Dr. Wally Wallace and Susan Fancher discuss creative strategies for saxophone performance and pedagogy.
5 Keys to a GREAT Rehearsal
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue share the secrets to a fun and productive rehearsal. Preparation, planning, patience and another word that doesn't start with "p".
2/2/2024 • 43 minutes, 45 seconds
Practice Secrets
We're back! Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue share practice secrets: 3 strategies to make your studio time more effective! There's also other nonsense, that's not a secret.
11/2/2023 • 43 minutes, 10 seconds
The Dark Tone
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about what constitutes a "dark" or "bright" sound and how we navigate the colors of tone. Looking for the Desmond sound? We got you.
6/12/2023 • 46 minutes, 4 seconds
Preparing for Recording!
Dr. Sue and Dr. Wally chat about recording for a recording session and answer your questions...well, some of them.
5/1/2023 • 55 minutes, 16 seconds
Soprano Double and Double Trouble
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about doubling on soprano and switching between classical and jazz mouthpieces.
4/11/2023 • 33 minutes, 51 seconds
Dead Reeds and Horn Upgrades
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue discuss the ethics of reed euthanasia and answer your questions!
3/19/2023 • 39 minutes, 6 seconds
Atomic Saxophone Habits
Dr. Wally and Sue talk about practice habits and answer your questions!
2/24/2023 • 50 minutes, 1 second
Lifelong Lessons and Practice time!
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue talk about being a lifelong learner and answer YOUR questions!
2/14/2023 • 37 minutes, 42 seconds
Selmer Christmas Supreme?
Dr. Wally and Sue chat about gift ideas for the beloved saxophonist in your life. Also, is the Supreme worth the money?!
12/25/2022 • 56 minutes, 11 seconds
Vibrato Legends
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue share recordings of what has influenced their vibrato and discuss performance and pedagogy!
12/12/2022 • 56 minutes, 33 seconds
Sax got Rhythm
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about rhythmic resources and answer listener questions!
12/3/2022 • 38 minutes, 17 seconds
Sax for the People!
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about performance opportunities, the price of quartet music, and answer YOUR questions!
11/18/2022 • 47 minutes, 44 seconds
The Deadly B
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue dive into the music of Alfred Desenclos, Honking Catastrophes, and strategies to hide one's poor intonation.
11/11/2022 • 48 minutes, 7 seconds
The $700 Ligature!
Wally and Sue chat about Vandoren's expensive new venture, practice mindset, and the music of Charles Koechlin! Check out the playlist of his saxophone music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eM83Hp1eEU
10/28/2022 • 50 minutes, 34 seconds
Accents and Accidents
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about articulation, accents, accidents, and Sue's never-ending obsession with Kenny G.
7/25/2022 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 39 seconds
Peak Practice (the summer shed)
Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about peak practice, artistry, and plenty of saxophonic nonsense. We also answer your question!
7/18/2022 • 43 minutes, 58 seconds
Summer Saxophone!
Dr. Wally and Sue catch up on all things saxophone and answer your questions!
6/13/2022 • 53 minutes, 36 seconds
Timothy McAllister!
Dr. Wally interviews concert saxophone virtuosos Timothy McAllister! We chat about his new line of mouthpieces, practicing, overtones, and much more nerdy goodness! Learn more about Dr. McAllister: https://timothymcallister.com
His new line of mouthpieces: https://backunmusical.com
6/6/2022 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 46 seconds
Jack from Boston Sax Shop
Dr. Wally chats with Jack Finucane, owner of the Boston Sax Shop about the launch of the Nexus saxophone, modern saxophone trends, and other nonsense. Check out the new line of saxophones here: https://www.nexussaxophones.com
2/20/2022 • 45 minutes, 34 seconds
Improvisation Everywhere
Dr. Wally and Sue chat about improvisation outside the jazz setting!
8/10/2021 • 38 minutes, 45 seconds
Money for Sax
8/2/2021 • 55 minutes, 38 seconds
Tango and the Tongue
Dr. Wally and Sue chat about saxophone fundamentals, and check out a NEW album from the Nexas Saxophone Quartet!
Check out Sue's recording of Enveloped (free download):
https://youtu.be/2kVfd3nBpcg
Thanks to Key Leaves for sponsoring us! Get a huge discount here:
https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount
Check out the Nexas Quartet!
https://www.nexasquartet.com
7/26/2021 • 43 minutes, 12 seconds
Flying Fingers
Dr. Wally and Sue chat about flying fingers and answer your questions!
Preorder the NEW 56 Select (alto and tenor): https://www.windycitywoodwinds.com/products
Huge Thanks to Key Leaves, get a sweet discount on the most innovative saxophone accessories here: https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount
7/19/2021 • 41 minutes, 1 second
BeBop N' Bach
Dr. Wally and Sue talk about improvisation, the benefits of classical study, and answer your questions! Huge thanks to our sponsor, Key Leaves! Follow the link for a big discount on the coolest sax accessories: https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount
Download "Enveloped" by Jenni Watson: https://www.thesaxophoneacademy.com/podcast
7/12/2021 • 52 minutes, 20 seconds
Chops Supreme
Wally and Sue chat about the Selmer Supreme, "Chops" by Dan Graser, and answer listener questions!
