Booking an Interview Time on The Barry Sax Show
Thanks for considering a podcast interview with me on The Barry Sax Show. I am in Australia (UTC+10), but the times below are shown in your local time. I hope we can find a time to record a conversation.
High-Quality Recording via Zencaster
- Zencastr (VoIP) records each voice locally in pristine quality. No more dropouts due to a bad connection. No more changes in quality during the show. Nothing but crystal clear audio.
- I will send you a link to open in Google Chrome (computer only, no tablets or phone).
- You must use headphones and for best results, use your own mic if available.
- Please turn off notifications on any devices and the quietest room will yield the best results.
- There is a video here if you would like to know more: https://vimeo.com/190619561
Possible Interview Questions
The Barry Sax Show Podcast Prep
The Barry Sax Show is a conversation that goes beyond the biography and into the story of a saxophonists’ career. The following questions are a guide through this conversation. I may ask follow-up questions or omit redundant questions based on your answers. You might like to tell me too if there is anything specific that you do not want to discuss or would like to include. It is important to know that you have the right of edit. If there is anything that you are not happy with or would like removed – just let me know before publication.
Podcast Questions
Getting Started
- How did you got started playing the saxophone?
- Why was studying away from home (perhaps overseas) essential to your development?
- Could you describe the different teaching styles you experienced?
- What advice would you give to a beginning university student?
Practising
- How would you describe your practice method as a student compared with what you do now?
- What is your typical practice routine?
- Is memorisation necessary to you and do you have any specific techniques that could be helpful to others?
- How have you developed proficiency on multiple saxophones?
- Could you describe one of your practice techniques that saves you a lot of time?
- Do you have any health tips for a long, injury free career?
Career
- Have you had a specific career plan in mind or has it evolved organically?
- Has recording been an essential process for you and is this still true today?
- How important is it to you to make your living from your music career or do you do you find yourself doing other things swell?
- Is there something that you do outside of music that is entirely different or is your life consumed by your passion for music?
Teaching
- As a teacher, describe your typical day?
- Do you have a particular structure for your saxophone lessons?
- How would you like your students to remember you?
- What is the best part of being a student now as opposed to when you were getting started?
Performing
- How have you developed an audience base over the years?
- What are the best aspects of travelling to play music and are there any parts that you find challenging?
- What is your approach to managing a balance between touring, teaching and your home life?
- What is the usual experience during your musical career?
- How do we continue to develop the academic saxophone and the also take the saxophone into the general public?
Composing, Improvisation and Creativity
- Could you describe how you work with composers and illustrate why this is an integral part of your activities?
- What role does improvising play in your music, or even in the practice room?
- As a performer, what are the role of creativity and personal interpretation when presenting a piece?
Rapid Fire Questions
- Is there is something that you believe that few people agree with?
- If you just had one piece of music that you could play, what would it be and why?
- You have one hour to practise, how would you spend your time?
- What is your approach to the daily use of technology in your life?
- Who do you consider to be one of the most successful contributors to the saxophone and why?
- If we learn from our mistakes, is it okay to make them?
- What is the most important thing that you do right before a performance?
Wrapping Up
- With hindsight, could you give your younger self a piece of advice that would have benefited your development?
- What are some of the changes that you have seen in the saxophone world and what has surprised that has remained the same?
- Could you tell me about a recent project that you have completed?
- Where can people find out more about your activities, i.e. website, social media etc.?
- Finally, you have already made an incredible contribution to the saxophone, what is next for you in the coming decades?