How to play YAKETY SAX by Boots Randolph (Benny Hill Theme)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Learn this iconic sax hit with this FREE PDF (alto+tenor)➡️www.getyoursaxtogether.com/yakety

[@Islendingar]

I LOOOOVED Bennie Hill & the theme was a massive part of it !!! This is a real difficult one and seems to be easy until you break it down !!! Love it !!

[@JoeSAL_]

I don’t know if in your language, bad words are used to say the opposite meaning of that word. It ‘s very common to do it in Spanish to say that someone, for instance, is a monster rather than a great or privileged dancer or musician. So, considering that explanation an hoping that it won’t bother you, let me tell you, that I consider you to be the largest sax monster in this universe. Thank you for helping me discover music an especially the sax world. I big hug.

[@kevinbrettsax]

Awesome! Grew up listening to every note he played since I was 7 yrs old. Most unique sounding sax player ever.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks!

[@Frontier2000AnoDomin]

One of the best performances on you tube. It's a pretty tricky piece. Most players just mush together all those 16 note staccatos into legato. The original performances has little phrases that are like machine gun fire. Nice work.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks 🙏

[@pirsquared3251]

Go Boots! Talk about a big fat rich tone, Boots had it in spades. When I first heard "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (Brenda Lee) I said that sax solo must be Boots. Turns out he was the session player in that recording in 1960. His sound and technique is not easy to replicate and I never thought he got proper credit for his outstanding sax playing. Thanks so much Jamie, for giving him some recognition.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

He was awesome! Thanks!

[@bobblues1158]

Great Jamie, as always! I just want to say that I covered this many hundreds of nights back in the 60´s and always looked forward to it because it was fun, a challenge and the people always loved it. Later, in the early 70´s, I was working in Vegas and Boots came and worked the Sahara as an opening act with the big band behind him. He played on Selmer with a Steel Berg and I cannot remember what opening and chamber. He was a virtuoso with a perfection of tone, projection, intonation, flawless technique. A real money player- his career was big! I went every night because i had intermission from my gig at the time his shows were. Flawless!!!!! It´s not what you play but how you play it. And in show bizz, the audience appreciates virtuosity. Never underestimate those listeners because they can hear mistakes and sloppy technique. His playing was a lesson every night.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks for sharing this story!

[@Thorstevens1]

I had a similar situation with Sam Butera in Las Vegas. Watching the masters up close and personal really gives you that drive to be better.

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

My wife's grandfather played this on accordion, as a medley including a lot of 'circus music'. I was blown away!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

😁

[@bobpremecz5429]

That gliss from E up to the high F# with the non-F# key fingering, EPIC. You and Boots make it sound so effortless, but it's anything but effortless. With all the other KZbin tutorials on it, yours nailed the original inflections Boots best. Plus, writing it in eighths instead of sixteens makes it look easier, even if it isn't. I really enjoy doing the Circus B Section and even the Chicken C Section that Boots does with Chet Atkins. So many now classically cool sax techniques that even beat-box saxers must pay homage.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yeh, thanks Bob. Nice comment!

[@jackchavez6229]

Jamie !!! You're the best !!! Boots has been my HERO since I was about 14 rs old. ( Now 70). What can I say. Love your respect for his AMAZING Talent. So many others may Poo Poo His sound or style, but , he was, is, incredible. Have you listened to his "Hip Boots" album? His treatment of the Classics "Harlem Nocturne" and "Body and Soul" , I believe, are UNMATCHED. thanks for your respect.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yeh, gotta love Boots!

[@Ihavetapwater]

I really needed this.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍🏻

[@jamiedanielus]

Amazing as always. I am old enough to remember this being played on the radio. Bravo!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Jamie!

[@johnrogers7411]

Love boots both my grandfathers introduced me to boots independently. I bought sheet music years ago for yakety sax, yes it’s tough and even the circus part makes me stumble glad you didn’t sugar coat it as easy.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍

[@martinryan6793]

This really made me smile! Thanks Jamie.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mrmunkster1]

That's just awesome Jamie! I play guitar not sax and this video was very helpful for me, Thank you!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Cool!

[@DolphScreamingSax]

Well, it was a bit of a wait, but this video is really a pearl !! I tried to play this in the past, but found it too difficult. It started with the first note: I could not even identify which one it was. With your explanation, free pdf and slowing down the tune, I will try again with a positive attitude. Thanks Jamie. 🙂

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Good luck and enjoy!

