Faster Fingers | How to improve sax technique

[@matsmanteatern698]

You always learn something new! 40 years of playing and not ONE teacher has ever mention this alternate C# fingering!! Great! Thank you!🙏

[@drwallysax]

Hey! Happy to help! We've got more super finger hacks coming later this year!

[@georgethemonkeydrummer5598]

I felt this

[@LeoNovel]

THE BEST sax channel on the entire planet!!!! THANK YOU Dr. Wally!!

[@drwallysax]

Hey Leo! Thanks my friend!

[@LeoNovel]

@@drwallysax 🙇🏻‍♂️

[@MeiniListanti]

Well the best one by far I have come across.

[@MeiniListanti]

He's funny as well.

[@selmergrunon]

Obviously you don't know anything

[@josephfarnsworthmusic]

Thanks for making our technique magical 🦄🦄🦄!

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome my friend!

[@AlexMantaRay]

Loving your enthusiasm and the quality of your teachings. Thank you

[@drwallysax]

I'm so glad, thanks for being a part of the academy, Alex!

[@lestersingleton2779]

Good morning, Dr. Wally, I’ve just finished my Monday morning cup of coffee and I’m looking forward to diving into this month’s lessons. I am also continuing with the January exercises by offsetting them every other day. I want to thank you Dr. Wally for what you are doing for folks like myself who have never had a private instructor who really cared about people as you do. The Bible says “ try the spirit by the spirit “ and though I do not know you personally. I feel a spiritual connection to you every time I listen to your videos. My God continue to bless you and your family? You are truly an inspiration to so many. Respectfully, Lester

[@drwallysax]

That's very kind, and much appreciated. Thanks, Lester.

[@jasonandrews9058]

Dr. Wally thanks so much for touching on efficient fingering. This has plagued my playing since I picked up playing saxophone. I am really looking forward to incorporating this knowledge into my practice so it becomes second nature. You are a champion of efficiency, peace of mind and happiness Dr. Wally. Thanks again :)

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Jason! We'll be covering MANY more efficient techniques in the months ahead - happy practicing!

[@DonnMa]

this channel is amazing and extraordinarily helpful

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Max, that's incredibly kind! Have a great rest of the weekend and happy practicing!

[@sergej100qca4]

You're always there when I need you the most. I just started working on Stitts solo on "Be-Bop".

[@drwallysax]

Whhhhoooo-boy! Sitt's solos require some fast fingers! have fun and keep me updated, Sergej!!!

[@georgeluna5845]

Fascinating. A degree in enabling. Dr. Wallace, another enjoyable, educational gumbo of your talent and wit.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks George! Hope you're having a great weekend my friend!

[@gottreich]

You play as good as you teach. +100 points for the humor (:

[@drwallysax]

Awwww, thanks Miro! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!

[@WojciechKalka]

Just discovered your youtube channel and it is already my favorite sax channel, great content and great humor :)

[@kurt.schwab]

Great! Can't wait to start on the new stuff. And thanks for the great listening assignments! I just recently discovered Elgar's cello concerto and loved it! 🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👍👍👍

[@drwallysax]

Fantastic! Elgar is so gorgeous isn't it? On the subject of Elgar (not to give any spoilers) I miiiiiight have some BIG announcements coming up regarding Elgar and some other classical giants. Almost like there's a method to my madness....almost. Happy practicing, Kurt!!!

[@harppsricprince]

Love the humour in your videos . It’s so refreshing

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Harps! Though my wife would not consider my bad "dad jokes" as humor. Happy practicing my friend!

[@jamescps8799]

This is one of the best tips of saxophone practice on youtube.

[@drwallysax]

Hey, thanks James!

[@Illuminati092]

that C# alt fingering is amazing!!! I still consider myself a beginner(ish) so alt fingerings are still a big mystery to me for the most part.

[@drwallysax]

Yay!!! I love it when I help people unlock saxo-mysteries! Makes my day!

[@bluegoose555]

@@drwallysax smooooth

[@ronjaemusic7777]

Wow! You make learning sax fun. I’m sure you’ve heard it before. I’ve been getting back into playing but older and less enthusiastic to learn it differently. Your the best instructor for my mentally on KZbin or anywhere I’ve see. Thank you!!!!

[@drwallysax]

That makes me very happy, thanks Ronjae! Join the course and download all the good stuff - it's all free!

[@КотэБаюн]

Thank you, your videos have done better and my saxophone and my English))

[@jimcurrie]

Greatest saxophone channel on KZbin. Dr. Walley Wallace you make great saxophone videos that I show my students just how much fun playing saxophone is compared to the trumpet, trombone, or tuba is. Saxophone is my choice for music.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Jim! What are you teaching these days?

