0-10 years of playing the saxophone
Ойын-сауық
February marks 10 years of playing the saxophone for me, so here is footage of me playing from day 10 all the way to year 10!
My dad has always liked to film my siblings and I (which I always hated when I was younger but am now grateful for lol). But luckily this means I have tons of videos of me playing throughout the years. So to celebrate 10 years of playing the saxophone I put some of them in chronological order so you guys can see the progression so far!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:18 10 days (and recreating this video)
0:56 1 year, 8 months
1:48 2 years (In A Sentimental Mood)
2:19 2 years, 5 months (CMU big band)
4:00 3 years (basically)
5:44 3 years, 3 months (steel drum concert #1)
7:03 3 years, 3 months (art gallery gig #1)
7:43 3 years, 5 months (Berklee 5 week/important musical moment)
10:26 4 years, 2 months (art gallery gig #2/playing flute??)
11:22 4 years, 3 months (my senior recital/transcribing by ear)
12:31 4 years, 3 months (steel drum gig #2 1 year later!)
13:06 5 years (On the Sunny Side Of the Street)
13:30 5 years, 2 months (2 jam sessions in 1 day)
16:12 The importance of the George Heid III jam session
16:45 5 years, 6 months
17:16 5 years, 11 months (Triste)
17:56 6 years, 11 months
18:14 8 years, 3 months (my first big band gig)
18:51 9 years (Sam Greenfield transcription)
19:23 10 years (well, 9 years and 10.5 months)
20:26 Music is a journey/outro
I didn't start saxophone until I was 14 so I've always felt a few years behind everyone else. I've always wondered what the musicians I look up to sounded like when they were just learning their instrument, so I think it's important for me to put these on the internet. I also think it's good to show that part of the process of learning an instrument is sounding bad for a long time. And then still sounding bad when you start to sound good lol. Anyways, I hope this video is both entertaining and reassuring to you, wherever you may be on this journey. Here's to at least 10 more years!😂
#saxophone #musician #musicians
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Пікірлер: 245
Pretty sure that's Tenderly
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Omggg you’re right!! Thank you so much. I literally hadn’t figured it out and I filmed this a few weeks ago!
@237Films
Жыл бұрын
YES I WAS GONNA COMMENT THAT! LOL
@PuppyCrunch2019
4 ай бұрын
@@FoolishFrankieCMU is near me so I am familiar with the place
Don't put yourself down for starting late (at 14). I started late at 32....and still playing at 72. You are doing all the right stuff.. Self analysis with good ears and focused plactise and expanding your horizons is all to be admired and all you need...your love for the music and entertaining is terrific... Cheers Mate.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh thank you so much that means a lot!!🙏🏻🙏🏻
@curantoconchapalele2731
Жыл бұрын
I needed yo read this so bad. Thank you
@NateIsGreat
Жыл бұрын
Ain’t no way you’re 72
@thesaxman
Жыл бұрын
@@NateIsGreat Weill I’m living proof…born in 1950 mate…..wish I”d starteed playing in sax in 1964.
@douglasbohmer2615
Жыл бұрын
I started late at 35! Never done any music before, and yeah... One of the best things I ever chose to do!
I have never in my life heard someone sound so good after 10 days
@FoolishFrankie
11 ай бұрын
Oh gosh well thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻
@rebeccamouse9294
8 ай бұрын
Agreed
Dude the stuff about wishing you had footage of the people you admire early in their music experience is literally me. My teacher can whip out a trumpet in any key and transpose and play anything I might be working on, making it sound pretty good, in like a minute and a half. Theoretically he was once where I am now, but it’s hard to see things that way most of the time.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Yesss exactly. It’s so hard to even picture someone like that sounding like a beginner because they’re so far down the road
@LukeHuber
Жыл бұрын
Lol, my band director can pick up any instrument in the room and play the part perfectly except for the double reeds, I've seen him pick up and play a piccolo and tuba within 5 minutes of each other
Loved the video, I'm in grade 11 and I've been playing the sax since grade 7, but I've only been practicing seriously since about the middle of grade 10. It's been really great because of my band teacher who really helps us out, and lots of saxophonists on youtube, you included. Thanks for showing us your progress!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh that’s awesome! Thanks so much for watching and keep up the good work:)
Please don't take this the wrong way, but thank you for making me feel better about myself. I have been playing for one and a half years and I am regularly too hard on myself. You are one of the only people showing their real long-term progress on saxophone. Thank you.
