Blog
Music and Approach
These articles focus on insights Josh thinks are missing in the conversation.
Gamer Headphone Review: Astro A50 4th Gen
Then I made a terrible mistake. I plugged my Sennheiser's into my Xbox series x, and it was over. I couldn't go back to my chorded cheap over-the-ear headphones. I remember how clean and clear the background sounds and crisp highs became. I needed quality gaming headphones, which is how I began my love-hate relationship down the road of headphone collecting. My next purchase… the Astro Gaming A50 base station 4th gen. Over a year later, I'm happy it's what I went with.
Increase your technique without tension
Technique is the great equalizer. No one naturally plays Minor 6ths at 154 beats per minute. No one maintains their scales and arpeggios after checking off the box and never touching them again. Technique ebbs and flows; musicians constantly work towards it, just like a basketball player drills the free throw line or a marksman goes to the range. There are countless books that help develop these skills.
You’re A Musician - Watch The Grammys
Apologies for the clickbait title but hear me out. It's easy to ignore the importance of an award show. Flippantly scoff at your lack of interest in the talent or comment about the celebrity elite basking over themselves and their accomplishments. I remember in college sitting in my dorm room watching the Grammys only to realize the next day I was the only one that watched the night before, and not a single person seemed to care about any of the results. Was I crazy for idolizing these musicians?
5 things to consider before committing to your music school
Josh gives his advice on important factors to take into account before choosing your music school.
A Technique Book You Will Actually Want to Read: Wolkowski Book Review
Sara Anna Wolkowski's book Saxophone Technique sets a new standard for character and tone in technique books. A fun and quirky read that not only breaks down fundamentals for new players but provides a refreshing explanation for systems that even the most seasoned saxophonist takes for granted. This book is a unique read.
Soundbrenner Pulse: Gimmick or Godsend?
When I decided to take the leap and try out the Sound Brenner Pulse, I had no idea how I would react, adjust, or get annoyed. I can pleasantly say it provided me with a constant unconscious reminder of the downbeat (and everything in-between).
5 REASONS TO GO MUSIC ED AND 3 REASONS NOT TO
Josh gives his perspective on what to consider when deciding to pursue a music education degree
Dan Graser and the Origins of Chops
When the music world went on sabbatical during the COVID-19 pandemic, Graser switched gears and began a new project—fleshing out ideas in his studio and plugging away with the music notation software Sibelius, synthesizing a much-needed update for the saxophone. What resulted was three volumes and nearly 1,000 pages of saxophone exercises and analytic studies that you can practice until your fingers go numb. Chops 221 Full Range Fundamentals and Technical Exercises for the 21st Century Saxophonist (2021)is over 350 pages of humbling fundamentals containing the patterns and building blocks needed to extend your range and technique as a player.
PRISM Quartet and Joe Lovano’s “Forbidden Drive” is Refreshing Rep
Josh reviews PRISM Quartet’s newest single “Forbidden Drive” featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Joe Lovano.
7 Pieces of Sax Gear I am Obsessed With
Josh recommends 7 items he uses for daily practice.
5 Things to Consider When Building Your Saxophone Warm-up
A warm-up gives you focus, a sense of control and helps you improve as a player. In this article, I address five ideas to keep in mind when incorporating a warm-up into your practice routine.
Sennheiser HD 599 Headphones Review
What if I told you, you haven’t seen a color? You come over to my house, walk into my kitchen, look at a backsplash, and ask, what color is that? I look at you and say Blue. Only your response is, “Blue… blue can look like that?” That is what happened when I put on the Sennheiser HD 599 headphones, and I assure you, I thought I was going to be overpaying for a middle-of-the-road sound experience.
7 Tips for Getting a Gig
unless you are holding out hope that a record exec is going to stumble upon you in an empty bar and give you your Cinderella story. So let me give you 7 authentic pieces of advice to help you find your own magic wand. (Yes, these are in order)
Stop Wasting Money on Reeds
Stop waisting your money burning through reeds. Josh walks you through his 4 step process of breaking in reeds to get the most out of your money.