[@parism5]

simply thank you Dr. 😊

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Parism5!! Now relax and practice. RELAX!!!

[@Flerb420]

Great informational video! It’s amazing to have a thorough resource on fundamentals to refresh on, I haven’t directly covered a lot of this since my freshman year of college and even though a lot of it is now in my routine it’s great to have a way to bring it back to the conscious level. The only thing I would add/stress that isn’t here is when working in small chunks as demonstrated, it’s really good to add a half way step of playing the last 2 notes of the first set with the first two of the second so the transition between the two isn’t jarring when combining them into the slightly larger chunk. I really appreciate the work done on this channel, and hope to continue to use it as a resource for both myself and my studio in the future!

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Amazing video Dr Wallace.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Samuel!

[@yun_saxophone-studio]

I have to go back to practice !! thank you wally

[@drwallysax]

go for it! Happy practicing!

[@yun_saxophone-studio]

@@drwallysax yep !! wally, i want you to come to my channel I have uploaded the song ^^hope u enjoy it!!

[@donl3248]

When I was in college Kenny Werner’s book “Effortless Mastery” was studied more so than assigned textbooks. He expounds relaxation as an absolute necessity.

[@drwallysax]

I re-read Werner every couple of years. It's one of my favorite books. (I keep the guided meditations on my iPhone as well).

[@ManoAfinador-RJ]

Thank you so much Dr.Wally for the tip !

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Mano! Happy practicing!

[@davidbraner156]

Thanks again for a great video. My wife just told me you make her laugh. She loves your teaching style.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Dave, my wife just rolls her eyes (and tell you're wife she has an EXCELLENT sense of humor...according to me)!

[@F15774137842]

Thank you! I play saxophone for only 14months now, and explored lots of saxophone technique and sax learning channels on youtube since then. In my opinion you are teaching the very best way to learn to handle this instrument. Thank you for all the advice on hardware, too! And you were completely right with the humourous sidekick comment on reasons (not) to buy silver plated saxophones, Idid not listen and now have to suffer :) Best wishes! Frank ( from Germany)

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Frank! I adore the way silver plating looks! But keeping it cleaned and polished drives me crazy. If they made a silver plated horn that never tarnished, I'd buy it in a heartbeat!

[@jessieboyflorendo4167]

this is great, a course on how to improve on playing the saxophone. thank you so much for this teacher and have a great day. God Bless 🙏✌🥲

[@drwallysax]

Thank you! You too!

[@ArashAria]

Thank you for this great lesson !

[@drwallysax]

MOST welcome, Arash! Hope you have a great week and happy practicing!

[@francistaylor5097]

Great tips, Dr Wally. My January etude has remained slow but I'm happy to have at least got through it in one piece! Looking forward to February.

[@drwallysax]

Hey, Slow and Steady wins the race (and avoids tendonitis)! Keep up the good work, and have fun, Francis! There's no prize for the practice olympics, just enjoyment my friend!

[@jeffreyharrison4045]

Fantastic episode! Hilarious, as well! Thanks

[@drwallysax]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

Fantastic lesson!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Tony!

[@gs6490]

This is the most comment replies I’ve ever seen, wow, the most underrated KZbinr by far.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks GS, when someone takes the time to ask a question, I do my best to answer! This platform is a great way to get to know the students, pity more teachers don't use it to build community! You a saxophonist?

[@SaxSpy]

"Terrible name for a cereal...." "...decent name for a dog food." I'm dying haha

[@drwallysax]

I've already applied for the trademark. How are things, Derek? Can't wait for the Better-S review!

[@SaxSpy]

@@drwallysax trabsforming the studio! maybe I'll vlog it

[@drwallysax]

@@SaxSpy Looking forward to seeing it! Speaking of vlogging - I need a mirrorless camera Obi-Wan-Sax-Knobi. Do I just yank the mirror out of my dslr? does that work?

[@rafaelsando8665]

Very objective and useful video lesson! Thanks again for sharing, Dr. Wally!

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Rafael! happy practicing and hit me up with questions!

[@LeoNovel]

And I love Dr. Wally’s “practice” outfit!! 🕴🏻

[@drwallysax]

Wait, I have a practice outfit????!!!! Hey Leo, happy Sunday!

