How to improvise on the saxophone.

If you find my video's informative, useful and slightly amusing and you'd like to buy me a coffee, you can here www.buymeacoffee.com/lyndenblades and me and my family will be very grateful for your kindness.
Here's a nice, easy but extremely effective method for getting started improvising on the sax. It's very cool and includes a backing track that you can jam with.
Here's some more cool video's that I hope will help you become an epic player.
Blues scales kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKbOZ5RqlLp1htE
Pentatonic scales kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZibimiDhNWGh9Efeature=shared
Major scales kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2O5fmOHmbiAnLMfeature=shared
Mixolydian scales kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKOrh5-mpZKnerMfeature=shared
Chromatic scales kzbin.info/www/bejne/np6tZGpuqpalasUfeature=shared
Is there content you'd like to see? Just ask me and I'll do my best to help.
Did I mention that you can buy me a coffee? www.buymeacoffee.com/lyndenblades Thank you :-)

[@bartoluchi]

Thanks!

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@ChrisPakech]

Lynden , you didn’t answer my question, don’t you have to use the G chord?

[@lyndenblades]

@@ChrisPakech Chris, we are in the key of D for alto, concert F so wouldn’t use the chord of G. Hope that’s helps 🤝🤝

[@ChrisPakech]

@@lyndenblades thank you, but I thought that since the chords in the key of D are 1-D 4-G 5-A you would have’ta use the G chord. I always had a problem trying to figure that out.

[@davebaxter9210]

Linden, only just discovered your channel and I’ve really enjoyed this lesson. All you need to do now is play a tenor…😄

[@martindavis3239]

For an 87 y.o. slowly teaching myself to play alto I found this to be the most easily understood lesson on improvisation I believe that the use of a backing track really is the secret once you are confident that you know your major and minor scales/ chords.

[@lyndenblades]

Hi Martin, thank you so much for your lovely message and I’m really happy that you find this useful. There’s more videos on improvisation coming so stay tuned! I think you’re right, using track to practice with is really helpful. Thanks again 🎷🤝🎷🎷

[@18eltoro1]

Absolutely inspiring. Improv for dummies like me. I now have a starting point to experiment with. Thank you

[@lyndenblades]

You’re so welcome and thank you 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@leighmurrell5494]

Simplicity starter ...thanks.

[@lyndenblades]

You’re welcome 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@wyndhl8309]

This is Jazz: authenticity, lyricism, simplicity, coherence, utility, mellifluity, beauty, pace-sensitivity, etc.❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lyndenblades]

Wow thank you so much 🎷🎷😎😎🎷🎷

[@gasthilbert3136]

Awesome multilevel learing method. No one else among all those great saxplayer on the internet have such an incredible powerful and yet easy approach of combining technique and making music. You are really unique Lynden. I love your playing. GREAT

[@lyndenblades]

Oh wow, you’re so kind, thank you 🙏

[@saasaa7207]

Lyden, you are absolutely brilliant....you make difficult things remarkably simple...Thank you.

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much saasaa 🙏🙏🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@joandaunis5958]

Great trick !! Thank you Lynden.

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Joan, really happy that it’s helpful 🎷🎷😎😎🤝🤝

[@BassNSax628]

Another excellent video Lynden. Cheers.

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much 🤩🤩🤩

[@lepetitsauterelle]

Thank you Lynden, very helpful video

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much for your feedback and your support! I’m really happy that’s it’s helpful 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@wladimirudod8532]

Super !!! Thank you very much for your work !!! 🎼🎶🎵🎵🎶🎷🔑👏👏👏🎶🎶🎵

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@warrenjones2727]

Very helpful, thank you for sharing

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Warren 🤝🤝🤝🎷🎷🎷

[@yosh1895]

Great tutorial, Lynden! Thank you

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much Yosh 🤝🤝😎😎🎷🎷

[@gaetanl9344]

Thank you Lynden

[@lyndenblades]

You are welcome 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@craig9140]

This was so Important. improvising is everything on solos

[@lyndenblades]

So happy that it’s useful for you🎷🎷🎷

[@brigitte546]

Really helpful tips here for an old starter 🎶🎷🎶 thank you

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Brigitte and I’m really happy that it helps 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@garydrainville3986]

Thank you for the video!

