Jazz Scales on Sax (part 1)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Wait…scales are useful??

[@drwallysax]

It's like EVERYONE says: Scales are more useful than a bag of turds without a handle. Everyone says that, it's a saying, Jamie.

[@gallofilm]

@@drwallysax god i love you lmao

[@wooster7571]

I’m an aged beginner and these videos are by far my favourites. Dr Wally, you are the most useful teacher I have found. Thank you, sir.

[@jeffreystark75]

I just stumbled across Dr.Wally content. His content is the easiest to understand and more enjoyable compared to many other talented jazz teachers on this platform.Thanks Dr.Wally.

[@oliverkollas4526]

I glued wings on my d major scale. Now I have a pissed off d major scale. But seriously, thanks so much for making this video! I love how you keep it simple for us hobby musicians.

[@drwallysax]

We're all hobby musicians, Oliver! Lifelong fun, regardless of how you "make a living."

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

This Guy can Play. What a beautiful tone.

[@joel6427]

As an adult learner, I have played for 8 years now, and Dr. Wallace's advice, concepts, and insights are golden, and keeping it simple is the best. Practicing any variation of a major scale with offbeat accents that make your ear and fingers go where they don't want to go is progress. Thoughtful repetition in time is the gateway to advancing skills. I doubt I would have taken this advice in the beginning, but it's good to come to this realization at some place in the journey.

[@monkey_man70-1]

Hey man, thanks for putting so much effort into this video. One day, 10 years since I touched my alto sax, I decided to restore my old saxophone and give it the love and care I never did before. 6 months later, It works again and sounds better than it ever did. I'm so happy, I found your content. I was sorta lost as to how to relearn it, but thankfully I found your video. All the info you provided in this video has been very helpful and made me even more glad I decided to fix my sax and relearn it. Thank you so much.

[@MordechaiKNyamekye]

This is simple, focused and comprehensive. Fantastic summary. Precisely what I am looking for! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lucaszelmanovits]

This might've been the best sax lesson on youtube. Thank you, Doc!

[@laurobelrecordingstudio]

I’ve also just found Dr Wally’s channel and what a breath of fresh air (pardon the pun) he is! Thoroughly enjoying the content, free downloads and comprehensive yet humorous style of delivery. Well done Wally😋

[@drwallysax]

Ah, thanks so much!

[@SteveSmith-hw7kb]

You've just added a lot lot of fun back into my sax playing! Great content and motivation. Thanks

[@Katharsis._.s]

Thank you for making this content for free

[@francistaylor5097]

Great to see you back again, Dr Wally.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Francis, great to be back teaching this fantastic group! Hope you're doing well my friend!

[@Joost1222]

Thanks doc! Costs a lot of time , but with your humor in between its no problem at all .

[@hflynnjr]

Thanks, Wally. Another great Sax Academy video. I see the proper dress code has returned. Sounding good and looking sharp!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Hank! Hope you're having great weekend (and practicing Autumn Song, of course :)

[@billhoffman115]

I always get genuinely excited to practice when Dr. Wally puts out a video! Its like a Pavlovian response hehe

[@drwallysax]

This makes me VERY happy, Bill. I absolutely LOVE practicing, I want my students to love it too!

[@derycktaylor3677]

Excellent, informative, practical video (as always). It connects the dots. Thanks again.

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome. Have a wonderful weekend!

[@rusty728]

You are so awesome, please don’t ever stop making videos… you make things so clear and to the point. Love it !

[@drwallysax]

Thank you my friend, happy practicing!

[@ezequielequielfernandez]

You are the best you simplify things , and make easier for us . Thank you 🎷

[@thomaslyden9471]

Thanks. Just starting out learning. This has opened up some doors for me. Have fun while learning...even when learning scales! Thanks

[@mazlihassan6009]

Super easy to understand sir...omg...this is real teacher who are really understand how struggle tje beginer to learn..thank you ..god bless kind people💚💚💚💚💚✅🙂

[@peterassing591]

You are a world class player and instructor. Very positive and creative,have my respects and admiration

[@drwallysax]

I really appreciate that Peter, thanks my friend 😀

[@andrewwright6893]

Absolutely brilliant lesson cheers

[@jamiemcgoldrick3350]

Great lesson again Dr Wally

[@drwallysax]

Awww, thanks!

[@lynndarcey7161]

Thank you, Dr. Wally! I have watched and listened to so many ideas on how to practice and how to improvise. They all had some parts that made sense, but were still frustrating to figure out the rest of the parts. Now I have found your site, with you some melodic -- and straight forward -- ways to make music while at the same time learn riffs and techniques and how jazz feels. Yay!

[@gobot109]

Nice looking cover on the fundamentals pdf!