[@bryanballot5684]

Yakety Sax has always been one of my most favorite saxophone pieces. When I say that in earshot of jazz saxophonists, they groan and roll their eyes up in their heads (imitating a room of slot machines in Las Vegas). Thanks so much for pointing out the skill and technique necessary to play this classic! Charlie Parker isn't the only one we can learn technique from!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍 Thanks

[@dorklymorkly3290]

Yakety sax actually sounds like music, it has a story to tell. Something like giant steps is skill basturmation first and foremost.

[@IceManTX69]

This is awesome and you did a great job. Benny Hill gets two thumbs up as well! Sad how he was treated in later years. He brought many a laugh in his day.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

OK

[@ronhowe5933]

Ha ha 😁thanks Jamie. I've been playing this for years (on tenor), chucking it into the solos on 12 bar songs like 'Rockabilly Rebel' and the like for entertainment. It always gets smiles. I scored it simply for students and let them work in the bends, smears and glisses themselves. Is it hard? Well, if I don't play it for some time I have work it all over again and, if you can't hear yourself on stage you definitely lose where you are!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍

[@normancraggs5684]

Great Number. This has reminded me. I used to do a fun Sax break in our Bands Club act in the nineties. It was a montage melody mashup of similar tunes but complimented with visual hats & extras to amuse the audience. I'd take centre stage with Sax & a box of hats I'd start with donning a Scotish Tamashanta & ginger wig & play the intro & tune to 'Hoots Mon' by Lord Rockinghams 11, After a chorus slipon & pair of pebblestone glasses & berr,y Benny Hill style, & play 'Yakety Sax' by Boots Randolph, after a chorus, Don a mask & stetson hat, The Lone Ranger, & play 'The William Tell Overture' by The Piltdown Men, then slip on a battered old straw hat & scarf & play Old McDonald Had a Farm , 'MacDonalds Cave' by again by The Piltdown Men, then finish off with another chorus of 'Hoots Mon' Always caused a great laugh particullarly if it went wrong. I was abely backed by my Band who always expected the unexpected. God knows how I did it???? Have a listen to these tunes Jamie, they are all very similar. All with scoops, bends & slurs to test your playing. Finaly my ring tone is 'Yakety Sax' & always causes a smile if it fires off in a supermarket or crowded place.. Good stuff Jamie. Keep up the good work.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Norman 😎

[@RustySax1949]

@Norman Craggs - Yakety Sax as a ringtone? OMG, why didn't I think of that? Especially since I've played tenor sax since 7th grade back in the early '60s. . . I think I'll use Yakety for some folks, and the Pink Panther theme for others, so I know who's calling. . .

[@saibalsen6706]

Love from India !💛💛💛

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🙏

[@rivendell721]

Awesome job Jamie This is probably the song that got me into sax in the first place many eons ago. Been working on the full version with backing on and off for about a year. Its certainly a challenge and unsanely fast! Not to mention some of the trickier timings in the latter sections. Its actually very comforting to hear you say it's difficult too lol

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

😎

[@idostuff220]

I'll come back to this in about 5 years

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

The saxophone is amarathon, not a sprint! 🤣

[@robinreidmusic]

Great One Jamie. This tune and Clarinet Polka get a better crowd reaction than some great Jazz solos I have played. If you take the right attitude it can be a lot of fun. I always start it slower than each chorus I speed it up a little and put on a show. People love it. Thanks for this one. cheers from Kitchener ON Canada.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Robin!

[@Courierier]

the intro music never gets old :)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍

[@MrPittelkow]

Thanks Jamie! Very good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🎷🎶

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 🙏

[@brianleising800]

Timely post Jamie. I just had a guy request Yakety Sax on a cover band gig I did this weekend.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Awesome! 😎

[@Ryuujin045]

I was talking with my girldfriend yesterday about the complex technique on that song, glad to see it here

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks!

[@joshjablonski5183]

I have this on my sax playlist. Just hearing it and knowing my level 😅 think I will wait to try to play this one lol.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

You can do it!

[@lion037]

Yes!!! Peter Hughes is featured on the Benny Hill Show version! Such a masterful player!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍

[@huguinchis]

Great !!! tutorial :o

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks! 😄

[@Redwane-Music]

you are a pro man,

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks so much

[@hilariodaragona4473]

Amazing!!!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🙏

[@super20dan]

having played this 100,s of times -i can tell you the really hard part is breathing! you have to snatch quick bites of air when ever possible

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

For sure!

[@JulietGreen]

Did you do single or double tonguing? tatatata or takataka?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Just single.

[@JulietGreen]

@@GetYourSaxTogether I thought so and that's great to hear.

[@MadTamB]

This is one of those tunes that I would love to be able to play but know that I'll never be good enough.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

But practice will create incremental improvements. Enjoy!