@FoolishFrankie
Ай бұрын
❤️
I'm a junior in high school tenor player, I've been playing about 5.5 years now. Seeing where you're at now vs where I'm at at the same age makes me much more confident that I can truly play at a professional level one day.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
That’s awesome I’m glad this video is useful!
I’m 14 and started playing sax for my high school band. I was looking around on KZread looking for people who give tips on playing sax and I found this channel and ever since I’ve been really inspired. I managed to land a solo in our spring concert and it was ok for my first solo on stage. I can only hope to play and sound as good as you one day.
loved the story you shared about your ensemble and how you all had language barriers but as soon as the music started you were all on the same wavelength.. so dope! great video thanks for sharing
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it that was a super important musical moment for me!
You started late at 14 …. I started late at 52🤣 Wish I started at 14! The thing to celebrate is not when we started but the fact that we didn’t stop. Well done - you are still playing and I thought you were already good after 3 years. Great video
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh so true!! I appreciate the kind words🙏🏻
Alto Madness! Richie Cole visited my high school when I was there, what a player and very laid back guy! RIP Richie.
Thank you for sharing your progression, excellent improvement in a short amount of time! I started at 15 years old, and have been playing consistently for 45 years, sounding ok but still striving to get better with my sound and playing. It's not the destination, but the journey!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Wow that’s awesome!! Definitely about the journey. I know a saxophonist in his 90s that still practices every day because he wants to improve!
I've been playing for 5 years (started seriously at 52) and so far I can relate to the facial expression when hearing oneself play. You are doing great. Your video has motivated me to continue with the journey.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh that’s awesome I’m glad I can inspire and I appreciate you watching!!
crazy how good you were in 2 and a half years, nice
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Oh gosh I definitely had much improvement to be made 😅🙌🏻
so generous sharing this and great inspiration for all of us working away in the woodshed, thank you
@FoolishFrankie
7 ай бұрын
Much love🙏🏻
Music is the (in my opinion) greatest universal language
Hey!! I started playing sax when I was 12 so that I could join my schools jazz band (7th grade was the first year they had one). I started learning piano when I was 8, flute for concert band when I was 10, and I was in my schools choir when I was 11. So, while I knew musical basics and everything, sax was such a big difference from what I knew. When I started you were such a big inspiration (you’re actually the one who made me want to learn saxophone and not trombone or trumpet, my other options), and you encouraged me to keep practicing and playing. I can still remember how surprised I was when my band teacher put me in the lead sax position after I had only been playing sax for 4 or 5 months. It came so naturally for me, and my love for the instrument is only increasing as I play it more. I still love flute and piano, but sax is definitely my favourite. I have to thank you for that, I’ve found my passion in music and it’s thanks to you.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh this is awesome I’m really glad I could inspire and I appreciate you watching!
Dude. I'm 31 and you have inspired me to pick up a saxophone. I've done vocals and 0 instruments my whole life but your vids have really motivated me to get out of my comfort zone 🙏🏽
@AntiViGames
Жыл бұрын
As an old person myself we're in the same boat. I'm going to check out some saxophones next week.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh this is so awesome to hear!!!🥺🙏🏻
That's a huge improvement for only 10 years bro. Keep inspiring!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I really appreciate it!!🙏🏻🙏🏻
Really cool video! As someone who’s taken lots of breaks from sax and doesn’t really know how to practice, I’ve always wondered how people meaningfully progress. I see you performed a lot! Maybe that’s a key🙂
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!! And there are definitely some things you can only learn by playing live!🙌🏻
I’ve got 4 and a half years under my belt and I gotta admit, the work never really stops. Especially since I’m setting my sights on California All State band in a few months for my 11th grade year. But yeah, I think most of my improvement really happened these last few months when I finally started taking practicing really seriously
*This video helps to calm me down, it shows that learning how to express myself on the saxophone will take a little longer than i would like.*
You have come a long way, good job buddy ❤❤❤
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate you🙏🏻
Very cool and inspiring to see the journey. Thank you for share and here's to many more years of playing!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!!🙌🏻🙏🏻
I really respect your dedication to your craft. Thanks for sharing this. It's inspiring to see a youngster not knowing what he was doing to later becoming a seasoned professional. Well done my man! Inspiring! 👏👏👏
