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Russ Paladino, Saxophone Player Interview

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Growing up in the suburbs of New York, Russ Paladino’s musically inclined family was the perfect environment to catalyze his love for the saxophone.

He has performed with tons of people from Brian Setzer to Paul Schaffer. You can hear him with his bands and even in things like commercials for Oreos. You can check him out with the Sound Image Band.

I had known Russ through Sax Station and then met him in Nashville at the Inside Outside Retreat at Wooten Woods. Was fun to hear him play there.

This is my written introduction which probably should have been included in the video itself! It’s a bit of a learning process for me. Russ has some helpful things to say, so check it out!

Girl Playing Alto Sax, Drawing

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aimee_alto_sax

A quick sketch I did today. Have been drawing for about four years now. I used to draw when I was a kid, then stopped and came back to it. Probably not unlike some people with music.

Using simple lines but with varying thickness, you can express more. Something similar in music might be simple phrases, but changing the lengths of your notes and phrases.

“I was wondering the basics of playing jazz music on an alto saxophone”

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Joel
I was wondering the basics of playing jazz music on an alto saxophone
I play in a small jazz ensemble but we don’t get together enough for me to fully learn

Neal Battaglia
how long have you played?

Joel
3 years

Neal Battaglia
who do you listen to?

Joel
Like musicians?

Neal Battaglia
yes

Joel
I like Kenny G and Louie Armstrong

Neal Battaglia
Kenny G doesn’t really play jazz exactly. What he plays mostly is more pop music. He’s got skill, but if you’re trying to play jazz, I would suggest starting by listening to some different musicians.

Who do you want to sound like?

Joel
I want to be able to play like someone who is able to put soul in music

Neal Battaglia
like who?
it seems like you should listen to more jazz if that’s what you want to play it.

Listen to a lot of jazz, figure out who you like.

“I just really want to learn how to squeak like the bari from lucky chops”

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Alina
hey! I just really want to learn how to squeak like the bari from lucky chops

Neal Battaglia
you probably mean altissimo

Alina
ya, sorry

Neal Battaglia
that’s Leo P?
guy in Too many Zooz?

Alina
yep

Neal Battaglia
he’s good
how long have you been playing?

Alina
about 5 years

Neal Battaglia
how many days a week do you practice?

Alina
every day
I’m in music so…
still in high school

Neal Battaglia
have you played overtones before?

Alina
yep
well on my alto

Neal Battaglia
and you play bari too?

Alina
bari, tenor, and alto

Neal Battaglia
I would say do some overtones on bari

“I was trying to see some tips on how to keep your embouchure correct to prevent burning and swelling.”

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Your embouchure on saxophone should get to the point where you don’t think about it. That’s true of most of what you do on the saxophone. You develop your playing so that it becomes automatic.

If you do notice problems, like pain, you should be aware and adjust.

Ron
Hello Neal,

I’m a beginner alto saxophone player started by a band at my high school.

I was trying to see some tips on how to keep your embouchure correct to prevent burning and swelling.

Thank you!

Neal Battaglia
That doesn’t sound too good!

Maybe start by trying to relax

You shouldn’t be hurting yourself

“I play jazz and blues guitar, I was looking if I can start with saxophone!”

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Seems like this is a common question. Whether someone ‘can’ play saxophone. The answer is ‘yes’.

How fast your progress depends on many factors. A big one is whether you have played music before and what instruments and if they’re closely related to the saxophone.

The biggest factor might be whether you give up when things get difficult.

Dhruv Kabra
hola! I play jazz and blues guitar, I was looking if I can start with saxophone!

Neal Battaglia
why not?

Dhruv Kabra
i have no wind experience

Neal Battaglia
neither does anyone before they start

Dhruv Kabra
i have played harmonica
Some people sound good on saxophone quickly, within months even.

Others still don’t sound great after years of practice.
why did you write this

Neal Battaglia
because it’s true

Dhruv Kabra
why did you say that?
how did you conclude it?

Neal Battaglia
I have taught a lot of saxophone players

Dhruv Kabra
i have musical knowledge so it would be easy cause notes will be same
you mean to say there is inherent natural talent

Neal Battaglia
there is to some extent
but that’s not the only thing

Dhruv Kabra
how are the skills of david gilmour
pink floyd guitarist who taught himself the saxophone in his solo album
he wasnt technical but he made good music

Neal Battaglia
I’ll listen
seems to be decent
a lot of what people know about music transfers between instruments

“My c side key on the tenor goes down put won’t come back up. How do I fix it?”

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My c side key on the tenor goes down put won’t come back up. How do I fix it?

Do I need to tighten a screw, or what do I need to do to make it bounce up by itself again?

saxophone_low_c_spring_rods

-Bryce

That’s not what people generally call the C side key. I would call it the low C key.
The screws are on the ends of the rods.

Be aware that screws that are too tight can be a problem.

There should be a spring in a similar position to this,

saxophone_low_c_spring

 

saxophone_low_c_spring_zoom

Could be a screw or a spring.  Probably not expensive to get someone to fix though.

Sometimes that spring gets out of place, if so, you could just put it back where it should go.

If it was damaged, may need to replace the spring.

-Neal

Hulk playing saxophone! (drawing)

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hulk_saxophone_saxstation
I drew the Hulk playing saxophone!

Probably that would be like an over-sized tenor to be the right size for him. I have seen a bari neck that was like a tenor neck and straight altos and tenor before though.