Kenny G Gives ME a Saxophone Lesson!

#bettersax #saxophone #kennyg
Jay Metcalf shares advice, inspiration and a saxophone lesson from Kenny G.
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[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

I went to a Kenny G concert years ago in Sacramento. He was the most generous performer I ever saw in my life. He walked off stage, with his tenor mic’ed up, still jamming while off stage, then went up to all three tiers of the concert hall. He played right there in the aisles , and took a special pause to play directly for a guy in a wheelchair. I’m telling you-a brilliant player, a class act, and seems to be a very kind person. Thanks!!

[@Jwellsuhhuh]

Hope the guy in the wheelchair brought his earplugs

[@froogmaster7869]

he isn't really very kind, he has a massive ego

[@lamaspacos]

​@@froogmaster7869He deserves it.

[@sammiesoul5]

​@@froogmaster7869he is human and sometimes our other side might show up so just cut him a slack not an easy feat been a celeb

[@sidd2347]

If you go to a Kenny G concert location two days after he played, the reverb will still there :))))

[@alejandrodonceltalavero7385]

Hahajahaja exactly

[@bettersax]

😂

[@DrJoeyBean]

Best comment

[@deegeorge5711]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@orionseesall76]

👍🏼😎👍🏼

[@Saxologic]

“I hope you have just even a fraction of the joy that I’ve had playing the saxophone. I wish that in your life (it would be a lot by the way).” Kenny why are you like this 😂😂😂 I love it

[@vandenbrandenmerlin6629]

Hey there saxologic, Love your Videos 👌

[@Vroom_tx]

Saxologic what's up bro

[@brandonszczech6516]

Oh hello, nice beanie

[@demonexi6762]

H

[@hkhoe]

Hi, Saxologic😄

[@KatinaAnn]

❤️❤️Wow !! Kenny is such a beautiful legend !! He is a “G” I love this man and nothing greater than listening to a legend himself !! My guy - forever in love 🥰

[@Sirvalorsax]

Gotta be honest, I'm waiting to see a full review/playthrough of that Super Yanagisawa!!! Kenny is awesome 👌

[@bettersax]

I will do this for you Adriane

[@johnchapin7707]

Yeah... that is a gorgeous tenor for sure!

[@G8RDuc]

The man has brought more attention to instrumental playing and to jazz than most and he's extremely gifted. Kudos to you and Kenny for the great video.

[@dillonring6372]

Dave Pollack is going to be SO mad 😂😂

[@Aaron-Qman]

FACTS 😂💯

[@troysmithfr]

TRUE

[@DavePollack]

I'm just proud Jay is starting to see the light of the Chosen One!

[@troysmithfr]

@@DavePollack Oh, he's actually here

[@2D2Productions]

@@DavePollack LOL

[@joaquinmendoza2306]

At first, I thought you were really getting a lesson from him when he said "HEY JAY KENNEY G HERE" haha

[@sjs4711]

Thank you, I honestly believe that all the Kenny G bashing is a disservice to the saxophone community. I saw him in concert, I took my daughter who is a huge fan. I go to jazz concerts fairly often, I've seen Some of the very best players, a few seemed so bored and so uninteresting and gave the impression that they could care less about the audience that paid (sometimes large amounts) to see them. On the other hand, Kenny G gave a totally professional performance and he sold out a good-sized theater. He engaged the audience, he entertained and played flawlessly for an hour and a half. His band was as good as any big-name jazz guy I've ever seen. I'm old and it seemed that performers of my day were more guarded with their opinions it recorded interviews. I never heard anyone say Jimmy Durante could not sing like Sinatra. Durante did his thing and Sinatra his. Let Kenny G be Kenny G.

[@KadrianThomas]

This was an amazing comment. Kenny G found his place and made his mark just as many others have. I grew up so poor I didn't even know what a sax was until I was 22 years old when I went to college and the first saxophonist I was exposed to was Kenny G.

[@joeblankenship377]

He's a great player, no doubt, but his music just doesn't do it for me. But I feel like I defend Kenny G more than I bash him. He kills it in that version of At Last with Arturo Sandoval.

