How to Play Overtones on Saxophone

[@yolioms]

Thanks Donna, your tutorial on overtones illustrated overtones better for me-still I struggle with uncertainty because I am not sure about finger placement -the mechanics of it all. I am a visual learner. Thank you and see you soon. Love your channel and appreciate your hard work putting these tutorials together for us. Cheers!

[@SupaSax1]

The tonal imagination suggestion in this video just got me my high F overtone after trying for months so thank you!

[@biz-learning]

Thanks Donna. Well, OK, old video, but I had not started sax when you issued it. Just discovered the concept of overtones in a discussion with my teacher. So trying to build a better understanding. All I can do is 1 overtone, either the first (D, E, F) or the second (B, C).

[@DonnaSchwartz]

It always starts with just 1 👍🏻

[@capricorniaproject3020]

Thanks for a great video. On baritone I like to play 2nd octave phrases without using the octave key, bringing in the fundamental and the 12th with a very rich growl. Less effective on smaller horns.

[@iandawson9050]

Just found you part 1 on overtones. Now on to part 2. I have been trying these not easy but I will keep in going. I can play the whole range of the sax without the octave key. So I must be doing something right. Now on to part 2. I have subscibed. Thanks for this video

[@miguelangelarnedo5381]

Hi Donna! Great videos! I am a beginner... Might be it would be interesting to make a video explaining how to correctly move the tongue with some basic articulations ?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

That's what my Articulate Like the Pros course is all about - showing you how to articulate cleanly and clearly - academy.donnaschwartzmusic.com

[@estebanvenegas89]

is the first video i watched from your channel and you are a very good teacher! ty

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thank you :)

[@johnphillips7941]

Hi, Donna! I also play sax & trumpet. I really enjoy your videos! sincerely John.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Thanks John :)

[@grahamemurr2786]

Hi Donna Love your Videos Can you tell me is there a tune you can play with just overtones ?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Yes! Bugle Calls are often played for each of the harmonic series. But in terms of standard melodies - nothing I can think of. Remember, overtones follow the harmonic series (octave, fifth, 4th, 3rd, etc). Once you get in the highest part of the range, the notes are closer together, but the intonation is poor.

[@vjsiehlable]

Thank you for making this video. My teacher just had me start overtones in our last lesson and it is frustrating. One of the references we are using is Top Tones by Rascher. My question is, How important is it to be able to sing the note I want to play? Thanks in advance.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Read the introduction and instructions n the Top Tones book - singing is vital, as I mention in the video. Don't look for shortcuts.

[@chistofanor]

Is there a difference in alto sax? I can hardly play 2nd Bb and D above that is impossible unless I open slightly top d key. I'm gonna use the piano as you recommend next time I practice them. Thank you for this videos Donna.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

No there isn't a difference with the alto. Remember, overtones practice takes a lot of patience.

[@Chum-is-Fum]

Best guide I’ve seen. Can finally hit that high B flat.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Great to hear!

[@garymiyamori3247]

Hi Donna: I have 2 questions for you. I am a self-taught Saxophone player. I am originally a Trumpet Player. On Overtones: 1. I finally understand what they are by relating them to Trumpet playing. Starting with the Bb fingering, this is my understanding: Fundamental= Bb, 1st=Bb octave higher, 2nd = F, 3rd =Bb, 4th=D, 5th=F, 6TH=Ab, 7th=Bb, 8th=C, 9th=D, 10th=E, 11th = F. My question is this right? It took me a long time to figure this out. After I figure this out, I was able to figure out the Overtones on all fingerings on all the Sax. 2. My second question: what is the highest Overtone note that a Saxophone Player can reach on the Bb fingering? Note: I have found no Book that explains or answers my 2 questions. I have a few Saxophone Friends, they avoid trying to answering these 2 questions. I have found very few KZbin VIDEOS that address my 2 questions. I am hoping you can answer them. I found 1 book: Saxophone Sound Effects by Ueli Dorig, that gave me clue to figure out what I think is the answer to my first question. In your video, you said, you have to Hear the Overtone notes you are trying to reach. I agree, but what everyone on Internet seems to omit is what are each note you are trying to reach. On videos on the Internet, the first 3 or 4 Overtones on Bb are named, and then they stop. Thanks.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Gary - as a trumpet player, you get it in terms of the actual overtone pitches - you listed them right. Keep in mind, the intonation goes crazy sharp as you go higher. (And depending upon the brand of your horn, intonation can vary as well) Yes there is a book - Sigard Rascher's Top Tones, which as a brass player, you will understand this better also because he approaches from a brass player's perspective. The notes that you listed are the usual range that many pros can play - some can go higher, some lower. The reason for this: "On videos on the Internet, the first 3 or 4 Overtones on Bb are named, and then they stop." is because of the audience - most people searching for videos on overtones have difficulty playing them, and getting those first 3 or 4 are the hardest.

