Saxophone Academy

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Susan Fancher and Wally Wallace discuss creative strategies for saxophone performance and pedagogy.

Wally Wallace


    • Sep 26, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 54 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Saxophone Academy podcast is an incredible resource for saxophonists of all levels. Wally Wallace and Susan Fancher bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and humor to each episode, making it both educational and enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, this podcast covers a wide range of topics that will help you improve your skills and navigate the world of saxophone playing.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the diverse range of content it offers. Wally and Sue cover everything from technique and practice strategies to career advice and product reviews. They provide practical tips and insights that can be applied by any saxophonist, regardless of their level or style of playing. Additionally, they invite guests on the show who offer different perspectives and expertise, further enriching the content.

    Another standout feature is the engaging and entertaining presentation style. Wally and Sue have great chemistry on air, which makes listening to the podcast a fun experience. They communicate complex concepts in a clear and accessible way, using relatable examples and analogies. Their wit and humor add an extra layer of enjoyment to each episode.

    However, one potential downside to this podcast is that it may not appeal to listeners who are not saxophonists or musicians themselves. While the hosts do a great job explaining technical concepts in layman's terms, some episodes may delve into more niche topics that could be less interesting for non-musicians.

    In conclusion, The Saxophone Academy podcast is an invaluable resource for saxophonists looking to improve their skills, gain new insights, and stay up-to-date with industry news. Wally Wallace and Susan Fancher deliver high-quality content with humor and expertise that make each episode enjoyable to listen to. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, this podcast is definitely worth checking out if you want to take your saxophone playing to the next level.



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    Latest episodes from Saxophone Academy

    New Etudes and More (free .pdf download)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 34:38


    https://www.thesaxophoneacademy.com/Watson

    Under Pressure: Sue's Soapbox

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 37:13


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue discuss the importance of applied pressure to applicable applications of applied saxophonics. Also, sue gets Angry. 

    Groundhog Deja Vu

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 49:23


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about the magic of repeated performances and answer YOUR questions! 

    Measure Impossible!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2024 44:55


    You know that one impossible measure? That bit of an etude? That horrendous lick? Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat strategies to save your sanity and reputation. Well, at least your sanity. 

    5 Keys to a GREAT Rehearsal

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 43:45


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue share the secrets to a fun and productive rehearsal. Preparation, planning, patience and another word that doesn't start with "p".

    Practice Secrets

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2023 43:10


    We're back! Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue share practice secrets: 3 strategies to make your studio time more effective! There's also other nonsense, that's not a secret. 

    The Dark Tone

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 46:04


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about what constitutes a "dark" or "bright" sound and how we navigate the colors of tone. Looking for the Desmond sound? We got you.

    Preparing for Recording!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 55:16


    Dr. Sue and Dr. Wally chat about recording for a recording session and answer your questions...well, some of them. 

    Soprano Double and Double Trouble

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 33:51


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about doubling on soprano and switching between classical and jazz mouthpieces. 

    Dead Reeds and Horn Upgrades

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2023 39:06


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue discuss the ethics of reed euthanasia and answer your questions! 

    Atomic Saxophone Habits

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 50:01


    Dr. Wally and Sue talk about practice habits and answer your questions! 

    Lifelong Lessons and Practice time!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2023 37:42


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue talk about being a lifelong learner and answer YOUR questions! 

    Selmer Christmas Supreme?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2022 56:11


    Dr. Wally and Sue chat about gift ideas for the beloved saxophonist in your life. Also, is the Supreme worth the money?!

    Vibrato Legends

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2022 56:33


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue share recordings of what has influenced their vibrato and discuss performance and pedagogy! 

    Sax got Rhythm

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2022 38:17


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about rhythmic resources and answer listener questions!

    Sax for the People!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 47:44


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about performance opportunities, the price of quartet music, and answer YOUR questions!

