{"id":55,"date":"2014-10-04T18:23:44","date_gmt":"2014-10-04T18:23:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tonywhiteinc.com\/?page_id=55"},"modified":"2016-03-02T17:32:31","modified_gmt":"2016-03-02T17:32:31","slug":"testimonials","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tonywhiteinc.com\/?page_id=55","title":{"rendered":"Testimonials"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#263f5e” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” title=”Testimonials” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”] Honest Talk About Music Education Plus Practice Room Tidbits with Sax Pro Tony White\"tony_testimonial\"<\/a><\/strong> The Interview<\/strong> ZS: Why did you choose the saxophone?<\/strong> TW: When I first started getting involved in music was when I entered middle school. I really wanted to play the bass when joining band but my school did not have one. Since I could not play the bass, I was looking for another instrument which ended up being the tenor saxophone. I first started playing on the clarinet and then moved right to the tenor saxophone. Most saxophonists usually start on the alto and then move to the tenor saxophone. Why I gravitated towards the tenor saxophone was I really liked the bass and as the tenor saxophonist you had the opportunity to play bass lines<\/strong> which I really enjoyed. ZS: What musicians helped you progress as a saxophonist?<\/strong> TW: When I was growing up, a woman by the name of Mrs. Herman got me exposed to the instrument. In terms of professional saxophonists whom I listen to and try to incorporate their ideas would be Ernie Watts, Grover Washington Junior, Michael Brecker, and Keith Jarrett. When I decided to pursue music as my major in college, a musician named Frank Chase gave me a reality check in terms of how to play the saxophone correctly in regards to phrasing, sound production, intonation, and developing a more focused practice routine. I found that playing along with records to be the most beneficial way to practice<\/strong> the areas that Frank Chase recommend I focus on. Funny enough, I did not know about Charlie Parker until I reached college. In addition to playing saxophone, I played bass clarinet in concert band as well as baritone sax while attending college at UC Riverside which helped expand my understanding of other instruments. ZS: How do you develop a good sound?<\/strong> TW: Sound is a personal thing. Listen to guys who have a strong sound: Ernie Watts, Michael Brecker, Stanley Turrentine. Through trying to sound like a certain musician you will develop your own sound<\/strong> and I can\u2019t stress enough the importance on working on developing a good sound. Some players feel that when someone says \u201cyou sound like Michael Brecker\u201d that you are copying Michael Brecker, but I feel that more players should understand this compliment as \u201cYou embody many of the great characteristics that many players associate with Michael Brecker.\u201d ZS: What material do you find yourself practicing the most these days?<\/strong> TW: I typically work on developing a more focused practice routine. What I mean by this is, for instance, taking a part a standard such as Confirmation<\/em>. What I would do is play the head, and then just focus on the \u2018A\u2019 section. If I am having difficulty playing through certain chords, I condense my focus to just those two chords or even one chord to see what riffs would work over that chord. This is a great way to expand on ideas you have under your fingers. I will continue to play along with records because the great saxophonist, Bob Sheppard<\/a>, reinforced this idea in me. Bob told me, \u201cYou need to hear and feel it to play Jazz\u201d. ZS: What\u2019s the single best piece of advice you\u2019ve been given over the course of your playing career?<\/strong> TW: When I met Michael Brecker, he told me that \u201cnothing is impossible\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0and that you must enjoy the moment. ZS: Do you believe Music Education has changed over the past few years?<\/strong> TW: I have been in this business for over 28 years and many things have changed. There are many music educators who are not equipped with demonstrating their passion for music and passing this passion and dedication to music on to their students.<\/strong> Many music teachers must cooperate with math, science, etc in terms of students\u2019 schedules and the requirements the school board has decided that they must follow. The music director has to be passionate about the music and not allow the band to play average. The quality of music is the most important. Good equipment and bringing in teachers and clinicians into middle school and high schools will help motivate and enhance the students overall music experience. Even though there seems to be a lack of funding to some extent, there are grants out there to receive funding to purchase instruments. Besides the school\u2019s efforts to support music, parental involvement is essential to enhance the band program at their child\u2019s school, and the schools with better organized parent programs are the one\u2019s that have not<\/em> experienced the severe cuts that other music programs have seen<\/strong> due to a lack of support and interest. ZS: What\u2019s your saxophone equipment setup?<\/strong> TW: Saxophones<\/strong><\/p>\n