Hi Paul!

I am also a sax player from Canada, and I was just interested in knowing what brand of sax you play. And I had another question too. I was just at the Ripps website, looking at the Topaz tour pictures. I found one of you setting up (or packing up) at sunrise, FL. The url is http://www.rippingtons.com/sunrise/index.html

It's the picture in the top right corner. I notice you putting a pad protector into the main body of your sax, but there's something else already in the bell. What is it, and what does it do?

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Mike Chase
mike_intel@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/ac_bits/

hey mike,

it's been a while since anyone has posted...starting to feel like the creature in the picture in the upper left hand corner, hahaha. i guess it's time for a different picture there.

mike, i'm playing a selmer mark vi alto / yamaha soprano yss-62.
in the bell of my alto, i keep the neck. it's in it's own pouch...protects the neck and in the bell is a good storage space for it. do you use the 'shove-it' swab w/ your horn(s)?

peace,

pt

Hi Paul!

My alto is a Yanagisawa A900 pro. I do have the 'Shove-It' swab; one of my friends calls it a pad protector. My case is a really nice leather one with space for the neck seperately, so I don't have to keep it in the bell. Do you have any other tips for keeping the sax clean and in good condition? I use a brush for the neck and for the mouthpiece, and I have one of those cloth pads on a string to clean out the inside of the horn.

I haven't heard your solo stuff, or even Topaz (other than clips on CDNow, which doesn't show enough), but I am certainly interested.

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Mike Chase
mike_intel@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/ac_bits/

[This message has been edited by Mike Chase (edited May 26, 2000).]

Mike,

There are real audio sounds of Paul's linked from each of his discs on his site. You should check them out.
www.paultaylorsax.com

D

[This message has been edited by double_d (edited May 26, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by double_d (edited May 26, 2000).]

...well said, double d and thanks!

mike, sounds like you take real good care of your equipment! good for you i mainly rely on the pad-saver for mine and frequent trips to my horn repairman, chuck kessler i'm kinda proud of my case...it's a leather reunion blues double bag for my alto and soprano.

later,

pt

Paul,
Just visiting your site, looking for any new tour dates (especially ones on the east coast, like Virginia)! Really enjoying your new cd UNDERCOVER, very smooth. It was great getting to meet you in D.C. Wish you all the best and continued success with your music career!
Tanya

hey tanya,

if you want to want to experience paul in his finest groove, check him out at six flags in largo, md, on the 4th of july. i've been a 'pt' fan since his early days and being on the road myself 90% of time each year, i have the good fortune of getting my groove on when he performs with his own band (check out jeff lewis on the drums... he brings down the beat and rocks!) and with the ripps. my personal best last year was 11 times, from coast to coast and "at sea". so far this year, i've seen his performances 4 times. the really cool thing about paul is that he loves the music and it shows in every gig... and he loves his fans, always makes time for them (even the "repeat offenders" like moi!) so if you want real sparks on the 4th...check him out! i'll be in town, so, you know i'll be there.

peace,

gwenn

tanya and gwenn, thank you so much!!

hopefully more tour dates will come as 'undercover' does it's thing in the marketplace and on radio. i'm very happy with the way things are going this year. i'm living my dreams getting to record and play for fans like you!

peace,

paul

Hi Paul!

I had a couple other questions, some about equipment, and some not.

1) What brand of reeds do you use? I noticed it was 2 1/2 strength on the alto, which is what I play best with, but what brand? Right now I'm just on Rico student reeds.

2) What is your setup for sax mics? Are they wireless? How expensive are those things?

3) Do you know of any musicians out there now in the jazz/contemporary jazz world who DON'T have university degrees in music? I finished my grade 9 piano with Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music, and got a mark of 90%, after which I promptly quit formal lessons and got more into jazz and modern church music. I still love music and play a lot, and would seriously consider pro music, but without the university degree.

I'm starting computer science in the fall at the University of Waterloo. I was fortunate enough to get the residence that also contains the music faculty. I will play sax in the university jazz band every term I'm at the school, and hope to start my own band as well from people I meet. I'll also be taking the courses the school offers about the physics behind music and the technical side of music, like the recording process and midi setups and all that.

