Better direction in terms of what I should focus on for a more efficient practice session
What specific feature did you like most about the membership?
Being able to get suggestions and critiques on my playing and what I can improve upon.
What would be 3 other benefits about this the membership?
Very unique lessons plans that are formulated based on my playing ability.
Fast response time to questions.
Effective critique/critical comments.
Would you recommend the membership? If so, why?
Yes, because it is a very helpful service to those who are trying to become more proficient on the saxophone.
Structure and a responsive teacher
1. What was the obstacle that would have prevented you from signing up for Navigating Chord Changes?
The feeling that (1) I might not persevere (the “joining the gym on the 1st January” syndrome, (2) I might find the lessons straying from my felt needs, (3) I had no sense of what exactly the course would enable me to do at the end.
2. What do you gain as a result of signing up for Navigating Chord Changes?
Difficult to say at this stage. I would comment that having a “tutor” does compel me to strive for goals, giving me a sense of obligation and a certain useful pressure. All to easy when learning alone to leave the difficult stuff and repeat ad nauseum what one already knows.
3. What specific feature did you like most about Navigating Chord Changes?
The structure and the sense of joining a group. Also the impression that there was a person at the other end what was contactable and responsive.
4. What are three other benefits about this class?
Structure, responsiveness of teacher, feeling that I had joined a group.
5.Would you recommend Navigating Chord Changes? If so, why?
Yes, if they feel they need a push, some structure, and help.
I gained knowledge about chord structures and harmony that I didn’t learn in other chord related lessons I’ve taken
I gained knowledge about chord structures and harmony that I didn’t learn in other chord related lessons I’ve taken. Also, a good portion of it reinforced what I had already learned and highlight the important aspects of chords.
I liked the flow of your lessons and the simplicity of your explanations.
What specific feature did you like most about Navigating Chord Changes?
Your in depth discussion of intervals.
Your explanation of the frequencies related to notes and intervals.
Working on a specific song using the knowledge gained by the course.
Yes, I would recommend the course. All beginning improvisors need to know what is contained in this course. The course is relatively inexpensive, readily available, and easy to understand.
I definitely recommend other beginners to get Saxophone Foundations
Awesome lessons. My girlfriend and daughter have notice a “hugh” improvement to my playing. The lessons are simple to follow and understand.
Great job in putting Saxophone Foundations together. A bonus of what I like most about Saxophone Foundations is there are lessons for the Alto and Tenor Saxophones, which I have both.
I definitely recommend other beginners to get Saxophone Foundations.
Timely feedback to questions
For me, the main obstacle was struggling over the decision to get another course that might conflict with the instruction I am taking through a private instructor.
Fortunately the information in Saxophone foundation augments the information I am getting through private lessons. The course is outlined and somewhat follows the format of private lessons but you can move at your own pace.
What do you gain as a result of signing up for Saxophone Foundations?
Increases exercises in using the upper register and notes.
This is a weak area for me and the additional work is being helpful
The CD examples are excellent because you can hear them in the context of the specific saxophone you are playing.
So many of the standard off the shelf music books from the major music education publishers used examples that cover multiple instrument training books.
The current Saxophone book my instructor is working me through has examples performed on a clarinet.
Three other benefits about this class:
– Self paced
– Timely feedback to questions. This is rarely the case from internet sources classes.
I have a great deal of experience with guitar lessons both private and via the internet and rarely do you get responses back as promised.
If you do it is days later which is not conducive to learning.
Would you recommend Saxophone Foundations?
Yes, particularly if they are considering private lessons and are somewhat disciplined. I just wrote a check for $100 for my November lesson fees. I could essentially get the same thing from your course. I must say it might not work for a young child trying to learn an instrument but if there is a commitment your course would be an excellent option.
The internet is full of websites or options for song focused training but for the saxophone I’m finding this isn’t the case so much.
You can find some limited stuff on You Tube but the quality is hit or miss.
Expert tuition, advise and information sharing
1. What was the obstacle that would have prevented you from signing up for Saxophone Foundations?
The cost and also the quality of the course.
2. What do you gain as a result of signing up for Saxophone Foundations?
Expert tuition, advise and information sharing.