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Gary, really glad that you found it useful 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@robinmarwick1982]

Hi Lynden, I'm new to the sax but have a music degree and have been playing classical and electric guitar for 50 odd years. Everyone of your videos that I've watched has something interesting and very useful even cats vomiting on carpets...I've used that so many times 😅 excellent channel thanks.

[@lyndenblades]

Robin, thank you so, so much for your awesome feedback, that really means a lot to me 🤝🤝🤝

[@skimanization]

I have been watching some of your sax lessons and I can admit they are great. I teach beginners in jazz saxophone, they love it because it's so simple and straight forward. I'll encourage all all of them to check out your youtube videos. They will buy you many cups of coffee!!!

[@lyndenblades]

Ah thank you so much that is very kind 🙏🙏🤝🤝🎷🎷🙏🙏

[@ronaldmcaulay4346]

Excellent lynden, I really like this approach to improvising can't wait until tomorrow and try it myself, Thanks 😊

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much Ronald 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@pablomorenodearcosmora3003]

Great lesson

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Pablo 😎😎🎷🎷🤝🤝

[@Eventualis]

first time bought Lynden Blades a coffee, because he is best :)

[@lyndenblades]

David thank you so much, that’s very kind of you to say and I’m delighted that my videos are useful for you. Thank you so much for the coffee, it’s really appreciated and motivates me to keep making content 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎🎵🎵

[@senyokwameyevugah4639]

This was really informative.🎉 Now, I want to learn the saxophone and jazz music as well.❤

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much 🤝🤝😎😎🎷🎷

[@rd40082]

Great tip, Thanks a lot

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Wilson 🤝🤝😎😎🎷🎷

[@kevinkowlessar3230]

Love it

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Kevin 🙏🎷🎷🤝🤝

[@acuramandan]

That sax you show at the end is sure purdy😊

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you, yes they are really gorgeous ❤️🎷❤️🎷❤️🎷

[@18eltoro1]

It would be really helpful if you took a jazz standard like summertime, nearness of you, fool to love you. Show how to identify the scale(s) and subsequently the chords to be used for the improv. And how to improvise say...at least 8 bars using the technique you just showed. I think that would be brilliant. For a beginner/early intermediate players like myself, the actual process of jumping into an improv after getting to the end of the original melody would be great. What chords to use. How do i construct at least 8 bars of a good emotional follow up to the original score. What note to start in and end? Mentally, how do i know i'm getting close to the end of an improv, ready to close in on a particular phrase/note to transition over to begin the final presentation of the song with a really colorful rendition of the original music. Hope this makes sense. Thank you. I'm new self-taught other than some online video courses that can be hard to understand. Your/this method is really clear easy to follow..once again thank you!

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much! I have done this video is this the sort of thing that you mean? 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎 How to improvise over Misty on alto saxophone kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJrSfqKggtdpbcU

[@unclemick-synths]

Very useful video 👍

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Mick!

[@gregmassey1652]

Thanks!

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Greg 😊

[@robertgreen3702]

thank you!!

[@lyndenblades]

You’re welcome Robert 🤝🤝🎷❤️🎷❤️🎷

[@Gibsax3562]

I am here And this is helping so greatly I did subscribe Please more video on improvisation Thanks a lot

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much, it’s very encouraging to know that you’re finding these videos helpful. There’s more videos coming I promise 🤝🤝🎷🎷🙏🙏

[@trefordavies3670]

Thanks

[@lyndenblades]

Trevor thank you SO much! You are the first person to support us in this way and we really appreciate it 🤝🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@jean-pierreattorre1567]

Thank you for the wonderful work you are giving us. I would like to see written out Phrases that you often use, in PDF Canada

[@lyndenblades]

Thanks for the suggestion 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@jillytiffen6305]

Excellent video that’s MUCH easier to understand than a lot that I’ve heard Lyndon! Thank you. Where did you find those jazz backings again?

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you Jilly, makes me really happy to know that these videos are helping people. The backing tracks are an iPad app called Session Band Jazz

[@user-wx8ds5hh7t]

more videos pleaseeeee that what i want

[@lyndenblades]

More videos coming 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@craig9140]

Bought you a coffee ☕🎷

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much Craig!

[@dennistimmons1132]

great video, I guess it is back to the scales.....

