Saxophone Embouchure tip; Do This to Clear up Your Spitty Saxophone Sound

[CLEAR UP SPITTY SAXOPHONE SOUND] In this video lesson, you will get tips for preventing that spitty, gurgly sound that happens when too much moisture is on the reed.
Resources:
1. Key Leaves Spit Sponge (this is my Amazon affiliate link): www.amazon.com...
2. Spit Sponge Product Review: • Saxophone Product Revi...
3. Alto Saxophone Tone Tip - Instrument Angle - • Alto Saxophone Tone Tip
4. Saxophonist's Guide to Finding the Right Strength Reed course -academy.donnas...
5. Here's how you can build your confidence when you improvise...
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Gear:
Trevor James Custom Signature Raw Tenor Saxophone
10mFan Black Widow 7* Tenor Sax mouthpiece
Rovner Van Gogh ligature
Legere Reeds - Signature Series 2.5
Jazzlab SaxHolder
Peak Music Stands - Use the code DSMUSIC to get 10% off on checkout

[@jazztime4]

Lifetime educator/sax player here. Another quite obvious remedy to mention is just to make a deliberate effort to shallow all the saliva in your mouth before you start to blow. I find this helps. Also, as a Legere synthetic reed convert several years ago, I do notice that spit on the back of the reed is more of an issue. Sometimes I will side a paper pad dryer down in between the reed and mouthpiece to absorb the moisture. They are white and sold on Amazon in packs of 80. 🎷😁

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

I always have to do this! Assume everyone did it. It's more noticeable on Legeres--visibly so lol. Maybe "jazz cigarettes" became a popular thing, and term, bc of the dry mouth lol.

[@hammered0184]

Cottonmouth is a detriment for articulation. ;)

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Great video Donna!

[@S150436]

Saliva = moist = wet fingers and I dripping neck. I am very early in my learning, but getting there slowly as I had the biggest issue with getting the high notes with the octave key, but now I see to have an issue with the lower notes, but I know it just practice. Anyways, I seem to be a very ‘wet’ player on my Alto, and have noticed that what you drink or eat does influence greatly. Also, eating after eating dinner is a bad idea too. I must be like you Donna, as I need to remember to suck back on the mouthpiece often. So much to learn and remember. Always a pleasure watching your vids and getting top tips. Hope your keeping safe too. Greetings from 🇦🇺

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thank you and keep safe yourself :)

[@gedduncan2454]

Always an issue for me,. A few more extra things for me to try, thanks.

[@NareshKumar-br6xg]

Very Good thanks 👍❤️🎵🙏🙏🙏

[@shipsahoy1793]

I play Tenor mostly, and Alto occasionally, but I only ever have to contend with the gurgling problem on Alto, which seems to be less problematic if I play alto more frequently or use a less open mouthpiece, so I say practice practice practice 🙂

[@ananddesai2010]

I did experience the Saliva but did not do anything for the same. Thanks for the tip. However whilst playing Trumpet I experience the opposite i.e. dry lips which is a problem in that case.

[@lisetteelbers365]

Tip of tongue tip of reed? It is hardly possible to play properly with the tip of the tongue to the tip of the reed/mouthpiece...you have to curl the tip of your your tongue toward the back of your teeth while pronouncing 'doo'. This is my impression of the technique of basic articulation for playing the saxophone. Great teaching, by the way ... :)

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Many people play tip to tip. Luckily, on a saxophone or clarinet, you can use the front part of your tongue too.

[@saxtooter]

I love it! Very educational and validated, I thought I was a nasty sax player for sucking up my spit! There's such a fine line for me between moist enough and too moist to play!

[@carolynking4828]

Hi there. I've just taken up the soprano sax this New Year as it was a Christmas present from my hubby. I've found that when practising that I have this excess saliva problem which is so incredibly annoying and sounds awful, so thank you for your very helpful advice. I'm practising every day with the hope that I can get good enough to play in our band at church. A very exciting time!! Thank you very much. Very best wishes from Carolyn King

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Glad it helped and congrats on your new saxophone journey 🎷

[@KarlaandZac]

I love your channel but you say there is a link to three exercises to increase your tone, I can’t see a link.

[@Lutemann]

Silva: I used to have a real spitty sound and then it went away. One thing I noticed was that moisture collected on the bottom of the reed. What I think worked was taking piece of xerox paper and using it as sandpaper on the bottom of the reed. This made the bottom smooth as glass and the moisture didn't collect as much but instead, rolled off. I would also like to say that not playing in the manner of a clarinet , i.e. playing straight on, does seem to give a bigger sound. Thanks for making me try this again.

[@dennisd2531]

Saliva! I can relate to many of the point's that you've mentioned... Many thanks

[@larrycoop5087]

Saliva-Watching the video is Deja Vu. Nothing worst than saliva dripping from the palm keys to my left fingers causing them to slip on the pearls. And yes, I like Légère’s except they more easily result in a spitting sound. Interesting note about the foods.

[@polarspalace]

My sax started screeching a lot lately, it’s never done this before. I have no idea how to fix it or what I’m doing wrong, any ideas?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Check your reeds. Please consult with a teacher to fast track your progress

[@mangben2493]

Hi. Can i know which ligature your using? Looks nice 🙂

[@DonnaSchwartz]

All my gear is listed in the description

[@graysaxofficial]

I guess I have to continue sucking this saliva out.... Doing this at the same time breathing in 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@bernardasamoahafful]

Thank you Donna for doing the video Saliva

[@hmoore76]

Thanks Donna!

[@graysaxofficial]

Saliva😩😩😩

[@DonnaSchwartz]

LOL!

[@graysaxofficial]

Donna Schwartz 🥺

[@derekakien7379]

Hi Donna. 56 years ago I started learning tenor. First m/p Brilhart Tonalin. Second Selmer Soloist metal. Third m/p Berg Larsen s/s which I still blow. With PTD fibreglass reeds (allergic to cane) in a cold room moisture ran into my mouth. My last resort solution was to use a metal scriber and score across the mouthpiece as it was so polished. WARNING DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!

[@cyberbullyisme8111]

thank you, im a starter, 10yo only and i was trying to play a song and it was like so spitty so thank you

[@cyberbullyisme8111]

and its a good thing to know because i just finished a bag of hot chips before practicing

[@RoyalMail40]

Yes this is a big problem for me. You mentioned anti-reflux medication as a possible cause and I do use this. I've not noticed that particular foods make it worse, but I don't think it helps to drink beer for example whilst playing. Whilst I suck up, I still have to stop now and then and clean out the mouthpiece and neck in particular. If I've been playing say 45 minutes then the body as well. I find playing pieces where there are few rests a real problem.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

It would be better to drink water while playing if you have this issue.

[@RoyalMail40]

@@DonnaSchwartz HAHA ! Of course but I'm British and gigging often means playing in a pub!

[@PDBowden16]

I’ve been using Listerine Total Care after I went to my dentist because he told me that my saliva was too acidic because I ate a lot of citrus while growing up.

[@bosslee2330]

Amazing!