Download our first commissioned composition by Jenni Watson, "Enveloped" - https://www.thesaxophoneacademy.com/podcast
Thanks to our Sponsor, Key Leaves! Check out the best saxophone care products and get the Academy discount! - https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount
7/5/2021 • 35 minutes, 27 seconds
Big Practice Little Time
Sue and Wally chat about a cool new gear, a new record from Alexa Tarantino, and answer your questions!
Check out our sponsor for a BIG discount on our favorite accessories, Thanks Key Leaves! https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount
Alexa Tarantino's new album: https://alexatarantino.com/product/firefly-cd/
6/28/2021 • 46 minutes, 48 seconds
Saxophone Reboot!
Dr. Wally and Susan Fancher are back! Check out this week's sponsor for 20% off one of our favorite saxophone accessories:
https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount
6/21/2021 • 36 minutes, 24 seconds
Valentine Gear
Wally and Sue chat about our winter love for new saxophone gear and have some recommendations! We dive into the mailbag and answer listener questions, and if YOU have a question, hit us up: thesaxophoneacademy@gmail.com
Eastman 52nd Street Alto Review: https://youtu.be/2ubnuEPNaVg
Otto Link Alto Review: https://youtu.be/L5crDIqcNMU
2/18/2020 • 33 minutes, 55 seconds
Virtuosity and the Blues
Sue and Wally talk about a new recording from concert saxophone virtuoso Timothy McAllister, some cool new products, and helping your beginning students navigate the blues. Wanna look good and stay warm? Check out our new Saxophone Academy hoodies!: https://www.teepublic.com/user/saxacademy
McAllister CD: https://www.amazon.com/Connesson-Trane-Concerto-saxophone-orchestra/dp/B07P5TJP6P
Gap Cap: https://keyleaves.com/products/gapcap
12/3/2019 • 48 minutes, 21 seconds
Episode 18: Tips, News, and Reviews!
Wally and Sue chat about upcoming industry events, some saxophone product news, and a new CD from Matt Olson. We dig into the mailbag and answer listener questions. Hit us up with questions! thesaxophoneacademy@gmail.com
Matt Olson: http://originarts.com/oa2/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=22167
Vandoren Competition: https://app.getacceptd.com/veacompetition
Recordings Referenced in the episode,
Dan Higgins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlYRNBXygUc
Paul Desmond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3M6Mkn-nOs
11/14/2019 • 51 minutes, 58 seconds
Pumpkin Spice Reeds
Wally and Sue chat about industry news, a new CD by Dave Camwell, and dive into the mailbag. In the podcast community news:
Sean Imboden's Etude Book: https://www.seanimboden.com/store
Dave Camwell's Second Wind: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/dave-camwell/279898753?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Benjamin Crouch's Marcello transcription: https://www.reddit.com/r/Saxophonics/comments/d5xror/alessandro_marcello_oboe_concerto_in_d_minor_i/
Reed Pop Test video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwasCPKkzAg
New Selmer Mouthpiece: https://www.selmer.fr/instruinfo.php?page=NEW&groupe=comp
10/29/2019 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 40 seconds
Episode 16: Zen and the Saxophone
Wally and Sue chat about the debut album from Paul Nedzela, improving your intonation, and Zen in the Art of Archery. Support the podcast and stay warm this fall with NEW long sleeve tees and hoodies from the Saxophone Academy: https://www.teepublic.com/user/saxacademy
Check out Paul Nedzela's new album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/introducing-paul-nedzela-feat-dan-nimmer-david-wong/1465204357
Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition: https://veacompetition.com/
Zen in the Art of Archery: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Archery-Eugen-Herrigel-ebook/dp/B078WH2DJ5
10/15/2019 • 51 minutes, 56 seconds
Episode 15: Inner Game of Saxophone
Wally and Sue chat about back to school equipment, peak performance, military band auditions and the FIRST installment of the Saxophone Book Club! Support the podcast and look good while you're doing it with the NEW Saxophone Academy T-shirts, Hoodies, and Coffee Mugs!: https://www.teepublic.com/user/saxacademy
9/19/2019 • 56 minutes, 59 seconds
Episode 14: Slap Tongue Time
Wally and Sue chat about the fine art of slap tonguing, Wally's new vintage mouthpiece, the Bell Ring from Peak Performance Woodwinds, and answer questions from the mailbag. We also announce the new "Saxophone Book Club" segment (link below). Be sure to check out our cool new Saxophone Academy Merchandise! Support the podcast and look good while you're doing it: http://tee.pub/lic/HWBEoORKtjg
Peak Performance Woodwinds - Bell Ring: https://peakperformancewoodwinds.com/bell_rings
Book Club: https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Game-Tennis-Classic-Performance/dp/0679778314/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2KTTR42SGZPM6&keywords=inner+game+of+tennis&qid=1566919488&s=gateway&sprefix=inner+game+of+%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-2
8/27/2019 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 19 seconds
Episode 13: Practice Strategy, News, and Reviews
Wally and Sue chat about learning new music efficiently, Collider by the Donald Sinta Quartet, sticky keys, and dive into the mailbag!
