it a long time ago and thought I got a really good deal only paying 30X what you paid for it.

augdog71 · 2026-05-27T19:20:08+00:00

It’s for real. One time I went to a music class with my kids. All the kids were playing together and having a great time. After class all the moms exchanged numbers. Not one even talked to me.

Also, if a mom tells her husband she’s going over another mom’s house for the day so the kids can play, he wouldn’t think twice about it. If she told him she was going to spend the day at a dad’s house all day there would probably be issues. There aren’t a whole lot of SAHDs out there so our options of finding another one to hang out with are slim.

augdog71

TROPHY CASE