I also pretty much live music. I'm always playing songs in my head, have done some composing and frequently make up tunes on my own that I don't write. I also play from my soul instead of from a page. I can even practice the sax without having the instrument. Last week, I was walking down the street home from work and reviewing some songs that I'm playing in a recital in my head, moving my fingers to the right notes. When I picked up my sax last night, I was playing the songs right, and I'd never played them before

Do you think that people like me have a chance of succeeding in today's world? What does it take?

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Mike Chase
mike_intel@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/ac_bits/

[This message has been edited by Mike Chase (edited June 02, 2000).]

hello mike,

1) i'm using vandoren v16 2 1/2 on alto and rico plasticover 3 1/2 on soprano.

2) right now, i use shure wireless lx series. (affordable) just got the shure uhf series, (expensive) which i'll incorporate soon! in the studio, the akg c49, and neumann's (very expensive) work for me.

3) i don't know any specifically right now...but i'm sure there are many.

looks like you are on your way, learning, meeting and networking. hard work and determination along w/ keeping sight of your goals and dreams no matter what anyone says, works for me.

peace,

paul

hello mike,

1) i'm using vandoren v16 2 1/2 on alto and rico plasticover 3 1/2 on soprano.

2) right now, i use shure wireless lx series. (affordable) just got the shure uhf series, (expensive) which i'll incorporate soon! in the studio, the akg c49, and neumann's (very expensive) work for me.

3) i don't know any specifically right now...but i'm sure there are many.

looks like you are on your way, learning, meeting and networking. hard work and determination along w/ keeping sight of your goals and dreams no matter what anyone says, works for me.

peace,

paul

Wow!

I want to really applaud you, Paul, for being the ONLY professional on this board to consistantly reply to all posts that fans put up in a consistant short time. Some of the other artists do reply, notably Scott Wilkie and Tony Morales, but not as fast as any of us would like. Thanks alot for caring about your fans.

I will check out Shure mics. It's not on my immediate budget, as I'd like to actually start a more permanent band first than the quartet at my church that just pulls together occasionally when people need a band (it's only happened twice so far), but there's nothing wrong with pricing them out now and watching for sales/new products.

Thanks a lot

Hopefully a future Ripp =)
Mike Chase

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Mike Chase
mike_intel@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/ac_bits/

Woah!

I just went to http://www.shure.com/wllxidx.html to check out the lx series, and I'm a little confused by the products. From what I understand, you need 3 parts to the system: a transmitter, receiver, and mic. Am I right?

What's the difference between a body-pack transmitter and a handheld transmitter? Are bodypacks ones that you can clip on a beltloop or pocket or something? And are the rack mount kits simply something to add your receiver to a rack of other audio equipment? In the lx receivers, what's the difference between the single and diversity models (besides an obvious two channels instead of one)? And what mic are you using in the lx series? The only one there is headworn.

Just for info, about how much would all this fabulous stuff cost?

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Mike Chase
mike_intel@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/ac_bits/

[This message has been edited by Mike Chase (edited June 02, 2000).]

mike,

shure mics are good, and so are other brands as well. shop around. sounds like you are ready for an entry level wirless system that won't break the bank. hey, my first shure wireless unit i bought used looking through the newspaper. i used it on my 'big breaks' w/ jeff lorber and keiko matsui.

yes, there are 3 major parts.

a handheld transmitter is a microphone w/ the trans. built in it. on/off switch, etc.. (i'm pretty sure)
you're right about the bodypacks...they clip on to whatever. you're right about the rackmount kits, too. my mic is either an sm 98 or an wm 98. i'm afraid to say how much it costs now...especially in canada, so check your local music store or mail order music gear catalog.

paul

Gwenn,

Thanks for the information! I have only had the privilege of seeing paul perform w/his band once and that was about 4-5 years ago(and he rocked the place), but have seen him several times w/the ripps. I agree w/u about his devotion to his fans, he is one super nice guy!! Hope to make it to largo in July to see all the fireworks!!!

peace,
Tanya

tanya,

great! hope to see you there. i just got in from the capital jazz fest..what a blast! the only thing missing was 'pt'. people were talking about him all over annapolis - he rocked the house his last visit! (paul, your ears have got to be on fire

ttfn...

gwenn

Hey everyone!

