Learn Bending, Growling and Vibrato on Saxophone with Grace Kelly and Leo P

Learn how to add extended techniques to your saxophone playing with Grace Kelly and Leo P in this exciting tutorial video! 🎷🎶 In this video, you'll discover three techniques that will add some pizzazz and unique sound to your musical lines: bending, growling, and vibrato. 🤩 Grace and Leo will guide you through each technique, giving tips on how to do it correctly, exercises to help you practice and master each one, and suggestions on when to use them stylistically. 🎵 Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, this video is a great resource to take your playing to the next level. 🚀 So, let's get started and learn how to add some spice to your saxophone playing with extended techniques! 🔥
🎖️ OUR SAX MASTERCLASS 🎖️
This video is part of our Saxophone & Performance Masterclass! If you want to learn more from us, we have 40+ lessons and over a dozen practice tracks to jam along to! 🔥 Click below to get started! 👇
bit.ly/x10techsax
🎵 Band: Elliott Skinner, Zach Mullings, Liya Grigoryan.
🏫 Filmed at Power Station at BerkleeNYC.
Some tips from this video:
🎷 Adding extended techniques is a great way to spice up your phrasing and add some pizzazz into your musical lines.
🎵 Bending involves playing the pitches in between the notes and is a great way to transition from one note to another.
😔 Bending gives a melancholy feeling and is great for playing ballads.
🌟 Practice slowly lifting your index finger off the pads to help you bend and work your way up and down the horn to improve your flexibility.
🎤 Vibrato creates a consistent pulsating vibration and can add a stylistic quality to your playing.
🎼 Start by focusing on hearing the pitch change and accentuating it before making it more subtle.
🎭 Listen to different saxophonists and vocalists to develop your own style of vibrato.
🦁 Growling is a distinct and powerful technique that can add excitement to your playing.
🤕 Take it slow and have a cup of tea or water nearby to avoid hurting your throat when you first start growling.
🎸 Growling is like distortion in a guitar and requires opening your throat like a distortion pedal.
🎨 Extended techniques are like paint on a palette, and every phrase can be colored how you want.
🍴 Extended techniques are like ingredients in a dish, and you can create a different dish every time you play.

[@hb5399]

I love how Leo is a pro and he still listens to the instructions and yawns like it's his first time learning. That's what's called passion.

[@thebmxboys3204]

Well I'm gonna watch this religiously

[@underdoggoethe8971]

I will too. And I don't even play an instrument. ❤

[@hecateswolf6007]

Me too it's an excellent lesson

[@sabaka-joulik]

Me too. Thanks a lot Leo P and G. Kelly.❤🇫🇷🍀🤗😊

[@mason2solidddd]

Same

[@gunfoogunfoo2287]

Surprised by the way they speak, like in classical education movies. I thought his speach should be something like Sid Vicious manner 😂

[@rhodigian]

10/10 teaching 11/10 performing. respect

[@learnsax]

Wow! Fantastic tutorial with both Grace and Leo. Love the way you both bounce techniques between Bari & Alto.

[@alecj3454]

Two of the coolest teachers in the universe. These technique videos are great. Thanks Grace & Leo!

[@phill3583]

I love the first growl moment segment. I think any sax player remembers that milestone. Mine was many decades ago, but still fresh in my mind. The late great Bobby Keys was my inspiration to learn this technique. He was in constant growl mode, with amazing tone and control. At first I thought it was that I didn't have the right gear. I was like...what mouthpiece and reed combination is he using? How's he getting that sound to come out of the same horn I've got? I was never taught how to growl, just told. I tried and tried with little success. I almost gave up. One day when visiting a shop on 48th st. I heard a repair tech growling on a tenor. He showed me that it was possible and told me to be patient and keep practicing. He said it'll just come to you. I took his advice. When I was finally able to do it, it was like getting a new toy. You guys are really amazing musicians. The NYC subway system misses you both hehe.

[@malirk]

0:21 If they ever do more Cowboy Bepop, this should be opening theme. Awesome tunes Grace Kelly and Leo P!