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Hi Dr Wally. In case you didn't know, some (most) of your replies are hidden, also the same on the whole tone video and diminished. This is such a great resource and so well done. Thanks

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Ok you've fixed it now thanks. I like reading your replies.

[@swaynno]

Like that theory of tones are in the scales and play full range. Good talk. Thank you

[@vladimirlopez7840]

I found that jazz teachers tend to make improvising this mythical state that can only be achieved through very poorly explained examples and then just transcribe everything then you visit some troll in a Himalayan cave that nobody tells you how to locate and this troll and only this troll will give you a key. That key of course is the only way to find great examples and of course this is located in the heart of some amazon jungle. Then once you have reached that point you know the point at which your feet no longer touch the ground when you walked then and only then have you reached your infancy in jazz improv. Thank you Dr Wallace ( The best dressed sax teacher on KZbin) for breaking down these things in small bits that really help to drive the points home.

[@lion037]

Thanks!!! This is making the Bop language much easier to understand. This is an excellent way to learn without being thrown immediately into the deep end! Still not my cup o Joe, but you're helping me develop an informed appreciation of the style. Thanks again Doc!!!

[@drwallysax]

I'm glad it's helpful, Spencer! I think with a firm diatonic understanding, and bit of bebop flavor, you'll have plenty of tools to craft YOUR musical voice.

[@patricksarell4781]

Lovely stuff, what a great tone. Love the break down if the theory too. It’s how I use to think I about scales, as just major minor and ‘other’ colors or passing tones. Eventually I came to think of all music as simply tension and release, as long as you knew where the resolution was and could hear the tension points, you were free to move outside the key wherever you wanted to go.

[@neonstagerj]

Your one of the best teachers

[@drwallysax]

I really appreciate that, thanks friend :)

[@walterjoy2043]

Namaste guru..... Great to see you again.....

[@crooklyn673]

Thanks Dr Wallace, great tips. I've isolated my problems on the scale practices, focusing on them, fixing the problem zones, then completing the scale practices 👍🏾

[@drwallysax]

Excellent! Keep me posted John, happy practicing!

[@fallawatra]

Thank you sir. I love to practise your lessons/teachings. Be blessed!.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks very much, Glenn. Have a great rest of the week my friend :)

[@Odian7]

Thanks Dr Wally! Great to see you’re back!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Chris! Good to be back on schedule. See you next week!

[@tsegayejacob9819]

​@@drwallysaxthanks for your tim

[@BillColeExperience]

Love your sound, and your jacket

[@drwallysax]

Thanks my friend :)

[@lucast3533]

This is awesome. I have been learning saxophone for 2 years. But i feel like i'm stuck. This practice really helpful for my fingering

[@ian_s7481]

I love your QR codes 😉

[@drwallysax]

It's a Rorschach test

[@loumulkern2724]

Thanks for this Doctor Wally! I'm practicing with clarinet but it really helps with "sticky spots" in some of the the fingering, particularly on the break...

[@drwallysax]

Yay, glad it's helpful!

[@martinchilvers3870]

Brilliantly taught as always - thanks!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Martin! Happy Wednesday and happy practicing my friend!

[@patporemba2806]

Thanks for this great video. I don’t know what’s more helpful - your amazing humor, the great examples and exercises, your clear explanations, or just listening to your beautiful tone. Thank you!

[@drwallysax]

Aaannnd now you’re my new best friend. No take-backs!

[@warpo007]

Dr Wally! That's my best free form bit... @ 2:53

[@챨스킴]

악보 고맙슴니다 열심히 불어보겠음니다 늘건강하세요

[@drwallysax]

물론 이죠! 건강하시고 즐거운 연습하세요!

[@yaboyHamz]

11:46 Doc giving me the thumbs out as he just watched me miss 8 notes in a row

[@drwallysax]

I was applauding the creative effort. Next time aim for 7.

[@annemusleh-zk1vw]

I'm learning saprano is there any tips I can be doing most the time I'm doing long tones and practising wit drones for intonation is this a good approach I love your approach to the lessons thank you 👍

[@hello55125]

Absolutely love these lessons. I learn something and have a laugh at the same time. Where can we get the mentioned play a longs please?

[@drwallysax]

Afraid I don't have the play alongs - but used band in a box to create them.

[@danielgardner4344]

Thank you for what you do!

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome!

[@HvanLIER]

Thanks for this video dr Wally and the good advices. Can I ask you where is the video in which you explain why it is better to specifically practice the HARMONIC minor scale?

[@doronsieradzki192]

Thank you so much for your valuable information, drills and tips. This is just great!!

[@SaxSith]

Can you make a review of rampone cazzani alto,please ?

[@ebertheleuteriodossantos139]

Dr. Wally, please tell me your setup in this video.

[@natanaelpereira7278]

Ond faço o download do material por gentileza?

