Other news……
Somebody is trying to hack me. Grrrr !!! Sending mails saying my E mail address is the same as their personal mail address. They have to use ” upper case ” in part, and are obviously waiting for me to reply and then they have mine. Its going to be a long wait !!
I couldn’t resist buying a Runyon Quantum. The metal #6 not the Delrin. The price was good, and its a mpc that suits my embouchure. It will be great for the embouchure studies above, whilst having a bright gnarly tone. I mentioned ” Frankenstein ” a few days back; that kind of thing. I may be wrong but I think ” pick up the pieces ” is played on alto on the AWB album…
That’s all folks !! I hope everybody is well and wish you all a safe and happy week…..

Hey Johnny, good to see you again man. I was going to watch a movie, but I’m in a reflective mood.
If I could do this whole sax thing over again; without a doubt I would have stuck with my bari. When I was a lot younger, man I could really play.
In music college I was listening to the likes of Dave Edge ( a classmate ). Last I heard of Dave, he was playing with John Surmann. Just a great tenor player. I came close in the nineties, with a 10M and a Berg Fatboy, often getting complements for my tone. It didn’t go much further; I couldn’t make the jump from an average to a great player. Looking at the likes of Greg Piccolo; I realised I was always going to be just that….an average player.
That’s why I’ve decided to follow my heart and focus totally on this alto project. So far so good. If I can nail this chops thing, and move from bottom to top in one seamless flow; the door is open for some great playing.
The Johnny Hodges embouchure style is, as I said a real challenge, but certainly within reach and over time. A lot of reed soaks, and yeah this new mpc coming. Quantum made by Runyon are fabulous mpcs. So slim, they are barely there. For my slim jawline, a great choice.
If you look at the Ellington clips, all the alto chairs are using the Hodges style. I’m right on the cusp of it; its one of those things that is just going to click into place…..hopefully sooner rather than later, but no hurry.
Finally, I think I can speak for all of us in saying thanks Johnny, for all of it. The clips, backing tracks, but more so for just being a nice guy. Supportive, encouraging and without ego. A rare thing for a guy of your standing and talent.
Take it easy man, and again …..thankyou !!

And the Runyon is in the post….YEAH !!
The Hodges embouchure is a longterm idea; much like trying to get a Getz tone on tenorsax. Some days, like today, I just want to play at full throttle.
Its going well…..