[@glummy909]

I'm really just finding out the open c# has alternative fingering lmao

[@saxolive892]

Very good so much 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@carolinedegraef5603]

I love your videos - you are a great teacher - thank you!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Caroline! Hope you have a wonderful week and happy practicing!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Caroline! That's very kind, happy practicing!

[@RobertDaria1]

Thanks Dr Wally. "See" you in class.

[@drwallysax]

Wait, what time is class?!?! What room number??? *panic intensifies*

[@RobertDaria1]

Lol (formerly known as ha ha). I skipped class that day. I have been advancing so much. Thanks doc.

[@smoothvelvetsinger]

Great channel name, superb content, delightful personality👍

[@drwallysax]

Thanks my friend! I'm not sure about "delightful," perhaps "tolerably dorky?" Hope you're having a great week!

[@bluegoose555]

thanks again Dr Wally.. very glad I reviewed this tonight (I hadn't noticed that very important practice technique of landing on the downbeat (7:05)

[@paulomsilva]

Hello. Thank you for your classes. You're a very good comunicator above the good you are as a musicien & teacther! THanks for your help. I can't find the pdf with these exercises you're playing here!!

[@saxnoobplayer9710]

Alternative fingering ! Yes!🎷🎷🎷👏👏👏👏👏

[@tristanyokom1542]

The great thing about your year long free program is that so far you are only assigning a single "new" scale a month. That means you have the time to even just go up a single metronome click a day and by the end of the month you'll be going way faster than you thought. The best part is that the more scales you get down like this the faster you'll learn the others (especially with how you snuck the scales into the tone exercises in a way that forces you to practice them slowly regardless). There really is a nice method to the madness

[@drwallysax]

Right on, Tristan! I was PERPETUALLY annoyed by a professor who was constantly on the "learn more faster" rampage. He actually threatened to kick me out to his studio because I wasn't learning enough "new material" fast enough. But his other students played with horribly sloppy technique and performed with a complete lack of confidence. Man, grad-school sucked! Now I can take my time and let my students actually MASTER the material. Glad it's helping my friend!

[@tristanyokom1542]

@@drwallysax That guy sounds like the opposite of my professor. I definitely owe you a coffee though, this stuff is great even though you calling that one exercise Exercise 0 is a bit confusing to me at times. My professor has an articulation exercise he calls Exercise 0 that focuses on the air and tongue position

[@glen.s9860]

I am an old dog, but I would love to have you as my one to one teacher. I got rid of my tutor and he was a sax player for a group who had No1 hit around the world

[@rendleshort]

I like breaking down the whole phrase. What I also do is learn the last part of the phrase really well. Then when I come to that bit when I am putting it all together, it feels so much more comfortable, I call it landing. Sometimes I even practice the piece backwards; ie break it down, but learn each part from the end of the song back to the begining. (especially with really difficult parts). Or learn the really hard parts early on in the process

[@brianbillings6815]

Well I thought I was an intermediate player until I started this course. I may be waiting for the beginner course. In the meantime, I'll go back to my bad habits and take my college class on beginning jazz ensemble improvisation. I'm committed to trying to master exercise zero at the same time but I can see that the January assignment will be my groundhog day well past February 2nd. Thank you, I think.... :)

[@drwallysax]

Take your time, there's no rush! Happy practicing, Brian!

[@ldever3]

It was a real ego buster for me too.

[@cristiconstantinescu9848]

"Press like to work on your front F fingering" :"))) I had to pause the video and consume all the laughter. Good stuff as always!

[@cj_ocean]

Arigato gozaimasu, Wallace sensei! ^^

[@drwallysax]

Osu

[@edovonvelde3194]

Thanks alot , 👍 very helpfull ,greetings from Indonesia

[@drwallysax]

Hey Thanks, Edo! Happy practicing my friend!

[@joabeborges3397]

I loved this tip about to play shorter chunks, a bar per time than a big part once as i always did (so far).

[@drwallysax]

I have to do small chunks - I'm not smart enough to do big ones! happy practicing my friend!

[@maguffle]

I never knew that fingerings for c#! Thank you for showing me. Now I have to get used to it! It makes me wonder how many other alternative fingerings there are out there that I didn't know about! Thank again!

[@drwallysax]

We'll be covering tons of cool fingerings over the course of this year (all in context of our free etudes/exercises). Happy practicing!

[@connietindell3134]

Great advice!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Connie!