[@KadrianThomas]

He’s a great and masterful player. The same way Kenny G is looked upon for his style was the same treatment that Coltrane and Charlie Parker had, same story different times-it’s just humans. We don’t all like Jazz, we don’t all like country music, we don’t all like Reggae, we don’t all like any twist to our favorite genre of music and that’s fine. The challenge I find with bashers/haters of Kenny G and of course I’m not saying you in particular, is that once something is different from what we “perceive” to be the real or authentic it’s no good, it’s useless and the same people I find have never created anything of value to be known for or be remembered by. Watching Jay breaking down these lines one will realize that Kenny G isn’t just playing a bunch of frills and that’s what I love about music it’s not boxed it to any genre or one dumb set of rules that everyone has to follow like mindless sheep. All the great artist’s never truly get their recognition until dead, however, living or dead Kenny G will remain etched in the mind of millions for years and years to come. Then again, some artist’s who bash Kenny G does so because others do it having no reason or opinion of their own and some do it because they will never be as famous as the guy who spent thousands upon thousands of hours honing his craft, and brought something different to the world that most who don’t understand the complexities of Hard core Jazz can appreciate it in part.

[@patrickkelcey2435]

...I went to one of his concerts, I'm still blown away... It was 25 years ago.

[@tonypargva]

You’re speaking the truth. He is great. He made me love saxophone soprano. Today I listen to other saxophone players, especially tenors. It’s also thanks to him. I’m so thankful for that. His music is still so beautiful to me.

[@DavePollack]

I see the Smooth Jazz Therapy™ (©Dave Pollack 2020) is going well!

[@saxhubdotjazz]

Very funny..😅

[@brycehudson1125]

Ayeeee Dave

[@BernellJonesII]

Here it is!

[@iantrewhella9470]

We are all still walking towards the light after your smooth jazz course brother!

[@fluxcapacitor1988]

I had my Kenny G years - late 80s, 90s. When I was about 19, I rushed to NBC studios in Burbank (Tonight Show with Jay Leno) after working a graveyard shift at Ben Frank's Restaurant on the Sunset strip in Hollywood, just to catch him perform live. I had already seen him at the Starlight in Kansas City, about a year or two prior. I ended up sitting in the front row. After the show, I walked toward the stage and asked Kenny if he'd sign my music book - Album Breathless - piano notation. He was incredibly nice, humble... held his soprano sax under his arm and grabbed my sharpie... signed the book, and then thanked me. What a nice guy, seriously. And yes, he can jam people... when he plays live, he tears it up on tenor!

[@frankwankerl7021]

Jay is learning the lord ventheiro death stare while he’s playing.

[@jasonknight1085]

Next he'll be waving his finger at us during rests.

[@tuxsax]

You mean lord vinheiro?

[@billmoody2600]

I used to listen to Kenny G back in the day when he was playing with Jeff Lorber fusion. Really enjoyed that band.

[@anthonymangino5074]

I love Kenny G’s music. He is truly a genius when it comes to the playing the saxophone. I wanna learn how to play the saxophone. I’ve been listening to his music since I was 15 years old. Practice makes perfect.

[@MrBoybergs]

Meanwhile, back in our universe; 'Jay gives Kenny a sax lesson'

[@balaba9352]

Kenny G, ever smooth. He is my inspiration of learning to play the sax at nearly 60 years. Just bought the Soprano sax and learning.

[@gsco82]

If you have never played a reed instrument, you might find the soprano a bit challenging. To learn saxophone, I would recommend playing an alto sax to get used to fingerings, and especially the embouchure. Then you can switch to soprano.

[@balaba9352]

@@gsco82 You are right, just like many people told me. But I did not listen and you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Lol

[@camthesaxman3387]

Nah, it's fine to start on soprano.

[@josegomezamunarriz3844]

Hi.Thanks for share that moment with all of us,and for give us the oportunity to see and hear to Kenny & you...Thanks Masters!!!✨🍀👾🛸Yes,play Kenny' s Music IS ONE OF THE MOST JOYFUL EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.Learn how to play an instrument is MAGIC! Soprano is like a magic carpet...Please,Kenny.Could play for us " Crystal Mountain" ? (82)One of my favorites...An embrace...✨🍀👾🛸

[@Urraca122]

Say what you want ..... he is awesome, lov it, saw him in concert and he was great.

[@garyreid6165]

To learn from two masters is a great thing. Thank you, Jay. Beautiful Yanagisawa tenor you have there.

[@bettersax]

Thanks Gary!

[@Obviously_not_mars]

I'm so glad I got to meet him back in March!!

[@julienm702]

I think his saxophone comes naturally with reverb. Kenny G without reverb might sound like KennyG with no hair. There's just no way. Thanx Jay for your hard work. YOu rock.