3. What specific feature did you like most about Saxophone Foundations?
The visuals (diagrams), how things are explained and the history.
4. What are three other benefits about this class?
The portability,accessibility and the the different levels.
5.Would you recommend Saxophone Foundations?
Yes because of the above and also because is user friendly and does what it say’s on the tin.
6. Is there anything you would like to add?
Yes, to say thank you for making these courses available to people like me.
Best wishes
Good Foundations…reasonable price
After signing up for Saxophone Foundations, what has helped is I think trying slow down and listen and as I practice
It starts off by talking about listening and not just about the notes…I like the intro and go back to it now and then.
Good Foundations…reasonable price
It is good that you ask for advice on making it better and trying to find out what students want.
A good foundation with theory and practical exercise
1. What was the obstacle that would have prevented you from signing up for Saxophone Foundations?
No obstacle. Depends on what the cost is.
2. What do you gain as a result of signing up for Saxophone Foundations?
A good foundation with theory and practical exercise.
3. What specific feature did you like most about Saxophone Foundations?
Your approach and the lesson guide
4. What are three other benefits about this class?
Learning about Rhythm, Sound and Technique
5.Would you recommend Saxophone Foundations? If so, why?
Yes. Its an easy way to learn
6. Is there anything you would like to add?
Do you do any lessons virtually through Skype
Tops in my book
First of all, I have to say thank you for being a present and available teacher and not an invisible one . . . meaning, you just didn’t sell us the membership with the lessons but you also made yourself available to your students to answer their questions and give personal feedback and you stay in touch.
That is tops in my book and I so much appreciate that. So, Thank you.
Well designed with great explanations and examples
Hi Neal,
I used to play sax years ago and have decided to take it up again… I bought this course as a refresher… Because it was essentially review for me, I went through it fairly quickly… It is very well designed with great explanations and examples.. and I enjoyed going through it.. I am planning to get on your waiting list for Saxophone Tribe…
Thanks
My family believe that I have improved
I subscribed to a DVD course promising quick results and it was O.K. but shallow.
I am happy and enjoying my study of music theory and practice time. I also bought a hymn book which is simple to play and practice timing. Your emphasis on tone quality and rhythm seems right on. It helps to visually check myself. It was interesting that the HAM radio Morse code teachers preach the same sermon, keep your fingers on the key.
My family believe that I have improved. My Jack Russell terrier cries and gets in her kennel when I play.
I like the way is organized
1. What was the obstacle that would have prevented you from signing up for Saxophone Tribe?
First was the time, and some doubts about the way to learn sax on the web.
2. What do you gain as a result of signing up for Saxophone Tribe?
With the tribe, I have found a methodology to study and practice, and somebody who can help me on any doubt.
3. What specific feature did you like most about Saxophone Tribe?
I like the way is organized, and the day by day mailing pushing to move forward…
4. What are three other benefits about this service?
I can do by my own, at my time (at home!).
5. Would you recommend Saxophone Tribe? If so, why?
For sure, It is great!
6. Is there anything you would like to add?
Not by now… At this moment I have what I need. I would like to have more time to practice, but it is my problem!
For anyone who does not have a sax teacher, then the tribe is the place to go
For many days of the month I have no Internet access, and so on first glance it would appear to not be very useful for me…..
But what I get out of the tribe on the days I can get access more than makes up for it
I live on an island so cannot get access to a music teacher. With tribe, I get all you get from a teacher online. That is, practice routines, examples to work through, feedback on my recordings, but also I get to see and hear other sax player practicing and can learn from their work.
Definitely the fact there is a group of us, and you can compare your responses and recordings to those of other members. It is a great way to see how other musicians are working through the same things as yourself and to see how they approach it.
Feedback on the recordings is great, it’s good to have that to know where to go from there. The challenges are a great way of trying something new and giving you a bit of variety in your practice routine, even though I rarely get them in on time, they are still on the website to try in your own time, and the fact that Neal does great videos so you can see and hear what he is describing on the lessons.
For anyone who does not have a sax teacher, then the tribe is the place to go. It is not the only online resource I use but it is by far the most comprehensive in terms of getting you playing the sax and improving on the instrument.