@FoolishFrankie
20 күн бұрын
This is the whole goal of my channel!! Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻
I’m 15 and I started playing the alto sax (my first instrument) a few months ago at 14 for my marching and jazz band classes, and I hope to grow up to be as good a musician as you are
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh that’s awesome thanks so much!🙌🏻🙏🏻
most underrated musician youtuber
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
You’re too kind🙏🏻
What a wonderful video. I really appreciate you sharing all this, it gives me so much perspective. I'm 39 and I started clarinet 2 years ago. I had zero musical knowledge before that. I practice everyday, I play all the time, and I'm starting to play with friends. I have kinda imagined my progress up to about 5 years and it doesn't seem far off from where you were through those years, so that's nice to see. Also very cool you are playing bluegrass. I am working on learning how to play country clarinet along with a guitar and hope to play fast enough for bluegrass one day. Thanks for sharing.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh this is so awesome to hear!! Glad it was interesting to you and I appreciate you watching!🙌🙏🏻
I don’t have talent for an instrument but you are so good even in the beginning and just have gotten better. I love the sound of the saxophone.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate the kind words🙏🏻
This inspires me as a guy with a year experience on Sax and going into Music Ed. I feel more comfortable going in and I feel like I can make it into the school.
You have improved a lot playing the saxophone, and your progress has been very fast. You have a natural talent for it. Good video ^_^
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate it Kinto and I appreciate you always watching🥺🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing your progress! I got here because I'm looking for flute learning progression, and your learning process is totally different cause this doesn't include the 6 months from trying to get an instrument to sound at all, but it is still inspiring. Thank you! I also started at 17 to learn the guitar and only like 20 years did I get to play and actually enjoy it. intermediate I think they call it.
@FoolishFrankie
6 ай бұрын
That’s awesome! I’m glad this video was useful. Everyone is on their own path, just keep working at it:)
Bro as a sax learner I really enjoy all your vids! It helps me endure the process of learning and trying to go along with giging as well! thanks!
@FoolishFrankie
8 ай бұрын
Thank you I’m glad!🙏🏻
its tenderly, such a lovely tune :)
Great vid!!! And I like the message of an ever ongoing journey. You often come across comments like wow talented etc and maybe there is something like talent but most important is to stick to the path and practice maybe find good mentors aswell. Very encouraging:)
@FoolishFrankie
18 күн бұрын
So true! Thanks for watching🙏🏻🙏🏻
I think when you are surprised at how good your flute playing was is how learning another instrument helps your other instruments
Very entertaining and interesting. Keep them coming! You listen with a "technical" ear. My untrained ear appreciates and enjoys even your earliest efforts.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate the kind words🙏🏻
I’ve just started learning saxophone in the last 8 months as a second instrument as I’ve been playing flute for a long time before this. This is really inspirational for me.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
That’s awesome I’m glad to hear!!🔥
Good job, You put the time in. I really started at 15, worked hard , went to Berklee, became high school band director, pro musician, college music educator. Backwards sax photos (18:60) drive me crazy
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
That’s awesome!🙌🏻
Hey Frankie! This was an awesome video. I've only been playing for 5 years so I've still got a while to go but it was great to see your playing progression. I'd recommend for a video trying out the new alto nexus reeds!! They've actually blown me away. I'd give it a go if I were you xoxo
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks so much! And I play Boston sax shop which are very similar:)
I used to study administration but after a deep dive in KZread + bad decision making I dropped out and entered a music college. These where the kind of videos that inspired me
sounds better than me at a couple of years in...but left it far too late in life ... still every days a learning day 😂
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Never too late especially if you enjoy it!!🙌🏻
Damn, you got good VERY fast, but long term you really committed to and progressed the learning process into your own style. As a non-wind/reed player, I can't even hear some of the "bad" bits you're picking up on looking back. Cool video.
@FoolishFrankie
22 күн бұрын
❤️🙏🏻
Hey I started in the end of 8th grade too! Late start always has sucked but glad I decided to in the long run.
Great vid! Love your personality! Keep it! What was your student alto?
I’m amazed at all the opportunities you were able to perform. I live in Kansas and there’s barely any opportunities to do this stuff. I’ve had to travel a couple hours to some of the stuff I’ve gotten to do.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I’ve definitely been lucky to live near a city!