[@AaronTMartin]

Great stuff, Wally; thanks! One thing to note is that a good strap or harness (and its positioning) will greatly influence relaxation and encourage good technique. The JazzLab SAXHOLDER has been a game changer for me. The horn seems to float, and my technique has improved significantly because I'm more relaxed than I am with a traditional neck strap (even a quality strap like a Just Joe's gel strap). I now like it as much for alto as I do for tenor. If you have back or neck pain, it's an absolute no-brainer. It's not the greatest when used while sitting (especially for tenor), and it's too large to store in the bell of an alto, but other than those two weak points, I can't see myself ever going back to an old-school strap. I love all of the recent videos and the etudes! Thank you!

[@drwallysax]

Hey Aaron - I've heard great things about the exoskeleton thingy. I have a neck like a tree trunk, so I don't mind neck straps. But tons of my colleague love it (and the "breathtaking strap". Hope you're well and getting some practice time these days!

[@daniel_fyr2515]

btw! Bought the 56' mouthpiece from Windy city woodwinds a year ago, and gotta say its my favorite of all time. Gamechanger. Helped me find my sound (im 20 years old)

[@bilbostoy]

Hey Doc, I started the lessons late and I sure would like a link to access all the videos that supplement and enhance the lessons. Next week I will begin lesson three and am enjoying the daily practise. I also think all the students in the Academy should wear blazers with the schools emblem stitched on.

[@satriahadjobaru2718]

Good presentation as always, and the jokes. Really hits me. Well Dr. Wally, i think it's too much for asking but the lesson will be more elaborate if you make a video too, about the assignment. Since hard for many of us reading the music score. Thanks, great content as always.

[@drwallysax]

Hi Satria, happy Monday! The course is really intended (as described) for intermediate to advanced saxophonists. It's designed for people who've had several years experience reading music. For my students - that's usually 8th grade to early high school band - having 2-3 years playing a few days a week. Make sense?

[@satriahadjobaru2718]

@@drwallysax right! Thanks for making this courses anyway.

[@michaelbliss5330]

Dr. Wallace. You're a saxophone genius. And I have a dumb question.. but maybe you can give me some hope. So i graduated high school back in'86, was in all the different high school bands.. loved jazz the most. But then i let life kinda get in the way and haven't touched my Mark VI (which my parents found in a pawn shop for $50 for me back in'78) in about 34 years. Anyway... through the magic of KZbin and talented geniuses like yourself...i feel my poor neglected saxophone calling out to me...Daily.! Seriously calling.! So i think I'm gonna pick it up again. Maybe get a repad. And see what i can do. And i can't stop listening to those mid century sax guys like Zoot Simms. And I'm constantly watching all the saxophone stuff i can find on KZbin......it's an illness.! I'm sick.! But here's my dumb question: is 52 years old too old? Do you ever see old guys like me make much progress? Or are we maybe in the "old dog" category now😕 I don't even know why I'm thinking about playing music after all these years.. am i alone in this? Or is this some kind of phenomenon that happens to other people too?? Help.

[@drwallysax]

Michael - when the student is ready, the teacher appears. In this case, the teacher appears making silly videos on KZbin. I LIVE and BREATHE Zoot Sims, Bud Shank, Art Pepper, Al Cohn, Stan Getz, Paul Desmond and the mid-century giants. Are you too old? Oh hell no. If you have the desire, you can get swinging with best of them. Step one - start listening, constantly. RIGHT NOW. Send your horn for an "overhaul" (not a repad) and start working up your technique and sound again. My free course is EXACTLY for people like you. Then, we'll get you transcribing. I will personally assign your first transcription. When you've mastered my instructions, I'll send you another. There is no charge, other than your trust and hard work. Now, put on "That Old Feeling" by the Zoot Sims quartet and find a reputable saxophone technician. I can give recommendations if necessary. Go.

[@barendscholtus1786]

No Yes No Yes (I love yes/no questions)

[@ldever3]

I am in your exact situation. I last played in 1986 after one year of playing at LSU. Although I tried out on sax, they put me on French Horn. I didn't have time to practice both, and before I knew it my sax days were over. My French Horn days were over too, as I really sucked at Horn. So two years ago I dragged the King Super 20 out of the closet and started playing again. How hard could it be? First, my intonation was horrible. My fingers were sloppy. My tone was garbage. I got the Super 20 an overhaul, because something must be wrong with my sax. After all, I was pretty decent before. After the overhaul my intonation was horrible, my fingers were sloppy, and my tone was garbage. To make matters worse, I have partial paralysis in my hands from some disease the doctor's can figure out. Playing actually helps with the paralysis. But for the last two years I made a serious effort. With all of the information available online, it is so much better than back in the 80s. Just pepper your expectations. After 35 years of not playing, be prepared to use vocabulary not appropriate for civilized company. If you are willing to make the effort, it can still be enjoyable. Just be prepared for frustration as well. Oh, and get yourself a tuner app on your phone.