[@NicolasdeFontenay]

Thank you so much for this tutorial and most importantly thank you so much for showing us Grace what it sounds like when a beginner starts and what being on the right track is like!

[@teacher-sean]

Brilliant. I can't wait to see how this ages. This is going to be the next level of awesome in a decade or two. It reminds me of 80s/90s instructional video cassettes. Love it.

[@mydogsareneat]

I was taught all of this in my first week and it sprung me ahead of my class to a weird level. But i was just really good at mirroring sounds.

[@snakeyes20cqc]

As a trumpet player/teacher, I can say all of this is exactly applicable to brass!

[@tmcunlimited]

Thanks to you both for explaining how to growl .. I totally didn’t go there until I watched this . You guys are great Teachers !

[@steveharvey3016]

I loved the comparison of growling to Louis Armstrong. I went downstairs and started growling right away and like it more than humming. I also love references to when you both were learning. When we see you play its hard to ever imagine you as a new student trying to figure things out and learning the basics. It helps me believe that I can get from a simple learner to a confident and versatile player down the road.

[@mydogsareneat]

MY SKIN JUST CRAWLED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I GOT A HEAD INJURY BECAUSE OF GRACE PLAYING THAT WAS THANK YOU

[@williammurray1620]

Great video! As an old guy still playing Bari, wish we had this information as a youngster. Love what you are doing for a great instrument Leo! (Grace you are awesome too!!)

[@milamber82]

I played a Trumpet about 34 years ago. See if we had this tool back then to learn? |Might have played it again. Top stuff.

[@danaewood4158]

She exudes emotion! I'm in love

[@xergioka]

They’re gods? I feel an awe!

[@MadsaxFrance]

Mais je les adore !!!!!! Bravo de France pour vos Vidéos, C'est Merveilleux !

[@jan-pieter3695]

Technique is everything for any wind based instrument, even the wilder or the more unusual sounds need a lot a practice.

[@nyoaeuikhoudu]

Watching this right now with my friend (me a bari, my friend a Tenor) and this is so helpful! We've been trying to bend for weeks now and now we've finally got it.

[@MatthewMorris-kg3uq]

I learn so much in general composition from you guys. Thank you!

[@jamesblinzler7421]

Wish I had you guys back in high school concert band. I was a bari sax guy I was practically the bass section. You guys rock. Keep teaching.

[@randallw6677]

Wow!!! Excellent Master Class and top notch Pedagogy. Thank you Grace and Leo P.

[@dannihermanehlejr2269]

That's awesome!! Love the Growl!!

[@Karvol123]

The two of them are just wonderful. Simply wonderful.

[@marshall3738]

You two are THE BEST. I hope to see you live at some point.

[@NicolasdeFontenay]

Same!

[@kellymiller6737]

Jesus. Quality of content! C’mon KZbin! Millions of subs! Let’s go!!

[@YardenZada]

Best Duo TEAching Session on the Planet 🎉 10/10 demonstration 11/10 $tyle + PiZazz 🎆

[@livingtheapocalypse8248]

Great clear tips and advice thank you so much you two maestro's xx

[@JimsIrish76]

Really good information. Over time i did naturally start to bend using the throat, but i see a lot of newer players (as I had) try or get in a habit of up scooping up/lipping up down. Sometimes it can become a habit too in their reg playing. Wish i had seen this back then . Great class.

[@esaurnberg1651]

I just love these persons, also ready movie-consept for Marvel

[@alexeichikish2221]

Thanks, very simple but productive, looking forward new lessons.

[@hillarycourchaine6829]

Absolutely love this video, definitely going to use these techniques for sure.

[@andrewbergstrom5599]

Oh, so #SAXY! Thanks for all of those great tips and exercises!

[@davidleontieff-smith2347]

I loved Louis Jordan's growling on the alto. Such booting rock-n-roll, and raunchy blues sounds. I never thought the alto would suit these styles until I heard Louis! Another favourite was tenorman Willis Jackson.