You can cringe, but you were a lot better at one year than I am 😂
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Everyone is on their own path!!
Already at that level in only 2 years?! wow!
Nice Video!! I wish i had more videos of my begginings on the sax. Cheers!
I've been playing for 3 months (at 20 years old), this gives me lots of hope.
@FoolishFrankie
3 ай бұрын
You can do it!!
started 21-07-2020 with my saxophone journey at the age of 50, now 2.5 years later, not even close to where you where at, but i keep practicing... nice compilation
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
That’s great it’s never too late to start especially if you enjoy it!! Keep on practicing🙂
For those of us from Western PA, you always notice the Volkweins music folders.
I didn't start playing sax since the end of 7th grade, its been 8 months now, im now the 3rd best alto out of five in my band, anything is possible
Good night congrats you did not start late .I started at twenty four years old and still playing now thirty nine years later. Keep practising you will get better.
Really nice seeing someone else's improvement over time.. however i'm still struggling with embouchure on saxophone because i moved from clarinet to sax and i still hold it kinda tight and i also think the ammount of mouthpiece is way less than it should be. What do you think about rolling your lower lip a bit more ? Is that something i should try ? Out of 10 embouchure videos, 8 of them talk about it and the fact that the clarinet/saxophone embouchure are way different than you'd think. Thanks in advance, good luck, and i'm hoping to see more of your videos!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Thank you! And yeah I think it’s worth giving that a shot (rolling your lip out) it could definitely help!
Wow, how reassuring to see someone else, who's street lengths ahead of me, coping with all the same issues on his improvement road to perfection. There might be hope for me yet.🙂
Loved your video. I played throughout grade school and high school. I'm 54 now and started picking it up again regularly. I've always had that pure tone classical sound and now I've really been trying to get that edgy, buzzy sound like you had on your Feb 26, 2022 section. What was different in that solo, compared to the others, that gave you such a different sound?
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh that's awesome to hear! Honestly, I think I had just been transcribing a lot of Sam Greenfield who has a super bright edgy sound so that was the sound I had in my head
Love the vid man I've been playing tuba since late 8th grade (I'm in 9th now) but I do have a question is it bad or good that I also make harsh slef analysis and could it effect my overall confidence?
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Thank you and honestly I can't say
The language of music is universal. It's art🎶🎨
That's so adorable your so talented. And to think that I'm actually older than you.
Dude I’ve been playing for 9 years as a senior in high school I’m nowhere close to where you were at my age, going to college for performance and ed wondering where in the country you grew up. I’m in western New York and I don’t know anyone with your talent. I’ve made all county and nysma (conference Allstate) man congrats on everything man.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Hey thanks so much!! Everyone is on their own path and learns at a different pace so don’t compare yourself too much! I grew up in Pittsburgh (still live there). Thanks so much for watching🙏🏻
15:40 to 15:50 - your facial expression gets me everytime haha
Bruh you got good so quickly
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
It’s all relative 😅🙏🏻
I started learning sax in middle school cause I'm in a music school but that means that I didn't practice in the summers and that I missed a lot of lessons during the Quarantine, so practically I've only been playing for about 3years and only this year have I actually taken it seriously
At that particular point, you didn't sound bad on a melody like 'Tenderly'. And I agree. Your music direct had to have pick a song like that. Thanks for sharing. Really enjoyed, (nice tone,, btw)
@FoolishFrankie
4 ай бұрын
Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻
@michaeldean9338
4 ай бұрын
@@FoolishFrankie Love for All. Peace
Very cool!!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!
What was the first piece in the sax quartet during 3 years?
You improved so much lol
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
🙌🏻🙏🏻
Can you please tell what is the name of the second song that you dad took a video of you practicing please ?
that's tenderly not september in the rain, lovely tune
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Yes I just saw someone else’s comment thank you!!
Feel like when I get good on saxophone and look back it’s going to be just like you
They may be cringy to you, but these videos show that if you put in the work, sometimes hard, it pays off. I'm old, when I see the smiles on peoples faces on The Dooo's, and Rob Landes' videos it makes me wish I had learned to play an instrument. 👍
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Well I appreciate the kind words!! It’s never too late to start if you enjoy it!