    The Deadly B

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 48:07


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue dive into the music of Alfred Desenclos, Honking Catastrophes, and strategies to hide one's poor intonation. 

    The $700 Ligature!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 50:34


    Wally and Sue chat about Vandoren's expensive new venture, practice mindset, and the music of Charles Koechlin! Check out the playlist of his saxophone music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eM83Hp1eEU

    vandoren charles koechlin
    Accents and Accidents

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 63:39


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about articulation, accents, accidents, and Sue's never-ending obsession with Kenny G. 

    Peak Practice (the summer shed)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 43:58


    Dr. Wally and Dr. Sue chat about peak practice, artistry, and plenty of saxophonic nonsense. We also answer your question! 

    Summer Saxophone!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2022 53:36


    Dr. Wally and Sue catch up on all things saxophone and answer your questions!

    Timothy McAllister!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 79:46


    Dr. Wally interviews concert saxophone virtuosos Timothy McAllister! We chat about his new line of mouthpieces, practicing, overtones, and much more nerdy goodness! Learn more about Dr. McAllister: https://timothymcallister.com His new line of mouthpieces: https://backunmusical.com

    Jack from Boston Sax Shop

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2022 45:34


    Dr. Wally chats with Jack Finucane, owner of the Boston Sax Shop about the launch of the Nexus saxophone, modern saxophone trends, and other nonsense. Check out the new line of saxophones here: https://www.nexussaxophones.com

    Improvisation Everywhere

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2021 38:45


    Dr. Wally and Sue chat about improvisation outside the jazz setting!

    Money for Sax

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2021 55:38


    Tango and the Tongue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2021 43:12


    Dr. Wally and Sue chat about saxophone fundamentals, and check out a NEW album from the Nexas Saxophone Quartet! Check out Sue's recording of Enveloped (free download): https://youtu.be/2kVfd3nBpcg Thanks to Key Leaves for sponsoring us! Get a huge discount here: https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount Check out the Nexas Quartet!  https://www.nexasquartet.com

    Flying Fingers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2021 41:01


    Dr. Wally and Sue chat about flying fingers and answer your questions! Preorder the NEW 56 Select (alto and tenor): https://www.windycitywoodwinds.com/products Huge Thanks to Key Leaves, get a sweet discount on the most innovative saxophone accessories here: https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount

    BeBop N' Bach

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 52:20


    Dr. Wally and Sue talk about improvisation, the benefits of classical study, and answer your questions! Huge thanks to our sponsor, Key Leaves! Follow the link for a big discount on the coolest sax accessories: https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount   Download "Enveloped" by Jenni Watson: https://www.thesaxophoneacademy.com/podcast

    Chops Supreme

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2021 35:27


    Wally and Sue chat about the Selmer Supreme, "Chops" by Dan Graser, and answer listener questions! Download our first commissioned composition by Jenni Watson, "Enveloped" - https://www.thesaxophoneacademy.com/podcast   Thanks to our Sponsor, Key Leaves! Check out the best saxophone care products and get the Academy discount! - https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount

    Big Practice Little Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 46:48


    Sue and Wally chat about a cool new gear, a new record from Alexa Tarantino, and answer your questions! Check out our sponsor for a BIG discount on our favorite accessories, Thanks Key Leaves! https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount Alexa Tarantino's new album: https://alexatarantino.com/product/firefly-cd/  

    Saxophone Reboot!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 36:24


    Dr. Wally and Susan Fancher are back! Check out this week's sponsor for 20% off one of our favorite saxophone accessories:  https://keyleaves.com/pages/saxophone-academy-discount

    Marsalis, Meyer, and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2020 31:00


    Dr. Wally and Sue chat about industry news, a recent CD from the Branford Marsalis Quartet, and dig into the mailbag! Venn Reed: https://www.daddario.com/venn/ New Saxophones: https://www.sax.co.uk/nammshowsax2020.irs  

    cd meyer marsalis branford marsalis quartet
    Chamber Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2020 45:19


