One more for 2009

My father passed away November 13. Still reeling from the shock and disbelief, I have been unable to write about it until today. The last day of 2009 seems like the appropriate moment.

He was extremely generous, and my mind keeps wandering back to the day he presented me with my Selmer Mark VII tenor and alto saxophones. I was a senior in high school, and had always played on rentals (a Yamaha tenor) or an older instrument borrowed from a family member (an alto Buescher Tru-Tone). My Dad was a very busy man, and traveled extensively for his company, which meant he missed most of my concerts and performances. Last year at Thanksgiving, while visiting in Vermont, he remarked that he'd never heard me play. I took out the tenor he gave me, and played for him. Looking up as I finished I saw tears in his eyes. I asked him why he was crying. He replied that he felt terrible he had never heard me play before and told me he thought I was really good. "It doesn't matter Dad, you heard me now."

I wanted to play for him one last time, and my husband was kind enough to realize I wasn't crazy when I asked him to drive my Selmer Tenor across Canada for 2 days so I could play "A Closer Walk With Thee" at his funeral.

From now on, every time I play, I know he can hear me.

I want to play saxophone underwater.......

If you like this - check out the main site and contribute to the charity "Band on the Wall", helping to teach music to disabled children.

http://www.breakfastroom.net

Back on the Sax.....

I realize this is a crazy blogpost title, however, I wonder if I'm a little crazy lately myself. As you may have read in a previous post, I have taken out my tenor saxophone again. For those of you who knew me in my youth and are cheering me on - I appreciate your support (thanks, Margaret ♥). I am also grateful to my family for tolerating all the tooting.......

While I was mulling over whether or not I had any skills or chops left, searching on the internet led me to an intriguing website and forum: http://www.petethomas.co.uk/ and it's companion http://www.breakfastroom.co.uk/. After lurking in the forum group for a month or so, devouring all the posts about technical strides in mouthpieces, reeds, ligatures and which saxophones were considered the best - I've just posted my intro. Both are a fabulous resource for all things Saxophone. It was encouraging and inspiring to read the posts from men and women, younger and older and in between, who have been playing the sax for years and those at every age just beginning to play. Thanks, Pete ♥. Who is Pete Thomas? - click above and find out for yourself - and don't forget to check out his shopping links...Pete donates proceeds from sales to APEC, Leukaemia Busters and IMC Burma Cyclone Appeal.