I look up to you you’re my favourite sax player
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much 🥺
You’re incredibly talented and incredibly adorable 🥰
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate the kind words 🙏🏻
I agree, Tenderly, but for one year in you sound amazing to me.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I appreciate it🙏🏻
While as you say you started too late, I started studying at 41. Now I'm almost 47 and I still neither have a vibrato nor sound good enough. I even can't get rid of mistakes while improvising because don't remember all the notes in some harmonies. I also can't play good low notes. So for 10 years you're playing brilliantly compared to me.
Coming up on 10 years next years, Finishing A levels this year, planning to go to uni with sax
have you every enjoyed candy dulfer.. listen to her improvisation.. there are interesting building blocks there..very underrated master musician 👩🎤
I was wondering if you had any advice on finding your sound. I seem to be stuck and I don't know where to go. I know that I should listen to recordings, but I can't seem to find the next step.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
I would say just listen and transcribe stuff that you really like and that you want to sound like! I’m very much still finding my sound!
In a sentimental mood 😭
What change in practising brought you the biggest impact/jump in progress?
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Probably just the consistency. I remember a saxophonist that came to my high school said “it’s about taking the horn out of the case when you don’t want to” and that really stuck with me
How the f*** do you have such a good vibratto 1 year into learning?
I always had the opposite problem Really good tone quality from the start but just sucked at playing fast or soloing Your soloing sounds better than most people straight off but the tone quality had some catching up to do lol
Very nice. Are you still working on integrating a little bit of bluegrass into your repertoire?
@FoolishFrankie
9 ай бұрын
Yes! I’ve been going out to bluegrass jams and learning more tunes, I just haven’t posted about it much because it’s a smaller part of everything I’m doing. I usually will try to post tunes I’m learning on my Instagram though
That's a nice video, i will do the same in 9 Years.
How were you that good at 1 year and 8 months, you sound better than me and I’ve been playing for 5 years now. I guess I never really practiced and got more serious until more of this past year 😅. Do you have any tips for exercises to what I should practice to get my tone better?
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Everyone is on their own path! And I have a bunch of video lessons on the sound exercises I do on my Skillshare. Should be linked in the description of most of my videos!
@MTBoulder
Жыл бұрын
@@FoolishFrankie Awesome thank you
I started playing the trumpet 4 months ago for music, and i thought what you thought was bad was good.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
It’s all relative!!
3:13 next time you see DeFade ask him about his impression of Sammy Davis Jr.
I started in 7th grade, but never really practiced until this year. My senior year. I made 1st chair all state and now I keep wondering how much I could have improved if I had practiced even a year earlier. Don't do what I did young ones.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Practicing while you’re young is underrated!
nice!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
😳✨
You improved your godnes like a formel 1 car!
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
🙌🏻🙏🏻
How did you get so good so quickly?? I've been playing a few months longer than you and I'm nowhere near as good
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
It’s all relative! I’ve always been pretty disciplined with my practice routine so I think that has played a part
What's the Bluegrass song you were working on at the end of the video?
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Big Mon by Bill Monroe!
@valeriegillespie9705
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the inspiration!
gotta also remember the sound quality of the camera probably wasnt that good. so your probably sounded great in person in some of these
Mr. Defade teaches me now
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
He’s incredible!!
@LizzieRuff
Жыл бұрын
@@FoolishFrankie Yeah he is!
him at 1 year be playing better than me after 5 years of playing
What was the song that was being played before the flinstone solo at 16:45? That song has been in my head for months but I have no idea what it is called.
@FoolishFrankie
8 ай бұрын
It could happen to you!
@jabezrodriguez4673
8 ай бұрын
Thank you for trying but that wasn't it. Unless I am listening to the wrong one. But you are a real one nevertheless ❤.
i started as a clarient but then i switched to playing sax abt 2 years ago and only 2 years later ive made all state (or all county on where your from) and got offers to play from proffesionals but i wish i had more beggining recordings
@chody07
Жыл бұрын
but i still dont think i sound good lol
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
It’s all a journey!
defade is my teacher!!!! nice to see a pgh area musician as a youtuber.
@FoolishFrankie
Жыл бұрын
Ahh no way he was mine all through high school! Incredible musician and equally as incredible of a person
@SamDavidComposer
Жыл бұрын
@@FoolishFrankie You didnt happen to go to LP did you?