Better Sax Podcast

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As the founder of BetterSax.com Jay’s mission is to help developing saxophone players break away from traditional music learning methods and discover a more efficient, practical and fun way to become a Better Sax player. The Better Sax YouTube channel’s videos have been watched by millions and thousands of students have made meaningful progress on their instrument thanks to Better Sax courses.

with Jay Metcalf


    • Apr 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 85 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Better Sax Podcast

    We Designed the Ultimate Bari Sax Mouthpiece for Beginners

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 3:48


    GET the NEW BetterSax Classic Mouthpiece for Baritone Sax https://geni.us/QSCuCA

    One Change Killed American Saxophone Manufacturing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 8:58


    Jay Metcalf explains how, over time, the USA stopped making saxophones entirely. #saxophone #selmer #bettersax

    Will Vinson Interview - Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2025 77:05


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Will Vinson #bettersax #saxophone #willvinson https://willvinson.com

    Classical Saxophone Taught Me These 3 ESSENTIAL Concepts

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 8:39


    Classical Saxophone Mastery Course https://bettersax.com/course/classica... Use Coupon Code: CSM20 to save 20%

    Making Average Sax Reeds Play INCREDIBLE

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 10:37


    Jay Metcalf gets his saxophone reed adjusted by the original Reed Geek, Mauro di Gioia #bettersax #saxophone #reedgeek Order a Geeklet Reed Adjustment Tool https://geni.us/geeklet

    Every Opportunity I Had Came From Jam Sessions - Tivon Pennicott

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 24:07


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Tivon Pennicott at the NAMM show 2025 #bettersax #saxophone #tivonpennicott @TivonPennicott https://tivonpennicott.com/

    Is Altissimo Overrated?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 7:38


    Jay Metcalf asks pro sax players what they think of the altissimo range of the saxophone at the NAMM show 2025 #bettersax #saxophone #selmer

    What's the Point of Your Sax Technique? - Jeff Coffin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 51:58


    Jay Metcalf interviews the great saxophonist Jeff Coffin at the Jazz Education Network Conference. #bettersax #saxophone #jeffcoffin @JeffCoffinOfficial

    I Asked Pro Sax Players if the Selmer Mark VI is Overrated

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 10:15


    Jay Metcalf asks pro sax players what they think of vintage Selmer saxophones at the NAMM show 2025 #bettersax #saxophone #selmer

    Beyond Technique: Kirk Whalum on Playing from the Heart

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 34:45


    Jay Metcalf interviews the great saxophonist Kirk Whalum at the Jazz Education Network Conference. #bettersax #saxophone #kirkwhalum

    How to Become a Better Sax Player in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2025 12:53


    Jay Metcalf lists 35 ways to get better as a saxophone player starting today. #bettersax #saxophone

    Overcome Your Musical Fears - With Ted Nash

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 46:52


    Jay Metcalf interviews the great saxophonist Ted Nash at the Jazz Education Network Conference. #bettersax #saxophone #tednash

    If You Want to Become a Great Sax Player… Do This

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 13:50


    Jay Metcalf explains the 6 micro skills all great saxophone players have mastered. #bettersax #saxophone #jazzimprovisation

    This Book Will Make You a Better Improviser

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 8:26


    Jay Metcalf reviews the new improvisation book by Vincent Herring #bettersax #saxophone #jazzimprovisation Logic and Critical Thinking in Jazz Improvisation Book by Vincent Herring https://geni.us/hlCnj

    TOP 10 SOPRANO Saxophone Players of all Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 13:32


    Jay Metcalf lists his top 10 soprano saxophone players. #bettersax #saxophone #sopranosax

    Solving Saxophone Puzzles with Ben Wendel

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 50:56


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Ben Wendel about his new book of etudes called Technitudes #saxophone #bettersax #benwendel Visit Ben's Website: https://www.benwendel.com/books

    STOP Practicing Scales - Do THIS Instead

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 7:06


    #bettersax #saxophone #scales Jay Metcalf teaches a jazz improvisation lesson about why chord tones are more important than scales.

