Listening to This Counts as Practice
124 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratingsA (mostly) saxophone pedagogy podcast hosted by Erik Steighner.
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Episodes
#123 Testing Légère's New French Cut Alto and Tenor Sax Reeds
December 06, 2023 03:00 - 21 minutes - 24 MBErik tries out the new Légère French Cut reeds for alto and tenor saxophone and compares them to the Signature Cut and Vandoren/D'Addario cane examples. If you enjoy listening to the same measures of music played over and over and over and over, then this will be right up your alley! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#122 What's Next
August 22, 2023 22:30 - 6 minutes - 7.71 MBErik's mulls over the show's future. Please complete the very brief listener survey here: https://forms.gle/2CzzwEZvroD6EHTq7 And attend or stream Erik's upcoming faculty recital, 3 p.m. PST on Sept. 10 at PLU! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#121 Another School Year in the Books
May 25, 2023 23:30 - 5 minutes - 5.88 MBErik's subconscious ordered another episode. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#120 Selmer Tenor Mouthpiece Shootout - S90-170, S90-180, Concept
January 30, 2023 05:30 - 6 minutes - 7.71 MBErik records a spur-of-the-moment episode comparing the Selmer Concept and S90-180 tenor mouthpieces against his S90-170. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#119 Testing the D'Addario Venn G2 Synthetic Reed
January 16, 2023 08:00 - 10 minutes - 11.7 MBErik tries out the new(ish) D'Addario Venn G2 synthetic reed and compares it against the first generation. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#118 The Mostest Tips for the Newest of Years
January 14, 2023 00:30 - 7 minutes - 8.55 MBNow with almost 100 percent fewer tips! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#117 Gigging and Plugging
October 17, 2022 22:00 - 7 minutes - 8.17 MBErik checks in again after a symphony gig and plugs some stuff: Volatility Index for solo alto saxophone is now available for purchase from Alea Publishing. Catch the South Sound Saxophone Ensemble on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. PDT on 98.1 KING-FM or on Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. PDT at PLU (livestream). Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#116 Busy Busy Busy
September 08, 2022 17:00 - 4 minutes - 4.66 MBErik phones one in. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#115 Backun Vocalise TM2 Mouthpiece Trial
June 19, 2022 22:30 - 10 minutes - 11.5 MBErik tests the new Backun Vocalise TM2 against his current Selmer Claude Delangle (and older Selmer S90-180) mouthpieces. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#114 HBDTM
June 06, 2022 22:00 - 4 minutes - 5.46 MBErik treats himself to a new mouthpiece and listens to John Corigliano's new saxophone concerto. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#113 Fourth Anniversary Hullabaloo
May 15, 2022 07:00 - 8 minutes - 9.31 MBA wild celebration followed by a little metronome talk. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#112 Whither Must I Podcast
April 01, 2022 23:00 - 9 minutes - 10.7 MBErik shares some brief updates and a recording of "Whither Must I Wander" by Vaughan Williams from his recital in February. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#111 Recital Plug (Feb. 20)
February 19, 2022 17:30 - 2 minutes - 2.9 MBErik plugs his upcoming recital with pianist Oksana Ejokina, to be held at 3 p.m. PST on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Pacific Lutheran University (streamed live via this link). The program includes works by Djupstrom, Maurice, Vaughan Williams, and Yoshimatsu. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#110 Heavenly Tedious
January 27, 2022 00:30 - 10 minutes - 11.9 MBDoes the episode title describe the show itself or something profound? Listen and find out. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#109 Innumerable Tips for a Productive New Year
January 08, 2022 00:30 - 7 minutes - 8.4 MBThe annual tradition continues. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#108 Practicing Emotion in Music
December 21, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 16.1 MBErik checks out The Richtmeyer Method for Saxophone Mastery (you should, too!) and reflects on how much emotion he conveys as a performer. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#107 YouTube Round-Up No. 1
