Long Tones For Saxophone

[@Aka.Gmoney]

I always come to you when I need to learn something or hear a new mouthpiece that I want

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@BodhiFitness]

I’ve been doing a lot of altissimo work on tenor lately and yesterday I picked up the soprano and couldn’t believe how easy it was to play the full range in tune.

[@echoes675]

I always found when practicing tenor and it's not going so well, maybe poor tone or bad intonation, if i play soprano for a bit and go back to tenor all those issues go away. There really is nowhere to hide on soprano!

[@dextermorrisjr]

Man!! I wanted you to keep playing... I feel cheated and I think you should give your subscribers the rest of that song. Sincerely yours. Saxmo lol Come on Man. Also I love love love the content you put out and I believe I will accomplish one of my goals by following your content. Thanks a lot.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool, Thanks man. I'll consider making the playing portion longer next time

[@kevindeibert3369]

Long tones are super important. I’ve been a teacher/player for many years (43 actually), and it’s only been recently started revisiting these and having my students do them too . All kinds with crescendos & decrescendos . This is helpful ! Thanks

[@stevepethel6843]

The more I watch your videos the More I like and learn ..Gods continued blessings in your life...thank you for Giving us your Instructional detailed well recorded productions

[@Sirvalorsax]

Wow, thank you.

[@jeffreywilliams61]

Thank you for the info, appreciate your content. We as horn players know... do long tones & overtones so you sound better. No easy way to get it....no magic pill or super swoopie ligature heavy mass screw. Playing slow ballads has helped me in the past. Keep the content coming we dig it.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks, will do

[@georgeroberts5670]

I like what I am hearing so far, plus I also use the Cannon Ball Brand of Saxophones, You surely have given me food for thought as an elderly person who has started playing.

[@readytext]

"Listening deeper into the sound" - great point. Maybe listening closely to your own sound like this, or playing with a snapshot of a recording you like the sound of, helps like seeing colors side by side vs trying to remember what that shade of purple was like or whatever. I definitely find listening to a favorite player while I'm playing helps me shape my tone much more easily. Plus you get the immediate A/B. But to your original point, I believe I'm listening to my sound when I'm really not, or I am very superficially. Those long tones help with that.

[@abehampster]

Hello from England. Just discovered your great content. Many thanks brother!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Hey, thanks!

[@chareneferro3425]

Always something new to learn.Thanks Sitvalorsax. Anthony.

[@Sirvalorsax]

My pleasure!

[@davidsmusic]

Thanks master!,, so clear explanation

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cokl

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

9:58 he points at the purse. It's full of mouthpieces.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Lol

[@aperez10]

Excellent

[@KrisVComm]

I always enjoy your videos. Keep up the good stuff!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool

[@gsco82]

Thanks for the interesting, useful information. Previously I was using long tones as a warm-up and a means of increasing time playing one note, but I will try some of your ideas.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WestphillyRhythmconnection]

Much Thanks . I always leave a little smarter on Lil sax things.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Sweet!

[@annaflores9051]

Sirvlorsax, you sure have my full attention I like what you do, Thanks!

[@Sirvalorsax]

My pleasure!

[@seanhurlburtmusic3061]

Love your perspective on things. We do the multiphonics thing in classical, but I never would have thought to use it as a tone development exercise. Will def explore those other features of T.E. Also, I'm a big fan of doing long tones against a drone especially in the C4-etc.. range.

[@dj7ply]

Can u name a classical sound where they employ multiphonics? I’ve only heard people like Sanders do it

[@nickbrooks4562]

Show more of the tuner while you are playing! Great video!

[@sebastianbartholomew8521]

What are differences between the regular Otto link, New York, Florida, and I believe modern vintage. What makes them different. Also have you ever played on a Dave Guardala King Curtis mouthpiece.

[@Leluizfelipe]

the thing is not the mouthpiece is how you play and how express yourself, michael brecker stared playing on a otto link also coltrane stared playing on a otto link but both have different sounds, my tip is seach what type of player you like and then try to imitate dont worry what mouthpiece you have just give you best but after a long time try other mouthpices but for now listen and play some solos.:)

[@Putzemuckel]

You give many useful tips and practice suggestions. Thank you! While on the topic of long tones do you have any other suggestions to build embouchure strength and endurance?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Playing songs the whole way through. Practice as though it's the gig🙂

[@bluegoose555]

Adriene...again thanks for another very helpful practical methodology (the relaxed lip out.. is a Godsend)..I may sound like a major fool here...but is there a way to get to a G at the very bottom of Bb horns ?