[@alireza1967]

Great lessons ! Thank You very much guys !

[@ZENSIBLE]

I like how you guys Bent: The lava 🌋 Lamp to match his Hair color

[@flyingcheff]

Soo great to hear this, see this and hear your directions. Note: for future videos like this: your dialog SOUNDS stiff and overly rehearsed and slightly contrived - even though it's not. It almost sounds like you're speaking to 6-year-olds (harsh to 6-year-olds - sorry). Just throwing a but of loving feedback to ya'll. Teaching doesn't mean yelling louder or speaking s-l-o-w-l-y.......Your students are whip smart - that's why they chose your channel!! Woot, woot! ❤❤❤❤ I'd love it if you'd teach, just like you play: like melted butter sliding down your tongue into the sax, and into my ear! You two are fabulous!

[@matthewrayner571]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed. It just seemed a bit too awkwardly formal, like they were reading off of a sign behind the camera. Great tips and playing, though. Never heard Leo play classical before - I like it.

[@ilkaengelhardt3659]

Totally!

[@cici-mama]

Good Lord a whole paragraph abt it. That’s some serious petty negativity. Just get what you came for and hope that they’ll continue to post more!

[@flyingcheff]

@@cici-mama chirp!

[@user-jk5um1om8l]

Hmm I like the script and clear enunciation. They put a lot of thought into it clearly, and it’s STRUCTURED, instead of riffing off the cuff. I like that!

[@goomgoom5504]

Love your instructional videos! awesome!

[@user-bf6vs4fj6s]

Wonderful! Thanks a lot!

[@bigsarge2085]

Awesome!

[@johnbull6909]

Great video, thanks.

[@LittleSaxSquig]

Wow that's so helpful

[@dannihermanehlejr2269]

Sounds of amazing

[@Vocalzone_covers]

I don't play an instrument although I do sing in a band but I still found this video really interesting to watch. Really professional..

[@andresilvaitaocara-rj4604]

Os dois forma uma dupla fenomenal! Agradável de se ouvir! Parabéns!

[@manjularathnayake2532]

Dear Mam,Sir. Huge thanks for this video. It's real helpful to me. Thanking you.

[@davidharrison3074]

I actually love this video of techniques. Being a trumpet player, everything is so close to what I do except the growl. I've done the growling exercise and like you said, the technique takes a lot of practice. With a little bit of throat issues from years ago, I choose not to incorporate this in my playing. Bending is one of my strongest exercises for warming up, bending up and down throughout the scales. Learning over 45 years ago to work on playing with the tuning slide all the way in and use the throat muscles etc and play in tune. Then when you actually play regularly, it is so easy to hear your pitch and able to adjust a note if playing with someone who might not hear themselves to be in tune. Thank you both for such a wonderful video and I hope you both had a wonderful Easter. Can't wait to hear more music or tutorials. 👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎺

[@davidharrison3074]

@BudgetGuitarshow. I didn't know what VIA telegram was per this request regarding a prize.

[@q12aw50]

I’ve always found growling easier on brass but maybe just low brass

[@samson6415]

Awesome lesson ❤❤2 cool

[@huongngt8102]

Very good teaching technique , thank you two both

[@daveminke2946]

Wow, wowowowowow! What greaaaaaaat instruction! Thank you!

[@wermachtdermacht3350]

You rock!

[@krishnakumarsaxophone758]

Great Technics thank you very much

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Beautiful information 🎉

[@musicmakerabani2088]

Thank you for Lerner❤❤❤

[@donotfret]

Amazing video

[@bluessax5089]

Great video

[@drfiberglass]

Thank you for taking the time in making this video. Love the lava lamp...

[@FarsansTorraOrdvitsar]

That alto growl was awesome!

[@chaisax9]

Thank you ❤❤❤

[@YeOldMuppetMan]

I play clarinet and I'm switching to baritone sax and you've been very helpful

[@ajhauter5049]

That's quite the change. Be warned of the air required from the saxophone family. I started on clarinet and bought a tenor a few months ago. It takes a lot of air, so don't be afraid to use a softer reed.

