There is a lot of information, insights and thoughts about playing soprano saxophone here. There are no “lessons”, just information and opinions that have been forged over a long time. You’ll find information on horns, mouthpiece styles, reed choice, intonation, bores, curved and semi-curved necks, players, recordings and sometimes some real treasures that come my way. I will share them here whenever I can. So, come back once in a while. Sometimes the information might be the same but the “change” has occurred in you. It happens, thankfully and we grow.

New: Sopranoplanet You Tube Channel

We’re launching a special You Tube channel devoted to all things soprano, and that means detailed information about :   Reeds Horns Practice Mouthpieces Tone Tips Solutions for issues we all encounter Check out the introductory video.  

0
Soprano Transcriptions : Learn from the Best!

Here you will find a growing collection of excellent transcriptions of soprano sax solos from the masters. Working on these, along with listening to the original recordings, will give you a lot of great things to work on: articulations, phrasing, … Read More

0
INTRODUCTION TO SOPRANO SAXOPHONE Part 2

(Note: It is always imperative that you know that your horn is in good adjustment and, most importantly, that your soprano mouthpiece is correctly set up. Failure and trouble are inevitable if either is amiss) Part  2 / BLOWING AND … Read More

0
INTRODUCTION TO SOPRANO SAXOPHONE PART 1

  Part 1: Setting the Record Straight about Soprano Saxophone The soprano saxophone has developed quite a reputation in its short lifetime, and not all of it is good. It’s time to set the record straight about the supposed “Devil’s … Read More

0
SOUND & SAXOPHONE REEDS

SOUND AND SAXOPHONE REEDS:  A Little Clarity I have been planning this article for a while and just kept putting it off. Why? Because it seems like it should be simple, which it is in some respects, but is gets … Read More

0
STEVE LACY : His Music Notebook 1965

Steve Lacy is regarded as a category of one on the soprano saxophone. Here is a PDF of his music notebook from 1965, when he was 31 years old. It is fascinating to examine and to actually play, too. MAY … Read More

0
Wrong Conclusions About Soprano Mouthpieces

Probably the most difficult thing for many players to realize is that they really have little or no idea about why a soprano mouthpiece doesn’t play well for them. It’s just as likely to be true about the other saxophones … Read More

0
Flat Table or Concave Table: Part 2

So, great discussions have arisen from the first post on this subject. It has prompted me to continue down this road a little further. To briefly summarize the general responses asserting that concavity is preferable to a flat table and … Read More

0
Try Taking LESS Mouthpiece on Soprano

Lots of well-intended advice about “taking more mouthpiece” seems to pop up all the time on various saxophone blogs and discussions, but rarely try taking LESS mouthpiece on soprano sax, and I think this is a very overlooked and important … Read More

0
Your Mouthpiece: Free Evaluation

Free evaluation of your mouthpiece. This is as simple as it gets. Before you buy yet “another”  saxophone mouthpiece, send me yours. I will inspect and measure up your mouthpiece , and report to you what I find regarding table, … Read More

0
Let’s Talk Tone

  Specifically, how much specific control can a player get for creating tonal variation in their soprano sound? The flip side of that question is this: how much of the tone achieved by a player is dependent on his equipment … Read More

0
Once You Know ……

There is this unending myth that the soprano sax is a beast, but it isn’t. Play a well balanced mouthpiece on a soprano and you will know it very quickly. But most players have never played on a good soprano … Read More

0
Getting Your Sound : Everything Is Possible

Getting Your Sound If you’re around players in person or online, you’ll come across folks who claim that all mouthpieces sound alike, all reeds sound alike, all setups sound alike. They’ll tell you that “there is no difference whatsoever between … Read More

0
Rebalance : Make Your Mouthpiece Play !

This will be quick- not because it isn’t an important topic, but because the reason is simple and, for anyone who thinks about it for a minute, pretty obvious. Whether a vintage or modern mass market mouthpiece, it has been … Read More

0
HALL OF SHAME

It ocurred to me that I should start taking some photos of brand new soprano mouthpieces that come my way that clearly show how bad quality control is from major mouthpiece makers. Names have not been changed to protect the … Read More

0
Reeds & Mouthpieces Part 1

It’s an old story- cane reeds are the bane of many saxophone players. They are, by most accounts, “inconsistent”, “unreliable”, “problematic”, and, then, “just right”. That’s the same brand, same grade, same box even! I believe what I’m talking about … Read More

0
Reeds & Mouthpieces Part 2

So, how can one “magic” reed work where dozens from the same box have been complete duds? Well, the fact is that the “magic” reed is truly the “inconsistent” one and the rest were quite consistent. The problem, my friends, … Read More

0
The Important Questions

Working long distance takes a little commitment from both of us, and I need to know as much as I can about you and your music.   Here are the questions that will help me to give you what you … Read More

0
Learn about the Soprano

Forget the myth that the soprano sax is ‘ a beast”. Nonsense. But…. there is a lot to know and to learn. But the fact is, the soprano is no more difficult to play than the alto or tenor or … Read More

0
Reeds for Soprano

Unless you’re new to playing saxophone, you already know that finding the right brand and strength of reed can be a tough and frustrating job. For soprano saxophone, I think it’s one of the most important things a player has … Read More

0
Missing Link in Action

French saxophonist Jean Yves Auchere plays his large tipped Missing Link on his Rampone & Cazzani saxello with a deep, rich, dark sound full of texture and warmth. Each Missing Link I make is made specifically for the individual player, … Read More

0
In Case You Haven’t Heard

There is a world of fabulous and interesting soprano saxophonists, and it is always a good idea to “open your ears” to as many as you can. It’s not about “liking” or “not liking” the music; it is about considering … Read More

0