Improve Your Tone With This (Short) Long Tone Exercise for Saxophone
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- #bettersax #saxophone #altosax
Jay Metcalf gives a lesson on how to improve your tone using a long tone exercise.
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Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Lou Donaldson, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Stitt, Lester Young, Johnny Hodges, Roland Kirk, Chris Potter, Hank Mobley Eric Dolphy, and MILES DAVIS ? LOUIS ARMSTRONG, CHET BAKERI know they're not sax but they rock by musical boat and YOU BETTER SAX
John Desmond
Sonny Rollins?
Paul Desmond?
in all my saxophone playing I've been unconfident with my sound, every teacher would say "just practice" but never elaborated more or told what exactly to do. This video truly made me excited again to play and I will update what I think I improved on in a week!
Edit: its been awhile, but this really did help me. I am so much more confident in my playing and I'm not as nervous when doing solos!
I LOVE how you run this practice on a beginner horn. It shows how important practice truly is
Watching this with my sax round my neck.
It’s time I did some long tones
Jay is a very comfortable and wholesome blend of Bill Burr and Sam Rockwell - thanks for the videos, Jay!
So true!
I have wanted a sax for so long now. I even started learning all I could even without owning one.
Yo, if you haven't bought a saxophone then take this reply as a sign! Start the journey
Sax players I love, Junior Walker, King Curtis, and Ace Cannon 😎
ALTOISTS:
- Kenny Garrett
- Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker
- Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley
- Sonny Stitt* - Tenor also
- Dick Oatts
- Phil Woods
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few of my current living inspos:
- Bob Reynolds
- Chris Potter
- Joshua Redman
- Dave Pollack
- Baptiste Herbin
- Danny Janklow
- Grace Kelly
- Alex Hahn
- Andrew Gould
- Ben Van Gelder
- Will Vinson
- Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
Eckzploitt this is a FANTASTIC list of musicians
Where is Eric Marienthal?
Luka Lazarevič YESSS Hes literally my alto sax idol
What about dereck brown
Abraham Avendano never heard of him.... what kind of sound does he have?
I'm totally eye-balling those free courses. Aiming for a second place finish on this giveaway contest. (Great time to do a giveaway, BTW).
Winning that sax would also be favourable.
Hey Jay, who are you using to host the giveaway?
Some of the Sax players that I listen to are:
Grover Washington Jr
Kenney G
David Sandborn
Tower of Power Lenny Pickit
Candy Dulfer
Sonny Rollins is without a doubt my favorite player. Such a beautiful sound, and so accessible. I love the way he use old standards or songs like “There’s No Business Like Show Business” or “I’m An Old Cowhand” and turns them into something new and very musically interesting. He’s an incredible player and improviser.
Stan getz and Dexter Gordon are pretty nice. I like their sound
Right there with you
Love me some Dexter Gordon! that man has some chops, and his big full sound always gets me. Favorite song of his is Cheesecake.
I love Paul Desmond. I cant get enough of his performances. Take five.
He's amazing.. I love his unique sound (kinda try to imitate it)
Alto players that I listen to: Daehan Choi, Douglas Lira, Michael Leighton, Dave Koz, Grace Kelly,
Favorite sax player of all time: Kamasi Washington. He's awesome
Some of My Favorite Players:
Cannonball, Stitt, Rollins, Parker, Baptiste Herbin, Mobley, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Vincent Herring, Coltrane, Earl Bostic, Tubby Hayes, Phil Woods, Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, Gary Smulyan, Nick Brignola, and so many more.
I've been playing sax for over 60 years, but thanks to you, Jay, I'm now focusing on the importance of long tones, overtones and the altissimo register. I've always believed that you shouldn't practice until you get it wrong, but you must keep practicing until you get it right. Your videos have changed my routine (and sound) in the woodshed. Using the tuner and metronome have become an essential part of practice sessions.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! Please keep up the good work and keep these vidoes coming...