[@nico2000ad]

Thank you 🙏 it look fun to play 🇦🇺🦘

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Have fun

[@yanowski5645]

hi jamie have you ever done the letter notes for a song called tom hark by the piranhas ? im a beginner and this the song ive always wanted to learn ... cheers bri

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

I will add it to the viewers' suggestions list. Meanwhile, slow down the videoplayback and try to match what the sax is playing.

[@yanowski5645]

@@GetYourSaxTogether i will do that thank you . thanks for adding it i cannot wait to hear you play it!!! its a classic but nobody seams to bother with it .

[@sambush7841]

THANK YOU!!!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🙏

[@garysax6400]

Jamie on your email you mention that King Curtis done this first on Yakety Yak. These are 2 totally different tunes which apart from lots of staccato on the solo have no other similarities. Am I missing something ????

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yakety Sax is very obviously inspired by Yakety Yak imho. 😊 It’s even acknowledged in the title! It’s not just the fact that it’s staccato, it’s a very distinctive style. Many classical pieces have lots of staccato but sound nothing like yakety sax.

[@garysax6400]

@@GetYourSaxTogether thanks for your reply Jamie I kinda see where where your coming from but I don't see it tbh, nevermind we'll have to agree to disagree cheers. Your version sounds great by the way

[@RustySax1949]

@@garysax6400 - When Yakety Sax first came out in the early '60s, I thought it was the same sax player who played the solo on the Coaster's hit "Yakety Yak!" It wasn't until I was a little older that I realized that King Curtis and Boots Randolf were two completely different sax players, especially since there are very similar scoops, riffs, articulations and techniques that make them sound similar, yet not the same. (I've never managed to master Yakety Sax, but I have mastered the Pink Panther theme!)

[@music_man_145]

bro i don't got no high f sharp. sadness😥

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

No problem. Me neither. 1,3,1, Eb. Boom.

[@music_man_145]

@@GetYourSaxTogether I'm working on altisimo but i just learned how to use the front f key. Its a working progress.

[@leda-vaso6409]

My sax-teacher gave me this as an assignement for like over 2 weeks I didn't get it at full speed at all. So after 3 weeks of practice he just tells me "I can't play it myself"🤣🤣🤣

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🤣

[@joshua_prince]

Great video as always Jamie! I have an idea for you for future videos...great sax led TV theme tunes, you could start with Rosanne, Alf and Simpsons?...just a thought :-)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks Josh! 😎

[@pw6295]

MORE said about Benny Hill, I think..

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Ha! Okay. 🤣

[@kathilavalle5339]

do you accept zelle payments?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

I guess not!

[@stephenriley6541]

excellent... ;-)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🙏

[@enoffz8021]

The hardest part for me is the large number of rapidly tongued 8th notes. The faster you can tongue, the faster you can play this tune. 😝

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

A great articulation exercise ...

[@grantkoeller8911]

Concert Key G, A for tenor sax, E for Alto,

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

👍

[@belibeki]

"Boots Randolph said that every time he had to play it, it almost killed him, due to the effort it took" someone said.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yeh it’s not easy!

[@MadTamB]

A Benny Hill joke I remember - I'm Nicholas. Mind you don't catch cold.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

😂

[@BRUNOSOARESSAX]

Cooll

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks 🙏

[@IANEMBLETON69]

Slowed this down to half speed...... absolutely hilarious.....makes it sound like Jamie's had a few too many ...ha ha .

[@DolphScreamingSax]

Yeah, I noticed the same. Wasn't very flattering. 🙂

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🤣

[@grantkoeller8911]

I learned this when I was 14, now I'm 60.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Cool!

[@zhuk3796]

Дякую)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🙏🏻

[@katarzynakubiak2137]

👍🥳🤴💃

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks!

[@ichbinmartin]

fu... I wasn't even able to play it at half speed!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Ha! Practice practice! 🤣

[@sassysweetx8096]

Benny Hill show was cool. Pity you didn’t get the humour.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Lol yeh, you’re right, that humour was way beyond my understanding. Sadly I’m British and I don’t have a sense of humour. 😞 Listen, it was “of its time”, I get it. It’s just that often it was a disempowering “time” that objectified and diminished women for a joke.

[@sassysweetx8096]

@@GetYourSaxTogether it was hilarious because the women you claim he objectified actually were empowered. They wore skimpy clothes because they wanted to and they put him in his place, even sm@cking him down. Women were in control. Compare that to rap songs today where women are called bixches, hoes, wet a$$ pu$$y. I’d rather be known as a sexy desirable woman than a H0. To quote Tyga- ‘bada$$ bixch bouncing on my d*ck’.