    Listen To This if You're Over 40 and Play Saxophone

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 11:30


    Jay Metcalf explains why saxophone players over 40 have some advantages over younger musicians. #saxophone #bettersax #over40

    What Wayne Shorter Taught Me - Joel Frahm

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 51:57


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Joel Frahm during the Copenhagen jazz festival July 2024 #saxophone #bettersax #joelfrahm https://joelfrahm.com/

    Lakecia Benjamin is Unstoppable

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 56:32


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin during the Copenhagen Jazz Festival July 2024 #saxophone #bettersax #lakeciabenjamin

    How Long Does It Take To Learn Saxophone?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2024 8:27


    Jay Metcalf shows how he teaches adult beginner sax players for a fast and fun start. #saxophone #bettersax #beginner Songs listed in this video that are Pentatonic Scale based: “Superstition”, “Waiting in Vain”, “My Girl”, “Hotel California”, “Georgia on my Mind”, “Your Song”, and “I Want You Back”.

    A Saxophone Lesson at the University of North Texas with Brad Leali

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 42:02


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Brad Leali who is the professor of jazz saxophone at the University of North Texas #saxophone #bettersax #bradleali

    The 6 EASIEST Blues Heads You MUST KNOW

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 9:10


    #bettersax #saxophone #blues Jay Metcalf shows us the 6 easiest jazz-blues melodies that are essential to learn and how to learn them.

    Derek Brown Teaches Me How to Beatbox on Sax in 5 Minutes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2024 49:54


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Derek Brown and learns basic beatbox sax techniques. Visit Derek's Website https://derekbrownsax.com

    Why Troy Roberts Switched to a Modern Saxophone

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 15:59


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Troy Roberts at the Jazz Gallery in NYC. Visit Troy's Website https://troyroberts.com/

    9 Jazz Lessons You Need To Learn Earlier

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2024 9:41


    BetterSax Level-Up Weekend 11-12 May 2024 Manchester UK https://www.abworkshops.com/bettersax-levelup-weekend/ ===========================

    Why Camille Thurman Gave Up Music, and What Brought Her Back

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 49:08


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Camille Thurman. #saxophone #bettersax #camillethurman @camillethurmanmusic Visit Camille Thurman's Website https://www.camillethurmanmusic.com/

    How to Play Saxophone Until You're 100 - Don Braden

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 41:51


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Don Braden who tells us how he stays in great shape physically and mentally in order to enjoy making music into old age. #saxophone #bettersax #donbraden Visit Don Braden's Website https://www.donbradenjazz.com/

    How the Saxophone Changed His Life - Andrey Chmut

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2024 17:36


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Andrey Chmut. #saxophone #bettersax #andreychmut @andreychmutmusic

    Mark Gross: The Necessary Components for Jazz

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2024 37:52


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Mark Gross at the 2024 NAMM show #saxophone #bettersax #markgross http://markgrossmusic.com/

    The Charlie Parker Opera Lick

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2024 8:57


    Jay Metcalf teaches a jazz improvisation lesson about a quote from a famous opera Aria that Charlie Parker would often play #saxophone #bettersax #bebop

    Start Breaking These 7 Bad Saxophone Habits

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 11:38


    Jay Metcalf points out the 7 most common bad habits saxophone players make and how to correct them #saxophone #bettersax #badhabits

    A Musicians Perspective On Quitting Youtube

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2024 6:52


    Jay Metcalf offers his perspective on quitting YouTube as a musician. #saxophone #bettersax #quittingyoutube

    You Were Lied To About Improvisation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 10:13


    Jay Metcalf explains what improvisation really means and dispels some common myths about the subject #saxophone #bettersax #improvisation

    Why Are Mark VI Saxophones So Overpriced? Q + A 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2024 17:25


    A Saxophone Lesson at Juilliard with Bruce Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2023 22:56