Big T
My favorites are: Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Billy Harper, Paul Desmond, Kenny Garrett, Greg Osby and Stan Getz.
Jay, i have been playing and teaching for decades. This is so spot on that I must recommend it to students. GREAT job.
Thanks.
I have not played my tenor sax or clarinet in over 25 yrs and your videos have ignited the desire to start practicing. It is also good for my breathing control as I am asthmatic
Thank you
Favorite sax players, Candy Dulfer, Eric Leeds, and now U!!
Jay you have saved my saxophone playing! You’ve totally convinced me to buy your core essentials lesson! You’re amazing
I love practicing long-tones. I find it's a really great way to get into the mindset of playing, to "connect" with the sax and to get the "feeling" of the right intonation. I use Tone Energy too, after your recommendation. I think of long tones as both a warm-up and a meditation that helps me get prepped for a really good practice. I'm impressed by your "ultra" sensitivity on Tonal Energy - I've just graduated to "Medium"
I've needed this for six years... thank you so much!!!
thanks a lot to the bettersax crew,,for all you do for the community of saxofon players everywhere.,,, on my part , much appreciation
having a major crisis playing my instrument (once again, never fails to happen even after over 12 years of playing). Basically boils down to me not feeling like a make progress even though i set aside time to practise every day and being bored with my improvisation. I really needed this video, change in my practise routine usually make a big difference. please make the mouthpiece video!
Muchas gracias por sus clases, son de mucha ayuda para un optimo sonido en el saxofón, saludos desde Arica, Chile
Love your sound and lessons, Jay.
Hope you stay safe too, Jay. Thanks for the video; great tips as ever. It's Alto all the way for me at the moment as a spring snapped on one of my Tenor palm keys yesterday.
Great video Jay, my favorite player to listen to is Gerald Albright. I work on long tones every single day, I spend 10-15 minutes doing this but I set my alarm for 5 minutes, I never get bored playing long-tones, I fall in love with playing long-tones because sound is the most important thing to me. I also work on long tones in a chromatic form but only five notes at a time based on the key I’m working in so I spend one full month on just those five notes then move on in the next month in another key and so on. I’m about the long game because I’m not competing with any other player. And of course I use one set of the overtime series. I’ve been doing this for over a year now and it’s the most improvement I’ve experienced with my sound development so far. Thanks again for sharing Jay.
This is great Jay ! Thanks! I’ve begun incorporating long tones into my students practice routine. My favorite Tenor player is Dexter Gordon & for Alto I’d have to go with Art Pepper. But there are many great players I enjoy listening too. I’m all over the place!
Thank you Jay for your lessons 🙏 They are amazing and very helpful. I grab my alto sax after 10 years break again thanks to you. Your lessons and tips keep me motivated.
That's a really clear and useful strategy for intonation and builds your long tones whilst distracted making the pitch achievement! Thanks.
Paul Desmond makes a really nice sound, haven’t been a big fan of Charlie Parker but i respect his skills. Paul Desmond reminds me of a vocalist. Instruments are usually replicating vocals anyway.
Jay
My favorite players are:
Michael Brecker,
David Sanborn
John Coltrane
Dave Koz
I am glad to have found you. I really needed someone to practice the right way.
Your video on "6 Thing wrong with how you were taught saxophone" really got me to realize I have been practicing the wrong way all these years.
I have been playing soprano and alto for over 20 years and just NOW am I starting to get more out of my playing.
Thanks for your videos. Keep up the good work.
Art
Thanks Jay - I'doing long tone every day - and you are bang on - it improves one's sound audibly . I can hear the difference after a couple / 3 months.
Nubya Garcia is amazing and i’m listening to her everyday!!!!
I play alto so for me there's nothing like Paul Desmond, unique and sweets unmatched sound. When I play I have always his sound in the head, I like the speed and emotional sound of Art Pepper too.
mik Vituper Paul Desmond sounds like clarinet
Top 4, for now.