[@q12aw50]

@@ajhauter5049 other way around for me. I’ve been playing saxophone for 7 years and tenor for 4 but I need to use a softer reed on clarinet because I’m just not used to it and the kinda breath you need

[@ajhauter5049]

@@q12aw50 that's wiggity-wack, yo

[@NibblesTheNibbler]

Watching their videos makes me wish I had learned how to play sax as a kid.

[@Megamember678]

Huge thanks for this!❤ I’m sure, that all the viewers want to see more videos like this one!😊

[@leslieswiman4813]

ABSOLUTELY 🎷🎷♥️

[@boldcautionproductions9203]

You gotta stick with it... Great message.

[@Dally_Sparkles]

you guys Rock!! Hi from Australia.

[@FarsansTorraOrdvitsar]

That baryton sounds so dope!

[@michelebellocchi8151]

Grazie.

[@Saxmandu]

coolest teachers ♥️🙏🇳🇵

[@Eniral441]

I've been a bari sax player for over 30 years, but somehow missed out on some advanced techniques along the way and gained some bad habits along the way too. So I'm loving this video and adding it to my collection of instructional videos. I've always struggled with growling. I can't seem to do it when I'm trying to, but I've sometimes done it kind of instinctually. Almost like it's an accident but it's usually in a good place when soloing. Some people have told me to talk or sing to growl, but I find that even harder. I'm looking forward to trying your techniques. I'd love to growl like Ronnie Cuber Also my vibrato seems to come more from the same place my natural vibrato comes from when I sing. But changing it is harder. So I plan on trying those techniques too. (BTW, I love Harry Carney! I grew up listening to big bands, especially Duke Ellington's. My grandmother used to sneak out to go dancing at the Cotton Club back in the day and often talked about his band... and others, of course).

[@sirensax]

Me encanta

[@hecateswolf6007]

Lovely lesson lovely people

[@OscarRurzagasti]

😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳👀🎷...Thanks guys!

[@trantruc7584]

very good and useful video. Please teach me how to use the tongue and brush it

[@Marlon_c_v]

I am barely practicing this and for bending notes going down, I highly recommend engaging your core (imagine as if someone were to hit you really hard in the stomach, that “pressure “ is engaging your core), it makes it a lot easier

[@Marlon_c_v]

Also engaging your core sort of works with the vibrato, try to use it to your best 🗿

[@hecateswolf6007]

Thanks

[@marcelosax_]

Like from Brazil ! Haha

[@Totally_Not_Dupe]

Somehow I already knew this when I was experimenting alto by myself

[@kenaileblanc8181]

I wish I saw this video when I had to go below the scale for a song while playing Bari sax. I kinda just had to figure it out

[@Thatoddonein]

I am currently playing alto sax in the music man Musical I have not yet cleared out how to grow, but hearing a piccolo growl is pretty amusing

[@wraithify_]

Its Fire Boy and Water Girl.

[@unclemick-synths]

My student Buescher would let me bend notes really easily. A pity I traded it instead of keeping it. It would also do lovely delicate tones which my exuberant Yamaha also hates to do.

[@harmonyaquarian9210]

That’s an amazing suit, bruh.

[@anderszapac]

Where were people like you 30 years ago? My late teacher, may he rest in peace, had me go through three books of basic saxophone school. Then we played song books with piano accompanyment for two years, then I played alto duets with my section partner in the youth concert band, followed by trios and eventually quartets where my teacher joined three students into the time of two. It was good practise, but I asked him what about the rest: vibrato, bending, altissimo, growl and so on. He gave me a photocopy with a fingering chart of possible altissimo notes and said that technique is so boring/difficult to teach. I would like to add that he was a brilliant jazz musician himself, just that teaching the advanced stuff apparently was not his forte. Eventually I purchased my own book with demonstration tape, Rock & Roll Saxophone by John Laughter with foreword by Scott Page. I never quite got the hang of vibrato, but I figured out some of the other effects somewhat. Perhaps it is not too late to learn (and practise!).

