News

Black Diamond Straight Soprano Sax

Rare Find in the vast warehouse - Only one left - Rheuben Allen Black Diamond Soprano Sax from the Black Diamond Saxophone Family!! Be the First and Only Owner of this fine playing Soprano Sax!!

Full article →

Black Diamond Alto Sax - Trade Show Special

The Black Diamond Professional Alto Saxophone - Designed by Rheuben Allen - Repairman to the Hollywood Studio & Touring Woodwind Players.

This saxophone is a great example of his ingenuity.

The saxophone has rich, dark, and smooth tone. There were only two in existence that were made from the prototype. We have the prototype in our office. This saxophone is taken by our staff to gigs, practice, and try outs to music teachers. It runs a close second to the fabulous RAAS6L - 14K Alto Sax.

The first one was bought by a collector who doesn't play (go figure)!

Black Diamond
Professional Alto Saxophone
Model No. HSASBD

Limited Edition Model
Features:
The Heavy Freedom/Power Neck Brace
Easy to operate High & Trill F# Keys
Easy to reach Front F or Altissimo Key
Black Nickel Plated Body, Neck  & Keys
Leather Contour Case
Rheuben Allen® Mouthpiece Manufactured in the USA

Not only are the Black Diamond Saxophones are Beautiful
They Play Outstanding

visit the website: www.kdimusic.com

 

Full article →

2017 Kenny G - G-Series GVI Copper Soprano Saxophone

We finally got to play the newest line of the Kenny G  Soprano Saxophone - 85% Copper Body - Model KGSSCL-GVI

The product was introduced at the NAMM show in 2017 and we are excited to be one of the first to take it for a spin. It plays with such a dark, rich, and full tone. The range is amazing and fluid key action..

The body which is 85% copper, and a mixture of brass with brass keys. With a Champagne Lacquer Finish, ribbed construction, newly designed High F-Sharp Trill Key and Harmonic (Front F) keys. The bore design is the same as the G- Series IV Soprano Saxophones, and it does make a difference compared to others.

The Saxophones are unique in design of the G-Series Saxophones, and features - Palm Keys and Upper Stack are a modern traditional design and the lower stack and left hand little finger keys are patterned after the original Mark VI. Of course it a Bb Instrument with a range from Low Bb to a high G. The accessories is outstanding besides the basics with the exception of the value added Kenny G KGSS-HRMp2 Traditional Chamber Mouthpiece, Rovner designed Kenny G Soprano Saxophone Ligature with cap, and a cool looking case.. 

More impressive with the hand engraving throughout the instrument, the color with the Champagne finish is unbelievable.. 

Thanks for Reading!!

KDI Music Staff

Full article →

Killer Deal Discount on Kenny G Saxophones and Rheuben Allen Saxophones

Here is a deal for those looking to get the Kenny G Saxophones or the Rheuben Allen Saxophones. The 2017 NAMM Show is coming and we need to clear our racks for the NEW Models. Save 10% on Orders over $700.00. 

Starting January 6 to January 24, 2017 - Use: NAMM 2017-10 (Only one discount per E-Mail)  

Check it out at: https://kdimusic.com/

 

 

Full article →

2014 Kenny G 'G-Series - IV" Soprano Sax Special

2014 Kenny G 'G-Series IV' Lacquered Body with Lacquered Keys Soprano Saxophone TSP

Exclusive Purchase from Manufacturer

Features:

Original Designed Kenny G Logo
Selmer Style – Low B, B-Flat and C-Sharp Key Design
Modern Palm Key Design
Hand Engraved
Wood Case
Excellent Intonation & Response Throughout the Entire Range of Instrument
Range: Low B-Flat to High G

New Feature: Lyre Holder Slot!!!

Accessories include:

Case

Cork Grease

Mouthpiece, Mouthpiece Cap, and Ligature

Check it out!!

Thanks for Reading!!

Happy Holidays!!

The Staff at KDI Music, LLC

Full article →

Improving your Saxophone Playing by Tuning Properly

Tuning Properly

When most saxophonists tune up they use a middle G or F-Sharp. The main problem with this is that the middle G or F-Sharp is traditionally very sharp notes... usually 30 cent plus if the embouchure is not adjusted. The young saxophonist will generally not know where these notes are just by playing them alone. When the student pulls the mouthpiece out far enough to make the unaltered F-Sharp or G play in tune then the lower register of the instrument sill most certainly be flat.


How to fix this problem:

There are two simple things that can be done. One have the saxophonist play the G or F-Sharp in the lower register. These notes are normally much closer to being in tune and will allow the young saxophonist to learn where to play the middle D, D-Sharp, E, F, F-Sharp and G on the alto. To play any of these notes in tune the embouchure must be slightly altered.

The second option is to have the alto saxophonist play a first finger B natural, hold it for a while and then play the middle G or F-Sharp. This will allow the saxophonist to make the necessary adjustments to the embouchure when they hear the interval from the first finger B to the middle note.

Ask any saxophonist of any level of playing to play a middle F-Sharp out of the air as their first note and it will likely not be as in tune as if they played the first finger B before playing the F-Sharp.