[@michaelbliss5330]

@@ldever3 king super 20..?!! That's awesome. And I'm glad I'm not the only one out there who wants to get back into it after a decades-long break. And for what reason? I have no idea. I doubt I'll ever play in a group again.. but who knows. It's just fun. Maybe a midlife crisis.?

[@michaelbliss5330]

Lowell... one more thought... on your hands. Have you ever heard of, or looked into "focal dystonia"? Lots of musicians deal with it. My dad also has it and it acts up when he plays his banjo. There's therapy for it. Just a thought, although I'm sure you're Dr knows a heck of a lot more than i do...good luck.

[@LeoNovel]

Oooooooh! My front F fingering BURNS!!! 🔥🔥🔥

[@dfirmani]

Hi dr. Wally, I am happy to find this video, very informative and useful on my yet very short saxo journey, thank you!! I have a question about fingering, if you could answer I would appreciate it. When I try to go from low C# to low B, or from low C# to low Bb, or from low B to low Bb, my pinky can’t do it fast enough to make a smooth sound, it seems like always pass by C. How can I improve that?

[@nathanmartin546]

All good advice

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Nathan - happy practicing my friend!

[@paulaewa]

You made me laugh out loud, woderful video and valuable advice. Thanks, Dr Wally! :) P.S. Seriously, I really need to work on my front F fingering, how did you know?!

[@drwallysax]

I have spies everywhere, Paula!!!! And I messed up the joke, held up the wrong finger!!

[@paulaewa]

@@drwallysax You're scary. Like that Duolingo owl who always knows when you don't complete your lessons.... :D

[@javierm_uk1588]

Oh! you unlocked a new alt fingering! Cool, that was videogame-y. Now as for the February assignment...who would have expected it for February! :p I´m still half way through January Blues etude so I might be a bit late on this month´s exercises....maybe it´s February 2022? :D

[@drwallysax]

Take your TIME! There' no rush at all, Javier! A for video game level-ups, you'll need it. We got a boss fight coming this summer!

[@Beyourbestversion84]

Please don't stop with this video, really interesting. What do you think about pentatoniche?

[@drwallysax]

Im not sure what pentatoniche is? Like pentatonic scales?

[@Beyourbestversion84]

@@drwallysax yes Sir

[@drwallysax]

@@Beyourbestversion84 It's like paprika - a nice spice, but use sparingly. Or you'll ruin the dish!

[@bobblues1158]

I am only at 5:38 and tears of laughter are rolling! This is the best you have come up with Doctor. Also content wise. But please tell your students to only write the fingerings on their own music. Please never on a big band part that others might play. And the worst-write the fingerings on their part on a Musical or a big production show that a substitute might have to come in and sight read. That is a recipe for real trouble for the sub. Especially because the reason he/she was called in at the last minute is because of their reputation as the best sight readers around! It is visually a whole bunch of useless information popping up in front trained professional eyes and will slow the flow of ones eyes trained to read at least 2 bars ahead.

[@drwallysax]

Unicorns bob. I’m putting them in every part I read. Subs can deal with my magic 🦄

[@bobblues1158]

@@drwallysax Love it Doctor! The tears are welling up again!

[@willistaylor4077]

I think it would be fun, if you made a video wearing a Star Trek uniform. 😀❤️

[@bar8393gm]

But not a "red shirt". We need this guy.

[@willistaylor4077]

@@bar8393gm 😆😆😆

[@ItsAllGoodGames]

Feldenkrais Method help learn to use body better while playing. It’s not just fingers that affect playing, whole body affects it. Stiffness anywhere in the body will make hands tense.

[@r.g.p.7164]

You should do a video with all the altenative fingerings for faster playing or bettwr entonation

[@drwallysax]

I'm doing a fingering or two each month - one big video would test my own patience. But I'll be introducing more in context of the monthly etudes! Happy practicing RGP!

[@johnbarrere8502]

Thanks for another terrific lesson Dr W! I have a "faulty fingers" question - my fingers work much more quickly pressing the keys than releasing them. Any specific exercises to help this? If it matters, I'll be 78 in a couple of months. Thanks!

[@DynamixWarePro]

Thanks for this, its really going to help my practising. I never knew about that alternate C# fingering but it does help. Although my only issue is that on my alto sax, I can play C# normally without fingers and play it tune but with the alt fingering, its just under 25 cents flat.

