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James Ford: private
lessons in Newburgh, Fife
Saxophone:
There are woodwind instruments…there are brass instruments….
& then there’s the Sax.
Maybe it’s the
fact that it’s a hybrid between a woodwind
& a brass instrument:
it’s made from the same alloy as proper brass instrument like
a trumpet but it has a reed.
The French guy who invented got rather a hard time from the purists...well
from everybody really. The Saxophone produces
a sound closest to the human voice of any instrument although it has close competition perhaps in this from the cello.
& there are 4 to
choose from! From fruity Barritone honks to cheeky Soprano squeaks,
you have it all. What’s more, if you can play one, with a
wee bit of embouchure adjustment, you can play the lot! The fingering is exactly
the same.
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It's best if you
come with an idea of the sort of music you'd
like to be able to play. Please bring along a CD or MP3...mini-disc
or whatever of the music you want to play, play along with,
or just enjoy most.
These
lessons are paperless & our focus & inspiration
for your goals will come directly from the music you bring
with you. As a saxophonist in particular, you will benefit
greatly by being able to play what you hear. Being stuck
to the dots of sheet music will keep you from listening
properly & freeing yourself mentally. Your goal should
be to play a tune instinctively as if you were singing it.
James will take
complete beginners - but prefers those with a little experience.
James playing with the Herculean Ceilidh
Band 1996
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If you're completely new to the sax, please do have a blow
before you come - however dreadful it may sound!! Getting
used to having a vibrating reed in your mouth is half the
battle & you will progress much faster if you have some
experience, however small.
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Put
the mouthpiece (or crook) by the bedside & blow into
it for a few seconds before
you go to bed - & after you wake in the morning. Try
playing softly & with control - & loudly... |
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'Buy
youself a soft reed. Rated
from 1 to around 5, a '1&1/2' or '2' rated reed will mean
you can make a noise without busting a gut. Most advanced players
prefer a harder reed, but don't be intimidated into playing
one harder than you feel happy with. I still play with a '2'!
(& don't care who knows it....)' |
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James:
Buying his first Alto in 1990, James took around 4 weeks to ‘convert’
from the clarinet. A year
on he joined his first 'world music' band ‘Tusitala’
based in Portabello, Edinburgh. He also joined the brass section
of The Groove Tunnel
in this year. |
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It was around 1998 that James bought his Soprano sax & soon after his Tenor. Since these 2 fulfil a broad range of playing styles & pitch ranges, he rarely plays the Alto these
days. James currently plays Soprano & Tenor in Floozie Soo |
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| James At the Eastgate Theatre, Peebles October 2005 with FloozieSoo |
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| HOME |
Weavers Hall, Bank Close, Newburgh, Fife
KY14 6EG
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email: james
mobile: 07970 744986
landline:01337 842434 |
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