How To Play Saxophone | john springer | Activity https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/members/johnbspringeryahoo-com/activity/ Activity feed for john springer. Wed, 24 Jun 2026 19:01:59 -0700 https://buddypress.org/?v=11.2.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 efcd83fe918e3809673a4eef6ad05a27 john springer started the topic What is Johnny doing in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/what-is-johnny-doing/ Mon, 18 Nov 2019 03:46:49 -0800 It is 10:41 PM on Sunday – I have to work in the morning and I am still on HowToPlaySaxophone.com; and so I asked myself “what do you think Johhny is doing right now” And then I realized how silly the question was because the answer was so obvious. Johnny is either playing sax or he is a sleep dreaming about sax…

Anyone else hangout at…[Read more]

]]> f0fa539cceff55538affbd2409613e28 john springer started the topic How does he do it in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/how-does-he-do-it/ Wed, 07 Aug 2019 03:10:57 -0700 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQDpiwDgPbo

at time 3:23 those screaming high notes are sweet. Is he growling? What technique is he using?

]]> b733f8e02173262b0c7ae3cd6c267d49 john springer started the topic Circular Breathing in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/circular-breathing/ Sat, 29 Jun 2019 04:44:50 -0700 Is this something that is done on Alto or Tenor?

]]> 20b0e3cdaf71293250d472fbb6d6e120 john springer replied to the topic Middle C# is flat in the forum Problems With Your Sax? https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/middle-c-is-flat/#post-86734 Mon, 17 Jun 2019 01:36:16 -0700 Thanks guys for the great response. I will keep working at it. Very cool suggestion on how to tune the sax to itself. Thanks for the tip

]]> a0a7694633fcb4383d0ab8364903944b john springer started the topic Middle C# is flat in the forum Problems With Your Sax? https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/middle-c-is-flat/ Thu, 13 Jun 2019 03:49:07 -0700 My Middle C# note sounds flat, other notes except Low D sound good. Low D I correct by adding table key – but I cannot find a correction for the middle C#. Is the middle C# typically problematic?

]]> 89bbb5a439fb3405d7e99e8cdd378f96 john springer replied to the topic Is this a respectable sax and fair deal? in the forum Show Us Your Sax https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-respectable-sax-and-fair-deal/page/2/#post-85093 Sat, 20 Apr 2019 01:10:26 -0700 Well, my Selmer La-Voix arrived. I believe it came directly from the factory. It was professionally wrapped in plastic and tissue and had all of the pad-locks in place. It also came with original brochure. The case smells new and every thing is pristine. It even came with a 2.5 reed, MP, cork grease, soft cloth, and a hard case with software outer…[Read more]

]]> c94116c5adf68d1194b0468998c86d0b john springer replied to the topic Is this a respectable sax and fair deal? in the forum Show Us Your Sax https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-respectable-sax-and-fair-deal/#post-84990 Wed, 17 Apr 2019 02:08:00 -0700 Thanks for all the responses.
Wow, Johnny, I was not expecting this to be called a pro sax, I was hoping for intermediate, but really? I got a pro?
I cant wait for it to get delivered. I have a couple of songs that I have been working on and I will make those videos with it.

]]> 0281e44cbec082583a89d89c01c81d17 john springer replied to the topic Is this a respectable sax and fair deal? in the forum Show Us Your Sax https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-respectable-sax-and-fair-deal/#post-84932 Mon, 15 Apr 2019 23:19:40 -0700 Thanks for your input guys!

saxomonica I made them the offer of $1850 as you suggested and they accepted. SWEET!

]]> 3886cc4b1885b7aca4544b363c045ba0 john springer started the topic Is this a respectable sax and fair deal? in the forum Show Us Your Sax https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-respectable-sax-and-fair-deal/ Mon, 15 Apr 2019 06:29:09 -0700 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-La-Voix-TENOR/143213971711?hash=item215837c8ff:g:klcAAOSw9MtcsjTK

JBS

]]> 5be8a5a9b2799a9f7a5c500c2dca7c14 john springer replied to the topic My Gig on Saturday in the forum Your Video https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/my-gig-on-saturday/#post-84687 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 13:43:12 -0700 Seems to me like you already know how to play sax.
Yes, I think that is Johnny Fever on the drums!

