Perfect Setup?

[chesssaxmo]

I'M A ROOKIE, AND I'M LOOKING THE BEST SETUP IN MY PRICE RANGE, I WANT TO PLAY CHRISTIAN MUSIC WITH SOME JAZZ IMPROVISION. CAN ANYONE HELP ME? i have a 1922 Evette & Schaeffer alto, it is the only horn I have.

[noelpaz]

first bring your horn to a tech and have it adjsuted for leaks. Does it come with a mmouthpiece. If not get a Meyer 5 or 6 with medium reeds. For a little bit more money get a vandoren mouthpiece. I don't know much about Christian music, but I say listen and play along if you already play or get a teacher.

Good luck

[chesssaxmo]

THANKS FOR THE INFO, WILL TRY.
-CHESSSAXMO

[TheChristianSax]

I am not quite sure if I will answer your question, but I will use personal experience in an attempt. Getting a good mouthpiece and a teacher is some great advice. I would say that trying out different mouthpiece combinations on your horn at a local music store, if possible, is your best bet. This way you can determine what works the best with you and your horn. As far as playing "Christian" music, you can approach as with any other style of music. The music that I play is just as challenging and open to expressiveness as any secular form of music. The musical concepts and arrangements are "pop" oriented with lyrics referencing Biblical ideas. As a sax player in a church, I look at myself as another voice in the band. In other words, I am there to embellish the music that is already there and interpret it in my way. Week to week, I take the cd that is prepared by the Praise and Worship leader and listen to see what I can add. Sometimes I pull out a string line and copy it, sometimes I just go along with the underlying chord structure and add depth, and sometimes I just flat out rip and go full out, get in your face soloing, and sometimes I don't play at all. So, you can approach your setup and playing Christian music and jazz with the same musical fundamentals as in any other forms. Practicing scales, playing along with cds and seeing what sounds work and don't work. Personally, I work on etudes, jazz etudes, Aebersold cd's, the radio, and whatever else I can get my hands on.

Ok, I know I rambled on a bit much, but my main point is to look for a setup that is good all around and you enjoy playing. You can then apply it to your particular style of music. So with that, take care and happy playing. :D

Sincerely,

Matt