[@mikeysplace]

Can you link me to the video that justifies practicing the harmonic minor???

[@VitoBb1978]

Dr Wally great instruction and information, all this can be applied to the Soprano as well correct ?

[@drwallysax]

absolutely, just play along with the tenor demos!

[@davidhyatt7550]

You're the best.

[@jasonzach416]

Thanks for the video Dr. Wally! This video starts with regular full range scales but by the end we're playing pretty melodic stuff and even starting to improvise. At one point should we switch from straight eighths to swung eighths? For example, on exercise 5 (7:49) I couldn't tell if you were swinging your eighths or just playing straight but with jazz articulation.

[@drwallysax]

That's a long discussion, but in modern jazz most of the "swing" is created in the accent of the offbeat. The triplet, rhythmic swing is often overdone and can sound outdated (though, not at slower tempos).

[@paddylandreville8501]

Can you do scales on bari? that's what I have and I would some good advice on where to start, warmup and all the good stuff you can throw at us.

[@carloslopez-hz6id]

Muchas gracias Maestro ... Muy buen material

[@drwallysax]

de nada, mi amigo!

[@burgessbrian9329]

Excellent stuff as ever!!

[@drwallysax]

Much appreciated, Burgess. Have a wonderful week and happy practicing!

[@smrtn2441]

I always like your content Dr W. I'm learning trumpet, but it's all applicable. Thanks.

[@drwallysax]

That's great! You can always play the tenor exercises and hang out with us saxophonists!

[@Naesman1167]

By the way Dr. Wally.. I’m restarting my sax playing education based on your leaning technique.. Why? Because you’ve filled in the gaps where most of my lessons haven’t. My first instructor had me play scales but never told me what I should sound like.. or emphasized what I should be listening to.. Breathing, air control , sounding choppy…. Just at a point where I need a fresh start..

[@petegalindez9961]

Thank you! Very cool! BTW, have you heard your voice at 1/2 speed??? I forgot to change it to regular speed at the end…LOL!

[@rakapurnomo2501]

Sir, how to read that? I dont know to read partitur.

[@tioliak]

thanks doc!

[@Redwane-Music]

Please. What is the easiest way or best way to remember how to play chords in each key. How do we learn those patterns. I am a guitar player and in the guitar you can use the same pattern for every note on a string but it gets more difficult with a piano for example because they are not the same on every key, and now the saxophone which even more difficult remembering every pattern. Can you please shade some light on that? Thank you

[@aaronrobinson9386]

i really like the importance you've given full range scales, and I've solved a lot of issues I've had with my horn so far as range goes. My biggest issue now is going from low c# to low b. I often feel as though my hand is kind of blocked from going down and back up. Any tips?

[@nickh-w1563]

What mouthpiece on tenor and alto?

[@lars27ped]

Hi I am not really at beginner but then. I have been a lazy man who has never really cares about scales and such. But I I feel I should do that. You mention that you have playalong exercises for tenorsaxophone. Where do I find them?

[@DaveySandborn]

Thanks, this is very helpful!

[@alessiodelperugia]

The best.. as usual!

[@drwallysax]

Thank you my friend, happy practicing!

[@reuven8815]

Dr. Wally in The Zone!!!!! (as long as it's a Jazz Cat!)

[@drwallysax]

Gotta be a Jazz cat!

[@bobfixes7640]

Dr Wally. I find that stopping the video so I can practice the lick makes it easier to learn (I know I could get the pdf but) just following along with the video is great. However, when I pause a KZbin video, there is a red bar right through the staff at the bottom of the screen. How easy is it to put the music staff at the top? It will remain visible when I hit pause...

[@36JohnT]

Your utube videos are great but when I go to the Academy, I don't see a list of them or the PDF's you're describing here, for example.

[@denleyapril6011]

Great lesson in learning jazz, will you be updating the Saxophone Fundamentals course

[@drwallysax]

I will (eventually). Quit my academic job and had to refocus on the paid portion of the Academy (private studio) to keep the lights on. As things settle down, I'll be reworking that to make it even better! Happy Wednesday!

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Also the link isn't to a pdf of these phrases, it is to the scales and book.

[@drwallysax]

The link contains the phrases, it's a 4 part series. Make sure you download the correct .pdf - I just tested, it's correct.

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Ok but the link takes me to a page setting out 5 downloads, the part 1 Scale &Thirds, part 2 Articulation, part 3 Diminished Scales, part 4 Wholetone and then the Sax Fundamentals book. So are the Jazz scales in the Sax Fundamentals? @@drwallysax

[@drwallysax]

@@lyntedrockley7295 The scales are located in their respective exercise video download. The Saxophone Fundamentals contains all major and minor scales full range and in 3rds. (as mentioned in the first video of the series)

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Roght, I have those thankyou. But where are the phrases you play in this video which is using the scales as bebop like patterns? That doesn't seem to correspond with any of the 5 links. My apologies if I'm misunderstanding something.@@drwallysax

[@fernandobolanos9444]

great video...thank you so much!

