How to GROWL on the Saxophone! (the easy way)

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Ever wonder how to get that really cool distorted growling effect on the saxophone? In this video I show you my simple method for doing this! (I also show you an alternate method that you can use as well)
Check out some more videos:
• Improvisation Lessons
• Saxophone Lessons
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[@DavePollack]

Learn to easily improvise through any chord changes with this FREE masterclass: ►www.davepollack.com/freemasterclass

[@ondrejvitek6078]

I would say that rolling the "R" is mostly used in a classical saxophone playing as classical effect. It suits classical playing more because of the less distortion.

[@sunnysauce0725]

Dude thank you so much. I’ve been trying to figure out how to growl for so long on my saxophones. I’ve looked at so many videos and have tried for so long. But watching this video I got it immediately. I just gotta practice more. Thank you so much.

[@DavePollack]

That's amazing to hear!!

[@CC_Rider55]

I'm growling now! Thanks!

[@DavePollack]

So glad to hear that!

[@aguzman11189]

Ah, growling. I remember practice sessions where I would growl notes and play the perfect 5th above it. Throat got sore relatively quickly 🤣 Hmm, maybe another video idea (since you asked) would be multiphonics 😉

[@DavePollack]

Well don’t sit there and do that for hours 😂

[@jmzt3187]

I find as a brass player that this also applies, thanks Dave!

[@DavePollack]

You're welcome!

[@bluessax5089]

There is also a swarm of saxophonists who use growling as a foundation of their overall sound Joe Houston, Lee Allen, King Curtis, Illinois Jaquett, Clarence Clemons, Gato, David Sanborn, Mindi Abair, ect. I personally have seen it as a way for saxophone players to compete with the distorted sounds of the lead guitarist. One of my areas of interest, is how those old R&B, blues, and rock, saxophone players get that “flavor” in their sound like Andy Snitzer, or the sax player for the Crusaders, there’s someone has like a certain type of “Husk or flavor” in their sound. ….but yeah, to the vast majority of saxophone players, it is just an effect.

[@DavePollack]

Yes sir!! You are the man when it comes to this stuff, and you definitely know how to use it and make it work WELL.

[@bluessax5089]

@@DavePollack I really appreciate you saying that brotha, I’m a product of my environment. I’ve enjoyed your content for quite a while. There are sooo many ways to approach the saxophone.

[@aceashley3570]

Don't forget Men at Work's Greg Ham who growls the F# on Who Can it Be Now

[@avp0713]

I have been "gargling" to get this sound.... for years... but it been told tome that is not the "correct" way. Therefore i'm going to try this "humming" method. Thanks

[@DavePollack]

Good luck with it!

[@algonz5652]

OH MY GOD THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@DavePollack]

You’re welcome!

[@davidschauer8861]

for some reason i just cant seem to hum or growl while my air is moving through my sax.

[@user-kp4mu9ex2c]

i love your sounds!!! from japan🇯🇵

[@DavePollack]

Thank you very much!

[@edercaldeira]

Let's try this technique 😊

[@86larsonrd]

I think a follow on video talking about what pitch you sing when you growl would be very helpful. There is a lot of trial and error. I find it is usually a simple interval from the fingered pitch: a third below or above, but I would love to know what you use yourself. Maybe just do for one note? Like High D?

[@DavePollack]

I don’t think of any pitch - just yell/scream/growl into it. It changes all the time and I don’t ever try to make it a specific pitch

[@86larsonrd]

@@DavePollack So I did a little investigation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXjRlKmrpt5_aJo short Version: go for a 3rd or a fifth.

[@chrisparker5372]

Major or minor 3rd, or are they both fun?

[@86larsonrd]

@@chrisparker5372 it's more a target than a specific pitch. Play with a recorder and see what works. Also try phrases not just single pitches.

[@Zephalops]

I still cant do it even after practicing for a week 😪

[@zxzapdos1380]

same, except i’ve been going for 2 months😭😭

[@sharynhughes1061]

WoooW!. 😮

[@wildlifenature4435]

Great video. I really love that sound and now I finally know how to do it. Just one question: I have the problem now, that especially when I'm playing the tenor, i hear the hum quiet loud. So the sound of the sax is pretty nice, but I hear myself humming in recordings. Any tips how I can avoid this? But thank you so much for this helpful video!

[@DavePollack]

In the recordings, where is the mic placed? You're definitely going to hear it pretty loud up by you, but it should be super loud through a normal microphone. Maybe take in a little more mouthpiece when doing it - this will make the overall sound of the sax louder, while keeping your humming the same volume.

[@emmarawiczsax]

*Could you make a video showing your saxophone collection?*

[@DavePollack]

Sure, but I honestly don't think it would be that interesting! I really only own a soprano and an alto, and have been borrowing a tenor from my friend for 8+ years 😂

[@emmarawiczsax]

@@DavePollack But you are rich and a professional player... How is that even possible?

[@Gbanfa]

niceee

[@todayontheinternet9576]

How many people can play the Pink Panther (pretty much everyone after 6th grade) how many can play with all the bends and growls? Not many, it's harder than you think.

[@nightly522]

FANTASTIC!

[@DavePollack]

Thanks!

[@robstevens9590]

I have a hard time humming a different note than the note I am playing. When I hum the same note as I play it doesn't come out right.

[@86larsonrd]

Try a chord tone. A fourth, a fifth, or a third usually seems to work for me.

[@robstevens9590]

@@86larsonrd Thanks for the tip.

[@alexnolan3299]

Back in around the 1920s they used the second one a lot

[@user-il3tn5oz3p]

I think the tongue roll has its place in certain applications... I wouldnt even call that a growl more lke a flutter...

[@DavePollack]

Yea, “flutter-tonguing” would be the technical term for that

[@devonarmstrong7045]

What about doing it by gargling almost?

[@DavePollack]

I've never tried that, but if it works for you, go for it!

[@avp0713]

Thats my method, and since so many people told me that "i'm doing it wrong" lol.... I'll see if I can "hum" it... y'know, so that it can be "right".

[@johnhamers4571]

Growling is a natural thing to do on sax / reed instrument but doing it musical, comes back to a lot of things, but keep doing it may progress. That's been said by an keyboard player makes it a little funny

[@alexandervega5329]

My gag reflex does not let me