Soprano: Jhon Coltrane
Alto: Paul Desmond
Tenor: Stan Getz
Baritone: Lars Gullin
I'd love to see al comments
My favorite: Jhon Coltrain
isn't his name Stan Getz
Alto: colin stetson
Tenor: Colin stetson
Bass: colin stetson
Clarinet: colin stetson
Bass clarinet: colin stetson
🤑🤑👑
Thank you Jay for these videos! I have always wanted to learn how to the Saxophone because I truly think it is one of the "coolest" instruments to play. I started learning from a local teacher and after a month he died and I place my sax away and never touch it for two years. But then I got bitten with the music bug again and pulled the alto sax out of the dust and started watching your videos. Right now I can't afford the classes you have due to no employment from the cornavirus pandemic but while I am at home I am trying to get as much as I can when dealing with the saxophone. Again thank you Jay for showing me and millions your skill and how to do it better. Fellow sax player and future student Bobby.🎷
Those exercises are pretty neat! I used to practice using those tips but stopped.
You just reminded me what i've got to do and I thank you for that!
Jay I play bari and would like it if you posted more content targeted at the bari. Love your videos and keep at it
Me too!
Then leo P is ur guy
Cannonball adderley, Dextor Gordon, John Coltrane, Paul Desmond, and even Charlie Parker and his smooth be bop lines
This was very helpful Jay, especially for someone who's never played any instrument before, thank you!
Watching your videos really did give me motivation to start practicing and wanting to play better
Leo p is my all time favorite saxophone player. I just love his fun and playful style.
Same my second favorite is Derek Brown.
Warren Hill is a pretty underrated alto player.
By the way Jay is totally right about not having to spend too much money for a good tone. I've been able to develop a decent jazz tone with my YAS-23, vandoren java reeds and a Yamaha 4c
From my exp. as a tech and player, the student model 4c mpc. is probably still the best ;CHEAP: MPC ON THE MARKET.
Thank you for this lesson!
Thank you for your videos.
fav alto players: jackie mclean, eric dolphy, johnny hodges
soprano players: steve lacy, evan parker, dave liebman
Favorite Sax Players
Alto: Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderly, Jackie McLean, Kenny Garrett, Tia Fuller
Tenor: Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Eddie "Lock Jaw" Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rolins, James Carter (when he's not showing off), Chad LB
I gotta agree with all of the tenor, two you may wanna check out if you want a more laid back style and full airy sound are Scott Hamilton and Flip Phillips. Check out The Blue Room, Singin' In The Rain (both Flip), and check out Dear Old Stockholm, Foolin' Around, Days of Wine and Roses, You are My Sunshine, by Scott!
Bro where is the Bari love lol
@@andraskarpathy6428 Ronnie Cuber
@@andraskarpathy6428 I would've put some baris down but honestly, I don't listen to many so I didn't want to put like a shortlist but if you want to listen to 3 great baris go at it on some standards together check out "Baritone Explosion!" also Gerry Mulligan is another great bari player that you can check out if you haven't. :)
@@TheCabbageMan Thanks for the suggestions!!! :D
Thank you Jay . Take care and be safe buddy ! I am enjoying your lessons , again . Hahaha
My favourite players are Cannonball Adderly, Stan Getz (so glad they were mentioned many times) and Benny Carter (I think he wasn't mentioned at all).
Listen to Carter's version of "My one and only love" ... for me beyond words!
Michael Sperry
Favorite players: Jay Metcalf of course, Keith Crossan (Tommy Castro band), Grover Washington Jr.
My favorite players to listen to include:
Dexter Gordon
Sonny Rollins
Johnny Hodges
Camille Thurman
Sherman Irby
Ben Webster
Coleman Hawkins
:)
great advice to play long notes trying to tune by ear. Thanks, Jay! your lessons are of great help to the saxophonist community
loving your videos Jay, thanks for all the great stuff.