[@garymiyamori3247]

@@DonnaSchwartz Okay thanks, Donna, that helps out a lot. Now that I know I was right about the notes for Bb, I know the notes I figured out for other Saxophone Fingerings are also right. Learning to play the first 3 or 4 Overtones for Bb fingerings took me less than 3 weeks. Knowing where to go from there took me a while. I didn't know what notes I was trying to achieve from there. Then I saw a video about 2 weeks ago made by Dr Wally Wallace. He was teaching Overtones. Then I heard him demonstrate a Bugle Call. Then it click. After about a week, I was able to hit the 9th Degree and Sometimes 10th. I'm not sure if that is what you call it. Is that good enough or should I try to play higher? I get what you are saying about intonation. On the Alto, it is fairly easy, but with my Tenor, it kind of throws my ear on the higher notes. I can play Altissimo on the Alto fairly easy now. The Tenor really throws my ear. I've been playing the Sax. for about a year and half. I took 1 lesson from a friend before the Pandemic hit. I had a lesson recently. He is really busy, so it is hard getting a lesson with him. So basically, I've been teaching myself by watching KZbin videos from People like you. I kind of proud of myself. I've taught myself a lot of things on the Saxophone. One of my new Saxophone friends, said that Overtones and Altissimo are advance concepts.I think I can do it, because there was no one around to tell me I shouldn't be able to do it. Again thanks for the info. Gary

[@DonnaSchwartz]

It doesn't matter how high you go, what matters is the process and why you are doing the exercise.

[@puddinTane760]

Are doing the fifth and then the third overtones after the initial Bb, standard intervals or is it arbitrary? (i.e, you started at Bb, then went to F and then A(?) for your overtones.) I hope I explained this correctly and didn't confuse you or anyone else.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

The intervals are set: low Bb, Bb, F, Bb, D, F, Ab, B, C, D, etc

[@DonCarroll1]

Very informative. Teaching is a skill that I admire, but unfortunately do not posses myself.

[@officialclairegmusician]

I just got an Alto Sax back in November and I'm kinda still getting the hang of High notes with the octave key!!!!!!🎷🎷🎷👍👍👍

[@DonnaSchwartz]

That's great - instead of this video on overtones, check out some of my other videos for learning songs by ear. You want to develop your embouchure a bit more before thinking about overtones

[@officialclairegmusician]

@@DonnaSchwartz Thanks! I can actually play songs by ear on guitar, piano, and melodica and I've been also been learning a couple of songs by ear on the sax as well!!!!!!🎷🎷🎷👍👍👍

[@anonymousguy7723]

As always, great video 👍🏽

[@guywithdogs]

When you say "try strengthening your embouchure" (at 5:50) - do you mean strengthen the side pressure from the sides to support the bottom lip without biting? Or what? Also, hearing you have to explain the "wax on, wax off" quote makes me feel old(er).

[@DonnaSchwartz]

I use the concepts from Joe Allard, so No.If you follow Larry Teal's Art of Saxophone Playing, you would be following the drawstring concept of approaching the embouchure. I go into Joe Allard's concepts in detail in my Get a Killer Saxophone Tone course.

[@dhroma910]

hi Donna! im having problems in finding the 4th harmonic any advice on improving on that?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Hard to say without hearing and seeing you. Best thing you can do is take a few lessons from an experienced teacher

[@Abby-zi4xi]

Hi Donna, I try overtones quite a bit. I can hear all the pitches in my head so that's shouldn't be my problem. I can get the first overtone Bb and the Bb above that pretty easy but I really have a hard time getting out the F in between. I have to put the mpc in my mouth and start singing the pitch as i blow and then starts to come out. Otherwise it just jumps up to that 2nd Bb. I have never been able to get the D. Once I get the 2nd Bb overtone, I can hold the note and slur up to the B and then the C but I can't yet hit the B & C without slurring from the Bb. Does all of this sound normal as far as the journey to learning to play overtones? It feels like I will never be able to play the D or above. Thanks, Chris

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Yep! It takes quite. while to get the overtones to come out consistently and without bad habits. Keep at it knowing the goal is to control the reed

[@denominator208]

What kind of reed are you using?

[@mason5069]

I was just looking for another video on how to better my overtones

[@javierquesada798]

Reed is very important factor un this practice

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Yep!

[@joeldiaz222]

Thanks for making this video!

[@rienbutter]

The 3th Bb is hard to get consistently.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

You're not kidding! Just be patient and follow the instructions in the Rascher book and in a bunch of my videos.

[@PDBowden16]

I have a difficult time getting the high D out and I have to ‘fake’ it by using the palm key as an aid. How can I get it out ? I went to a master lesson and I was often getting too throaty on my low Bb. How can I stop being so throaty?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Are you following the tips I mention in the video? It takes time and patience. I don't know what you mean by throaty...

[@PDBowden16]

Throaty means that you push from your throat when you’re trying to get the low notes out rather that pushing from your diaphragm. You got to keep your throat open.

[@DonnaSchwartz]

I think you just answered your own question! If you are pushing from your throat, your set up could be wrong for you OR you are not relaxed enough to produce the lowest pitches.

[@aidanpark7705]

5:07 reminder

[@scottwood5098]

The overtones scale are all played by fingering b flat on tenor?

[@DonnaSchwartz]

No, that's just one series of harmonics. The rest are usually played on B, C and C#.

[@leoman6323]

Thanks ^^

[@brianjackett5100]

What are overtones

[@DonnaSchwartz]

Pitches consist of the fundamental harmonic pitch and a series of harmonics or overtones that sound at various intervals above that fundamental pitch. All those upper pitches use the same fingering as the fundamental pitch; they are played using adjustments with the embouchure, breath support and oral cavity. Think of how a bugler (no valves) can perform songs - all the pitches are from the harmonic series.

[@claudewashington5247]

I use false fingerings

[@anonymousguy7723]

As always, great video 👍🏽

[@anonymousguy7723]

As always, great video 👍🏽.