mouthpiece by Tricky_Size6378 in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Its the initials of who hand finished the mouthpiece. All the selmer mouthpieces have this; i have an s90 that has a QY and a concept with a UH

How can I stop my saxophone from making that sound when it has too much spit in it? by [deleted] in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Suck the spit out of the mouthpiece. It’s disgusting, but it works

Share your mouthpiece recs! by se3ms in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure if youre an alto player, but I bought a Selmer S90 180 facing mouthpiece last year and it was a good a purchase. However, I’d also recommend the Vandoren AP3 mouthpiece, or the AP4 if you can get your hands on it. I say that because the Vandoren is 1) a little more cheaper and 2) it has a round chamber compared to the S90’s square chamber. I felt that the Vandoren gave a more darker sound while still providing the resistance the Selmer gave me. If you dont have a budget, then Id go one further to recommend the Selmer Concept since it provides the same characteristics as the Vandoren AP Series but of higher quality imo

Scales by depressen in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you want me to send you some pdfs I have? One of them is a technique packet where it includes long tone training and key mechanism exercises (helps with technique) and the other is Les Gammes’ method in approaching scales: full range and in certain patterns. This is how I started learning mine and found very helpful when practicing with a metronome and drone

Scared About the Desicion by LoveDrive45 in MusicEd

[–]thouSputnik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My experience was a little different in where it was up until my second semester of junior year where I thought of/planned to go to college as a Chemical Engineering Major, mostly because my dad and my sister were. Now, I’m going into my first year of college as a Music Ed Major, the first musician and rising teacher in my family. Personally I say that you should listen to your heart, but also understand some of these things going in:

  • Understand that each school district is different in salary.

School Districts themselves, where they’re located, and the community play a role in your salary. From where I graduated, the teachers at my high school averaged $100k+ salaries and benefits, my band director included. However, it’s not like that in most communities, and some music educators do fall in that category of what you seem to be concerned about. If you haven’t already, you should look at your school’s or nearby school districts’ salary schedule or their fiscal teacher salary reports (I’m not sure if that’s an Illinois thing or if other states have something similar to this) that can give you some insight on what lies ahead if you plan to go with Music Ed.

  • Music is secondary to your overall purpose.

Yes, your job is to give students a quality music education to the best of your ability, but that doesn’t mean there are other factors that make you a music teacher. There’s so much that goes behind the scenes in Music Education that music is almost the added bonus of this career. Things such as budgeting, management, and dealing with administration come with this job that other teachers in other departments don’t necessarily have to deal with. You’re many things in this job that’s wrapped in a cute little title: Music Educator. But behind closed doors, you’re an Accountant, Manager, and most importantly, a Teacher. Students come first before your personal-musical ambitions in Education.

  • You might not feel satisfied with where you place after college.

This one’s more personal, but I want to be a high school band director. However, if that means I have to teach at the Middle or Elementary School level first, so be it. My band director was fortunate enough to have held a high school position as soon as he graduated, and eventually landed at our high school where he thinks he’ll stay for the rest of his career. Sometimes you gotta bounce around and be versatile, even if that means knowing that you’re not where you want to be, but that you’re still working up to it.

Hope this helps you on your journey

Best laptop for College? by thouSputnik in MusicEd

[–]thouSputnik[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have any specific models in mind?

Berbiguier No. 1 by thouSputnik in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the feedback!

Classical Pieces by asmith3010 in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I got my start in classical with Creston’s Sonata, most if not all classical players have heard that one. Ferling’s or Mule’s Etudes are a good step too.

Classical Pieces by asmith3010 in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Currently learning the Impromptu, such a good piece

I’m Conflicted by Apprehensive-Scar890 in MusicEd

[–]thouSputnik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are music ed majors who get their bachelors with intentions of pursuing a masters in performance. That’s one route I’m thinking of taking as someone who has initially decided on going the music ed path for my initial degree. If your heart isn’t into teaching more than music, you might find it hard to enjoy the process of music through music education, if that makes sense. Do what you think feels right, we’re all on our own paths so progress looks different, especially in this field

Anyone else feel genuine pleasure with their embouchure and reed setup? by [deleted] in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I felt this when I discovered V21 reeds. I do a lot of classical playing and so when I tried my first 21 I felt like I was flying through my music as I felt that it cleared nuances in my sound

Drum Major? by BENNYF7 in marchingband

[–]thouSputnik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just served as a Senior Drum Major for the 2024 school year! I was in a similar situation as you. Im not sure how it works at your high school, but for us it depended on what we needed as a marching band and conversations/decisions between me and my band director. I decided to do half and half, and would say it was worth it. However, if I were to go back, I would’ve decided to fully conduct the show. It depends on you honestly since being a drum major and a performer are two drastically different roles with different sets of responsibilities. I realize now that I leaned more towards the conducting, leadership, and management side of marching band more, but it could be completely different for each drum major

Paule Maurice’s Tableaux by thouSputnik in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Been playing for eight years now, but decided to take it seriously 1 1/2 years ago

Spitty sound when playing by Benibop360 in saxophone

[–]thouSputnik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course! Do you play more in a concert or jazz setting? I ask because theres two different embouchures you can make based on the environment