[@drwallysax]

Are you leaving the octave key down?

[@DynamixWarePro]

@@drwallysax No, but it could be my reeds going a bit soft. I ordered new reeds so they should be better and might improve the tuning.

[@drwallysax]

@@DynamixWarePro gotta leave the octave key down! Add it!

[@lukeserrano62]

Hey Wally, nice vid again! As well as for the reasons you suggest I use the side keys as intonation correctives. Playing a Selmer SA80 (on both alto and tenor) there is simply no way I’m getting mid Bb,B,C, C# and D in tune without them. My Bb is so flat I have to use Bis with G# which pretty much means sliding off the bis, at least in slow passages. That’s why I’m eyeing off the Supreme!

[@drwallysax]

I feel ya! On my yamaha, middle B I have to add the side Bb key to bring up the pitch. Let me know if you try the Supreme!

[@lukeserrano62]

Will do. All the hype is that the basic scale is truer than a Yani or Yamaha, which would fly in the face of 100 years of Selmer tradition!

[@joseguillermoespinozaarce]

How can i find all the alternative fingering like this thanks greatings from Costa Rica

[@jazzforever7433]

Dr. Wallace what's speed are you playing this fast fingers lick????

[@drwallysax]

The goal tempo is around 200bpm, I think?

[@bvbasketball1817]

Thank you for all your time and effort. I’m really enjoying the structure and challenges of the lessons and etudes. I’m using Anytune to help learn the advanced etudes. How would you suggest advancing in speed? Such as: practice a phrase until it is at 100% speed of demonstration or learn entire etude at 75% and then work up to 100%? Thanks again. I do have one complaint. Your Academy is going to make 2021 blow by.! Happy Valentines Day to you and your family. Peace

[@drwallysax]

Sorry for the slow reply - happiest of belated Valentine days to you too my friend!

[@attiliofurci6409]

Very nice, Dr Wallace but where is the mentioned etude? It's not included in the Fundamental course!

[@drwallysax]

It most certainly is. It’s been downloaded by thousands of students this past week.

[@whatdidhesaysaxophone1253]

🥲Sunday just got better

[@drwallysax]

T-Ling!!! Happy weekend my friend!

[@BLWMUSICPIANOTUTORIALS]

am a beginner. do you have any playlist on y9ur channel for me

[@quickref]

I'm still busy with my embouchoure. I get tired already after a few Minuten already. This ist creating most of my tense. Will try a different mouthpiece now ( i have a 6, will check of a 5 or 4 fits me better

[@drwallysax]

Reed strength will be a major factor as well - what strength are you using?

[@quickref]

@@drwallysax i use Hemke strength 2 and La Voz MS. i have talked to a sax shop and they also recommended me to use a softer reed. i try now 1,5. i have ordered a pair of Rico, La Voz, and Vandoren. And it's also cheaper than a new mouthpiece. And a friend of mine owns a reedgeek. Had a look on youtube and it seems it can do magic to any reed. Let's see.....

[@quickref]

@@drwallysax Got now 1,5 Reeds and i also borrowed Yamaha TS-4C mouthpiece. Things are much better now. i was able to play the Etude from the January assignment in one go without any embouchure (lovely word but hard to pronounce) issues. Will try now different combinations of my Reeds and mouthpieces. One more thing to tick off my problem list. So i can RELAX!!!! a little more now.

[@aaronrobinson9386]

"an infant doesn't just sprint out of the womb" yeah sure I'll remember that next time I practice my sax.

[@johnskamnakis2501]

I practice slow and I pretend that I could play faster...Are there times you think that you can never reach a certain speed? Thanks again for the amazing Saxophone Fundamentals!

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely know the feeling, John! There's no race, enjoy the journey - practicing is such a pleasure to me that I don't stress. If I get it at tempo, or not, I love this amazing hobby either way. Make sense? Happy practicing, and be patient with yourself!

[@johnskamnakis2501]

@@drwallysax Of course it makes sense! Thanks!

[@drwallysax]

@@johnskamnakis2501 Keep me updated with your progress!

[@matthewbright2454]

That Jarrod thing cracked me up

[@drwallysax]

Jared is the WORST

[@ryangatling2973]

For the D to C# transition, could you also use the low C# fingering but with the octave key? I do that all the time...

[@drwallysax]

You can - it's a bit stuffy on my horn - but certainly works!

[@Andy_Miles]

Great video, I wasn’t aware of the C# alternate fingering. I do current write in the Bb alternate fingering to be used in my pieces. It’s good to end the practice with a correct, comfortable run, does this also allow the subconscious to work on the correct, relaxed version instead of the stressed version with mistakes etc.?

