8 Ways to Practice Saxophone QUIETLY

#bettersax #saxophone #saxophonelessons
Jay Metcalf shares 8 ways to practice the saxophone quietly.
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[@FoulOwl2112]

Wow l can't believe you just said "practice in your head". I thought l was the only nut job who advocated that. I honestly go through life with a constant backing track running in my head. Dreaming up imaginary improvisation lines. I have at least one toe tapping 16hrs a day. Hell, maybe 24 as far as l know! It's possible because some of the biggest leaps forward I've ever made happened in my sleep. I just wake up and realize that suddenly a lot more pieces fit in my puzzle.

[@tpb_official4597]

I been doing the same thing for years! And not only that I sometimes pretend that I have an imaginary saxophone and I do the fingerng in the air of what I'm playing in my head

[@SoggyBiscu1t]

I love your profile picture!

[@ChloeZander]

I do that too! 😊

[@FoulOwl2112]

@@ChloeZander Be Well my friend. L..

[@FoulOwl2112]

I'm dying

[@brianpite0893]

My daughter is a book narrator. She made her own booth using PVC pipe, sound proof foam and quilt blankets. She also decorated with lights ect. It works really well. It keeps the sound in and the outside sounds out. And it wasn't expensive.

[@bettersax]

Yes, this is another great option.

[@heeroyuy9z]

Would love to see a photo of that booth. 😮

[@philliphill3390]

The method I use for an alternative to a dedicated room is stand facing into our bedroom closet full of clothes, playing into the clothes w/the bedroom door closed and a heavy blanket/quilt over the back of the bedroom door. For outside practice, weather permitting, I go to my back yard and play directly into the trunk of a large tree. This reflects my sound quality, dynamics, etc. directly back to me and is not lost out into open air. My geese wander around close by and don't mind at all and my goat actually lays at my feet while I'm playing. Thanks again for your videos, Jay.

[@torbjrnslettajacobsen5019]

I would love to hear your thought on practicing in your head. Techniques, experiences, and so on. Thanks a lot for this channel! Its an inspiration!

[@bettersax]

Thanks for watching. Will do.

[@randallreza6572]

Thanks Jay - sharing with my students. I always appreciate your content. Keep it comin'! Peace be with you!

[@lisalowell2545]

Always enlightened to listen on how to help us Saxy players!! I play the tenor not sure if it will fit in my car but once it gets warmer going to parks and woods. Just started in August last year.

[@Harako15]

been wanting to hear your sound while not mic’d up and you sound just as good if not better, great content Jay🤝

[@bettersax]

haha thanks. I think the mics help quite a bit though.

[@andrewcapper5219]

Great video Jay! I’ve started a list of all the things I can be working on without the Sax in my hands so would love to hear more about how you practice in your head!

[@saxophonick6719]

I love hearing you riff It’s so satisfying to listen to you play!! 😊

[@rhythmharmony2923]

Yes, I would highly appreciate a video decicated to mental practice methods! 👍🏼

[@bettersax]

ok thanks!

[@jeremybell8693]

Great video, Jay. Such an important subject, especially for young players. It can be the difference between playing and not playing.

[@sheriffadetomiwa3615]

Thanks so much for this video. It was really helpful just like your other videos🙏💯

[@francistaylor5097]

Brilliant video, Jay. Thanks. I also practice in my head; find if I read a score whilst listening to a great solo I can almost feel it under my fingers. It really has helped!

[@bettersax]

thanks!

[@harveypete7588]

The problem is annoying the neighbours, I solved this by saying to my neighbours I will play only in the afternoon (because most neighbours are out then) for I hour max and stick to it, this means the neighbours know it will not go on forever and a plus is that it means I have to practice a disciplined I hour and not just play around, the discipline has led to better playing. I also told them to ring me if they want me to stop for whatever reason (somebody may be ill or have a headache). Giving the neighbours the power and choice to stop it whenever they want takes away the annoyance factor. No neighbour has ever rung me to ask me to stop.

[@bettersax]

Good tips. I had a similar arrangement with a neighbor at one point.

[@archangel0137]

When I was in London during my early to mid twenties, I was renting a small practice room in a music studio. I still miss it to this day. I have practiced outside before when preparing for my Grade 8 on the tenor sax, and it worked out. However, in the future, I'll soundproof a room in my house instead. Thanks the best option, really.

