The past few days – starting around this time last week, I found myself playing with amazing
consistency with regards to my sound. I have also found it a lot easier to hit
my ceiling notes like G on top of the staff.  Granted, that usually weakens
as my chops get tired but it is still much better than usual.  Prior to
this – I usually had 3 days out of 5 or 6 where I was pleased with the sound I
was creating.  The other days I struggled with mouthpiece placement, tone
and range.  Right now my embouchure setting is pretty much automatic and I
think I have found the idea placement that works for me.  Needless to say I
am very pleased with the results.  I’ve been listening to a lot of Donald
Byrd lately and I have to think his crisp (almost flawless) tone are helping me
develop the right sound ideas in my own playing.

I’ve been doing a lot of work in the Herring Progressive Etudes book and it’s
great.  I usually work one exercise for my entire session – not running
through the entire song regardless of how it sounds.  Instead I break it
into measures and work each section until I feel I am playing it to the best of
my ability.  That includes tone and articulation.  Once I nail one
section, I go back to the beginning or where I started and play through it –
trying to maintain the same consistency.  It’s a great workout for the
chops but more importantly – an excellent way to focus on making music.

I haven’t recording anything in a while.  This week I’m hoping to get a
new sound file up to show off my new found consistency.