Author Archives: Gandalfe

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About Gandalfe

Just an itinerant saxophonist trying to find life between the changes. I have retired from the Corps of Engineers and Microsoft. I am an admin on the Woodwind Forum, run the Pacifica Big Band (formerly the Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra) and participate in other ensembles. Mostly enjoy time with family and friends.

My 1923 Conn C Soprano Sax is almost done!

Posted on March 12, 2006 by Gandalfe

Sarge (Worldwide Sax in Everett) has been working on my 1923 Conn C Soprano Sax (Soprano Saxes now-a-days are Bb) since November. See pics of the complete restoration work here: http://gandalfe.dudecheckthisout.com/Blog.aspx?startGuid=66008a81-d093-4076-a646-07a0fc38c421&focusGuid=66008a81-d093-4076-a646-07a0fc38c421#focus       

Posted in Repair, Saxophone | Leave a comment

Sarge is workin’ on the Conn C Soprano Sax

Posted on March 7, 2006 by Gandalfe

Sarge is trying to save the rusty time capsule that is a Conn C, yes you read it C not Bb, soprano sax. The springs were so rusted they looked like cheetos. I get monthly reports and I cross my … Continue reading →

Posted in Repair, Saxophone, Vintage | Leave a comment

Playing the refurbished Selmer Paris silver clarinet

Posted on February 4, 2006 by Gandalfe

I picked up my Selmer Paris silver (I’ve taken up this term instead of metal) five-piece clarinet from the repair shop. I spent about a half hour with my fav tech talking about this instrument. After having spent a half … Continue reading →

Posted in Clarinet, Repair, Vintage | Leave a comment

Leblanc vs. Buffet – Part I

Posted on February 1, 2006 by Gandalfe

I have spent a little more on the clarinets I buy. For example I bought a Leblanc Paris rather than a Leblanc Paris Noblet. But it doesn’t mean I sound better than a great player with either of these. Here is an incomplete … Continue reading →

Posted in Clarinet, Statistics, Vintage | Leave a comment

How I came to play sax – redux

Posted on January 25, 2006 by Gandalfe

In Iowa you started band in fifth grade. The local band instrument salesman would come to town and layout the instruments for the parent and kids to look at. This was after each student tooted on a woodwind and brass … Continue reading →

Posted in Hobbies, My World, Saxophone | 2 Comments

Guyll Talks Basic Jazz Articulations

Posted on October 2, 2005 by Gandalfe

Ray Guyll (pronounced gwill as in quill pen) told me this my first year as part of the Woodinville Jazz Ensemble: 1. Quarter notes should be played short. 2. Eighth notes on the down side of a beat should be … Continue reading →

Posted in Jazz, Music | Leave a comment

Learning to Play the Clarinet

Posted on October 1, 2005 by Gandalfe

A couple of months ago I started to learn to play the clarinet. Having played saxophone for many years both helps and hinders me. For the first month, I suffered listening to the terrible tone that I was able to … Continue reading →

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The Sarrusophone and Conn-O-Sax

Posted on August 5, 2005 by Gandalfe

A friend of mine dropped $30k on a mint Conn-O-Sax and some more on a mint Sarrusophone. I took pictures for the SOTW calendar project. Then my friend let me play the Conn-O-Sax which is an F mezzo instrument. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Saxophone, Vintage | Leave a comment

Full Saxophone Orchestra

Posted on April 30, 2005 by Gandalfe

Okay class, who can name all the saxophones. Yes Timmy? Bb sopranissimo Eb sopranino Bb soprano C soprano Eb alto F alto and Mezzo-Soprano C melody tenor Bb tenor Eb baritone Curved F baritone C bass Bb bass Eb contrabass … Continue reading →

Posted in Band, Saxophone | 2 Comments

Took Pics of the Couf Twins ;o)

Posted on February 14, 2005 by Gandalfe

I took some pictures of my all-time favorite saxophones. After trying a Selmer Mark VI and VII, Keilwerth SX90, Buffet SuperDynAction (SDA), Yamaha 62 Mark II, Yamaha 82Z, Gary Sugal series III, I have found a Couf Superba I tenor … Continue reading →

Posted in Photograph, Saxophone, Vintage | Leave a comment