MATTHIAS'S
SAXOPHONE LESSONS

June 3, 2025​

​​

Hi Matthias -

​

**Our recital is this Sunday, June 8 at 3:30pm in the lower level recital hall**

Your piece for the recital-

Your arrangement of Merry-Go-Round of Life for saxophone duet

​

​​

Things to remember:

• The sound "cutting off" typically indicates that your reed is too soft (or the correct strength of reed has become too soft from playing)

• Make sure to have your top teeth sitting firmly on top of the mouthpiece - this is an important point of stability

• You can experiment with the amount of mouthpiece in your mouth (i.e. the placement of your top teeth on top of the mouthpiece). Too much mouthpiece in your mouth = shouting, only loud; Not enough mouthpiece in your mouth = pinched, small, shutting off.

• Think of supporting the mouthpiece with the corners of your mouth flexing in (instead of your jaw muscles flexing up/down)

• Try to move your fingers a bit more nimbly and lightly - yes, you need to close the keys thoroughly, but you don't want to make your fingers work so hard. Focus on minimizing the distance your fingers have to travel to close the keys (pretend that the skin of your fingertips is glued to the pearls).

​

​

LESSON ASSIGNMENT

 

- EXERCISES section: Use the Key Signature Review link 

​

​-Essential Elements 

​

I'm searching out some new tunes for you - stand by!

​​​​