November 19, 2021 23:00 - 6 minutes - 7.88 MBErik discovered a site called "YouTube"! He watched: 1. Fantasia by Claude T.Smith [Rock Version by Siam Rock] 2. The Saxophone Standard, US Army Field Band 3. Steven Banks – Marcel Tabuteau’s Number System as an Approach to Phrase and Nuance 4. SIGURD RASCHER - THE SAXOPHONE | 1950's Buescher Promotional Video (original B&W version) 5. PLU Music Webcasts Bonus link: Chops 3 Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#106 Selmer Supremina
October 12, 2021 07:00 - 7 minutes - 8.55 MBErik recorded this instead of practicing. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#105 Bach and Tetris
October 05, 2021 07:00 - 11 minutes - 12.7 MBIt's been a busy start to the school year, but Erik takes a little time to check in with an update. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#104 Vacation Mode, Scale Practice, New Books
August 03, 2021 07:00 - 10 minutes - 12.4 MBErik checks in during an extended vacation break to talk about scale practice approaches for the umpteenth time and plug a couple new books by Dan Graser and Robert Musser. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#103 Returning to In-Person Lessons
July 06, 2021 07:00 - 6 minutes - 7.71 MBErik reflects on his priorities as in-person lessons resume and plugs the Seattle Sax Institute Online Community Lesson Series. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#102 Saxophone Mysteries Book 3 Chapter 9
June 22, 2021 07:00 - 4 minutes - 5.57 MBErik continue to read from the Avery Combs saxophone mystery series. It's time for Book 3, Chapter 9...this one gets tense! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#101 Forty and Sporty
June 15, 2021 07:00 - 7 minutes - 9.08 MBErik premieres a celebratory piece by Mark Steighner for solo alto saxophone. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#100 Reflecting on 100 Episodes
June 08, 2021 07:00 - 14 minutes - 16 MBErik basks in the glow of accomplishment after finishing 100 episodes. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#99 Ignore the Leap
May 25, 2021 07:00 - 8 minutes - 9.41 MBErik shares a mental trick to make interval leaps feel easier and sound better. Speaking of leaps, why don't YOU leap over to this anonymous listener survey and take two minutes to fill it out before episode #100 drops in two weeks? https://forms.gle/AGP47RSJbBJhfMRNA
#98 Third Year Anniversary Jamboree
May 15, 2021 07:00 - 1 minute - 2.14 MBThree years of this stuff. Can you believe it? Please take two minutes to fill out this anonymous listener survey! https://forms.gle/AGP47RSJbBJhfMRNA
#97 Saxophone Family Members Ranked
May 11, 2021 07:00 - 7 minutes - 8.25 MBIn an episode accomplishing very little, Erik ranks his beloved saxophone children. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#96 Steighner - Volatility Index (2021) for solo alto saxophone
April 27, 2021 07:00 - 13 minutes - 15.3 MBErik shares a recording of his new work for solo alto saxophone, Volatility Index (2021). Let him know if you're interested in obtaining a copy! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#95 Post-Recital Musings
April 20, 2021 07:00 - 7 minutes - 8.63 MBHoly moly, brace yourselves for a bonus episode! Erik decompresses a bit after finishing his first live recital in over a year. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#94 Youtz - From Stillness (2021) for solo saxophone
April 13, 2021 07:00 - 8 minutes - 10.1 MBErik presents an encore performance of From Stillness (2021) for solo saxophone by Gregory Youtz, premiered last weekend at the NASA Region 1 Conference. Hear the piece again at Erik's PLU faculty recital this Sunday, April 18 at 3 p.m. PDT. Livestream link. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#94 NASA Encore - "From Stillness" (2021) by Gregory Youtz
April 13, 2021 07:00 - 8 minutes - 10.1 MBErik presents an encore performance of From Stillness (2021) for solo saxophone by Gregory Youtz, premiered last weekend at the NASA Region 1 Conference. Hear the piece again at Erik's PLU faculty recital this Sunday, April 18 at 3 p.m. PDT. Livestream link. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#93 Rehearsal Analysis - Bozza Improvisation and Caprice
March 30, 2021 07:00 - 20 minutes - 23.7 MBA few weeks prior to his next recital, Erik reviews rehearsal audio of Eugene Bozza's classic Improvisation and Caprice. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com Bozza excerpts used by permission of G. Schirmer, Inc.