    Wally and Sue check out a CD by the Masato Kumoi Sax Quartet, chat about industry news and new products, and answer listener questions! If you have a question for the podcast, get in touch: thesaxophoneacademy@gmail.com

    Valentine Gear

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2020 33:55


    Wally and Sue chat about our winter love for new saxophone gear and have some recommendations! We dive into the mailbag and answer listener questions, and if YOU have a question, hit us up: thesaxophoneacademy@gmail.com Eastman 52nd Street Alto Review: https://youtu.be/2ubnuEPNaVg Otto Link Alto Review: https://youtu.be/L5crDIqcNMU  

    New Year New Saxo-Goals!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2020 32:41


    Wally and Sue chat about goals for the new musical decade, check out an album by Chad Eby, and answer your questions. Exciting news: We're switching to a weekly format this year. More episodes, more content, more good stuff! Email us with your saxophone questions: thesaxophoneacademy@gmail.com Wally's Tips for saxophone goals: https://youtu.be/7DNKS14sT3g Chad Eby's Album: https://chadeby.bandcamp.com/  

    Virtuosity and the Blues

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2019 48:21


    Sue and Wally talk about a new recording from concert saxophone virtuoso Timothy McAllister, some cool new products, and helping your beginning students navigate the blues. Wanna look good and stay warm? Check out our new Saxophone Academy hoodies!: https://www.teepublic.com/user/saxacademy McAllister CD: https://www.amazon.com/Connesson-Trane-Concerto-saxophone-orchestra/dp/B07P5TJP6P Gap Cap: https://keyleaves.com/products/gapcap

    Episode 18: Tips, News, and Reviews!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2019 51:58


    Wally and Sue chat about upcoming industry events, some saxophone product news, and a new CD from Matt Olson. We dig into the mailbag and answer listener questions. Hit us up with questions! thesaxophoneacademy@gmail.com Matt Olson: http://originarts.com/oa2/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=22167 Vandoren Competition: https://app.getacceptd.com/veacompetition Recordings Referenced in the episode,  Dan Higgins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlYRNBXygUc Paul Desmond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3M6Mkn-nOs

    Pumpkin Spice Reeds

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2019 62:40


    Wally and Sue chat about industry news, a new CD by Dave Camwell, and dive into the mailbag. In the podcast community news:  Sean Imboden's Etude Book: https://www.seanimboden.com/store Dave Camwell's Second Wind: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/dave-camwell/279898753?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Benjamin Crouch's Marcello transcription: https://www.reddit.com/r/Saxophonics/comments/d5xror/alessandro_marcello_oboe_concerto_in_d_minor_i/ Reed Pop Test video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwasCPKkzAg New Selmer Mouthpiece: https://www.selmer.fr/instruinfo.php?page=NEW&groupe=comp

    Episode 16: Zen and the Saxophone

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2019 51:56


    Wally and Sue chat about the debut album from Paul Nedzela, improving your intonation, and Zen in the Art of Archery. Support the podcast and stay warm this fall with NEW long sleeve tees and hoodies from the Saxophone Academy: https://www.teepublic.com/user/saxacademy Check out Paul Nedzela's new album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/introducing-paul-nedzela-feat-dan-nimmer-david-wong/1465204357 Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition: https://veacompetition.com/ Zen in the Art of Archery: https://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Archery-Eugen-Herrigel-ebook/dp/B078WH2DJ5    

    Episode 15: Inner Game of Saxophone

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2019 56:59


    Wally and Sue chat about back to school equipment, peak performance, military band auditions and the FIRST installment of the Saxophone Book Club! Support the podcast and look good while you're doing it with the NEW Saxophone Academy T-shirts, Hoodies, and Coffee Mugs!: https://www.teepublic.com/user/saxacademy

    Episode 14: Slap Tongue Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2019 64:19