[@alohahawaiikiki]

When I was a student, I arranged with a musical school in the city I lived, that I can take any available classroom for reasonable monthly payment. I used to practice for hours nearly every day.

[@andrewcharley1893]

Harvey,you are a very considerate person with your sax.i had the opposite issue, my neighbor complained that he didn't hear enough of my practice coz I'm very conscious of the noise factor too. Anyway ,keep doing what your doing👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@JazzDuets]

Cool Video! I used to practice in the car in South London 30 years ago. I think I might try it again today as I am picking my Sax up from the repairer and going straight to a gig!

[@bettersax]

Yeah it will bring you back to the old days.

[@justinkirkwood9637]

I would love to see a video explaining how you practice in your head. I’m always playing tunes in my head or humming them but if I could connect this to my sax that would be great. Thanks for your video Jay. I always take something from your videos.

[@Zakvasir]

Thanks for addressing this pragmatic issue. I know the noise kept me from practicing as much as I should have as a kid.

[@samnelson2132]

I've had a sax mute one for several years and really enjoy it. It's not as good as playing freely and isn't extremely cheap, but it's a great option if you live in an apartment. Definitely recommend if you are expecting to live in a shared wall house going forward!

[@chas5131]

Is your mute the plastic sort that you put your sax into?

[@marleenvisser117]

Thanks Jay! Yes this has always been a problem. I also started off practicing in the car. Another useful way I found, is to be play into a closet full of clothes or just against a pillow, but the biggest problem still, is to practice altissimo and high notes!

[@Arasax132]

This really helped!

[@OceansPiece]

Congrats on 300k! Been around since ~20k and always look forward to your content!

[@bettersax]

Thanks for all the support!

[@floridaguy1955]

Before I wrote this comment, I read all the others. Tremendous amount of human ingenuity! I do a version of your fingering the sax w/out blowing. I walk 5 miles every day and often play "air sax". If I have a fingering, diminished triad pair for example, that I am trying to get down I pretend to hold my hands like I am holding my tenor and just "play". Bet the neighbors think I have a few loose screws but so what!

[@kevintaylor-cox2880]

Thanks for the much appreciated insights, and a thumbs up please for mental practice in the head, I've used it for guitar and keyboards and a bit for sax and it worked great though I did find it harder for the sax

[@TheRonSyl]

YES to the practicing in your head video!

[@Learning2Sax]

You Four upped me with amount of methods Jay :D Great Video. Thanks.

[@bettersax]

haha, I'm sure there are some more out there.

[@joelkrebs3577]

I practice using just finger position holding my tablet with the notes on it, it works really good for practice stuff when I’m on the train or I don’t have my sax with me. And having the audio of what I’m playing helps me and reduce the time I need to learn liks songs and hard sections of the piece.

[@joshuaterkelsen6249]

Jay - congrats on 300K!

[@SacBillM3]

Jay - I would love to see a video about practicing in your head. My challenge (one of them,anyway, 😊) is mastering the visualization. Love your video tips!

[@RossLeavitt]

I would love a video about practicing in your head! This is a fascinating concept. It sounds great for not only playing better, but strengthening your mind.

[@archsys307]

Adam neely audiation video

[@georgeh.whiteiii2121]

Thank-U Jay for offering some fabulous suggestions for not causing a disturbance to others. I personally have fallen in love with the Odisei Travel Sax and would like to ask Ur opinion...peace & blessings...🙏🏾

[@dsaxman1]

Awesome vid! I have neighbor issues and practice at a whisper level in a closet with moving blankets on the walls and floor, so I get the hands/fingers and airflow. When they're not around, I practice at volume as I need to know what's going on with my setup before a gig. I also use the car in a large parking lot at times. I have a couple saxbags I got from Russia before the war on Ukraine broke out -- they're similar to the mute case you showed but more flexible. I've been eyeing Emeo for a long time and would love to get a whisper booth.

[@dsaxman1]

Is that you on the reply or a scammer?

[@valentinguillaume6403]

Hi Jay, Thanks for sharing these great tips with us ! I came across another technique to practice less loud : It consist in using a waaay softer read than your usual (I go down to 1.5). With some effort invested in breath control, it allows to plays a lot quiter. Have you ever experienced it ?

[@itsL.J]

Congratulations on 300k!!

[@bettersax]

Thank you!!!

[@joeldowell5059]

This is the perfect video for me! I'm unable to practice where I live right now, but I'm going to try these out so I can get back into it!