[@drwallysax]

You NAILED it Andy. You get used to, and expect, to play it correctly and relaxed. It's critical for mastery. Very insightful, my friend.

[@Andy_Miles]

I am learning the Ferling Etude No. 30 and I realised that there are a couple of great spots for the alternate C# fingering and, watching a video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZSUlmhrirugftE) I realised Wonki was using this fingering- great stuff 👍

[@joshuahuff607]

This title reminds of the time I forgot the word for fingers in a lesson lmao

[@drwallysax]

It's a tough word, being seven letters and all. Sometimes I just call them hand toes.

[@joshuahuff607]

@@drwallysax I legit just stared at my hands saying "what are these called?"

[@drwallysax]

@@joshuahuff607 arm feet

[@marktyler3381]

Trust your sensei - master stroke.

[@drwallysax]

Wax on.

[@brianbrown4211]

Great Lesson, thank you. I'm fascinated by your lovely sound, if I may ask what's your setup and make and model of alto?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Brian! The alto is an older Yamaha 875EX (I had the lacquer removed). The MOUTHPIECE (which I'm in love with) - is a prototype we're about ready to release! I'm beyond excited - it's my favorite mouthpiece (and I have an embarrassingly huge collection) and we're going to offer it at an amazing price...seriously. I'll have a big announcement in a couple of weeks! (and thanks for the compliment, you made my afternoon). :)

[@brianbrown4211]

@@drwallysax Thank you.

[@paulaewa]

@@drwallysax Special offer for all your favourite Academy members, right? ;) Speaking of Windy City mouthpieces, I'd love to hear a comparison between your protoype, their classic and bright models.

[@drwallysax]

@@paulaewa Waaaaiiit a second, who said anything about Windy City?! Do you have spies in the US?

[@paulaewa]

@@drwallysax No, I don't. I just pay attention to details, and it's been implied. Hope I'm not in trouble... :)

[@gideonsax]

Thanks for the lesson, I didn’t know about the C# fingering or maybe I forgot it. What reed are you playing on? It doesn’t look like cane. Just curious.

[@drwallysax]

It's a Boston Sax Shop #4. I only play on cane, but not picky as to which brand: I love Vandoren, D'Addario reeds as well. Happy practicing!

[@alexambroise111]

'And you might try to practice it like this' *Manscape ad barges in*

[@drwallysax]

Whhhaaaa?? Seriously?!

[@alexambroise111]

@@drwallysax I had an ad yes hahaha! The manscape part was for solely for the banter though

[@alexambroise111]

You monetize them at least right!?

[@drwallysax]

@@alexambroise111 I get ad revenue (to keep online courses free) - but have NO idea what the sponsors are!

[@alexambroise111]

@@drwallysax Righty! I think it depends of who's watching. I get the same ads, independently of what I'm watching.

[@Hereforabrick]

I know this is off topic, but I think I learned to tongue wrong. I’m a high school alto sax player, and I’ve been playing for four years ever since 6th grade in middle school to now during late 9th grade year. Instead of touching the reed, I’ve been touching the top of my mouth, sort of like saying the word tu or too. How do I manage to change that?

[@drwallysax]

Great question - long answer. I'll make a video, give me a few weeks (maybe months). There's plenty of good videos around for this I'm sure - search Eugene Rousseau steps to excellence - articulation.

[@davidlipkind2979]

Going down from D to C# needs to release the octave key, am I right?

[@drwallysax]

Not if using the alternate fingering (in the video). That requires the octave key, otherwise the C# will be very flat.

[@davidlipkind2979]

Sorry, but I'm using the alternate fingering as shown in the video, I'm looking at a tuner while releasing the two fingers and keeping the octave key pressed the tuner shows F# and not C#.

[@wchicaiza2400]

Relax, RELAX!!! ,,🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@drwallysax]

STOP CRYING!!!! Those sniveling students were infuriating....

[@bar8393gm]

@@drwallysax There's a funny story that Itzhak Pearlman (sp) tells about learning to play pizzicato as a young student. When he was coming to the section in study that had it, his teacher snuck up behind him and screamed "pizzicato!!!". The resulting fear and tremors in his hands led to the proper technique. I guess you have to picture Itzhak demonstrating this with a look of terror on his face as he plays pizzicato. (Kind of a visual joke, but you get the idea) 🙂

[@JoAnnP38]

I feel guilty that I'm not participating (yet.) I'll have to come back in a couple of weeks and start from the beginning. For some reason when you mentioned the unicorn as a markup symbol, my mind started wondering what custom unicorn engravings on my horn would look like. Oh yeah, one thing NOT to do to foster relaxation is to play on a horn that leaks. I developed a really good grip playing a student Bundy back in my developmental years. A horn tech? What's that?

