The pursuit of the perfect mouthpiece

Stop right there. It does not exist. What’s good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Insert any other catchy phrase that sums up the first few words.

I talk to people everyday looking for the right mouthpiece for them. I always say we (CE Winds) are a good starting point, because you can get expert (term used loosely) advice, and we have a few mouthpiece options that give you different variations in the sound you may be looking for. I think we have everything covered with the Gold Genesis and the Silver Shocka mouthpieces, even though we are coming out with a few new pieces later this year. The best CAN get better!!! J Just a joke, no, not really.

The first thing I ask people is ‘what do you play’. This usually gets an answer like ‘alto’, ‘tenor’, ‘Yamaha’…. Those are the right answers to a vague question, and important to know, but what I want to know is ‘what do you PLAY!” What style, what’s your sound, your influence? Sometimes it’s just one sound, but most of the time players are looking for variety in their sound, because a gigging musician needs to play a wide range of music to please the crowds.

Once you identify that, it’s generally easy to find a mouthpiece to work for you. The good thing is, especially with CE Winds mouthpieces, they come with a money back guarantee. Generally 7 days from the time you get the item, but if you need more time, we understand.

If you are not sure what you want, you just want to play easier, louder, softer, etc…., brick and mortar music stores will have some demo mouthpieces that you can try. It’s always good to try a few mouthpieces, but also try a few reeds with each mouthpiece. From that point you can narrow down your options to just a few, and then look at the costs to see what you can purchase.

I think over a lifetime of playing, you will go back and forth between pieces. Don’t fall for the idea though that the more a mouthpiece costs, the better it is. Don’t get me wrong, have you ever played a New York Meyer 4M alto mouthpiece? Or even a vintage Otto Link “Slant Sig” tenor mouthpiece? They are GREAT mouthpieces, but they also come with a hefty price tag. I feel that if that ‘expensive’ is the best mouthpiece for you and your trade, then you should buy one no matter the cost. Consider it an investment in yourself. Just don’t buy one because it’s ‘trendy’, or someone else says it’s the best for them.

If you ever have any questions on selecting the right mouthpiece, whether vintage or new, don’t hesitate to give us an email or call. We would be glad to help.

Brian
CE Winds

www.cewinds.com

904.996.9312

brians@cewinds.com

Eat Healthy... so you can play more.

Eating healthy is something most people, musicians, take for granted. A professional musician is on the go all the time. Usually the food is provided at the events, or your practice schedule or rehearsals are for hours on end, and it's hard to just 'take a break' when you are in the groove. More importantly, high school students, college students, and young musicians, who are bombarded with low cost options like fast food and junk food, should seriously consider their diet at a young age, which will help them continue to pursue their dreams in the professional musician job market.

One of the main reasons to start eating healthy young is health insurance. It is EXPENSIVE. My wife and I at one point were paying over $1,200 per month for a family of 5. That was more than my mortgage and association fee COMBINED! Just to insure yourself at a young age would cost you $150-300 per month. As a professional musician just starting off your career, there is a good chance that buying health insurance will be one of the last things on your list, because you will need to pay your rent/mortgage, utilities, and food. IF you make healthy choices during meal time, you will greatly reduce your chances of even catching a common cold, let alone a more serious illness.

People often say to me ‘well, eating organic is more expensive than getting a value meal”… that could not be more untrue. Sure, the cost of eating organic or whole foods may cost you more in the grocery store, but the truth is, you will find you will actually buy less of it because your body is satisfied on a lower amount of food. The second reason, and this is a big one, whether you have or don’t have health insurance, it is going to cost you MUCH more in medical expenses treating you for ailments that are usually caused by GMO (genetically modified organisms) or GE (genetically engineered) foods.

Now I’m not vegan, not a 100% vegetarian, my wife calls me more of a ‘flexitarian’. I generally do not eat meat, but when I do I am particular about what I am eating. I know there are times when I am going to have to eat what was provided me, and that to me is OK, but for the most part, I want to make sure that I am treating myself in a way that helps my body run to its fullest potential. Have you ever gotten ‘bad gas’ in your car? Well, eating bad food is like putting bad gas in your body, and may cause it too… then who is going to want to share a stage with you then, or record in a small studio… hmmmm.

If you want to be the best professional musician you can be, or the best in any profession, eating healthy should be a top priority in your life.

Brian Seltz

President

Christopher Elliott LLC

If you are interested in learning more about the food you eat, here are a few great documentaries to watch:

Food Inc
The Gerson Miracle
The Future of Food
The Beautiful Truth
Food Matters
Supersize Me

CE Winds Feature Artist - Daniel G. Klimoski

Daniel G Klimoski
CE Winds Artist
Signed 2008

Bio:

Daniel G. Klimoski, from Hadley, MA., began his music lessons at the age of 7 on the piano, clarinet lessons at age 9, and saxophone at 11 years old. At age 13 he began his professional performing career by playing in local bands. After high school Dan moved to Boston and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Applied Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ma., where he graduated Magna cum Laude and was given the Faculty Award. After teaching as a full time faculty member at Berklee, he went on tour with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra as Lead Alto Saxophonist/Clarinetist until 1980. After returning to the Boston area, Dan earned his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies at the New England Conservatory. He has studied with Joseph Allard, Joe Viola, Gerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, Jimmy Giuffre, and Eddie Daniels. Throughout his career, Dan has shared the stage with Barry Altzschul, Jackie Byard, Richie Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Dick Johnson, David Hildinger, Maureen MacGovern, George Russell, Little Anthony and many other notable composers and performers.