[@archangel0137]

Trying practising outside if you can. Alternatively, rent a small room in a music studio to practise in.

[@williesordillo8621]

I would definitely be interested in seeing a video which went into more detail about how to practice in one's head. Thanks!

[@cmacdhon]

I would love a video about how you do just about everything related to the sax!

[@bettersax]

Thanks!

[@lyntedrockley7295]

So I remember a room you used after the underground acoustic foam room and before the room you're using now. With the mouthpieces on the shelves. That was a nice space.

[@Shitsurei-ib2no]

The 9th way: play towards a wardrobe full of clothes and put a thick blanket on each door when opened. You can treat a bit the upper part of the wardrobe with acoustic pads.

[@user-hc6op2zn1x]

A video about practising in our heads would be nice indeed!

[@tedroberts1952]

Would love to hear more about practicing in your head. Love your channel. Ted Roberts

[@samuelbertrand8520]

Last night a sinthsax saved m'y life! Good vidéo, I stopped playing when m'y Kids arrived, until I discovered the EWI. Game changer! I play the yamaha wx5 for years by night and m'y regular sax by Day. Nice way to keep on track and keep the regular practice. Plus its super fun to play other sound like bass or marimba! I would like a vidéo about diy studio sound improvement and insolation.

[@saveriocampione9457]

Hi Jay, thanks for this list of ways to practice quietly. I actually went ahead and purchased the EMEO off the back of your recommendation and their marketing videos, about a month ago. As I travel a lot for my profession I thought it would be the perfect way to get to practice in the hotel rooms downroute during my tours of duty. I thought that you and my fellow bettersax subscribers might like to get some further feedback on it. I will be frank and say that I have so far been left rather frustrated with the EMEO. I practiced with it sitting down and since the neck strap doesn’t allow for the instrument to hang properly in order to reach my mouth, I ended up resting it on my thigh to play as the instrument is heavy just like a real one! Well guess where the air vent is… right on the point I rest the instrument butt while playing, which blocks my airflow and therefore affects the sound and forces me to blow harder or shift the instrument to an uncomfortable position. The second thing i have found rather confounding is the lag between the note playing and the sound emitted. I’ve yet to find a way to practice fast sections without setting the instrument to produce sound from key pressing only (without blowing through the mouthpiece). I suspect that I am going to have to play via the connection cable rather than the Bluetooth suggestion. Having been in contact with them, they initially weren’t very receptive nor helpful in any way, which required me to follow up with them once more. For the air vent point issue, they are in the midst of designing a leg stand for people with disabilities, which I will need to purchase (of course). They think their instrument is perfect, and I have yet to be convinced…

[@Mr.Blu3.]

Hi Jay! Have a nice day!

[@robstevens9590]

I have had lots of issues with neighbors. I haven't tried the "in the car" option. Occasionally I play "fingers only." I'm interested in the "in your head" method. When the weather is nice I often play in the park. I have also built my own sound booth using egg cartons to insulate. It is not sound-proof enough, so I usually also have to play with a piece of foam in the bell (but then I can't play low B or Bb, which is better than not being able to practice at all).

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Great information sir

[@ewetoobblowzdogg8410]

Our son is a player that's been on an H. Couf Superba 1 alto with the rolled tone holes and uses a Meyer New York 7 on it. We'd love to hear your opinion of this instrument, but also of the tenor we're planning on adding to his collection. We've narrowed it down to 3 really nice players. The last one is a late 50's model but is absolutely immaculate, like new, never refurbished. We're just having a hard time making up our minds and could use some trusted insight. Hope you get this message. Much love and thanx from NOLA! Yamaha 82Zll custom bronze P. Mauriat Black Pearl King Super 20 full pearl

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

Garzone has that great long tone exercise that is incredibly quiet. I do that a lot. Also my main floor is treated, but not sound-proofed; still helps a little. Basement doesn't work as well as I would have thought, bc of all the ducting. Have to go into a side-room for any benefit in it.

[@stevebarrand2147]

My only practice time is when others are sleeping. This is a very helpful video. Thank you

[@dylanmenzies3973]

Coolest episode ever!

[@MrCrazydave95]

Please make a video on practicing in your head! I would love to know more!