[@Craig2760]

Went with some friends to see Kenny at Radio City Music Hall 30 years ago. He did a few tunes in his set outside of his smooth jazz pop tunes. The stage set was changed to look like an old 52nd St club or French cafe. He played a few jazz standards on tenor. Was pleasantly surprised. On that same note, I was in Nashville back in the early 80’s walking down Historic Printers Alley. Just for kicks I walked into Boots Randolph’s club. That guy could play!

[@elsaxofonista]

KENNY G IS A VERY CRITICAL SAXOPHONIST BECAUSE I THINK HIS talent IS UNKNOWN, and he is the one who opened the door to thousands of saxophonists to the mass market, is there a before and after of Kenny G, ... his best song? falling in the moonlight

[@gsco82]

I agree that his contribution to making the saxophone popular is immense. But, as I am not a fan of smooth jazz, and prefer the tenor to the soprano sax, I don't listen to his music very much.

[@BruceWayne-je3fy]

@@gsco82 he can play everything else really. Go to a concert if u can

[@carlman1955]

This video is right on time for me, My wife gave me a new soprano for my birthday nov 11th Now watching this video I had gotten the yamaha WX5 in year 2006 on my birthday listening to Kenny G than which I had recorded my first smooth jazz album. Its so amazing to to see kenny G on your site today. What a coincidence. i will download lessons and learn to play this instrument as well. Wish me luck!!!! (CarlmanJazz)

[@bettersax]

good luck!

[@davekana8388]

Yanagisawa, the best, Tenor, Alto, Soprano, here! Learning the lick!!

[@KadrianThomas]

Great video Jay, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to break this down. Amazing. I was exposed to the saxophone through Kenny G's work Kenny is my guy.

[@SharpElevenMusic]

"All that practice certainly does pay off and I don't mean... financially" 😂😂. Yeah, and especially the soprano, because "Why don't you also bring your soprano sax to the gig?" - said nobody ever that pays you.

[@bettersax]

😂

[@smoothvelvetsinger]

My take on Kenny G. Instead of disliking him so much, the jazz world should embrace him for bringing "jazz in a broader sense" to the mass public. I've seen his concerts around the world, he's treated like a rock star. And he constantly acknowledges influences like Getz, Adderley and Coltrane as inspirations and influences. I'm sure lots more people will be checking out these jazz masters based purely on Kenny G' s praise for them.

[@desireapple2630]

Even I don't like Smooth Jazz. But this is better than I expected. good job, kenny and jay.

[@lusarmientomusic]

KENNY G REVERB KINGGGGG

[@josiahmedina5812]

I love your video and Kenny G is my favorite saxophonist

[@ciscojulian5552]

Jay thanks for this video, Kenny G is the reason I took up or trying to learn to play a Sax, much Aloha

[@iamachildofGod]

🔥🔥🔥that intro🤩🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@TheNeatwork]

Met Kenny G when he came here to Oklahoma, took my Mom for Mother's day, she's been listening since she was a teen and we're both sax players... He signed her CD and after listening to our story told her, "you have a wonderful son" and she balled like a baby 😅 Coolest day ever. Oh, and seeing George Benson that day was cool too 😝

[@MrNicks-gn8jc]

Solid smooth jazz show !!

[@onesyphorus]

Pollack, Graybeal & Metcalf. can't wait for the day

[@supremefatty5941]

Graybeal is so overrated as a saxophone youtuber. He's only popular because of the cringey Mario Kart lick. He's like the Adam neeley of saxophone

[@saxophonerman1239]

@@supremefatty5941 Honestly I find his videos actually very enjoyable. He's also very competent as a saxophonist. Adam neely is actually pretty fun to watch also. I agree they're very popular, but they're definitely not overated.

[@DavePollack]

Well, I am having them both on (separate) videos for my Christmas Tune of the Day series! I'll get them on the same video one day.

[@onesyphorus]

@@DavePollack Thanks for replying!!

[@jaedancurcio1545]

@@supremefatty5941 his appeal isn’t as some professional, best player in the world type stuff. While he is an exceptional player and musician, keep in mind that he is still a college student, and that he is still a phenomenally good musician and comedian

[@jimmymiller5465]

Did you just order one of those cameo type things and edit it?

[@player197SD]

looooooved the close up shots of the sax!

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

Kenny G is the first saxophonist I ever listened to as a little, little kid.