[@Sirvalorsax]

The only way to do that is to either put an extension on the bell or cover the bell with something. The extension will cause you to lose the low Bb going from low B straight to low G. Covering the bell with your leg for example is really awkward and most likely will only get you to a low Ab.

[@bluegoose555]

@@Sirvalorsax thanks man...

[@saxlounge2023]

Thanks for your kindness!!

[@roanmccormick7923]

Very valuable advice

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@charliegregory4148]

Thanx for all Your efforts, really helps a lot! All the best!! 👍😎

[@jus39]

Thanks. I enjoyed that👍🙏

[@Sirvalorsax]

😄

[@getbackval9499]

dude you are amazing! thanks for making these videos

[@timcason3479]

Awesome, I wish you were close by so you could listen to me and my sound. I’ve been able to play for hours lately but I am not sure I am getting any better. I cannot hear it at least. I feel I need someone who has understanding. Since the lock down I play for hours ....???😳🙄🤔🤫 Everyone is crying around me... telling me stop 🤪 They say why, why, why? I say isn’t it obvious?🤔😋😋😋😂😊. But seriously I am not hearing what I think I should hear or what I want to hear???? My sound sounds nothing like yours... I don’t think at least. 😊 Your the man!!!

[@gorgestboi1028]

Tim Cason I had a stroke reading this

[@jazzcornertv]

Tim record yourself, see what you sound like. if they are telling you to stop it only means you are getting better. You have to purge yourself of the bad stuff first and then the good will come out. Keep practicing. They say it is like diarrhea, the brown stuff comes out and then the clear liquid. we all had to take that journey in whatever we do in life. Ask Charlie Parker of his first time on stage. he will tell you.

[@timcason3479]

Jazz Corner Thank you. I have recorded myself in my studio and will continue. At first thinking 🤔 ... boy ... that’s not a good recording then I let others hear it ... and they thought it was an incredible recording... just what was recorded, on many occasions, just was not very good to listen to and the content hasn’t gotten any better. So I keep the studio open and I hear a lot of great players, I keep playing and the pain and sorrow is drowned for no one comes out alive except the dog for he runs for his life. Everyone else is stuck ... because of rigor mortis has set in. Diarrhea is right! At least it’s no longer constipation. Somethings moving! 🤢 Just no guarantee it’s in the right direction and it definitely stinks! 😷 For the last twenty years or so of intense.... something (practice-noise my wife calls it) I can’t give it up and I love to share it with whoever. I will keep practicing it! Regardless of my neighbors and those who used to love me now just call the police (my wife included)!😳😐. I am determined to get better!!!🤗🤗🤗👍🏼

[@jazzcornertv]

Tim, this is great. I have only been playing for barely 3 years everyday for 2 hrs a day. I have more than impressed my friends and neighbors too.(lol). I have managed to earn a captive audience just like you. It not easy getting a stage to perform on. Last night's sermon was called "Heaven, Yes I'm in Heaven, dancing cheek to cheek". It was well received by the masses. There were no bricks through the windows, consiring I make sure the Windows are open and I make sure the 3000 people in my area can hear the sound of the tenor at 8pm at night on a hot quiet summer night. Disclaimer: I do stop at 9pm Sharp. Yes, we are most defintely leaving our Mark. My wife even says I definetly don't sound like any body else's sound. She says I really sound unique and all the neighbors can recognize where the sound is coming from. We are doing good.

[@timcason3479]

Jazz Corner This is encouraging. This is the effect I want to have on my world. Your making friends not enemies. They are all friends until I keep playing. They are polite when I perform for them once. So I am grateful to play for others . It’s just the practice that’s painful for everyone. I am so thankful that you get to practice that long and that late. You must be doing great and have great neighbors to play that late. I am proud of you! Keep it up. Don’t stop. You are doing great things. You’re my inspiration, truly! 🤗🤗🤗 My wife has agreed to allow me to build a sound proof room to practice but it will not be done for a couple of months because of time and money. Pray for me and our marriage until it’s finished! (Not that the mariage is finished - the room) 😊😳

[@MrNonimo]

Thanks so much for this video: I've been practising longtones for a few years now and this has really given me some fresh ideas. I've got a question. Sometimes I hear alto and tenors players making their horns sound as is they were sopranos. Do you know how it's done and do you have any tips for that? Cheers, and thanks again for this great work man!

[@joeretired4552]

What method do you use to produce vibrato? Dipahragm, throat, tongue motion????

