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  • Nicole Johaenntgen, Ep 270; Rhythm as the Foundation for Great Sax Solos

    Nicole Johaenntgen, Ep 270; Rhythm as the Foundation for Great Sax Solos
    2026/06/04
    Nicole Johänntgen joins Donna on Episode 270 of The Everything Saxophone Podcast! Nicole is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, educator, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential saxophone creators on social media today. In this conversation, she shares her musical journey, teaching philosophy, and practical insights for saxophonists looking to improve their playing and creativity. In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 Musical beginnings 04:40 Nicole's tip for improving your saxophone technique 07:11 Coming from a classical background 08:36 Her introduction to saxophone 10:48 Her 360 Degree approach to teaching that involves the whole body/mind 12:31 Jazz is a skill for life 15:01 How her journey to composing started 17:30 What inspired Nicole to play so rhythmically 23:54 Playing with the time/timing 32:17 Listen and reflect to 'Pandeiro' 38:50 Her scooping technique 44:53 Moving to New Orleans 53:55 Upcoming projects Explore more about Nicole Johaenntgen, her music, background, and socials, all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/nicole-johaenntgen-ep-270-rhythm-as-the-foundation-for-great-sax-solos ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Become a Patron today! 🥳 Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill levelThe trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available 👉 HERE
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    1 時間 7 分
  • Saxophonist & Educator Dale Underwood on Sound, Discipline & Building a Lasting Career, Ep. 269

    Saxophonist & Educator Dale Underwood on Sound, Discipline & Building a Lasting Career, Ep. 269
    2026/05/14
    Classical saxophone icon Dale Underwood joins us for Episode 269 of the Saxophone Podcast. A frequent guest soloist with major orchestras including the Boston Pops Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra, Dale Underwood has built one of the most respected careers in the saxophone world. From Carnegie Hall performances to decades with the United States Navy Band, his influence on classical saxophone performance and education continues to inspire generations of musicians. In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 Musical beginnings 04:34 Dale Underwood's beginning teachers 05:45 Fun fact about Dale's high school performance 10:42 Horns he used through the years 19:07 What Dale's teacher said that changed his playing forever 20:15 The #1 way Donald Sinta motivated Dale during lessons 23:12 Exercises from Sinta that Dale still does today 29:11 Pete Christlieb quote 32:47 Fondest memories from touring the Western states 34:47 How he started getting commissioned works 46:16 Setup when it comes to reeds 53:53 Navy band symposium 01:01:27 Exercise he does with his students 01:03:27 Mouthpiece he has used for the last 30 years 01:09:50 Upcoming project Explore more about Dale Underwood: his music, background, and socials, all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-educator-dale-underwood-on-sound-discipline-building-a-lasting-career-ep-269 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Become a Patron today! 🥳 Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill levelThe trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available 👉 HERE
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    1 時間 24 分
  • Saxophonist Christoph Irniger: Finding Your Voice in Modern Jazz, Ep. 268

    Saxophonist Christoph Irniger: Finding Your Voice in Modern Jazz, Ep. 268
    2026/04/23
    What does it really take to find your sound in today's jazz world? In Ep. 268, saxophonist Christoph Irniger shares his journey; from his musical beginnings to developing a personal voice through composition, tone, and deep listening. Below is a detailed timestamp to guide your listening: 00:00 Musical beginning 11:30 Books that helped his playing 13:32 Artists that inspired him 26:10 Feeling rhythm and the pulse 27:36 Writing and playing his own compositions 29:59 Swiss jazz scene 36:14 Utilizing the online world in exposing his work 45:09 How he came up with the title "Dry Sensation" 46:05 Listen to "Dry Sensation" 54:31 A tip for using long tones to get into the changes 55:35 Joe Allard tone exercise 57:01 Listen and reflect to "Abandoned Eggs In a Pan" 01:09:39 Listen and reflect to Bluesetto 01:15:11 His new album "New Lines" and where to get it 👉 Explore more about how Christoph Irniger, explore practical concepts you can bring into your own playing, such as long tone work, tone development, and approaching the changes with intention: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Become a Patron today! 🥳 Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes, hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos, even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation, so it works no matter your skill levelThe trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE
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    1 時間 27 分
  • Saxophonist Shawn Maxwell; How Being Different Propelled His Career, Ep. 267