[@jacksonthering5978]

U guys should go to minnesota

[@judyjudge3948]

I would love to hear urgent by Foreigner with you two on sax. 😊

[@soccerbeast4782]

I’m a freshman but for some reason I can growl pretty decently I just rolled my Rs into a sax and it worked

[@ryanlin5997]

Totaly didn’t think that was the start of the mario kart lick 1:38, anyway, amazing video!

[@sparrowhortonverrall6407]

I....have no idea why or how i got to the sax side of youtube, im a bassist, never played anything else,but im gonna watch this entire video

[@PR.creation7467]

Please teach about clarinet leo p

[@mikeciul8599]

I've been trying to learn to growl as a singer (and do a little throat singing and subharmonics) - and I'm learning how to engage the false vocal folds to do that. The description of growling here sounds like it requires the false vocal folds. But when I try to growl on the sax, I just create combination tones by adding some voice to my breath. That sounds to me like what Grace is doing, but not so much what Leo is doing. Is it common to growl without using the false vocal folds? How would you describe the difference if so?

[@pushistik_doma]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@saliyawimalaratne6195]

I think I can hear the 'hrrra' and 'vooo' sounds distinctively when you both growl. Am I imagining this? Is this a bass/alto thing? Should people start by picking the word they want to sound like?

[@vivianastridge2167]

Can you please give me a link or links to videos instructing on producing jazz subtone with double lip embouchure. I have been informed that the jszz subtone can only be produced with the the single lip embouchure and this seems to be so as all my efforts at producing the jazz subtone have not succeeded as I play with the double lip embouchure . Thank you for your help.

[@donatosabrina]

❤ Hello! Im a brazilian singer that is trying to learn sax for the first time and i dont know how to start, what are the first steps... alto saxophone? I read about xalophoon , is it cool? Thank you in advance! Love ya ❤

[@mateoportas4121]

They play so fucking good.

[@lucasashley2398]

You remind me of Dennis Reynolds

[@wyndhl8309]

Johnny Hodges was the master "bender" . I ❤️ it, the bending. Great tutorial lesson 👍 Thanks.

[@marcioramosfoto]

Beautiful girl, come to Brasil, please. Thanks for all.

[@abdulmajeedahmadi1990]

I have a quick question should I play alto sax first and then go to bari sax or go straight to bari sax? This is my first time playing sax.

[@emery_channel]

I started alto last year and started bari this year, they are both in the same key and it’s easier to start out on alto

[@gamersden30]

Whichever one you like the sound of the most, each of the big 4 have their own distinct flavour

[@auriels1451]

I started on Alto and played bari like 4yrs into alto. Personally, bari took a lot more air to play and controlling my sound in the lower register I found was harder initially. Also being a kid, if I started on Bari - holding it would have been difficult/it is heavy. So i think Alto is easier to start (less air, probs easier to control maybe? not as heavy), but ultimately if u want to play bari and ur old enough (thinking high school or older), might as well go for it :) Find a teacher and see what they recommend - also consider cost and what u have access too! Less bari players compared to alto players as well maybe? Bari parts tended to be technically less challenging tho in terms of finger speed (huge generalisation but thats the case I found). Hope some of that helps!! Might differ to other people too so would be cool to hear others! :) (will say I played more classical sax stuff - but did do some big band stuff/jazz).

[@q12aw50]

Alto alto alto alto alto alto alto. But I 100% support moving to bari it’s a much better instrument but learn on alto please

[@abdulmajeedahmadi1990]

Why shouldn't I go straight to bari

[@drumbum3.142]

It's like the (musical) equivalency of opening or shutting a door.. (And) just like (in) music, the door sounds different in different explicit situations and circumstances.. ...as well as sounding different dependent upon how quickly/with how much force it's open, shut.. ...it's REALLY Hard.. ...to bend a snare drum.. o.O (Though not impossible.. .)