[@I.J.I.M]

me tooo first song I heard from HIM was forever in love ♥️♥️💖😅

[@paridox4ever]

i was more a herb alpert person

[@unhooked25]

I think is first ever hit tune was back in 1988 called "Songbird"

[@andrewrigales8910]

Very cool man! Thanks for the lesson.

[@gamerhalim4717]

Fans from Indonesia 🇮🇩

[@sorenfuhrer401]

Dave Pollack must be so jealous right now :)

[@maydaymika]

I just went to his concert a few hours ago! He was awesome! He signed my jacket!!!!!

[@maydaymika]

Even Better! I got a Dave Kessler Soprano Sax for Christmas!!!

[@satriahadjobaru2718]

Really loved this way of breakdown. Great!!

[@bettersax]

Glad you liked it!

[@fineyeken3091]

What a gig Jay. Two lessons for the price of one, two champions of my sax world and as an extra, a taster for the silver Yani review along with Kenny and his umbilical cord. Nectar!

[@SaxlRose]

Another great video, as always man! Definitely enjoyed this!

[@bettersax]

thanks man

[@dianereed8597]

Luv The SAX ... it is Definitely AMAZING! Thks Sharing!

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

I play both the alto saxophone and the soprano saxophone. And I enjoy playing both of them equally for hours, just not at the same time. 😉🎷

[@CesarGallegosMusicComposer]

THEY SAY YOU'RE A PROFESSIONAL WHEN YOU HAVE PRACTICE 10,000 HOURS. I SUPPOSE I HAVE 9,999 LEFT TO GO.

[@ShealinWonderWoman]

I would love to meet Kenny G and he has the same birthday as me which is June 5th. The best thing is that him and I both play saxophone

[@jonathanmorrison112]

Are those licks going in the Kenny G omnibook?

[@chrisf4216]

The smoooooooth jazz king😂

[@b0geman117]

pat metheny is punching the air right now

[@shawjazzy]

Lmao

[@Funkdumpling]

Absolutely! Pat really needs to chill over Kenny😉

[@BruceWayne-je3fy]

Pat Metheny who?

[@little.enderman_]

What mouthpiece do you use for your soprano sax??

[@HonestSaxSound-unEdited-]

Great video Jay, many thanks! Kenny G is one of the giants, and along with Fausto Papetti, they were the sax icons for the masses.

[@luisruizliriano]

Hola Steve, que marca es ese saxofón soprano...? Gracias.

[@justm6712]

Omg I didn't expect this

[@farmpunk_dan]

I slept on this video when it dropped but this was unironically cool and useful content.

[@ShealinWonderWoman]

Your tenor saxophone is so beautiful, I wish my tenor was silver

[@marcusdickerson3016]

You should review the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature for soprano sax on Rebery & ebay - it's unique

[@dennis9242]

I enjoyed the video, Jay. Can't help it, curious about your setup. Thanks.

[@saxomut4162]

I can't believe Kenny G gave YOU A lesson. I hope something YOU HAVE rubbed off!

[@Samuel-ge7im]

What a cool video Jay what an awesome collab.

[@bettersax]

thanks!

[@oncologyinformationgroup7714]

Thank you for that!!!!

[@RudiTiessler]

I LOVE how Kenny G opens something inside all saxophone players than they "think" they are better cos they "think" they know more music theory and they are so pissed off than Kenny G have way more money and followers with his "simple"and "cheesy" music as they "think". Cos at the end of the day, if you hate him is because you are complaining and if you are complaining is because you are not happy with what you do deep inside.

[@michlo3393]

Though not my style, Kenny has got some chops. And he really does seem like a very nice guy.

[@Jaujau933]

Can Kenny play without his horn swimming in reverb? 😱🤣 Jays soprano tone is best!!

[@Michelle-bn1fu]

Here is a lesson. Play a pentatonic scale really quick with a lot of reverb.

[@m.w.]

A dream comes through !!! Thank you so much for presenting my personal Saxophon hero !! Greetings from Germany!🇩🇪

[@NTgamezZ]

Kenny is the best

[@slegs001]

“I hope you have just even a fraction of the joy that I’ve had playing the saxophone. I wish that in your life (it would be a lot by the way).” Replace joy by the word money and it still make a lot of sense for KG... Seriously, around 75' I was listening to music like Bowie and a saxophonist on the tune ''Young Americans'' caught my attention, it was David Sanborn. I do not compare Sandborn to KG, Sandborn is very respectfull of his roots, he made a superb tv show ''Night Music'' few years later, but at that time he was very popular in pop music. After reading a journal article nentionning that Sandborn was a fan of Phil Woods, I bought a Phil Woods album and voilà bebop jazz was now revealed to me. Probably that Kenny G did the same effect for part of his listener.

