Tweet

Lesson 1

First things first: If you’re a white guy, you’ll need a stupid hat, the more stupid the better and preferably a beret.

Sunglasses are optional, but all the really, really good players wear them, especially indoors.
You’ll also need some “gig shirts”-Hawaiians are good, but in a pinch anything with a loud floral pattern is acceptable, as are T-shirts from various jazz clubs and festivals. The good thing about the latter is that you can get them mail order so you don’t have to go to all the trouble of actually seeing and hearing live music. And sandals are an absolute must, even in winter.

Once you’ve assembled the proper attire you can begin practicing. One of the most important things about playing is being able to convey emotion to the audience. This you do through various facial expressions.

The two emotions you’ll need to convey are (1) rapture / ecstasy and (2) soul wrenching pain and sadness (i.e., the blues). You may find it useful in the beginning to borrow a page from the method acting school. So, for example, to convey rapture, try thinking of something nice-like puppy dogs or getting a rim job from Uma Thurman while Phil Barone feeds you Armour hot dogs with
truffle sauce.

To convey the “blues” try thinking of something really appalling-like ulcerative colitis or Alec Baldwin.

You should practice your facial expressions in front of a mirror at least two hours per day. You may feel a tad stupid at first, but you’ll never get the chicks if you don’t jump around on stage like a monkey-with your face screwed up like there’s a rabid wolverine devouring your pancreas. And, bottom line, getting chicks is really what music’s all about.

Next time people I’ll tell you more about selecting the correct ligature. Oh, and if you’ve got any questions – pop em down below this post and I’ll be coming right back to y’all.

Steve G

ps Don’t forget you check out my range of beginner saxophones and see my video demonstrations right here on this site. Awesome.

Biography.
Since taking up the saxophone in 1961, Steve Goodson has appeared with many internationally recognized acts as a sideman, including Dr. John; Solomon Burke; Marcia Ball; Chubby Checker, Joey Dee, Edwin McCain, The Commodores; The Temptations, The Four Tops,  Martha and the Vandellas, Ernie K-Doe, Jesse Hill, Eddie Money; Vince Vance, and many, many others. Steve has been doing saxophone repair and selling vintage horns since 1974. He also has his own exclusive line of Steve Goodson saxophones.
We at The Music Factory bow down to the music legend that is Steve Goodson.

Vist www.saxophonefactory.com for all things SAX!

Share on Facebook