How to play OVERTONES and ALTISSIMO on saxophone 【 4 Tips 】

[@timothychilds4975]

This video was extremely helpful! It’s not just helping me with overtones on alto but also the tone quality in the upper register of the soprano sax!

[@Cashimat]

I will never understand why, but all I ever did was the octave mouthpiece exercise and one day while doing the daily struggle to get out the 3rd overtone I started getting really high ones. It was weird as everyone always described overtones as a linear process. But I realized one of the lower notes in those high overtones I was playing was Palm Key F, I then spent the next few days working my way down. Now I can play the whole Bflat series. And it somehow also transferred to every other note. I noticed now randomly I can pitch bends on palm keys and can feel how I’m going it. This is weird as I’ve always been told that overtones were a linear process in which you had to figure out your voicing. I still don’t know exactly what im doing in a literal sense, I can just kinda get my air stream right for each overtone. But I couldn’t tell you what I’m doing, I just can now.

[@buttermilkjesus8880]

i had a similar experience !! i did a lot of work on identifying the sensation after the fact then laser focusing on keeping embouchure / air exactly the same then shifting between the overtones with specific precise tongue movement. specifying the tongue movement / "throat shape" required helped me apply my overtone practice a lot more. it was funny that i "forgot" how to play the second overtone for a while after i was stuck there in the series for so long

[@buttermilkjesus8880]

but yeah, i tend to learn in "lightbulb moments" like you described - so rewarding when i make a breakthrough, but frustrating at a plateau.

[@buttermilkjesus8880]

i woke up one morning with the ability to slap tongue without specific practice, for example

[@shankardey608]

Thank you Mr Lee for making this wonderful video. I am 62 years old recently started to learn to play saxophone. Your wonderfully explained principles will surely help me to progress. Thank you once again. God Bless you.

[@claudiopregnolato3734]

I am an elderly beginner and this illuminating explanation of the harmonic production mechanism immediately made me understand how to put it into practice. Forever grateful

[@michaeldean9338]

Thanks, Lee. Very helpful video. Delighted that you focused more on the mechanics. Your physical conceptsa were a plus. One of the best videos I've seen on the subject. Thanks so much :)

[@josegilvazquez7660]

Buen tutorial lo pondré en práctica en mi próxima sección de estudio. Muchas gracias.

[@Roland_Geyer]

Thank you for your clear explanation and the useful links

[@CountryCityKitty]

Great that you went over the mechanics! Thanks

[@DanielloSax7]

Wow... great video! Thanks for sharing this valuable information!

[@evanlarsen9418]

I have been listening to your performance of Astor Piazolla's Tango etude no 3. The altissimo notes in there have been a struggle. Thank you for making this video. This has been the most useful overall. In this video you said you would attach the link to a paper worksheet of your detailed overtone and altissimo excercises. I cannot find it. If someone could point it out maybe...

[@wonkisaxlee]

Please send me an email via my website - I will send you the PDF. www.wonkilee.com/contact

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Very nice information

[@danieleliud2433]

Hi WonkiLee, could you make a video explaining circular breathing? Thanks really found this helpful.

[@wonkisaxlee]

Thank you for your suggestion. I will definitely think about making a video regarding circular breathing.

[@terrellfstephens]

Okay...I have been bothered by this for years now: I struggle playing my whole overtone series. Now, bear in mind that I practice altissimo daily, and have been able to play up to C# with pretty steady intonation (I even hit an E a few time last year). I can pitch bend with the best of them, and I also practice this on a daily basis, starting on high C#, and going up to F# palm. I can play my front E-F# with ease (well, sometimes that F# is a little wierd, and muffly...) But I CANNOT play above the third overtone (on Bb) except ONCE - last summer - and I haven't been able to do it since. Can you explain what might be happening? I've tried everything I know how to do!

[@Bumpy36552]

Thankyou so much Mr Lee. I’m in grade 9 and I’ve played alto sax for 5 years and only fairly recently discovered my deep deep passion for classical music. This video was incredibly helpful, and I hope that one day all my practice will pay off. Thank you! Also I’m incredibly confused about the movement of the Adams Apple. I’m not sure exactly how to do it and it seems to stay in the same place no matter how hard I try to yawn or use my fingers.

[@aquafine.2250]

this was amazing ty

[@kmi7214]

Thank you so much Señor Wonki for sharing this video. It's really helpful 😭, hope you have a good great days

[@wonkisaxlee]

Thank you for your comment. Please send me a quick email here and I will send PDF to you. www.wonkilee.com/contact

[@Livesaxmusic77]

amazing video but pls limit backing track with some random music

[@danielguo6153]

Hi Mr. Lee! I’m a bit confused, for overtones you want to hit higher partials, so why would it be help to practice a narrow airspace with high air pressure? Also, do you have to manipulate the larynx during altissimo notes? I’m having trouble getting past G Thanks!!

[@wonkisaxlee]

Hi Daniel, great question! In order to get first 3 or 4 partials of overtone, we have to basically reduce the frequency of low fundamentals, which will emphasize higher partials. To do that, you have to create "high air pressure" inside of your vocal tract so that the speed of air drops (slows down the reed vibration). Above altissimo C, we have to switch a gear and increase air speed by dropping the air pressure. It's like creating reed squeak on purpose. For you, try to create smaller oral cavity and bring down the Adam's apple. It feels like yawning while keeping your back of tongue high. Then you should be able to get altissimo G.

[@saxjiji]

Is there any way to access the thesis without being an MSM student?

[@wonkisaxlee]

Hi Jason, can you send me an email via my website? I will send you the PDF.

[@KonstaSednev]

.... It wotks for classic embouchure or jazz too?

[@wonkisaxlee]

It should work for both styles because it's really not about embouchure. Creating a high air pressure in the vocal tract is the most important.

[@KonstaSednev]

@@wonkisaxlee Hello, thank you for your answer. "Vocal tract"....do you mean throat? Back part of throat?as if yawning

[@wonkisaxlee]

Vocal tract = Mouth + Throat! so try to get a hissing sound while yawning.

[@KonstaSednev]

@@wonkisaxlee aha, i knew it, but thanks.By the way, do you have video about classic embouchure? It interest for me, although i not classic saxophonist, but still...

[@wonkisaxlee]

I don't have the video about classical embouchure. It's a sensitive topic and varies quite a lot. I will consider it for the future!

[@重道]

How could I access this thesis? I am not MSM student.

[@wonkisaxlee]

Hello, can you send me an email via my website? Then I will send you PDF. www.wonkilee.com/contact

[@重道]

@@wonkisaxlee here is my email. Thank you very much!