Great sound! What MP and reed do you use?

]]> f6435821e711dd7028171180149b9918 john springer started the topic Unchained Melody - again in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/unchained-melody-again/ Thu, 04 Apr 2019 20:03:06 -0700 Hi Johnny! WRT those notes, that come immediately after the “slide”, I think there are five of them within what seems to be a mordant. I can’t seem to get the sound just right. Can you tell me what notes you are playing and the technique involved. Once I can get that I think I have most of the song down. Also, what is the highest Altisimo you are playing.

]]> 77315ed308ace0032e8d548b6c75dd84 john springer replied to the topic Unchained Melody in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/unchained-melody/#post-84343 Thu, 04 Apr 2019 13:16:48 -0700 WRT those notes, that come immediately after the “slide”, I think there are five of them within what seems to be a mordant. I can’t seem to get the sound just right. Can you tell me what notes you are playing and the technique involved. Once I can get that I think I have most of the song down. Also, what is the highest Altisimo you are playing.

]]> b658abe5d7673291a8291ac743b56b92 john springer replied to the topic Unchained Melody in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/unchained-melody/#post-83862 Wed, 27 Mar 2019 23:49:28 -0700 I think I did it. I played the D, then slowly lifted my fingers to E and the slowly the F#, but did it like reverse drumming or even rolling of my fingers (so as to get s smooth even transition and that produced a slide effect. Is that how you do it?

]]> 868ec69e51d1621420ecb9d34432aed0 john springer replied to the topic Unchained Melody in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/unchained-melody/#post-83861 Wed, 27 Mar 2019 23:36:05 -0700 So D to F# then down to the E. The slide from D to F# is what I am talking about.

]]> 8a18412c801ac234f486be837103aab0 john springer started the topic Unchained Melody in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/unchained-melody/ Wed, 27 Mar 2019 01:52:28 -0700 Johnny on that second note on the first measure, it sounds like you are sliding from D to the next note. When I do this I get a hard transition once the valve for the next note is opened. What is you technique in that video. Also are you using standard fingering for that slide?

]]> 3ce7aaed5333a3f0244542c0342a6fbf john springer replied to the topic Congested/resisting Tenor Sax in the forum Problems With Your Sax? https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/congested-resisting-tenor-sax/#post-83641 Sat, 23 Mar 2019 02:33:22 -0700 OK, so after practicing some more I have noticed some improvements – some hints of what is possible had accidentally revealed themselves during practice today and then I managed to recreate them and now the next level in my playing is being realized.

I was practicing the so disappointing sounding A, C and B of the middle range when I tried to…[Read more]

]]> def05f9e0d596ef2c80c9151a3877875 john springer replied to the topic Another reason why scales are important. in the forum Music Theory https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/another-reason-why-scales-are-important/#post-83640 Sat, 23 Mar 2019 02:03:45 -0700 OK. I will confess, I was playing electric guitar at a coffee shop during mike night (the gig), my band and I (me and my backing track) were cruising along pretty well during my solo part when some girl screemed “whoo whoo” like she was digging me! I got so excited that a girl was screaming for me I total messed up the solo and so I just started…[Read more]

]]> 9601bfb4f9ffa8ccb83346fcda030106 john springer replied to the topic Where to play when u live in an apartment in the forum Saxophone Tips https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/where-to-play-when-u-live-in-an-apartment/#post-83638 Sat, 23 Mar 2019 01:28:06 -0700 I have heard Beat Box yes. I have not decides if I like that style or not. I am really focused on trying to sound something like Cannon, Randolph and of course Johnny. Beat Box might be easier though LOL

]]> 44390bf856078a60fade37dcbecbd9a8 john springer replied to the topic Where to play when u live in an apartment in the forum Saxophone Tips https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/where-to-play-when-u-live-in-an-apartment/#post-83637 Sat, 23 Mar 2019 01:23:08 -0700 I actually just play in the hall of the storage place – just 2 feet outside of my 5 X 5 unit. The halls of the building act as a resonance chamber. Sounds like I am playing in a theater.