Daniel returned to western Massachusetts in 1998, after performing for Disney's first cruise ship, the Magic on its inaugural voyage. In 2000-'01, Daniel produced his first original CD entitled Muzejazz. The tunes are carefully crafted and recorded with inspiring performances by live jazz quartet. In 2002, Dan played an onstage role in the West Springfield Theatre Project at Majestic's production of Blues in the Night. Other various performances include New Year's Eve at the Iron Horse in Northampton, MA. During the summer of 2003 Daniel, played flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe and English horn, for the world premiere of an original musical entitled "The Game" which may been seen in the Lincoln Center Archives where Sara Ramirez of Grey's Anatomy may be seen in one of the lead roles. More performance experience includes New Year's of 2004 with NRBQ at the Iron Horse, Northampton, MA., original performances with the Vermont Jazz Center Big Band, and as soloist for the Mystic Chorale in Boston, which are available on Mystic Chorale CD'S.

 

In March of 2009, after trying a CE Winds Pro Series Dark Vintage Alto, then soon after a Pro Series Dark Vintage Tenor, Dan replaced his Selmer Reference 54 Alto, Selmer Serie II Tenor and Yanigasawa SC-991, and in May of 2009 joined the CE Winds Family of Artists.

CE Winds Featured Artists are musicians who have the passion and fire to create something more than just a sound. Music is not just something that you hear, it is something real that is created from the heart of the person making it! Music is a release, captures memories, and is a motivator! Music is a gift, and we say EMBRACE IT! If you would like information on how to become a CE Winds Featured Artist, email artists@cewinds.com

CE Winds Feature Artist - Phil French

Phil French
CE Winds Artist
Signed 2008

Bio:

Phils lifelong passion for music started at the age of nine, where he began formal saxophone training in Maryland. He honed his skills while playing in church as a youth and continues to minister with his gift in both the Christian and Secular arenas.

Phil has had the experience of performing with many talented individuals including: the late Grover Washington, Jr., the late Stanley Turrentine, Pieces of a Dream, Marion Meadows, Norman Connors, Brian McKnight, Ollie Woodson of The Temptations, the Clark Sisters, The Winans, Fred Hammond, and Richard Smallwood. He also performed on albums with Ben Tankard, Alvin Nesbitt, and Amos Davis. For four years Phil was a band member and music director for the Grammy Award winner Yolanda Adams. While playing with Yolanda, he also had the opportunity to record on her album “More Than a Melody”. During the same time he was also a band member of the legendary Jean Carne. His experiences with Yolanda Adams and Jean Carne helped him to polish his stage presence.

His first album, “You've Been So Good”, is an expression of God's perfect will being performed in his life. The soothing tones on his second album, "Royal Love Songs", were inspired by a combination of life events.

Phils goal is to use the gift God gave him in music as a language to cross all barriers.

CE Winds Featured Artists are musicians who have the passion and fire to create something more than just a sound. Music is not just something that you hear, it is something real that is created from the heart of the person making it! Music is a release, captures memories, and is a motivator! Music is a gift, and we say EMBRACE IT! If you would like information on how to become a CE Winds Featured Artist, email artists@cewinds.com

CE Winds Feature Artist - Joan Velez

Joan Velez
CE Winds Artist

Signed 2008

Bio:

Joan Velez is an artist with a passion for jazz and latin music, he has a unique, big, sensual, and very percussive signature sound, his music is a new refreshing Experience.

Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Velez began playing drums at age 11 before migrating to Tenor Saxophone one year later. While a student at the prestigious La Escuela Libre de Música in Arecibo he started listening to artist like: Nelson Rangell, David Sanborn, Miles Davis, Ed Calle, Kirk Whalum, Grover Washington, Euge Groove, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Stan Getz, Michael Brecker, and Paquito D’ Rivera which had the greatest impact on his playing. In 1996 enrolled at the Universidad de Interamericana de Puerto Rico with a major in jazz performance under the great teachers Ricardo Pons and Angel David Matos.

In 2000, Joan Velez received the Berklee College of Music “Outstanding Musicianship” Certificate. He has performed in jazz festivals and he has shared the stage witt jazz artists such as Mike Arroyo, Angel David Matos, Ricardo Pons, Nidya Caro, Raymond Rousseu, Jimmy Rivera, Travis Vega, Glen Monroig, Chris Zamora, Nick Schneider, Bruce Oscar, Rodney Reed Zawacki, Robin Watson, Ken Champion and others. He continues to perform regularly with his own band The Velez Brothers. Joan Velez has 2 solo records under his belt (”Everything I Love” & “Up Side Down”) becoming one of the raising stars in the smooth Jazz world.In 2005 he moved to Chicago for a warm reception from critics, music lovers and fellow artists, as he continues to push his style and sound. He continues to perform regularly with his Brother Cristian.