Neal keeps it fresh with new ideas for lessons, new videos and different challenges. He clearly is passionate about they sax which has a positive effect when your following his videos or practicing the challenges. I’ll remain a tribe member for a long time yet!
With the flexibility of Saxophone Tribe, I knew I would not quit after the long delays
Fear of bring over my head would have stopped me…I had taught myself to read music and fingering and was not sure if I was still too much a beginner to join.
What do you gain as a result of signing up for Saxophone Tribe?
Feedback…sax is not an instrument you hear solo for a lot of songs or even long parts of songs today, so only people who play sax or are learning seem to like a full song done sax solo..so where else but a tribe of sax players could I get realistic feedback.
What specific feature did you like most about Saxophone Tribe?
I like that I can do or not do challenges…I have run into set backs like broken elbow, resp infections etc that completely stopped my playing for months…but with flexibility of sax tribe, I knew I would not quit after the long delays.
What are three other benefits about this service?
Ability to submit so my tone, timing, note reading are assessed;
Ability to listen to Neal and to other beginners and replay as often as I want to listen to those recordings;
Emails that remind me to check in…read and listen even if injury or illness or travel are preventing me from practicing
I would recommend Sax Tribe because it has best of both group and individual lessons.
The structure to flexibility balance is ideal for me.
Enjoyed the challenges and constant feedback
Thank you Neal
I have enjoyed your challenges and constant feedback, together with those additional personalised responses.
They add that cutting edge to your distance learning performance.
Regards
Neal is forever striving to improve the course
1. What was the obstacle that would have prevented you from signing up for Saxophone Tribe?
Being unsure of what the course was about- the fear of “embarking on a journey into the unknown!”
Should not have worried -this is a well structured course run by a very professional educator
2. What do you gain as a result of signing up for Saxophone Tribe?
A wealth of learning opportunities. You get the impression that Neal is forever striving to improve the course and not afraid to make dynamic changes to the course to suit his students.
An opportunity to interact with other learners, and hear about their specific obstacles
3. What specific feature did you like most about Saxophone Tribe?
The constant feedback and feeling that you were not alone in surmounting learning difficulties-that you were indeed part of a “tribe!”
The “challenges!”
4. What are three other benefits about this service?
- Value for money
- The effort is put in on your behalf
- The opportunity to have a critique on your recorded work
5.Would you recommend Saxophone Tribe? If so, why?
Yes, as it is an interactive distance learning course. It is so important to get such feedback when you are striving to improve
6. Is there anything you would like to add?
I will have no hesitation in endorsing the quality of sax station should you wish me to.
No, I just wish I had the energy to devote to another year of saxstation
A supportive environment to learn
The obstacle that would’ve prevented me from signing up would have been confidence.
I gain structure about learning and practicing some of the fundamentals of playing saxophone, inspiration to become a better player, learning heaps about technique from reading other people’s experiences and nothing seems irrelevant to what I’m trying to achieve either.
To be honest, I know that I’ve got to spend some more time to work out what the best feature is as I’m still going through the steps, but I’m very pleased that I continue to be included and reminded to participate every week. I love that I can send in what I’ve tried and get feedback within a short period of time.
It’s a supportive environment to learn within, feedback is very helpful from all and makes you very mindful of the your own style and how to improve it.
With the steps, I’m about to send though the Lindeman B to C and C to D. I’m really struggling with evening my intonation with both of these as it seems like I’m either very flat with B and C or sharp with D. Also, I’m hearing a lot of schmutz between B and C. I think I need to slow it down even further smooth out the transition.
I’ve also become mindful that when I’m playing songs, my pointer finger for F loves to shoot right up vertically – it seems almost involuntary! Maybe I need to start working on the Lindeman for F to G if I’m not jumping ahead?
I gained a number of new acquaintances who share a common goal–to become better saxophone players
The specific feature I like is your detailed feedback. I also like your critiques displayed to all because we can benefit from observing those critiques.
I gained a number of new acquaintances who share a common goal–to become better saxophone players. Also, I gained access to your educational materials and you, as an outstanding teacher.
Other benefits include:
- Quick turnaround of your feedback on our submissions
- Benefit from your teaching style, which is methodical and very detailed.
- Relatively inexpensive lessons
I would wholeheartedly recommend the Saxophone Tribe to others.