    Saxophonist Shawn Maxwell; How Being Different Propelled His Career, Ep. 267
    2026/04/02
    How being different can actually be your biggest advantage. In Episode 267 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sat down with saxophonist and composer Shawn Maxwell to talk about carving your own path and why leaning into what makes you different can propel your career forward. Shawn shares his journey from classical beginnings to discovering improvisation, and how that shift reshaped his sound, mindset, and musical direction. ⬇️ We also get into the practical side of things: 00:00 How he got into music 09:22 Changes he did to get his sound 13:18 First time improvising as someone who started with classical music 19:15 What he did after graduating 22:32 Do this when networking 26:28 How to get a wider variance of sound 31:59 Writing and composing 39:19 Notation softwares 47:58 Don't be stuck in the past 15:14 How to network 55:45 Importance of communication between players 01:00:04 Friendship with Chika Inoue that lead to their collaboration for "Cats are Gods" 01:02:49 Listen and reflect to "Cats are Gods" 01:13:21 Tips on getting that open sound 01:19:01 Story behind "Reed Tire Earth" 01:20:17 Listen and reflect to "Reed Tire Earth" 01:30:26 How to be a well rounded musician 01:32:06 Advice for classical saxophonists 01:34:02 How to deal with negativity 01:36:13 Where can you find Shawn's works 01:43:12 Upcoming projects/shows ➡️ Explore more about Shawn Maxwell: his music, background, and socials, all in one place: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes, hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation, so it works no matter your skill levelThe trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it, and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE
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    1 時間 57 分
  • Saxophonist Steve Wilson; His Melodic Approach to Improvisation, Ep. 266

    Saxophonist Steve Wilson; His Melodic Approach to Improvisation, Ep. 266
    2026/03/19
    What does it mean to improvise melodically? 🎷 In this new episode, Donna sat down with legendary saxophonist Steve Wilson to talk about his melodic approach to improvisation, his decades-long career, and the musical ideas that continue to shape his playing. With more than 175 recordings and collaborations with artists like Chick Corea and Christian McBride, Steve shares invaluable insights for saxophonists and musicians alike. We also discuss his upcoming album Enduring Sonance, releasing May 1 on Smoke Sessions Records. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Introduction 02:59 Why Johnny Hodges is the perfect sound template 05:43 What a good sound really is 07:54 How he got into music 11:14 His first experience in teaching 14:36 How Oboe helped his embouchure and sound 15:49 When he started playing soprano sax 16:36 The easiest saxophone to play but hard to master 28:15 Learn things the right way and don't develop bad habits 31:00 His biggest influence 34:33 Moving to New York 39:13 Golden era of music shops 43:00 His first album 48:33 Adjusting your sound in the studio 55:49 How to get the best sound at a live performance 58:44 Listen and reflect to "Quiet Girl" 01:12:36 Steve's advice for uplifting your audience 01:14:11 Melody and the evolution of jazz education 01:25:07 Listen and reflect to "Helen's Song" Explore more about Steve Wilson-his music, background, and socials-all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-steve-wilson-his-melodic-approach-to-improvisation-ep-266 📌 Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill levelThe trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ CLICK HERE
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    1 時間 55 分
  • The Saxophone Warrior Chris Ward, Ep 265

