How to Play Softer on Saxophone and Trumpet

[@Baboon4215]

Very nice stuff Donna, I think playing softly is way more difficult than playing the Sax loud. For myself it's been something I want to address more too. My recovery is coming along great :)

[@DonnaSchwartz]

That's great news, Michael!

[@fivebyfivesound]

Really helpful insights, thank you. I especially appreciate your point on trying to answer practice questions through personal experimentation before looking to tech for the answers....

[@peterpressure]

I just found today another way to practice softly is put on closed ear headphones and blow into a mic!

[@GibsonLesPaul2273]

I just bought a sax but forced to sell it, I live in a flat and its way too noisy, its like a fog horn, but it is a stunning instrument to look at.

[@quizen92]

Mute cases help cut sounds new ones $399 for tenor mute. Plus thin sock in upper bell.

[@dwightfontenot9064]

I tell my students to keep the air-flow consistent but softer means slower air. Still use lots of air, but just slower. It seems to work most of the time.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

I use to say use slower air, but I've realized over time that the danger with slower air is that the extreme lower notes will not speak clearly with slower air.

[@Jimmytulips]

excellent video. Been wanting to get back into playing sax after being gone near a decade without the Loud sound since I have neighbors lol. There are some gimmicks out there but this is sound advice. Give me some good thoughts with the 50-100 yard talk. thanks alot!

[@shenanigans38]

Bruh I play mine in an apartment building and those assholes dont bother me one bit lmao

[@wids]

@@shenanigans38 Lmao Same but I always play at a reasonable time

[@trup1372]

You probably won’t see this, but I’d really appreciate if you respond. What neck strap are you using, and would you recommend it? Also what advice could you give to someone who’s sound is muddy in a way? I’ve tried everything and it might be a mouthpiece thing. Thanks!

[@DonnaSchwartz]

See my Neck strap review videos on my site: donnaschwartzmusic.com/saxophone-neck-strap-review-nov-2018/. I use the Vandoren Universal Harness. Muddy sound - as I always recommend, please seek out a teacher because it can be a variety of things that are going on.

[@trup1372]

@@DonnaSchwartz I do have a teacher and we have worked on this, so I’m pretty sure it’s the mouthpiece

[@siningwow]

Thanks Donna

[@vivianastridge2167]

Not everyone can afford to live in totally detached houses and practicing wind instruments in an apartment could lead to serious issues with neighbors. Being forced to listen to even the most advanced musician every single day and perhaps many times each day is not something to be greatly desired and welcomed. I have faced this problem with neighbors complaining about saxophone practice even at regular and very limited times each day. I had tried the usual methods of stuffing towels and stuff into the bell to hardly any effect. I came across a tiny bottle washer brush and it occurred to me that I could insert this into the neck or mouthpiece to introduce an impedance to restrict the sound just as the impedance of a large chamber mouthpiece does to a limited extent. I cut off the handle part of the brush and left just a little wire stub so I could handle it and inserted it into the neck where the mouthpiece sits. This almost totally muted the sound and by cutting the brush off to various lengths, I obtained the desired degree of muting. Excessive muting in this way affects the pitch of the highest notes but not noticeably the main register. The bell notes are much much easier to play and the honk is totally removed.

[@puyashamss1548]

@Vivian Astridge , this solution is just what I was searching for! I‘ll try this later on - thank you very much!

[@javierquesada798]

siento mucha comunicación con usted perdone no se cienta mal es buena maestra

[@JosephVeee]

i was desperately looking for a quieter version of brass instruments, I just learned muting is it. i honestly cannot stand the ear piercing sax or trumpet alot of people call jazz.. if im sitting in a quite lounge why would I want to yell over the music??

[@ezk_4777]

How could you say that a lot more people would rather listen to the music and not talk.

[@PatMarro]

Thanks Donna