#92 Spring Forward and Hire a Professional
March 16, 2021 07:00 - 5 minutes - 6.19 MBThe show continues flying in a holding pattern until we get closer to the NASA Region 1 Conference and Erik can release some episodes about those world premieres. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#91 Recital Preparation Strategies
March 02, 2021 08:00 - 7 minutes - 8.55 MBErik gives a quick overview of how he structures his practice in the months prior to a solo recital. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#90 Snow Day Randomness
February 16, 2021 08:00 - 7 minutes - 8.55 MBAfter spending hours frolicking in the snow, Erik uses his leftover energy to plug upcoming spring events and share a bonus tip from a masterclass he attended 17 years ago. Visit the NASA Region 1 Conference website Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#89 Erik's New Favorite Method Book
February 02, 2021 08:00 - 19 minutes - 22 MBErik shares his thoughts on an excellent new method book for saxophone. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#88 Testing the D'Addario VENN Synthetic Reed
January 19, 2021 08:00 - 15 minutes - 17.4 MBErik compares the D'Addario's relatively new VENN synthetic reed with other synthetic and cane options. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#87 Even More Tips for a Productive New Year
January 05, 2021 08:00 - 14 minutes - 16 MBErik kicks off 2021 with a masterclass on one of the most well-known works from the saxophone repertoire. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#86 Selmer Soprano Mouthpiece Shootout - S80, S90, Concept
December 22, 2020 08:00 - 14 minutes - 16.9 MBMore mouthpiece trials, this time on soprano. Erik pits his Selmer S90-170 and S80 C* against the Concept. Main playtests begin at 6'00". Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#85 Selmer Alto Mouthpiece Shootout - S90, Concept, Claude Delangle
December 08, 2020 08:00 - 25 minutes - 28.9 MBIt's a good old-fashioned alto mouthpiece shootout! Erik pits his Selmer S90-180 against the Concept and the new Claude Delangle. Main playtests begin at 11'38". Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#84 As a Lily among Brambles by Anderson - Commentary Track
November 24, 2020 08:00 - 18 minutes - 21 MBErik revisits another work from Made in Tacoma in this last-minute commentary on Deborah Anderson's As a Lily among Brambles for baritone saxophone and piano (available from Dorn Publications). Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#83 Arrangement - Sonata in A Minor by C.P.E. Bach
November 10, 2020 08:00 - 12 minutes - 14.8 MBErik washes away the stress of election week with C.P.E. Bach's Sonata for Solo Flute in A Minor, Wq. 132, H 562, arranged by Sunil Gadgil. Check him out at sunilgadgil.com! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#82 Archived Performance - Tecca - "the Light is filled with birds" for solo alto saxophone
October 27, 2020 07:00 - 17 minutes - 20.4 MBOn the tenth anniversary of its premiere, Erik presents a live recording from 2010 of Jeff Tecca's work for solo alto saxophone, the Light is filled with birds. Interested in ordering it? Contact Jeff at [email protected]. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#81 Temptation Bundling, Skipping Warm-Ups, and a Bonus Game
October 13, 2020 07:00 - 19 minutes - 22.6 MBIn a scattershot episode, Erik talks about temptation bundling to increase your motivation to practice, when it might be okay to skip your warm-ups, and plays a bonus game of "Who Said It: Saxophone Edition" with his father, Mark! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#80 Bach Basics and Trill Trouble
September 29, 2020 07:00 - 19 minutes - 22.3 MBWhile Erik is by no means a Baroque music specialist, he shares his general approach to playing Bach. Afterwards, he amps up the excitement and delves into the controversy over whether one must always approach Baroque and Classical trills from the upper neighbor. BRACE YOURSELF! Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#79 Saxophone Etude and Method Books, Part 2
September 15, 2020 07:00 - 17 minutes - 19.8 MBErik follows up Part 1 with a shocker -- Part 2! This one covers general etudes and altissimo method books. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#78 Saxophone Etude and Method Books, Part 1
September 01, 2020 07:00 - 14 minutes - 16.8 MBErik begins a tremendously entertaining overview of instructional material for the saxophone, the first part of which focuses on method books and scale books. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#77 Erik's (Non-Music) Summer Book Club
August 18, 2020 07:00 - 8 minutes - 9.16 MBTaking a little break from music-talkin' and doing some book-talkin' instead. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#76 Reevaluating Mouthpiece Target Pitches
August 04, 2020 07:00 - 13 minutes - 15 MBCould the mouthpiece pitch targets you've been taught be a LIE?! Enjoy the beauty of not one but four different mouthpieces (SATB) being played by themselves. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com
#75 Digital Music Resources
July 21, 2020 07:00 - 15 minutes - 17.2 MBA midsummer episode that's about as exciting as its title! Erik gives a brief overview of his favorite DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), MIDI controllers, etc. Get in touch at [email protected] or eriksteighner.com