*It is important to remember that the saxophone is generally an out of tune instrument. It is by the nature of the design that the instrument is always a challenge to play in tune. When you change a reed... when the room is to hot or cold.... a pad leaks... All of these things change the intonation of the instrument.

*The best way to play any instrument in tune is of course to...... hear it in tune! Practice with your tuner... now they do not need to get crazy with the tuner and bring it with them everywhere... When I see a guy get a tuner out before anyone has played I am pretty sure he cannot trust his ears.... use the tuner at home or just to get the first note where you need it.... then put it away.....

You must first hear in tune to play in tune.....

Thanks for Reading, and please stop by www.kdimusic.com for all the best in Musical Instruments.

Our Motto: “A Passion for the Perfect Sound!”

Full article →

The Saxophone and Emergency Repair

The Saxophone and Emergency Repair


What does anybody really need to know about the saxophone and emergency repair?

The answer is not so much. I see a lot of repairmen offering emergency repair kits... complicated things to work with and a lot of advice on the technical way to do the repair.

All repairs of the saxophone that can be made fast by the Band Director or knowledgeable Player at a concert, football game or rehearsal are simple. Most things on the saxophone can be fixed with a few things: Rubber Bands of many different sizes and strengths... buy a bag at the 99-cent store for a buck, Saran Wrap, thin double sided tape and or dental tape, a small screwdriver to tighten a pivot screw or rod and a spring hook incase a spring comes off. A small amount of pads might be good. However unless every saxophonist in your band is playing the same brand and model of saxophone the number of pads necessary could prove to be too large to carry everywhere.. It may be too hard and expensive to keep in stock. So I will talk about using the things you have at hand.

The word emergency itself tells you it only needs to work for a short while. To get you through that football game... then you can take it to the repairman...

So if a spring breaks: You can use one of the rubber bands and fine a way for it to connect to the instrument and lift the key up or hold it down. Choose a rubber band that is about the same tension as the keys on the instrument after it is hooked up.

If a pad is torn: And it will not seat cover it with Saran Wrap and use a rubber band to hold it on.... it might look funny, feel

different to the student when the key is pressed but it will work.

If a pad falls out: Put it back in with the thin double sided tape. Then Wrap it with Saran Wrap and Rubber Band to make sure it stays in the pad cup. Put the Saran Wrap over the face of the pad, pull it to the top of the pad cup, twist it and use the rubber band to hold it in place.

Eric Marienthal one of the great modern saxophonist pretty much always has Saran Wrap on his palm key pads. After seeing Eric’s saxophone I often thought that I would put Saran Wrap on my palm keys and maybe I would play better... I tried it... it just didn’t work for me like I wanted...

If a pad sticks: Put some baby power on it and work it up and down a few times...

Lose a pad:
If your saxophone player looses the pad then fold some paper in the pad cup until it looks about the same thickness as the other pads around it and wrap a few or a lot of layers of Saran Wrap around the pad cup, rubber band it and it will work for a while.

Lose a neck cork: Wrap the neck with Dental Tape until the mouthpiece fits and put the mouthpiece on... it will last for a while. The Dental Tape will also work for a Clarinet mouthpiece or any Tenon.

Remember emergency is just for a short while not a permanent fix. Saran Wrap and Rubber Bands can work on saxophones, flutes, clarinets, brass water keys and just about anything that can be fixed in an emergency. It will likely last through the gig.

Tool List:

Saran Wrap
Rubber Bands

Small amount of baby power..

Thin Double Sided Tape
Dental Tape

Small Screwdriver

Spring Hook (Optional)

These tools will all fit in a very small bag and be easy to keep with you....

If the problem cannot be corrected with these few things... then it is not an emergency repair. It is a shop repair, and must be taken to your local woodwinds repair shop.

These solutions may or may not work for everyone, but it is a solution offered by Rheuben Allen – formerly of the Sax Shop in Los Angeles.

Full article →

Black Diamond Alto Saxophone

The Black Diamond Professional Alto Saxophone - Designed by Rheuben Allen - Repairman to the Hollywood Studio & Touring Woodwind Players.

This saxophone is a great example of his ingenuity.

The saxophone has rich, dark, and smooth tone. There were only two in existence that were made from the prototype. We have the prototype in our office. This saxophone is taken by our staff to gigs, practice, and try outs to music teachers. It runs a close second to the fabulous RAAS6L - 14K Alto Sax.

The first one was bought by a collector who doesn't play (go figure)!

Black Diamond
Professional Alto Saxophone
Model No. HSASBD

Limited Edition Model
Features:
The Heavy Freedom/Power Neck Brace
Easy to operate High & Trill F# Keys
Easy to reach Front F or Altissimo Key
Black Nickel Plated Body, Neck  & Keys
Leather Contour Case
Rheuben Allen® Mouthpiece Manufactured in the USA

Not only are the Black Diamond Saxophones are Beautiful
They Play Outstanding

visit the website: www.kdimusic.com

 

Full article →