    Jay Metcalf interviews Bruce Williams and gets a saxophone lesson from him at Juilliard. Bruce Williams on Facebook / bigsolid11 Jazz House Kids https://jazzhousekids.org/

    Why are JodyJazz Mouthpieces So Good?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 35:54


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Jody Espina, founder of JodyJazz mouthpieces. https://www.jodyjazz.com

    How to Play More Interesting Improvised Lines - with Chad Lefkowitz-Brown

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023 15:01


    Jay Metcalf has a discussion with saxophonist Chad LB about how to play more interesting improvised lines. https://jazzlessonvideos.com Use Coupon Code BETTERSAX to get an additional $5 off

    Vincent Herring - Carrying on the Alto Sax Legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 99:30


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Vincent Herring who is carrying on the legacy of great alto saxophonists in jazz. https://www.vincentherring.com/

    The END of Saxophone's Golden Age - a Conversation with Bob Rockwell

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 19:08


    Jay Metcalf sits down with saxophonist Bob Rockwell, where they discuss his first steady gig in a Minneapolis strip club, his tenure with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, what and how he practices the saxophone and lots more. http://bobrockwellsax.com

    Beliefs About Jazz That Need to Die - Patrick Bartley

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 63:40


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Patrick Bartley for a fascinating conversation about music and what it means to be an artist these days. @PatrickBartleyMusic Check out his YouTube channel for more.

    The Sax Solo that Changed Everything - Andy Snitzer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 57:16


    Jay Metcalf interviews saxophonist Andy Snitzer, known for is extensive session studio work and touring with legends such as Billy Joel, Sting and Paul Simon. Check out his latest release A Beautiful Dream available now. https://www.andysnitzer.com/

    Playing Burnin Funk Sax Solos with Tower of Power - Tom Politzer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 47:41


    Jay Metcalf interviews Tower of Power tenor sax soloist Tom Politzer after their show at the 2023 Nice Jazz Festival. https://towerofpower.com/tom-e-politzer

    Top Baritone Saxophone Players

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2023 11:22


    The New BetterSax Burnin' mouthpiece for Baritone Saxophone is now available in 6, 7 and 8 tip openings click the link below for more info: BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/Burnin Other notable bari players mentioned at end of episode: Cecil Payne Sahib Shihab Hamiet Bluiett Joe Temperly Lars Gullin Ronnie Ross Currently Active: Gary Smulyan Jason Marshall Lauren Sevian Claire Daly Frank Basile Leo Pelligrino NEW BetterSax Jazz Cut Reeds - https://geni.us/reed The Geeklet Reed Adjustment Tool - https://geni.us/geeklet Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-deluxe-wooden-reed-case/ The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Sign up for the BetterSax Newsletter and get all our free lessons and downloads. Click first link below. BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-ultimate-sax-swab-kit/ BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and then buy something, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Why Miles Davis Hired Me After Hearing My Demo - Rick Margitza

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 45:32


    Rick Margitza - https://www.booking.monartagency.com/artists/rick-margitza NEW BetterSax Jazz Cut Reeds - https://geni.us/reed The Geeklet Reed Adjustment Tool - https://bettersax.com/product/reedgeek-geeklet/ Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-deluxe-wooden-reed-case/ BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/6RcUMu The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Sign up for the BetterSax Newsletter and get all our free lessons and downloads. Click first link below. BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-ultimate-sax-swab-kit/ BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax

    The Secret to Terrace Martin's Musical Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 29:38


    I met up with saxophonist, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin for an interview about music, saxophone and life. Enjoy. Terrace Martin's label - Sounds of Crenshaw: https://soundsofcrenshaw.com/terrace-martin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundsofcrenshaw/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/soundsofcrenshaw BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/6RcUMu The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw ReedGeek Geeklet - https://bettersax.com/store/geeklet/ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-ultimate-sax-swab-kit/ Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-deluxe-wooden-reed-case/ BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax

    How He Got a Golden Saxophone Tone - Immanuel Wilkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2023 13:42