]]> f0b52cc7e3741ce2485f22f4d65b883f john springer replied to the topic bored with playing scales? in the forum Daily Practice Routine #1 https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/bored-with-playing-scales/page/2/#post-83570 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 01:35:15 -0700 The pattern for flat major scales (and F Maj) are based on BEAD-GC so starting with Fmaj we get:
F maj = Bb <== also notice that Bb will be the next scale
Bb maj = Bb, Eb
Eb maj = Bb, Eb, Ab
Ab maj = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
Db maj = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb
Cb maj = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Fb <== OK This one ends with Fb

]]> 88bcebe96ffb992fc58953beccc0838c john springer replied to the topic bored with playing scales? in the forum Daily Practice Routine #1 https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/bored-with-playing-scales/#post-83566 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 01:12:35 -0700 Above links have been moved to https://www.bighorn.co.uk/downloads/

]]> ebffeca590dbb6b82c950e9767bdfa09 john springer started the topic Where to play when u live in an apartment in the forum Saxophone Tips https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/where-to-play-when-u-live-in-an-apartment/ Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:53:30 -0700 I play in a 5×5 climate controlled storage unit for $55/month ha ha. I play as loud as I want in a 65F environment in the winter.

]]> 4aab4c532393457a457f263a58f40efe john springer replied to the topic Inspirational Stuff in the forum Saxophone Lessons https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/inspirational-stuff/#post-83564 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:23:56 -0700 Why the sax? Baker Street, Last Date, no chords, bendable notes and easier than guitar.

What keeps me motivated? – Johnny and his backing tracks with matching sheet music! I have always found backing track in one key and music in another key and I am soooo tired of transposing or searching for a match. Johnny did all that work for all the songs I…[Read more]

]]> fd4ce0b0ff1114f4790cd1f6696f9c17 john springer replied to the topic Is this a good value in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-good-value/page/2/#post-83563 Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:20:28 -0700 “i would not buy it , there many more out the better and cheaper in price”, wow, did not expect that comment, “better and cheaper”. Well, ok. I guess maybe I will wait a little bit. I am not even sure if I am an Alto or Tenor guy. I guess for the moment I am tenor since I spent over $200 on a tenor mouth piece and do not feel like buying another…[Read more]

]]> 19141378e177d0c2de4a325a238df7e4 john springer replied to the topic Is this a good value in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-good-value/#post-83554 Wed, 20 Mar 2019 01:06:17 -0700 Thanks for you feedback. Based on your comments I have concluded, the Sax is not immediately known to be junk but it was over priced. I have since found this one for cheeper…[Read more]

]]> bfdf145cac1d66da4a18214551ab165f john springer replied to the topic Is this a good value in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-good-value/#post-83519 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 01:36:20 -0700 Opps sorry. Here is the link. tell me what u think. https://reverb.com/item/19296401-selmer-la-voix-ii-sts280-2015-black-nickel

]]> b37e338347d8082c5d2e1940c61a4a60 john springer started the topic Is this a good value in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-this-a-good-value/ Sun, 17 Mar 2019 21:30:54 -0700 I am considering purchasing this saxophone. Is this a good value and is is it a respectable sax among seasoned saxophonists? How does it compare to the TS-44

]]> bf870b668a7467d1d9fed8ae54926f61 john springer replied to the topic Last Date in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/last-date/page/2/#post-83233 Mon, 11 Mar 2019 06:22:58 -0700 Hi Johnny! I am practicing Last Date (I love your version). I was noticing that at time 1:19 you are fingering a basic G, but instead of keeping the same fingering for the Octave G, you used an alternate fingering. Now from my novice perspective and sense of economy, my knee-jerks comment is – why did you go through the extra effort of using an…[Read more]

]]> b50bd4ff6cd7f5b314a822b0aacb87d8 john springer started the topic X-Rays of mouth and throat while playing in the forum General Questions https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/x-rays-of-mouth-and-throat-while-playing/ Mon, 11 Mar 2019 01:26:40 -0700 Realtime X-Rays of classical and Jazz players mouth and throat while playing. Very cool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLfexRl09Oc

]]> 246795350f482e5e76bf1712d9de2bb4 john springer replied to the topic Congested/resisting Tenor Sax in the forum Problems With Your Sax? https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/congested-resisting-tenor-sax/#post-83228 Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:31:53 -0700 OK. I will stick with the Otto for a while. I have chosen Vandoren V16 2.5 as my new reed. The 2.5 is not hard to play after I soak them in water for 4 mins or so. I will give the new MP and reeds some playtime and see what happens with my sound. THanks!