[@timwallace7561]

Hi Jay, at last at the tender age of 57 I can finally start to learn the saxophone, alto. I'm currently watching all your KZbin videos, and reading lots. Unfortunately I'm unable to purchase your Better Sax Alto due to shipping issues with Sweetwater, so I'll be purchasing the Jean Paul AS-400 as soon as I'm happy that I will be able to play. I'm about to hire an Alto Yamaha to experiment with etc. Thank you for such quality tutorials - I'm a big fan.

[@bettersax]

Thanks Tim!

[@8-bitfate651]

Would love a video on practicing in your head

[@Toresis15]

Thanks so much, I really didn´t thought about practicing in a car in some desolate place. Will work for me just fine

[@melanieready6733]

My first thought when I saw this was - did my husband ask you to make this? I am lucky enough to be able to use the spare bedroom in our little bungalow but I still close as many doors as possible! Thank you for this. Interesting stuff to know if I ever need it in the future.

[@Kirktracy]

Great video, Jay. I’d be interested in a video demonstrating how to practice in your head.

[@bettersax]

Thanks Kirk, looks like enough people want that video, so I'll start working on it.

[@saffronbolu]

Practicing in your head is not as daft as it sounds and otherwise known as visualisation. Sometimes I will do that when I'm in bed trying to go to sleep. A lot of athletes use the technique when they are injured. It's a great way of silently practicing scales.

[@NTgamezZ]

I ask kindly that you do please make a video on how you practice the saxophone in your head

[@johnasti7429]

Hey Jay, you missed one. My teacher Lawrence Feldman told me, when I went out on the road with well known big band to practice in the hotel room in order to not bother other rooms,, take a hand towel and stuff it in the bell. Not all the way, but enough where it sits on its own Yes, you will loose the low Bb and B but it still mutes the sound. I went to a masterclass at Rutgers University way back in the day with Johnny Griffin and he used the towel not only to mute the sound in the hotel rooms, but as resistance exercise. The towel created a lot of resistance and when you take it out your sound seems to increase. And anyone who heard Johnny Griffin will a test he had a huge sound!!!! This is also the cheapest method of muting...Have a good one!!!!

[@directcurrent5751]

Jay's tone is so on, even the giant bubble doesn't ruin it.

[@jasmineadams8385]

I would love a video about how you practice saxophone in your head!

[@DJsilversax]

it would be great to see the video of how you practicing in your head. :)

[@KinaIchi]

Could you please do the “in your head” technic

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Is there a link for how you "play sax in your head"? Thanks!

[@artoan]

Yes please, make the vid about mental practice, please! 👍🏻😊

[@bettersax]

Will do.

[@johndeer4250]

building parking lots especially the top floor are my favorites after hr to practice I do live in the woods but at night is better to hit the city parking lots since the clubs are going on my noise won’t bather no body

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

A girlfriend who played sax used to practice under a couple of full size bed duvets draped over her sitting on the sofa. To be honest, it was fairly effective, though a bit warm - we were students in Newcastle, UK so getting cold was easy😂

[@tomasomuller1995]

What do you think about the YDS or the EMEO?

[@cole109]

I need a way to help strengthen my embouchure while at work or when I’m watching baby. Do you have any tips on this?

[@jellyjojo8971]

I play bari and tenor (my tenor is a cheap sax so I don't use it often.) So my question is should I save up for a alto? Something small so I can take with me and practice in my car or when I'm out and about?

[@txsphere]

Woot! 300k

[@explosivegaming5221]

Would love to see a video about how to effectively practice in your head !

[@colewestphal977]

Hi! Jay, I love your videos, especially your latest about saxophone sound. Jazz sound is one of this things that I have finally pinned down but my problem is finding good methods to "jazz up" a piece, any tips?

[@bettersax]

Lots of videos here on KZbin as well as the courses on bettersax.com to help you.

[@thesaxman]

Yes please... Mental improv practice definitely.... I find busking is an outside practice room., which also allows for simulated performance in front of others and a way of trying out improv ideas. Occasionally may bring in some DOSH and good for meeting people.

[@bettersax]

Busking is a great practice activity.

[@andrewcharley1893]

Thankyou so much,I actually practice every day one hour before I go to work in the car. I thought it was only me😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. Thankyou so much for all you give .👍🏾❤️👍🏾

[@VictorHugo-yi5rg]

Hey Jay, I brought my soprano sax to an Irish music jam with guitars, ukes, fiddles, etc. and got feedback from a member that I was too loud. I was already holding back on my sound with good air support. Is there a mute that you'd recommend to place in the bell, or do I just need to give it up and play the flute at the jam?