    I recently had the chance to meet up with saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins at the Nice Jazz Festival. We had a great conversation about what he worked on to develop such a beautiful sound, his backstory and how he started playing saxophone, the setup he plays on, and how he was able to get his career off the ground during the pandemic. http://www.immanuelwilkins.com/ https://www.instagram.com/immanuel.wilkins/ BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/6RcUMu The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ ReedGeek Geeklet - https://bettersax.com/store/geeklet/ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-ultimate-sax-swab-kit/ Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-deluxe-wooden-reed-case/ BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax

    Going on the Road with Jazz Legends - Jaleel Shaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 19:34


    I caught up with Jaleel Shaw at the Nice Jazz Festival 2023 to check out his performance with the Dave Holland New Quartet and talk about what it's like to tour internationally with jazz legends. Visit https://www.jaleelshaw.com/ for more info. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaleelshawmusic Instagram: http://instagram.com/jaleelshaw BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/6RcUMu The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ ReedGeek Geeklet - https://bettersax.com/store/geeklet/ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/betters... Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/betters... BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax

    How Important is it to Transcribe Solos? and other Saxophone Questions with Jaleel Shaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2023 83:44


    In this live interview/hang, Jaleel Shaw and I go through a rapid fire list of 20 questions about all things saxophone. One of the top saxophonists active in the modern jazz scene today, with three albums out as a leader. He performs with Roy Haynes, Nate Smith and a long list of other top musicians. Jaleel is also currently a professor at the New School and Manhattan School of Music in New York City. https://www.jaleelshaw.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jaleelshaw/ BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/6RcUMu The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ ReedGeek Geeklet - https://bettersax.com/store/geeklet/ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-ultimate-sax-swab-kit/ Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-deluxe-wooden-reed-case/ BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax

    I Asked Eric Marienthal How He Got So Good

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 68:11


    Eric Marienthal is one of the all time great saxophone players and educators. He has won Grammys, he has recorded countless albums and soundtracks including 6 of his own as a leader. He has performed with many of the world's greatest musicians in a multitude of genres, and is also the author of several outstanding saxophone study books. In this interview, Eric shares the surprising stuff he practiced for 8 hours a day while he was at Berklee, he tells us some great stories from his time touring with Chick Corea, and he lets us know what it's like to record as a studio musician for major motion picture soundtracks. Eric's Marienthal's Website https://ericmarienthal.com Eric Marienthal's online course https://artistworks.com/jazz-saxophone-lessons-eric-marienthal Marcel Mule Exercises Journaliers https://amzn.to/4307Tcn Marcel Mule 18 Etudes https://amzn.to/3CNhdFW BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/6RcUMu The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ ReedGeek Geeklet - https://bettersax.com/store/geeklet/ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-ultimate-sax-swab-kit/ Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-deluxe-wooden-reed-case/ BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and then buy something, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Improv Shortcut- This Technique Saves 100's of Practice Hours

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 7:57


    Practicing the technique in this video will greatly speed up your ability to improvise over chord changes in any style of music. It's just a small part of a new course that can transform your playing. Adam Larson's Rhythmic Pyramid Course https://bettersax.com/course/rhythmic-pyramid/ BETTERSAX SHED - all my free lesson downloads https://bettersax.com/shed ♫ BETTERSAX COURSES ♪ https://bettersax.com/products BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces - https://geni.us/6RcUMu The Better Sax Alto Saxophone - https://geni.us/BKIGTw Awesome Backing Tracks - https://bettertrax.com ★ Other Sax Gear I Love ★ ReedGeek Geeklet - https://bettersax.com/store/geeklet/ Ultimate Saxophone Swab Kit - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-ultimate-sax-swab-kit/ Ultimate Reed Case - https://bettersax.com/product/bettersax-deluxe-wooden-reed-case/ BetterSax Gear Recommendations on Sweetwater https://imp.i114863.net/bettersax ↪My Amazon Gear Recommendations Page: https://goo.gl/px3AvY INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK https://instagram.com/bettersax https://facebook.com/bettersax DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and then buy something, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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