[@drwallysax]

The gorilla grip used to be a problem for me as well! Obviously we need more unicorn engravings, I'll get us some price quotes. Good to see you, JoAnn! It's been a while, things going well?

[@kodiererg]

I notice the key signature shows f#, but I notice one of the f notes has a sharp. I thought if they key signature had an f# it wasn't necessary to put sharps on any of the f notes because they were already sharp?

[@drwallysax]

There’s an f-natural tied over from the previous bar.

[@craigscott3133]

My teacher says no side key for Bflat. He says use the bis. I’m confused

[@drwallysax]

It's context dependent. We use both, depending on the passage. It's absolutely not an either/or, but a best fingering for the job. Perhaps your teacher was just suggesting bis for a specific scale/pattern?

[@davidlipkind2979]

Sorry, but I'm using the alternate fingering as shown in the video, I'm looking at a tuner while releasing the two fingers and keeping the octave key pressed the tuner shows F# and not C#.

[@drwallysax]

Hi David, not sure what's going on? I've taught this fingering for decades and never experienced that. Just to double check - you're fingering middle D - then just lifting your index and middle fingers on the left hand, correct?

[@davidlipkind2979]

Hi Dr. Wally, it''s working! I mixed between the right and left hands (a slight Dyslexion). Thanks a lot.

[@romanrytov8886]

no etude anywhere?

[@drwallysax]

It's in the linked course

[@shipsahoy1793]

Just curious; What alto and mpc were you using, and what gold tenor was that in the background ? Idt I ever saw you play that one..👨🏻

[@drwallysax]

Hey Ships Ahoy! Long time no see! The mouthpiece is a prototype we're finally ready to put into production! (big announcement coming soon). The tenor is my Yamaha 62 - I'll download a fingering chart and see if I can play it some time. Hope you're well!

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@drwallysax That’s the same tenor I have! ..?Maybe just what the doctor ordered! 😮😉 Anyways, I’m looking forward to seeing and hearing more about your alto mpc... I’ve been using a Rico Metalite M5 with Vandoren green box #2’s on alto these days.. 👍 Cheers🥳..

[@guardezio]

Well FFF...lipidy-do-dar, I've been practising slowly wrong -.-;; At least I now know what I can do to try and fix that going forward, cheers Dr Wally! ^_^ As for questions (as is becoming a common occurrence for me in this comments section), when I practice slow I always find myself soon speeding up to match how the music sounds in my head, even though I have my metronome ticking away in my ears (I use the tonal energy app + wireless earbuds). Do you have any tips on how I can better train myself to break this habit and hold firmer to the metronome (given sheer power of will seems to be lacking for me - especially when I get lost in the music)? ...Hopefully, that made some form of sense ^^;;

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely! and that's the EXACT reason for SLOW SMALL CHUNKS! When you play the beat - make sure it lands on the downbeat with the metronome - then add another beat. Over time, you'll train yourself to hit the "rungs" of the musical ladder as you climb faster. It's a common problem - and breaking it down, and being very conscious of your playing with the beat will fix it. Be patient with yourself, and above all, have fun!

[@guardezio]

​@@drwallysax Cheers Dr Wally! (I think something new just clicked in my understanding of upbeats and downbeats as well... AWESOME! ^_^) I'll put this into practice right away (the sooner I start, the sooner I start to improve, right?). I'll certainly have fun as well, given I wouldn't be playing music if I didn't, though being patient with myself... may take as long as it'll take me to hit the rungs of the musical ladder - I'm sure you've taught your fair share of perfectionists over the years ^^;;

[@tomscott1741]

On a free day, when you have no prior commitments, even if this is a fantasy day that never exists! How many hours would you practice in that day Mr Wally Wally??

[@drwallysax]

Hey Tom, maybe three hours? When my kids are back in school, that might be a reality. Right now, I get maybe a half hour a few days a week. What about you? How many hours?

[@tomscott1741]

@@drwallysax I would say, since I'm not very talented and don't have any kids, if I don't have any other obligations, I'll put in anywhere from 8 to 14 hours. I obviously love to play!😆😆😆

[@tomscott1741]

@@drwallysax I really love your videos by the way! They are always informative and funny

[@franciskodankandath210]

❤❤❤