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Fernando. Happy practicing my friend!

[@50593823]

Thanks Dr. Wallace. I try to practice this following the circle of forth. Going to keep me busy for months!!

[@drwallysax]

Keeping me busy for years :) Happy practicing Marcus!

[@thepianokid27]

Hi Doc, thanks for another really helpful video! Where can we get the backing track that you use to play these exercises with?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Ben, I don't have the backing tracks available for download, but you can make your own in iReal pro if you'd like!

[@thepianokid27]

@@drwallysax oh really?? iReal Pro? Never knew I could do that! Been having the app for ages now lol! Maybe you could do a video on creating backing tracks on the app? That would be very helpful! Meanwhile, I’ll mess around with it. Thanks again! :)

[@ericking9061]

Set up shop here in Dallas Texas

[@drwallysax]

Are the stars big and bright, all through the night?

[@petegalindez9961]

How many alto saxes do you own???

[@drwallysax]

I mean, if I told you the number, you're response would NOT be: "oh, that makes sense." It's about 3X the number you'd considerable reasonable. Maybe 4X.

[@alanhowell3646]

Great stuff, really useful

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Alan. Happy practicing my friend :)

[@samisax_music]

Can i get the backing track

[@drwallysax]

Afraid I don't have this backing track available for download - sorry!

[@benoittissier58]

Excellent, thank you.

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Benoit! Happy practicing!

[@tommyesposito606]

wally what about the notes that u added that are not in the scale ?

[@drwallysax]

Just an example of some passing and surround tones. Once you're comfortable with the diatonic patterns, experiment with some chromatic alterations!

[@chicoruiz2699]

Excellent

[@javierm_uk1588]

Thanks for another great exercise Dr.Wally. Can we expect the return of the podcast anytime soon, or are you both way too busy for it right now?

[@drwallysax]

Not 100% sure on the podcast. It may be changing a bit, but not sure yet? That's not really an answer, sorry!

[@matthewseebran3030]

Dr. Wally! I got the lead alto, lead tenor and bari positions in the district jazz band after auditions yesterday! I picked lead alto. Do you think that was a good idea? And also, do you do virtual lessons?

[@drwallysax]

Congratulations, Matthew! That's fantastic! Lead alto is incredibly fun, you made a good choice. I don't do virtual lessons, unfortunately. I'm sure there's some good teachers in your area?

[@matthewseebran3030]

@@drwallysax there are some very good teachers. But I can't get with them in person so I wanted to do some live improvisation but no worries!

[@MarkusAdam66]

At min @: Dou you tongue the g AND the a? (I mean in the second bar :-) )

[@DJsilversax]

Any chance of updating the sadly neglected Sax Academy? :(

[@drwallysax]

If you mean the fundamentals course, I hope so. The Academy is thriving, but as I quit my academic job, I had to turn my focus towards the private studio. I've had to triage my time a bit out of necessity.

[@elissahunt]

@@drwallysax I miss the fundamentals course, too, but I understand lack-of-time issues. At least you've given us all plenty to practice here on KZbin.

[@ptitprince7575]

Super ! Merci ! :)

[@luapfish1]

Amazing, thank you.

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome Paul, happy practicing my friend!

[@RM-gm7lu]

"They are inside the scales!"

[@Naesman1167]

I have one areas I struggle with.. Efficient fingering. Also, when I hear you demonstrate your scales I hear the duh dah articulated.. When I slur my scales I do not..

[@MarkusAdam66]

At min 10:32: Dou you tongue the g AND the a?

[@nicodawal8584]

2:52 - 2:57 🤣 that was funny.. i almost got choked..

[@drwallysax]

You know you've been there (me too). ;)

[@kiswas8863]

Hello sir, Good morning. I am 54+ and Asian, try to learn saxophone but can’t continue practice. Where I will start for beginner course please? Do you have beginner level courses step by step up please.. Thanks 🙏

[@MrGuto]

Nice trick! When you play your alto becomes a shinny tenor!

[@drwallysax]

Fourth year of magic music school - horn transfiguration.

[@robstevens9590]

Thanks Wally! Interesting idea of simplifying scales. I like your room. Are the black & white "art objects" on the walls also for sound-proofing?

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Rob, they're diffusion panels. Kind of retro design. Dampen the sound a little, make the room a bit less reverberant.

[@lyntedrockley7295]

@@drwallysax Ahhh, I thought they were QR codes of some deep philosophical message. I'd been trying to get my iPhone to read them.

[@michaelclaire9086]

Sounds cheesy but I love the way you dress. Men especially have forgotten what it’s like to look dressed and proper. ❤