[@marioherrerajr5293]

As someone who used to play instruments i remember playing the notes in my head meanwhile practicing with my hands and knowing the song by the following day!!!

[@brianmatthews232]

great video, sound booth reviews would be interesting :-)

[@bettersax]

Yes, I have one on the way as we speak.

[@jamesheather4568]

I would definitely be interested in a video about how you practice in your head.

[@lauraconti1378]

i would love to see a video about practicing in your head

[@michaelrowe1907]

I play Alto mostly. I have two ways of playing the saxophone quieter. The first one a music teacher gave 1. Playing with the bell up against clothes in a wardrobe. The draw back restriction. NEXT l use. 2. Placing with a tea towel in the bell . Draw back not being able to play lower C, B, Bb. I have used both in apartments with neighbours not hearing. Love to get your feedback.

[@bettersax]

Both are helpful solutions with restrictions. Better than not practicing though.

[@Kevin_Youssef-Sax]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, I just want to say as a tenor saxophone player, we have to keep our saxophones to the right of us which will not help in the car and many other places you said, so can we please get a tenor practice video?

[@ruby_gleyzes]

Great video, as usual! Concerning playing outside: I think it's unavoidable to attract weirdos like a magnet. My tip is: be kind but not too much. Try to engage as little as possible into conversations... Or else, you might end up lending money you'll never get back 🤦‍♂️🥴

[@monboulou1]

car solution is definitely the go to solution for me. i do it at least once a week when i drop my kids to their sport courses while i am practicing in the car ^^

[@mrcooledward]

PRACTICE Inside the car is really a good idea and will not affect people. I'm from Hong Kong, unluckily practice in the park is illegal and get charged by police here.

[@iggynamaruci355]

Please make a video about how you practice in your head

[@chas5131]

What ia a punto practice room ? The captioning shows "punto practice room".

[@desmondteague2441]

A tip - if you’re going to practice in your car, sit in the backseat and crack the windows, sitting in the drivers seat and playing for hours can create a lot of condensation which can effect the electronics, especially in newer cars! Or if you have a hatchback, put the seats down and sit in the trunk! Just get as far away from the instrument cluster / any screens as possible

[@kelvineasileysr7412]

can you recommend where I can buy a gooxs sound booth

[@reincarnate3440]

Hi, I'm new to saxophone and I'm considering to buy a digital saxophone. Any thoughts?

[@dcp8nts]

I practice in my head every morning, when i'm out for a jog. That mute made me laugh. Don't show it to my husband. He may want to buy it for me. lol Thanks Jay, for another great video!

[@fernandocosta2996]

How is your mute sax model?

[@pmwizard48]

The way I found is move the reed back on the mouthpiece so that the only sound is the air your blowing thru the instrument.

[@sergiog.4093]

I have a booth. It was expensive, but the best investment I´ve everdone.

[@CarnivoreCurin]

I do practice in my car. I keep an old saxophone with me all the time and work at stop lights, and when in traffic jams.

[@jacopotassinari]

Sounds great ideas, I'm going to try out some ... BTW, cannot image to play my bari in a car 😅🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rollandmakinano1744]

I live in a townhome, we share a common wall with my neighbor. So in my half bath I sometimes practice in there. I stop playing around 7-8 pm as to not disturb my neighbor.

[@Bobbybabybobbybubbie]

There's a big problem with "fingers only": for ascending intervals, the note normally starts when the key opens but you hear the "click" when the key hits its full open position, which is later. The time feels wrong, and I imagine if you do it too much it can actually mess up your time.

[@michaelnoriega1564]

Do you make it look very easy

[@allen_graphics]

I just really want to do this so badly coz the sound makes me fall in love with the instrument thought it would be cool to learn it then I have neighbors that'll hate me for practicing music 😂

[@sidneiramalho]

Good stuff Jay. I used to practice in the mechanical room at my work during my lunch break. Also, I spent around $1500 to build my sound proof room inside my garage with 2x4s, wood panels and lots of insulation. I can practice any time of day or night.

[@bettersax]

It's such a gift when you can finally practice at any time. It took me many years to get there.

[@lickingfrog]

tip: acoustic treatment reduces the echo AND the volume too... since the echo is not feeding the volume up, it preety muchs reduces the volume.