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you 🙏 Yes, learn your scales 😂😂🎷🎷😎😎

[@orkmonster]

Well I just happened upon your KZbin Channel. What you’ve put forth is incredible for myself. How to practice the 2 5 1. You also turned me on to an great app. You have made my day. How do I by you coffee?😀😊

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you so much for your feedback and I’m so happy that I’m able to help. Thank you for asking about coffee, just follow this link www.buymeacoffee.com/lyndenblades

[@lyndenblades]

Or follow this link paypal.me/saxlessonsonline?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB

[@craig9140]

I have to transpose for tenor Sax 😃

[@lyndenblades]

I’ll have to start making videos for tenor too 🎷🎷🎷

[@ejohnmcpomus]

👌

[@lyndenblades]

🤝🤝🤝

[@SamSotong]

Wonderful stuff. Thx sooo much! Can you please enclose some screenshots of how you set-up/ configured your backing tracks in SessionBand. You mentioned that it was in the key of D Major but that it was in Concert F? What does that look like in SessionBand? Thanks so much.

[@lyndenblades]

Hiya, thank you so much for your feedback and I’m ready happy that this helps you. Have a look at my recent videos, I’ve posted up a tutorial for session band and let me know if this helps 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@SamSotong]

I notice that you offer Zoom lessons. I’d be interested if you have any space?

[@lyndenblades]

@@SamSotong I’m really busy with lessons but I’m sure we can fit you in somewhere:-) just email me please [e-mail] and we can discuss it further 🤝🤝🤝

[@davidhyatt7550]

Wonderful, and what's really interesting for me is how jamming on chord tones on the Sax sounds so much more satisfying than jamming on the piano...it seems that the piano just naturally needs the harmony while harmony is intrinsic to the sound of the Sax. Does this make sense?

[@lyndenblades]

Hi David and thank you for your feedback and comment. I think you're right, and practicing or jamming to a backing track of some kind really makes it more fun and brings more context than if you're just practicing or jamming without one. Thanks again!

[@mukisae900]

Can u make a video about the 7th 8th 9th note and ho fin them thanx

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you and I will put that on my list!

[@anthonyrosales2479]

I HAVE A QUESTION WHEN PLAYING TRAIDS CORDS IN THE KEY OF C ON ALTO SAX, DO I PLAY Eb TRAID CORDS ON THE KEYBOARD?

[@lyndenblades]

Yes, that’s right 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@Rainer2424]

Awesome video! For minor chords do you think this would work just as well with a flattened 3 and 7?

[@lyndenblades]

Absolutely!👍

[@aesculapification]

Hello Lyndon! I really appreciate your videos. What's the name of the backing track app you're using?

[@lyndenblades]

Hi Helge, thank you, glad that you find them useful. The backing track app is called Session Band Jazz Volume 1, 2 or 3 and it’s only available on the iPad

[@aesculapification]

I have an android tablet but have found an app that can be used in the same way. It's called backtrackit. I'm in the process of exploring the possibilities. Thanks for the great guidance. I wish you and yours a Happy New Year.@@lyndenblades

[@lyndenblades]

Thank you 🙏

[@Abby-zi4xi]

Thank you! If the song is in the key of D, do you have to change the notes you play with each chord change in the song?

[@lyndenblades]

You don’t have to but you can 🎷🎷🤝🤝😎😎

[@noel6171]

Hi when you improvise, how do you decide on the rhythm? Do you swing or you just follow the bass ? It seems you sometimes landed on some subdivisions of the bass note too in this video.

[@lyndenblades]

That’s a really difficult question to answer here in the comments but I think I’m just following my ear! 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@noel6171]

@@lyndenblades Thank you 🙏 I have just subscribed your channel, and will learn more from you .

[@lyndenblades]

@@noel6171 thanks Noel 🤝🤝😎😎🎷🎷

[@ChrisPakech]

Very useful, but what about the the Fourth, the G Chord

[@lyndenblades]

Thanks Chris. The 4th, you’d probably think of it as the 11th will sound nice too but sometimes the chord extensions, which the 11th is, can be more crunchy than the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th. You can still use it though 🤝🤝😎😎🎷🎷

[@ChrisPakech]

@Lynden Just want to say I enjoy watching you I like the way you explain music. I think you’re one of the best on here.

