Everything Saxophone Podcast

Nicole Johänntgen joins Donna on Episode 270 of The Everything Saxophone Podcast!
 
Nicole is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, composer, educator, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential saxophone creators on social media today. In this conversation, she shares her musical journey, teaching philosophy, and practical insights for saxophonists looking to improve their playing and creativity.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 Musical beginnings
04:40 Nicole's tip for improving your saxophone technique
07:11 Coming from a classical background
08:36 Her introduction to saxophone
10:48 Her 360 Degree approach to teaching that involves the whole body/mind
12:31 Jazz is a skill for life
15:01 How her journey to composing started
17:30 What inspired Nicole to play so rhythmically
23:54 Playing with the time/timing
32:17 Listen and reflect to 'Pandeiro'
38:50 Her scooping technique
44:53 Moving to New Orleans
53:55 Upcoming projects



 
Explore more about Nicole Johaenntgen, her music, background, and socials, all in one place:  https://saxophonepodcast.com/nicole-johaenntgen-ep-270-rhythm-as-the-foundation-for-great-sax-solos

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Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available 👉 HERE

Classical saxophone icon Dale Underwood joins us for Episode 269 of the Saxophone Podcast.
 
A frequent guest soloist with major orchestras including the Boston Pops Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra, Dale Underwood has built one of the most respected careers in the saxophone world.
 
From Carnegie Hall performances to decades with the United States Navy Band, his influence on classical saxophone performance and education continues to inspire generations of musicians.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 Musical beginnings
04:34 Dale Underwood's beginning teachers
05:45 Fun fact about Dale's high school performance
10:42 Horns he used through the years
19:07 What Dale's teacher said that changed his playing forever
20:15 The #1 way Donald Sinta motivated Dale during lessons 
23:12 Exercises from Sinta that Dale still does today
29:11 Pete Christlieb quote
32:47 Fondest memories from touring the Western states
34:47 How he started getting commissioned works
46:16 Setup when it comes to reeds
53:53 Navy band symposium
01:01:27 Exercise he does with his students
01:03:27 Mouthpiece he has used for the last 30 years
01:09:50 Upcoming project
 
Explore more about Dale Underwood: his music, background, and socials, all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-educator-dale-underwood-on-sound-discipline-building-a-lasting-career-ep-269
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Patron today! 🥳  
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available 👉 HERE

What does it really take to find your sound in today's jazz world?
 
In Ep. 268, saxophonist Christoph Irniger shares his journey; from his musical beginnings to developing a personal voice through composition, tone, and deep listening.
 
Below is a detailed timestamp to guide your listening:
00:00 Musical beginning
11:30 Books that helped his playing
13:32 Artists that inspired him
26:10 Feeling rhythm and the pulse
27:36 Writing and playing his own compositions
29:59 Swiss jazz scene
36:14 Utilizing the online world in exposing his work
45:09 How he came up with the title "Dry Sensation"
46:05 Listen to "Dry Sensation"
54:31 A tip for using long tones to get into the changes
55:35 Joe Allard tone exercise
57:01 Listen and reflect to "Abandoned Eggs In a Pan"
01:09:39 Listen and reflect to Bluesetto
01:15:11 His new album "New Lines" and where to get it

👉 Explore more about how Christoph Irniger, explore practical concepts you can bring into your own playing, such as long tone work, tone development, and approaching the changes with intention: 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Patron today! 🥳
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows 
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes, hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos, even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation, so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

How being different can actually be your biggest advantage.
 
In Episode 267 of the Everything Saxophone Podcast, Donna sat down with saxophonist and composer Shawn Maxwell to talk about carving your own path and why leaning into what makes you different can propel your career forward.
 
Shawn shares his journey from classical beginnings to discovering improvisation, and how that shift reshaped his sound, mindset, and musical direction.
 
⬇️ We also get into the practical side of things:
00:00 How he got into music
09:22 Changes he did to get his sound
13:18 First time improvising as someone who started with classical music
19:15 What he did after graduating
22:32 Do this when networking
26:28 How to get a wider variance of sound
31:59 Writing and composing
39:19 Notation softwares
47:58 Don't be stuck in the past 
15:14 How to network
55:45 Importance of communication between players
01:00:04 Friendship with Chika Inoue that lead to their collaboration for "Cats are Gods"
01:02:49 Listen and reflect to "Cats are Gods"
01:13:21 Tips on getting that open sound
01:19:01 Story behind "Reed Tire Earth"
01:20:17 Listen and reflect to "Reed Tire Earth"
01:30:26 How to be a well rounded musician
01:32:06 Advice for classical saxophonists
01:34:02 How to deal with negativity
01:36:13 Where can you find Shawn's works
01:43:12 Upcoming projects/shows
➡️ Explore more about Shawn Maxwell: his music, background, and socials, all in one place: 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows 
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content 
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes, hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation, so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it, and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ HERE

What does it mean to improvise melodically? 🎷
 
In this new episode, Donna sat down with legendary saxophonist Steve Wilson to talk about his melodic approach to improvisation, his decades-long career, and the musical ideas that continue to shape his playing.
 
With more than 175 recordings and collaborations with artists like Chick Corea and Christian McBride, Steve shares invaluable insights for saxophonists and musicians alike.
 
We also discuss his upcoming album Enduring Sonance, releasing May 1 on Smoke Sessions Records.
 
TIMESTAMPS: 
00:00 Introduction
02:59 Why Johnny Hodges is the perfect sound template
05:43 What a good sound really is
07:54 How he got into music
11:14 His first experience in teaching 
14:36 How Oboe helped his embouchure and sound
15:49 When he started playing soprano sax
16:36 The easiest saxophone to play but hard to master
28:15 Learn things the right way and don't develop bad habits
31:00 His biggest influence
34:33 Moving to New York
39:13 Golden era of music shops
43:00 His first album
48:33 Adjusting your sound in the studio 
55:49 How to get the best sound at a live performance
58:44 Listen and reflect to "Quiet Girl"
01:12:36 Steve's advice for uplifting your audience
01:14:11 Melody and the evolution of jazz education
01:25:07 Listen and reflect to "Helen's Song"
Explore more about Steve Wilson-his music, background, and socials-all in one place: https://saxophonepodcast.com/saxophonist-steve-wilson-his-melodic-approach-to-improvisation-ep-266
📌 Become a Patron today! 
Love our content? Want even more behind-the-scenes access? By becoming a Patron, you'll get exclusive perks such as:
✅ A complete, always-updated listing of all our shows
✅ Bonus videos packed with behind-the-scenes content
✅ Searchable transcripts for every episode
✅ Early access to episodes— hear them before anyone else!
Your support keeps the show running and fuels our ability to bring you the best content possible. And the best part? You can join for as little as $2 a month!
Be part of something bigger. Join us on Patreon today! CLICK HERE
Ever wonder what it would feel like to stop overthinking and just play? 🤔
To hear the changes, trust your instincts, and take confident, creative solos — even if you've always relied on the sheet music?
That's exactly what you'll learn in the free masterclass called "How to Improvise With Confidence."
Inside, you'll discover:
How to simplify improvisation — so it works no matter your skill level
The trick to creating solos on the spot (even if you were trained to read note-for-note)
And how to actually make progress without getting stuck in the practice loop
Thousands of sax players have already gone through it - and many say it's the first time improvising finally made sense.
Click here to watch the masterclass now while it's still available ➡️ CLICK HERE