    Wally and Sue chat about the fine art of slap tonguing, Wally's new vintage mouthpiece, the Bell Ring from Peak Performance Woodwinds, and answer questions from the mailbag. We also announce the new "Saxophone Book Club" segment (link below). Be sure to check out our cool new Saxophone Academy Merchandise! Support the podcast and look good while you're doing it: http://tee.pub/lic/HWBEoORKtjg Peak Performance Woodwinds - Bell Ring: https://peakperformancewoodwinds.com/bell_rings Book Club: https://www.amazon.com/Inner-Game-Tennis-Classic-Performance/dp/0679778314/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2KTTR42SGZPM6&keywords=inner+game+of+tennis&qid=1566919488&s=gateway&sprefix=inner+game+of+%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-2

    Episode 13: Practice Strategy, News, and Reviews

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2019 62:30


    Wally and Sue chat about learning new music efficiently, Collider by the Donald Sinta Quartet, sticky keys, and dive into the mailbag! 

    Episode 12: Overtones and Zoot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2019 64:09


    Wally and Sue discuss strategies for practicing Overtones, one of Wally's favorite jazz albums, and how to get great press photos (and why you want them). For a video demonstration of overtones discussed, check out the Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B--85zTtajI  

    Episode 11: Frogs, Scales, and New Gear

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2019 56:38


    Wally and Sue discuss strategies for structuring your practice session, Sue's CD pick of the week, a NEW mouthpiece from Vandoren, and tips for recording success. If you have questions, hit us up! wally@gatecitysax.com

    Episode 10: Turbo Tongue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2019 54:58


    Sue and Wally discuss strategies for faster articulation, look at some cool new products, check out a NEW CD from Alexa Tarantino, and answer some questions from the mail bag! Yamaha 62 Video review: https://youtu.be/t9TjBvmm8p4 Sax Spy Endplugs: https://saxspy.com Alexa Tarantino: https://alexatarantino.com/projects/discography/  

    Episode 9: Transcribing, Marble, and Fuego

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2019 63:36


    Wally and Sue chat about the process of jazz transcription, a limited edition mouthpiece from D'Addario, and a new CD from the Fuego Quartet! Check out the full video review of the marble Select Jazz:  https://youtu.be/_W6sYCrpT-g

    Episode 8: Remembering Hemke

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2019 60:57


    Susan Fancher earned three degrees with Fredrick Hemke during his 50 year career at Northwestern University. On this very special episode, Sue shares stories, memories, wisdom, and lessons learned from the giant of saxophone pedagogy.  Simple Gifts on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/simple-gifts/443490206

    Episode 7: Low tones, the showboat, and news!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2019 61:37


    This week Sue and Wally chat about low note strategies, a remarkable album by Phil Woods, and tips on building a better masterclass. 

    Episode 6: Practice Hacks and Legos

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 67:40


    This week Wally and Sue discuss strategies to overcome technical challenges, dive into the pool of endless neck strap options, and Wally shares one of his all time favorite classical recordings.  Wally's CD Pick: https://amzn.to/2Ic48dV SaXholder: https://amzn.to/2IeYCr1 BG Harness: https://amzn.to/2WNVWEV

    Episode 5: Tales from the Pro (Failure is an Option)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2019 59:46


    Sue and Wally discuss industry news, how we teach vibrato, a new recording featuring Alexa Tarantino, and share stories of failure!  Alexa Tarantino: https://amzn.to/2TgQRTl Saxophonist's Workbook: https://amzn.to/2CryeXg Upcoming competitions: https://breckercompetition.org http://boswinds.org/index.html  

    Episode 4: Reed Rituals

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2019 63:40


    Sue and Wally discuss strategies for better reeds, check out a recording of the H2 quartet, chat about gigging, and answer listener questions! Huge thanks to this week's sponsor, Effiny Music:http://effinymusic.com Yamaha Venova: https://amzn.to/2HaC1LO H2 Quartet "Enrapture": https://amzn.to/2EsZZij    

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