A friend of mine travels a lot and has been trying to figure out how to practice whilst on the road. Part of it is about getting an instrument that is small enough to be in your carry on, think soprano sax. But the other part is about finding a place that you can play and not bother the neighbors. So this article from the Sax Journal came to mind and I thought I’d share it with you.

  Using Key Clicks by Paul Haar.

Gordon adds: "Before I purchased a basement, I found the whisper mute worked well enough for this: http://www.saxophones.co.uk/acatalog/e-sax_Electronic_Whisper_Mutes.html.

Bonus: it includes an integrated microphone and chip that allows you to wear headphones/mix in your Aebersolds/apply effects/whatever…  However, it’s only for alto, and it’s not the most portable thing in the world.  Someday, I might even be talked into selling mine."

The key click thing sounds fascinating to me. Surely not as satisfying as playing but maybe a very doable solution for me to consider so that I can improve my technique and rhythm. I can see hooking up a metronome for the session.