    The Saxophone Warrior Chris Ward, Ep 265
    2026/03/05
    What does it really take to become a versatile, fearless saxophonist in today's music scene? In Episode 265 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sits down with Chris Ward, also known as The Saxophone Warrior, for a wide-ranging conversation about musicianship, discipline, creativity, and pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Find exactly what you're looking for in the episode by using the timestamps below: 00:00 - Musical background 09:23 - What made him pursue music school 12:20 - How to give constructive feedback 13:31 - Responsibilities of a good student 15:15 - Chris' teaching practice 18:15 - Tips for transcribing 21:49 - What made him go to New York 26:10 - Tips for getting wedding band gigs 28:41 - Being prepared for different gig scenarios 34:01 - Studying with Lenny Pickett 36:11 - Chris' routine for reeds 37:05 - Other great tips he learned from Lenny 43:09 - Getting into pedals and effects 51:46 - Multiphonics 01:01:30 - Gauge a gig before getting experimental 01:10:30 - How he came up with the name "Saxophone Warrior" 01:14:03 - Future plans/projects 01:19:08 - Sharing experiences at this year's NAMM ➡️ Explore more about Chris Ward—his music, background, and socials-all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophone-warrior-chris-ward-ep-265 Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill levelThe trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE
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    1 時間 41 分
  • Award Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone; Dr Randal Clark Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep. 264

    Award Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone; Dr Randal Clark Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep. 264
    2026/02/16
    What really makes a saxophone sound: the player, the lacquer… or even the stones? In Episode 264 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna Schwartz sits down live at the NAMM Show 2026 with Dr. Randal Clark to talk about the Award-Winning Black Sapphire Cannonball Saxophone and the exciting new releases from Cannonball Instruments. ⬇️ Jump to your favorite moments using the time markers below: 00:00 Introductions 00:36 The challenge of creating a beautiful blue finish 01:21 The new 30th Anniversary Black Sapphire Cannonball Sax 02:15 How does lacquer affect the sound 03:57 How the necks for The Big Bell Stone series are unique 05:39 Paul Taylor cameo 03:24 The new Midnight Alto Sax and the effects from the powder in the lacquer 07:05 The difference between the matte black finish on the Raven vs the finish on the Midnight 08:11 The new Black Ruby alto sax 08:56 The importance of the Cannonball Instruments looking beautiful 09:17 The Cannonball Instruments stones and the importance of the density 10:18 The effect the ligature has on your sound Become a Patron today! Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as: ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode ✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else! Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month! Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔 To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music? That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence." Inside, you'll discover: How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill levelThe trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense. Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE
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    12 分
  • The New Trevor James Soprano and Baritone Saxophones; Sandro Massullo Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep 263

    The New Trevor James Soprano and Baritone Saxophones; Sandro Massullo Live at the NAMM Show 2026, Ep 263
    2026/02/13
    Trevor James Saxophones unveils exciting new models at the NAMM Show 2026! In this episode, Donna sits down with Sandro Massullo to explore the brand-new Soprano EVO Intermediate Saxophone, the upcoming Pro Model prototype, and the impressive Low A Intermediate EVO Baritone Sax. Donna shares what she personally loves about the Trevor James plus we also take a closer look at the thoughtfully designed bari sax case!

    00:00 Introductions
    00:47 The new Soprano EVO Intermediate Saxophone
    01:56 The new Pro Model Saxophone - prototype
    02:01 What Donna loves about the Trevor James saxes
    02:39 The new Bari Sax Low A Intermediate EVO Model
    03:37 How the Trevor James Bari Sax has stability on the keys
    04:11 The Trevor James Bari Sax case
    05:12 Where you can find the Trevor James saxophones

    Explore more about Trevor James Saxophones and their socials-all in one place:

    https://saxophonepodcast.com/the-new-trevor-james-soprano-and-baritone-saxophones-sandro-massullo-live-at-the-namm-show-2026-ep-263

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    Become a Patron today!

    Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access?

    By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:

    ✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
    ✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
    ✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
    ✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!

    Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!

    Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔

    To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?

    That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."

    Inside, you'll discover:

    1. How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
    2. The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
    3. And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop

    Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.

    Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE
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    6 分