My sax was broken last week, but I took it in to a music store on friday, and the guy there (who is also a great player, judging from the little bit he played on mine to test it out) fixed it in 15 minutes for free. And I got a new box of reeds.

Paul, you recommended the Top Tones book, right? I'm going to order it tonight.

------------------
Mike Chase
mike_intel@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/ac_bits/

Gwenn,

So you went to capital jazz fest, wanted to go, but had prior engagements, which i would have cancelled had 'pt' been on the lineup. He is a hot item and glad to hear that he is what the buzz is all about, hopefully, that will bring some more east coast venues for us 'pt' fans

peace,
Tanya

hey everyone. glad to hear i'm not the only pt fan who really appreciates his work. i try to hit every local performance i can in southern california. the farthest i've traveled to see paul is las vegas and arizona. i was fortunate to see him and his band perform at city of lights jazz festival in april and in may, newport beach jazz fest. hit a lot of concerts last year. i was suprised not to hear more comments on the bulletin about his recent perfomances, especially when nothing but postives were spoken of him in the audience. paul really knows how to capture a audience. personally, i think venues should provide oxygen tanks at the door for the ladies. i love jazz, but it's something about being in the midst of paul's performance live. he is so talented and he put's his heart and soul into that sax. i've turned a few of my friends onto paul's music too, but who can help it. gwenn, i'm one of paul's private dancers too! i thought i held the record of getting on stage, actually i stopped counting, but you're tops! isn't it great! i was shy the first couple of times, but you end up having so much fun. isn't it funny how paul completely keep his composure. paul's probably tired of seeing me on stage. tanya, you're right about paul caring for his fans. out of all the times i have seen him, he always has time to speak w/me. i'm always greatful to meet him and feel really special that he know who i am. he's one of the coolest artists i've ever met (his band is down to earth too!) by the way, did you see the tour date lineup. don't know if i can keep up! well, i just had to get my say in. i think paul is going to exceed his expectations and he deserves all the success. so hold on ladies we are in for a ride! when i think of jazz, i always think of paul taylor first, he's the best. hey paul, you forgot the posters!
chandra

wow! this topic is starting to 'blaze'...love it!

thanks everyone and to mike, who got it started...and the ladies are all that! nice post, and welcome, chandra.

paul

Chandra,

your post just about sums it all up, I couldn't have said it any better myself! I too am surprised that there are not more responses on pt's great performances. I saw the tour date lineup and looks like he may be my way in July (yeah)! The guys on the west coast/Fl. are truly the lucky ones for now! I havent had the opportunity to personally meet his band yet, but hope to in the near future. Looks like we need to start our own topic(haha)! cya!

Paul, as the inside joke goes " u r" (lol)

Tanya

hey paul. thanks for welcoming me to the pt fan family. i'm honored! i see you're scheduled for the jazz cruise in NY this month. i hear that a patch to control motion sickness is pretty effective. you can get a prescription from your doctor. i'm sure you don't want to experience that again. besides, we want you physically well when its our turn to see you perform.

tanya, looks its up to us to keep this bulletin blazing! where are the paul taylor t-shirts! sounds like a nice project to start.

Hello Paul,

It has been great to read your responses to Mike Chase regarding saxophone equipment. You have given great insight to me regarding equipment and set-ups.

I am a returning sax player. I played in high school and college and then drpooed out for almost 20 years. I've been playing again for about 2.5 years now. My set-up is all LA Sax with an LA615 Sporano, a LA800 Tenor and LA Sax metal mouthpieces. I was wondering if you could suggest any publication that would help improve sight reading? This for me, has been the most frustrating aspect of learning the art of playing the saxophone again. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, your show at the Newport Beach Jazz Festival in May was great! That was the first opportunity I had to see you with your band. I really like your music and the style in which you present it. Thanks for one of the best sets at the festival.

[This message has been edited by Tyree (edited June 22, 2000).]

hi tyree,
to improve your sightreading, any sheet music you can get your hands on will do. there's a series of 3 books by lennie niehaus that are really good. they're jazz etudes, beginning- intermediate-advanced.
thanks for checking out my show in newport beach and visiting my bulletin board here at magic island!
peace,
paul