Jay, i love your channel. I played sax for a couple of years, but stopped when we had kids (that's about 10 years now). Now my youngest (girl) is 8 years, she starts playing sax!!!....and i'm starting again (yes!). We both practice together and have a lot of fun together. I'm playing a Yamaha YAS280, and she is learning on a hired sax.... so a Jean-Paul AS-400 would be a great birthday present (July-6).
We all know the great sax-players, but
my main saxophone player is Benjamin Herman
he made me fall in love with the Sax! !
this is going to sound so typical, but i listen to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Cannonball Adderley
Great video thanks jay!
Excellent !
My favorite saxophone players are:
- Stan Getz
- Charlie Parker
- Wayne Shorter
- Dave Pollack
- Daehan Choi
- Eric Marienthal
- Paul Desmond
- John Coltrane
Totally forgot about Zane Musa R.I.P :(
Severe Traffic and Candy dulfer...
Alto players - Lou Donaldson, Sonny Stitt Jackie Mclean, Cannonball Adderly, Art Pepper.
Tenor players - John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, Hank Mobley, Charlie Rouse.
Bari players - Stephen Kupta, Pepper Adams, Ronnie Cuber, Leo P.
you are a great teacher . thanks
Beautiful explaining
Ronnier Cuber and Leo p have my favorite sounds currently. Starting to love Gary Smulyan again
Dude you legit read my mind😂 like last night I noticed that my sound resembles so close to their sound and I was amazed
Alto:
- Phil Woods
- Eric Marienthal
Tenor:
- Bob Reynolds
- Cris Potter
- Björn Arkö (Swedish, check him out!)
Bari:
Nick Brignola
will do!!!
Great video as always, thanks Jay!
Really great information. Thank you 👍👏👏
Thx Jay! Amazing vids, although I think there are sax players, who created their own sound without listening to others music. Whatever, at the moment I am enjoying Bob Reynolds a lot, but of course Getz and Coltrane are on my mind. Thank you again for your work and the giveaways you organize!
Cheers from germany
Wayne Shorter is the most inventive. Tough to copy him, though.
People not mentioning Michael Brecker and Bob Berg breaks my heart
Both monsters. Bob Berg's work with Cedar Walton is a favorite.
You did.
Thanks, Jay, for the video. I found it to be very helpful. I am working regularly now on long tones and overtones. You mentioned also that part of your routine includes practicing with your mouthpiece only and that you would let us know what you do if anyone is interested. I am interested in hearing what you do with the mouthpiece alone and why you do it. Thanks.
Thanks very much. I have had a sakkusu alto saxophone for almost 12 years . You have made me resolve to start learning how to play and I have been following your videos in the last 5 days. So it means I have been practicing for 5 days🙈🙈. I live in Ghana but will find a way to purchase your course soon once I can prove to myself that I won't stop half way as always. Thanks again
Kenny G is hands down my favorite saxophonist
Hi Jay, I’ve learned a lot from you already. I intend to purchase my first alto sax at the beginning of next month! At my age these days, I want to indulge myself back into Jazz. I played Trombone growing up. Looking forward in learning more from you? Thanks
@bettersax You called me out. I havent played in over five years but now that I have some time i took the good old saxophone out and rediscovered it to be a great source of entertainment and brain stimulation. Your videos are keeping me engaged and I'm learning so many things my old teachers never taught me. Thank you!
Love Sunny Stitt. Especially his tone (sound).
my saxophones have been crying out to me to practice
I love Leo P, he inspires me in my creative bari and tenor playing.
Stan getz, Coleman Hawkins, Michael brecker and Sam Rivers are so very nice. I like the way they play sax❤️
Hello Jay Thanks for all your very helpful videos. I got into saxophone playing two years ago through listening to the saxophone parts in classical music pieces (Bolero will be the best known). As a result, I became interested in playing with a classical music tone, so my favourite living sax players are Amy Dickson (who has a beautiful, creamy tone, especially on soprano) and Jess Gillam, a young and very versatile player who has played solos at the London Promenade Concerts. My favourite jazz player is Jimmy Giuffre, with his lovely fluffy tenor sound. All that may well make me unique in the Better Sax audience!