]]> 29f08a10837528af7d7cc99ed275d4df john springer replied to the topic New mouth piece good but not the solution in the forum Mouthpieces https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/new-mouth-piece-good-but-not-the-solution/page/2/#post-83227 Sun, 10 Mar 2019 23:27:35 -0700 Great answers from everyone. Thank you! You have given me a lot to think about.

]]> 86f404f095e77df9f2362c55c536eb80 john springer replied to the topic New mouth piece good but not the solution in the forum Mouthpieces https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/new-mouth-piece-good-but-not-the-solution/#post-83167 Sun, 10 Mar 2019 03:48:28 -0700 Johnny your video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCPglgwmzuk Growling to Get That Nasty Sound, has a cool growl – but that is not what I am talking about. Your sound is very nice on the normal tone at 53:sec. Your sax at 53 sec does not sound like a clarinet like this guy at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntq0l4zbdPw – 1:32. Why? Remember I a…[Read more]

]]> 3432009ed0df619929402133a2858419 john springer replied to the topic New mouth piece good but not the solution in the forum Mouthpieces https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/new-mouth-piece-good-but-not-the-solution/#post-83166 Sun, 10 Mar 2019 03:27:57 -0700 Clean, perfect and yet booooorrrrring sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntq0l4zbdPw – 1:32. This is not me but it sounds almost like me (I think I sound a little better – of course). See the timbre, intonation, sound whatever u want to call it sucks. It sounds too clarinet like. Where is the electricity? Even if I blow harder, this is all I…[Read more]

]]> c8f251bb462b7b17348e270dd20156d5 john springer started the topic New mouth piece good but not the solution in the forum Mouthpieces https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/new-mouth-piece-good-but-not-the-solution/ Sun, 10 Mar 2019 01:41:04 -0800 I just bought an Otto Link Super Tone master 8* and I am using Vandoran 2 reads. I would not say that upgrading was a miracle sound change, however it did provide greater dynamics. I can play very soft low notes now and I can bend the notes – all very cool. But I am still not producing the sound that Johnny does. OK now please spare me all of the…[Read more]

]]> df30335511628108ef43bf7d7cdb58df john springer started the topic Congested/resisting Tenor Sax in the forum Problems With Your Sax? https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/congested-resisting-tenor-sax/ Fri, 08 Mar 2019 02:05:22 -0800 When I play my Tenor Sax – Jupiter 770, the low notes Bb, Bb, C and C# and even a D all sound “good enough” – meaning they have a smooth and loud base sound. The high notes from Middle C# to the top F# also sound good – meaning full and brassy with punch and power. However, notes between middle C down through low C – that whole active is just…[Read more]

]]> 0581659b9259c0fa6ae37a4de6bc6ad1 john springer started the topic Another reason why scales are important. in the forum Music Theory https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/another-reason-why-scales-are-important/ Sun, 03 Mar 2019 00:40:57 -0800 Sometimes when playing during the gig, I would forget what came next in the song and sometimes I was busy checking out some girl in the audience and I could not find my spot on the sheet music. The band will not wait for me so how do I keep playing when I am lost. Easy, I just play scales or arpeggios until I find my spot again. Ha ha. Works like a charm.

]]> 8b710481e41e64aa480aedef779c8ff3 john springer replied to the topic Hello everyone in the forum Introduce Yourself https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/hello-everyone-4/#post-82827 Sun, 03 Mar 2019 00:32:13 -0800 I knew a piano player who could read just about any sheet music and play it the first time through. I asked if I gave him sheet music for all my songs of interest can he play them at a party. He said only for about one hour because reading and playing new music as written is very demanding. He could play songs from memory all day long.

I used to…[Read more]

]]> 1fcd145ab03f16e106cef33fec5203eb john springer replied to the topic Downloading Backing track in the forum Premium Access Membership https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/downloading-backing-track/#post-82494 Mon, 25 Feb 2019 04:46:55 -0800 Ah OK. I though I saw that form somewhere but just could not remember where. Thanks for reminding me where it was.

