How To Subtone On The Saxophone

[@zenscapeUKmedia]

I've only been playing a couple of months - during lockdown, I decided to get an old alto sax, restore it, figure out how it actually works and learn how to play it. I really struggled with the feel of my top teeth on the mouthpiece. I hated the feel and was close to giving up. Then I came across your double-lip video. It was amazing, I was able to develop and explore my tone and get so much more out. Subtones and effects seem a lot easier for me to get - even altisimo. Thanks for helping me discover so much more tone from the alto. You're a top bloke, Quamon!

[@Saxmanjoe]

Very nice explanation and demonstration of the contrast. I will definitely work on learning this!

[@QuamonFowler]

joehillomni Great! Glad it was helpful!

[@ColtraneTurnaroundBlues]

awsome tutorial! do you have any tips on how to switch between subtone and regular full tone? The reed will become uncontrollable in the middle sometimes, especially for the low notes.

[@chriss1152]

I’m trying to learn this now

[@rodrigoartilheiro2985]

Great stuff!

[@diegomartinez5360]

How important is the setup?

[@gallillito]

Thank you mister man

[@Redwane-Music]

hi, any idea why I can't play low notes other that using Subtone and with double cushion. If I try the full sound with my teeth resting on the mouth piece, the notes just break or stay high. Actually I never learned how to play with my teeth resting on the mouth piece, and I hate it. please what am I supposed to do in this case?

[@QuamonFowler]

Make sure you horn doesn't have any leeks at the bottom. You need to increase your air stream, open up your throat and push the air through faster to make it come out. If it's hard to come it could be your horn or reed that needs to be adjusted.

[@Redwane-Music]

@@QuamonFowler what about the mouth piece ?

[@QuamonFowler]

@@Redwane-Music Yeah it could be. What’s the facing?

[@Redwane-Music]

@@QuamonFowler how would I know, I don't see any number or letter written

[@rudeway]

Cool video it's a good thing you didn't say it was easy :)))

[@rudeway]

The O word worked out really thanks playa its was a lot easier for me to reach the Subtone... I'm new to the Tenor :)))

[@vivianastridge2167]

I cannot say that I found your video of much or any practical value. Your video has only substantiated the conclusion I have arrived at after an almost infinite number of attempts at producing the subtone.You produce the most beautiful subtone effortlessly and as you have demonstrated so eloquently with Misty that the listener arrives at the totally false conclusion that subtone production is merely a matter of shifting the lower jaw backwards somewhat. Every jaw is different from every other jaw and the degree or extent which the jaw may be moved back or in any other direction varies. Your video demonstrates as not even a million words would, the ability to move the jaw back is much more than ordinarily observable in your case, hence the most expressive and exquisite subtone as easily produced with as much effort as would be required to breathe naturally in any other person. Applicable to many other situations and circumstances,” one size does not fit all” is totally appropriate vis a vis subtone production. Thank you sincerely for a very demonstrative and explicit video and your very ridiculously simple , lucid and factual elucidation of your method of subtone production. The very very best to you.

[@vivianastridge2167]

Dear Mr Fowler, thank you sincerely for your reply to my rather dismal comment. Make no mistake about it, I consider you to be a Master Performer and cannot hear you enough. My almost unbearable disappointment was to learn that I could hardly move my lower jaw back by more than a 1 cm or about one half inch and that movement required considerable effort and was associated with discomfort. I could maintain a backward displacement of the lower jaw of about one quarter of an inch without discomfort, which displacement however proved quite insufficient to produce the subtone. I did find the tone mellow down to an extent but the discomfort resulted in a displacement of not more than perhaps one sixteenth of an inch, totally inadequate for the purpose. Should you have to offer some sort of a solution involving positioning of the mouthpiece, lips, positioning of the head or any other alternative means that would effect the intended end result equivalent to a backward placement of the jaw, I would not be able to express my gratitude towards this very kind and personal effort. Thank you,, regardless ,for an excellent and superbly explicit video on a most intriguing and for some at least a most likely irresoluble situation. Thank you and my very best wishes to you.

[@JRNL75]

@@vivianastridge2167 the jaw needs to be moved back , it's not his method it's like everybody does, you also need to blow like you were fogging a glass. Of course , you will need to fiddle around to make it work , find the sweet spots etc...

[@vivianastridge2167]

thank you for your comment and advice. Strangely i cannot move my jaw back even a fraction of an inch but can move it forward about an eight. Apart from this jaw movement technique is there any other method i could try out. Thank you .

[@ashthesaxguy]

What kind of ligature are you using

[@todwstam]

hey, i am getting a kind of wobbly sound when i try that, anything that i need to do differently?

[@QuamonFowler]

You just need to put more air through the horn.

[@Sebastian-ne1yt]

How would I fix my subtone not responding at all below low D on the tenor? I don't notice a leak on those pads, but not rulimg that possibility out

[@QuamonFowler]

What's your reed size and mouthpiece tip opening?

[@henryburner]

I find it easier to subtone with slightly stiffer reeds. Let's say Vandoren V16 instead of Java Green of the same strength.