[@Jazzman-r3j]

How do I get the music to play along with the OG Kenny G how do I get it

[@TheToneBender]

You know what, I'll watch this video tomorrow, because it's 10pm now and I know that I'll end up playing my sax after watching. So I'd better do that during the day.

[@robertmac7833]

Actually the number one selling, most recorded instrumentalist of all time was a very good friend to Boots Randolph. His name was Chet Atkins. Well over a hundred full LP’s over a 50 plus year career.

[@silvioluciano1022]

Fantastic!

[@AllanSorenseninToronto]

actually pretty funny - and of course instructive. The good stuff!

[@michaelosullivan9339]

Was brecker first to have a silver neck?

[@anrianka]

jay meet the curly golden hair man😇

[@saxman7131]

I’ve always loved Kenny G.

[@Seras51]

hey Jay, i've been playing for a bit over a year now and finally pulled the trigger on a yanagisawa alto, man its so lovely to play compared to my cheap starter horn

[@intimacywithchrist4574]

The more you practice The better you get... thank you sir

[@davidczajkowski5956]

Reason I started playing was Kenny G...learned all my Bergonzi licks at Berklee which made everyone think they’re great, went along with the Kenny G hate club for a while, but you can hate all you want on type of music he plays...but met very few that could play with his technique (think you got chops KZbin Kenny G-solo (live in Baden Baden 87) 3:30 mark.

[@veanukavi5341]

This was the video that I was waiting for a long time

[@bernardussamuel8445]

Cool lick for my improvisation later!

[@liamring]

Good Lord Kenneth really does like his reverb

[@janendres3647]

He could at least have it turned off whilst talking...

[@dcp8nts]

Oddly fun to play along with my alto. =D Happy Thanksgiving Jay!

[@klopsy]

One of the seven deadly sin is putting Kenny G and Jazz in a single phrase

[@frankmileti7835]

Bird turned over in his rest

[@r.g.p.7164]

a class from the chosen one!

[@spencernoble5925]

I can smell red wine just looking at KG

[@PentGroove]

What are you using to record the sax

[@bobblues1158]

Jay- you got that horn before I did you rascal! I almost went there about 6 weeks ago. You know you have to let me try it!

[@bettersax]

Bob, this was made special for me at the factory in Tokyo. Yes of course you can try it.

[@bobblues1158]

@@bettersax My Man! I know i am going to order one through Gottfried. Only live once.

[@SYTLV]

Which sax you use to breakdown the Kenny G’s sample? Can you recommend a good one for beginner? The straight saxophone looks much smaller and lighter to hold though. - saxophone lover Mike 💕

[@ezrapetersen9913]

Awesome!

[@HB-ve4wi]

You might want to ceck out early Kenny G, live in Montreux, "Midnight Motion". I know it's dated. But the dude can actually play some serious sax.

[@BruceWayne-je3fy]

Yea that’s actually one of the greatest sax solos of all time

[@gilmoura2387]

What mouth pieace you use?

[@danny-kxk6986]

Hey man so I got a question. So I want to get into sax but honestly my overall goal is to not be this guy who can bust out a bunch of saxophone song I just wanna get to the point I can play a few classical songs at a camp fire or something maybe learn how to improvise well, so I guess my question is where should I start? Should I just learn a few songs and maybe some scales and chords or should I go down the path of learning the whole musical alphabet and work my way up?

[@gravityboy79]

Not Kenny fan but this is 1 of best video. 2bad comercial white wash burned Kenny’s real coolness! Thx bro

[@IngridSaybe]

It will be better if he shows me one of this lessons.A fraction. While inspired practicing. Smooth jazz bip bop vocabulary strong together.

[@shaddjimenez4524]

Did not expect this 😂

[@rafaelmuhindo1179]

Hey better sax new subscriber here. I've been watching your videos for a while and I just got my sax it's a Corlton CAS100 carlton alto sax. And I see it's not in one of your videos. I originally wanted the Jean Paul alto sax do you think I made a good call. And another question idk is this has to do with the instrumental or my mouth placement on the embouchure but my G on the Lower notes is very wobbly. C D E and F all play good until I hit G what do you think can be the problem.

[@jasonzhang4854]

I watched him perform in vancouver