8/3/2019 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 30 seconds
Episode 12: Overtones and Zoot
Wally and Sue discuss strategies for practicing Overtones, one of Wally's favorite jazz albums, and how to get great press photos (and why you want them). For a video demonstration of overtones discussed, check out the Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B--85zTtajI
7/12/2019 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 9 seconds
Episode 11: Frogs, Scales, and New Gear
Wally and Sue discuss strategies for structuring your practice session, Sue's CD pick of the week, a NEW mouthpiece from Vandoren, and tips for recording success. If you have questions, hit us up! wally@gatecitysax.com
6/28/2019 • 56 minutes, 38 seconds
Episode 10: Turbo Tongue
Sue and Wally discuss strategies for faster articulation, look at some cool new products, check out a NEW CD from Alexa Tarantino, and answer some questions from the mail bag!
Yamaha 62 Video review: https://youtu.be/t9TjBvmm8p4
Sax Spy Endplugs: https://saxspy.com
Alexa Tarantino: https://alexatarantino.com/projects/discography/
6/13/2019 • 54 minutes, 58 seconds
Episode 9: Transcribing, Marble, and Fuego
Wally and Sue chat about the process of jazz transcription, a limited edition mouthpiece from D'Addario, and a new CD from the Fuego Quartet! Check out the full video review of the marble Select Jazz:
https://youtu.be/_W6sYCrpT-g
5/30/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 8: Remembering Hemke
Susan Fancher earned three degrees with Fredrick Hemke during his 50 year career at Northwestern University. On this very special episode, Sue shares stories, memories, wisdom, and lessons learned from the giant of saxophone pedagogy.
Simple Gifts on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/simple-gifts/443490206
5/15/2019 • 1 hour, 57 seconds
Episode 7: Low tones, the showboat, and news!
This week Sue and Wally chat about low note strategies, a remarkable album by Phil Woods, and tips on building a better masterclass.
4/30/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 37 seconds
Episode 6: Practice Hacks and Legos
This week Wally and Sue discuss strategies to overcome technical challenges, dive into the pool of endless neck strap options, and Wally shares one of his all time favorite classical recordings.
Wally's CD Pick: https://amzn.to/2Ic48dV
SaXholder: https://amzn.to/2IeYCr1
BG Harness: https://amzn.to/2WNVWEV
4/4/2019 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 40 seconds
Episode 5: Tales from the Pro (Failure is an Option)
Sue and Wally discuss industry news, how we teach vibrato, a new recording featuring Alexa Tarantino, and share stories of failure!
Alexa Tarantino: https://amzn.to/2TgQRTl
Saxophonist's Workbook: https://amzn.to/2CryeXg
Upcoming competitions:
https://breckercompetition.org
http://boswinds.org/index.html
3/19/2019 • 59 minutes, 46 seconds
Episode 4: Reed Rituals
Sue and Wally discuss strategies for better reeds, check out a recording of the H2 quartet, chat about gigging, and answer listener questions! Huge thanks to this week's sponsor, Effiny Music:http://effinymusic.com
Yamaha Venova: https://amzn.to/2HaC1LO
H2 Quartet "Enrapture": https://amzn.to/2EsZZij
3/2/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 40 seconds
Episode 3: Warmups, Reviews and News!
Sue Fancher and Wally Wallace explore ways to find your perfect warmup routine, discuss a new Etude Book from Adam Larson, Review a recording from Jazz saxophonist JD Allen, and answer your questions! Huge thanks to our sponsor, Effiny Music, a boutique publisher of music for saxophone: https://effinymusic.com
JD Allen, Love Stone: https://amzn.to/2DD55Z5
Leaps and Sounds:http://adamlarsonjazz.com/store/49265464
Rousseau on articulation: https://youtu.be/NmTDTru0Hog
2/14/2019 • 55 minutes, 36 seconds
Episode 2: Practicing Less
Susan Fancher and Wally Wallace discuss the concept of practicing less (material, not time), review Stephen Page's new CD, share insights on Freelancing, and answer listener questions! A huge thanks to our sponsor this week: Effiny Music, a boutique publisher of awesome modern music for saxophone and saxophone quartet. Check out their catalogue at: http://effinymusic.com
1/31/2019 • 55 minutes, 21 seconds
Episode 1: Saxophone Resolutions
Saxophonists Susan Fancher and Wally Wallace discuss their saxophone goals for the new year, setting goals for students, and keeping ourselves and students motivated.
Learn more about Susan Fancher:https://susanfancher.weebly.com
Sue's story of Bach with Branford:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYpzbe6ns58