[@lyndenblades]

That’s very kind of you to say Chris, thank you 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@mlesto1]

Great video, just one question, when you improvise do you keep track of where you are in the tune, how many measures you have played, wich beat you are on .... ?

[@lyndenblades]

Hiya, yes, if you play the song enough times then you can kind of “feel” where you are rather than counting measures. Does that make sense? 🎷😎🤝😎🎷

[@lepetitsauterelle]

Hi Lynden, thanks so much for these videos and the awesome tips. Silly question here. I downloaed the Jazz Band Sessions app too and I am trying to improvise over chords. When I build the chords (Summertime for example) do you know how to create a half dimished chord (C# half dimished for example) using the editing wheel of the app? I could not find that option. Another issue is the chord F#7+9, same problem. If you have advice, will truly appreciate it. Cheerio! J

[@lyndenblades]

Hi there, thank you so much for your feedback! It’s tricky to describe how to do this in words but there’s a tutorial here that I’m hoping will help. If it doesn’t then please let me know 🤝🤝 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXu3an9jeJ17pZIfeature=shared

[@lepetitsauterelle]

I watched the link. You are the man! Thank YOU

[@lyndenblades]

You are so welcome 🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@johnvermicelli5649]

I need help with what sax to buy . I’m buying one for the first time It will be an alto sax.There are all different . One May Say it’s a Eb. , F#. D or C etc . What does all this mean ? Do all alto saxes play the same notes ? I’m confused ☹️.I love Blues an Jazz .Should I be buying one that covers the music ,I would like to play one day .Thanks Mr. Clueless

[@lyndenblades]

Hi John. All alto saxophones are in Eb. They all have the same notes. They are not genre specific so whatever type of music you like is fine. Hope that this helps a bit!

[@johnvermicelli5649]

@@lyndenblades Thanks . So why do they describe all theses different things when buying one . I thought maybe the placement of where they are located on the sax

[@lyndenblades]

@@johnvermicelli5649 I’m not sure what they’ve said to you but it’s definitely good to do your research first 🤝🤝

[@Eventualis]

can't find app Session band jazz in Google play :(

[@lyndenblades]

It’s only available on iOS unfortunately

[@Eventualis]

@@lyndenblades thank you very much, i'll download sound from this youtube video, cut the end and open in media player :)

[@lyndenblades]

@@Eventualis 🤝🤝🤝🎷🎷

[@lawenterprize]

If it is possible can you do a video on your recordind set up

[@lyndenblades]

I could do a very quick video with my phone for you 🤝🤝

[@lyndenblades]

Made a special video just for you 🤝

[@Barit0nist]

10:59 🎵🥁🎹🎷

[@lyndenblades]

Hope you liked the video 🤝🤝

[@kevinkowlessar3230]

Zoom lessons ?

[@lyndenblades]

Hi Kevin, yes I offer Zoom lessons, please drop me an email [e-mail]

[@lyndenblades]

Kevin I have replied to your email, did you get it ok? Thanks

[@hansmathiasthjomoe4817]

An interesting and well done video. But is this really about improvising? You have already learned some notes on the top of the song. It might be interesting, but it’s to me not improvising as the phrasing is premade like the song you are playing. To improvise you need a talent that few musicians have, like Paul Desmond, Charlie Parker, Beethoven, Beatles, Stan Getz, Bach. The rest of us have to learn licks or play on the chords.

[@lyndenblades]

Interesting! Thanks for this 🤝🤝🎷🎷😎😎

[@Poom290827]

Very helpful information and If you don’t mind what is your mouthpiece and Gear setup? Thanks so much 😍

[@lyndenblades]

Hi Poom, thanks for your feedback and your encouraging words! Of course I don’t mind 😎😎. In this video I’m playing a 1970’s Selmer Mark six with a Meyer 5 medium chamber mouthpiece and a Rigotti Gold 2.5 hard reed. In some of my other videos where I have a silver saxophone, that’s a Goldington silver plated Artiste 80 which is a Chinese replica of a Selmer Super Action 80 with the same mouthpiece and reed set up. I have owned the Selmer for about 30 years and the Goldington sax is my own brand that I have been importing for about 5 years now and sell on my website. Hope this helps 😎😎🎷🎷