Thank you so much for the tips! Recently bought this app and it's been really helpful so far!
My all time favorite sax player is Justin ward, he has been my inspiration.
Daehan Choi has a BEAUTIFUL tone and I highly recommend listening just for his sound alone
i've been using my ear sensitivity for learning to play guitar and even playing my harmonica, I cant even read notes but because of my ear sensitivity i can play harmonica from what ive heard , and even tuning guitar just by listening to the tone. hope to learn the sax
Leroi Moore was hands down my all time favorite sax player and he was the reason I started to play in HS. R.I.P. buddy. I hope you have a golden sax up in heaven to play on.
Thanks!
Thanks Douglas!
Using this app was a humbling experience. I am so incredibly out of tune (and out of practice) and my jaw is so stiff and sore. Thank you so much for making this video
Thanks for this video! I have been playing alto for nearly 2 years and just bought my first soprano, a Conn-Selmer Avant DSS 200 and can't wait to get it. I have always liked the soprano sax a little more than alto so decided to get one as have all the time I need to learn to play it. I have noticed an improvement in my playing over the past week from constant 2 hours or so playing every day, I just need to work on long tones on my alto to get middle notes with the octave key in tune as they are mostly slightly sharp and low D to low Bb in tune as my low D is always a little flat.
My favourite saxophone players: Sidney Bechet (His tone is a bit thin and buzzy and never want my tone to be like that but like his playing a lot), Dr Eugene Rousseau, Paul Desmond, Grace Kelly, Sonny Rollins, Gerry Mulligan, Joe Temperley, Darren Rahn, Derek Brown, Jeff Coffin, Simon Bates, Amy Dixon, Mindy Abair, Nobuya Sugawa, Jess Gillam On UA-cam: Scott Paddock, Dan Forshaw, Sirvalorsax, Daehan Choi, Matthew Stone for his soprano sax playing and Greg Hawkins. I also like Briansthing (Brian Landau) but I think he adds too much reverb/effects to his recordings.
thanks
Hello, first of all, thank you very much for the many great tips that I have already been able to take from these videos! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
After a long break, I now play the saxophone again, although I had originally learned to play the clarinet 30 years ago.
I am currently playing tenor saxophone (tenor sax II) in what I find to be a rather demanding big band and alto sax in a not so professional, small funk and soul band. In addition to my day-to-day job, I have to be very careful with the time I find to practice. I have to practice embouchure and tone formation (longtones) (always as warming-up) and also try Altissimo. Then there are the pieces for the two bands. The basics of one of the saxophones (i.e. alto or tenor) just fall by the wayside, usually there is no time left to play the second sax properly.
Which is wiser: to practice embouchure and tone formation with alto sax or with tenor sax in order to then work with both on the pieces and difficult parts?
Thank you for an answer!
Heinz-Georg
Also thank you for the app suggestion. 💪🏾
Igor Batman, Paquito D´rivera, Mike Brecker are my all time favorites
this is very useful
thank u
Jay, THANK YOU! this is the first time I have heard on a UA-cam vid about sound the importance of listening.
Alto: Marshall Royal, Lou Donaldson, Cannonball Adderley, Dave Pietro.
Tenor: Dexter, Mark Colby, Dexter, Michael Brecker, Dexter, Hank Mobley, Dexter, Wayne Shorter and Dexter.
Dave Koz, Kenny G, Kaori Kobayashi and ofcourse Jay Metcalf!!
Very informative video! Keep it up and God bless! 🙏😊
John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Dave Brubeck are great for classic jazz and some of my favorites
Thanks for your videos, they are really useful for beginners
Love the Tuner tip! Great for real playing and working on your ear at the same time
Grover Washington Jnr... Mr Smooth!
Joe Henderson..... My favourite tone!
You are good teacher🎷💕
Hi Jay, your videos are so helpful. My favorite sax players include Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Garett