Week 2

Hello! This week I decided to research some of the greatest saxophone players. What I found was impressive:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryNtmkfeJk4

• Charlie Parker is known for his fast tempo and great improvisation skills. Although he lived until only the age of 34, he contributed a lot to American jazz.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaKH33E7zJM

• Lester Young is a tenor saxophonist known for his "free-floating" style and relaxed tone.

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiI2ZHmxPPo

• In my opinion, this is the most impressive; he can play two saxophones at once! Roland Kirk was known for his improvisation and being able to play two instruments at the same time.

Jazz is by far my favorite type of music to play in band. I love its unique style and rhythms, and above all: improvisations. Although I play in the jazz band as a trombone, I want to learn how to play some solos on saxophone. 

I've also encountered some online quizzes to test how well I've learned the fingerings for different notes. I aced the first couple, but I may need to review my flats and sharps. Other than those, I have most of the notes memorized, which definitely will help me to start to play some of the marching band songs we've performed this year. 

This week I started trying to play some of the basic tunes. So far I've leaned to play Hot Cross Buns (Band kids remember!), Jingle Bells, and a couple of other songs. I think I am progressing well, and will start playing harder songs in the upcoming weeks. In my next post I hope to include a video of myself on the saxophone.