]]> 4beb0de66bb116af0f5ee89bf957b374 john springer replied to the topic My 12 hour progress video. in the forum Recording Your Saxophone https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/my-12-hour-progress-video/#post-82493 Mon, 25 Feb 2019 04:40:25 -0800 Thanks Johnny. I thought there was something odd with the rhythm. I am surprised that was able to maintain the one-off through the entire piece. ha ha.

]]> 8956b97782bb33633ae64537208864d1 john springer replied to the topic My 12 hour progress video. in the forum Recording Your Saxophone https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/my-12-hour-progress-video/#post-82473 Sun, 24 Feb 2019 22:22:03 -0800 I got high praise from my 22 year old daughter. Today she said I suck less than I did last week and now she only has to take one Tylenol for her resulting headache. Ha ha.

]]> f748752907b5746fd99d0aa9140ef494 john springer replied to the topic My 12 hour progress video. in the forum Recording Your Saxophone https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/my-12-hour-progress-video/#post-82472 Sun, 24 Feb 2019 22:13:56 -0800 Thanks. I played guitar for 5 years and piano on and off for a few years – nothing formal. I also played trombone in the 9th and 10th grades – ha ha. I am 53 now.

]]> a45bda129461d20da9d9e8d84b5cec73 john springer started the topic Nice recording software suite in the forum Recording Your Saxophone https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/nice-recording-software-suite/ Sun, 24 Feb 2019 02:58:40 -0800 I just purchased “NCH Software” which records audio/video and has editing among other things. It is a fully featured package and is half off. It is what I used to record my 12hr video. In case you are interested the link is https://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/index.html. I also purchased the Debut Video Capture Software (Pro Edition)…[Read more]

]]> 97f1a46dbc2896668b0d0f2b27538db0 john springer replied to the topic is it worth buying a Pro horn? in the forum Saxophone Tips https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/is-it-worth-buying-a-pro-horn/page/4/#post-82412 Sat, 23 Feb 2019 02:10:58 -0800 I am new to saxophone but played guitar for several years. I would not pay less than $130 bucks at Guitar Center for an acoustic guitar because the cheaper ones had real tone problems and buzzed. The guitars above $130 sounded good. But early in the beginning, I could not make a $1500 dollars sound any better than the $130. Seasoned players could…[Read more]

]]> c442da47549b4f79ffff66df78f4b68f john springer started the topic Downloading Backing track in the forum Premium Access Membership https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/downloading-backing-track/ Sat, 23 Feb 2019 01:32:24 -0800 If I understand correctly, Premium membership folks are awarded 4 free downloads per month. While logged in, I am attempting to download a backing track with sheet music and it takes me to Paypal. How do I take advantage of my premium membership and avoid the paypal redirect?

]]> a905820e28caa49d5eb4019cf79f46c9 john springer started the topic My 12 hour progress video. in the forum Recording Your Saxophone https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/my-12-hour-progress-video/ Sat, 23 Feb 2019 00:23:06 -0800 Here is my 12 hr Progress video. It includes Amazing Grace and a fingering exercise using the C maj scale

]]> 6cf245381748c6721df4e0d62f5e9fd5 john springer replied to the topic Help needed to download recordings. in the forum Recording Your Saxophone https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/help-needed-to-download-recordings/page/2/#post-82374 Fri, 22 Feb 2019 07:00:59 -0800 Youtube will not allow me to upload audio only file. Says I need to upload as a video. What free video software do you guys use to create your video on a PC running Windows 8

]]> 5c6203abdfe450e209786a5411238e85 john springer replied to the topic Amazing Grace download? in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/amazing-grace-download/#post-82371 Fri, 22 Feb 2019 05:47:39 -0800 Clear and concise answer. Makes perfect sense now. Thank you.

]]> 107a9f5febbc98c4f33572959aa66c48 john springer replied to the topic Amazing Grace download? in the forum Repertoire https://www.howtoplaysaxophone.org/forums/topic/amazing-grace-download/#post-82315 Thu, 21 Feb 2019 06:01:55 -0800 I am wondering why Amazing Grace written with a G Major key signature when there is not an F/F# in the song? Since there are no sharps or flats in the song, why is this not just called the key of C? It it because of the tonic? Did I answer my own question? Seems funny to play to a song in some key without fingering any sharps or flat from that key…[Read more]

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