Saxophones and space shuttles….. what’s the connection?

If there are 1000 parts (for sake of argument) comprising a space shuttle and each of them has a 99.9% chance of working, then the chances for no malfunction is only about 37%.

By multiplying .999 by itself 1000 times without rounding, the true result is found, a 99.9% chance of working seems high, but if you counted on it being high enough, the crew might have piloted the spacecraft and met their doom in an explosion.

There are a lot of components to a saxophone too! Keys, pads, corks, rods, mechanics, etc.

If the pad in your octave key falls out, your saxophone won’t work right, even if you’re Kirk Whalum. That happened to me. I suppose I could have gotten some notes to play, but effectively it put the saxophone out of commission.

If the pad in your octave key falls out, your saxophone won’t work right, even if you’re Kirk Whalum.  That happened to me.  I suppose I could have gotten some notes to play, but effectively it put the saxophone out of commission.

Physically, the parts can limit your playing.

Your skills with the various elements of music can limit you too.  If you play perfectly, but it’s all too loud, you’re not going to be the right sax player for many situations.  Or if your technique and rhythm are perfect, but you don’t listen, there will also be catastrophes on the band stand.

Physically, the parts can limit your playing.

Your skills with the various elements of music can limit you too. If you play perfectly, but it’s all too loud, you’re not going to be the right sax player for many situations. Or if your technique and rhythm are perfect, but you don’t listen, there will also be catastrophes on the band stand.

Everything is connected to everything else!

That was written on the wall in my biology class in high school. He was a bit of a hippie, but I’m seeing that the statement is pretty true.

If there are 1000 parts comprising a space shuttle and each of them has a 99.9% chance of working, then the chances for no malfunction is only about 37%.

By multiplying .999 by itself 1000 times without rounding, the true result is found, a 99.9% chance of working seems high, but if you counted on it being high enough, the crew might have piloted the spacecraft and met their doom in an explosion.

There are a lot of components to a saxophone too!  Keys, pads, corks, rods, mechanics, etc.