CE Winds Featured Artists are musicians who have the passion and fire to create something more than just a sound. Music is not just something that you hear, it is something real that is created from the heart of the person making it! Music is a release, captures memories, and is a motivator! Music is a gift, and we say EMBRACE IT! If you would like information on how to become a CE Winds Featured Artist, email artists@cewinds.com

CE Winds Feature Artist - John Michalak

John Michalak

Miami, FL - Signed 2008

Bio:

John signed as a CE Winds Featured Artist in July 2008, after CE Winds launched their new line of Pro Series saxophones. John visited us to demo the horns and for a recording session for our "Hear It Being Played" videos, where he quickly realized there was something very special about these instruments. "I though before playing them I would have a good backup horn for my Selmer Mark VI Alto and Tenor, but after playing these powerful horns, I knew they were meant to be no ones backup horn!"

Originally from Annapolis, Maryland, John moved to South Florida in 1989 and began developing his diverse musical abilities through many fantastic opportunities. He has performed and recorded with great artists from every musical genre, from Jazz to Rock, Latin to Reggae. John is often referred to as one of South Florida's most underrated sax players, and his extensive resume includes performances with multi-platinum selling artists such as Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Engelbert Humperdinck, KC and The Sunshine Band, David Lee Roth, and Raul DiBlasio.

John was most recently on tour with Gloria Estefan, which included a stop at the 2008 Latin Grammy Awards for a live performance, which was also broadcasted live on Univision.

Throughout South Florida, John regularly performs at the top local venues, such as Jazziz Club and Bistro, the VanDyke Jazz Club, Ohara's and others, as well as at the most prestigious Luxury hotels, such as The Breakers, The Ritz-Carlton, The Four Seasons, The Mandarin Oriental, and the Boca Raton Resort and Club.

CE Winds Featured Artists are musicians who have the passion and fire to create something more than just a sound. Music is not just something that you hear, it is something real that is created from the heart of the person making it! Music is a release, captures memories, and is a motivator! Music is a gift, and we say EMBRACE IT! If you would like information on how to become a CE Winds Featured Artist, email artists@cewinds.com

Which saxophone should I buy for my child? Part 5

So what about rental plans for my student saxophone, is this the best option?

Like anything else, there are some good ones and some bad ones. Like I mentioned in the very beginning, my parents got stuck in a bad one, like I know many other parents do.  When I say a bad one, I am referring to the fact that in the end, the student is stuck with a saxophone that is maybe worth $300 - $500 and just spent that last three years paying a total four to fives times the actual value of the saxophone.

The key to finding a good rental program for your student saxophone is to look at the following factors:

- Rentals can be good if they allow you to do buy outs at a reasonable price. Look for rental programs where the end rental price is not even 15% more than what the student would pay for the saxophone when it is on sale.

- Also look for rental plans that are around 24 months or less. Most companies rent for three to four years, only racking up more and more interest.

- Find out if the company allows the students to buy out the saxophone at anytime, and if so, how much is the buy out compared the actual sale price. I know many rental programs will offer a buy out at a 30% discount, but this is 30% off the final payout, which is usually 4 to 5 times more than the actual value of the saxophone.

- See if, you can you return the saxophone at anytime without major restocking fees. Make sure to ask this, because I am sure that most of the major companies do charge this and in the end, you can wind up with a hefty bill after returning the saxophone.

- Check to see if general repairs are covered in the monthly fee? Your student will most likely need to have the saxophone serviced every now and then and this should be covered in the monthly
fee, if not, then you will be held responsible for these fees and instrument repair is not cheap.

- Is your child getting a brand new instrument? Most companies have been around for so long, they are stuck with out dated and over abused instruments that they then use to rent to your student.  The crime here is that you are paying a premium price each month and getting an inferior student saxophone; but it is happening all over America even now as you read this, only because parents don't know any better.

- What is the company that is renting the student saxophone to your child doing to help support your child’s' band program? Many of the top rental companies look at you and your child as one thing, a money sign. They thrive off of your lack of knowledge about musical instruments and the student saxophone industry. I personally recommend that you find a company that has chosen to partner with the local school programs and give back in time, talent or finances. This could include companies that have a local school representative to assist the band with clinics and master classes, that give cash back rebates and free instruments directly back to the school, or provide discounts with related organizations within our network to help reduce the overall costs for the music program.

All of the information in this article has come from my personal experience as a saxophone player who began at age 11 and now almost 25 years later, is one of the owners and operators of a saxophone company in the United States that produces both a student and professional level saxophone. I encourage you to do your own research and find what you feel is the best saxophone for your child.  We hope this article has been informative and will help you to make the wisest decision possible. Thank you and be blessed.

Mark Wigginton

President

CE Winds