[@Sirvalorsax]

I mostly use embouchure movement

[@gods._musician8847]

Hey whats up! I know this video isnt about reeds, but what are some good brand of reeds besides vandoren and daddario. They have been inconsistent and im only getting 1 or 2 good reeds out of a box of 5. So what are some other good brands?

[@tltate]

Is that a stand-alone tuner, or something that can be downloaded?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Its downloadable.. Tonal Energy Tuner

[@dennis9242]

Great video. What's your soprano mouthpiece? Thanks

[@Sirvalorsax]

Yamaha 4c and a Cannonball. I mostly play the Yamaha though because it fits better on the Allure sax. I prefer the Cannonball however

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

Greetings from the Philippines..

[@Sirvalorsax]

Hello. I have many friends from there from working on cruise ships for so long

[@PhrygianPhrog]

Do you have any advice about translating the pitches we hear in our head into the right fingerings on the horn? (The "mind-body-horn connection" it could be called). I always assumed it came automatically through transcribing and practicing, but recently realised I need a lot of work on this. Say I hear a simple line in my head and want to play it on the horn: so I try to find the first note on the sax, sometimes I get it right first time, but more often than not I'm at least a semitone off. But once I'm "calibrated" to the horn with that intial note, it gets easier. I just imagine the next note and if my fingers are confused I just use relative pitch to identify the note name and finger it correctly: "that sounds like a perfect fifth so it's a G" After practicing intervals for some time I can now hit intervals with *ok* accuracy without actually vocalising the relative pitch to find the notes (and assuming I'm "calibrated" first). But it's so easy to get "un-calibrated" again when there's a rest or key change, and I have to use my memory to get on track ("B section is in E major, starting on the tonic"). Any tips for getting better at hitting the right note first time? Is it a case of getting more deeply connected with the instrument or the inner music? Also, it would be cool if you did an ear-training video sometime! Or step by step transcription techniques! Love your channel :D

[@Sirvalorsax]

My first advice is don't be afraid to make mistakes. We have to get so much wrong before we can even think about performing with confidence in front of people. Making mistakes is an excellent way of learning how you hear and process sound. It gets easier by learning more and more songs. As an exercise, you can start by playing familiar intervals like that of HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR, SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW ect... this is an excellent way to calibrate your brain. Thanks

[@PhrygianPhrog]

​@@Sirvalorsax That's great advice, thank you! I hadn't considered that mistakes don't need to be considered "failures" - they can actually provide valuable information to understand and help us solve problems.

[@bluegoose555]

@@PhrygianPhrog hey man..that Aimee Nolte has some good stuff on ear training and pitch recognition...and much like Adriene's reply... use "the familiar" to hone in and work from there...its surprising.. how the ears know.... and how the mistakes guide us (ie..you have to "hear" its out ..to "know" its out) ...same for...in ) I always thought doe a deer.. the "sound of music" was in Cmaj.. for years...and felt my ears were just bad... but no...it was the brain (faulty contextualising)..its Bmaj ! so when I hear ..Adriene on the soprano ..at around 5:00ish..one can hear him "come in" and thats when music comes alive (for me)...when it starts to sound...like lots of songs...all at once

[@bluegoose555]

@Alex Hills ... technology has been the game changer for me personally (and Sirvalorsax) I haven't invested in the Tonal Energy ...but the free iphone app "InsTuner" has been a game changer...as the more you learn to play "in tune"...the more you recognise "in tune" ... and hence...one learns to trust one's ears (via continual reference to the technology)

[@dorklymorkly3290]

I'm trying to go offline and 'dumb' as possible, and I'm a total beginner at the saxophone. So, for the time being I will be without a tuner, and since I don't want to sit at the computer anymore (I'm so sick of sitting at it...) and don't own a smartphone...well, I gotta do it without a tuner. How damaging could that be? I mean I'll get a tuner at the end of the month, thinking of a korg 60...but. In the meantime. How detrimental would it be to play without a tuner as a complete beginner and without a teacher? Does it form bad habits, or a bad ear? Or should I not worry about it because once in tune it's going to be okay and it would be just like transposing the instrument a little? I do not have perfect pitch...

[@dorklymorkly3290]

Actually, I remembered some old 1980s children yamaha keyboard I had laying around somewhere. Dug it out. Looked up a reference on what a tenor sax + neck should be tuned as, provided by Get Your Sax Together, who demonstrated that it should be e flat below middle c. Unlike the first reference I took for granted off google which said it would be G above middle c. Which I previously zeroed in for hours. But man...I'm glad I dug out that crappy old keyboard. Turns out I was blowing wayyyy to hard (apparently a common beginner mistake) After some minutes, I was able to hit that e flat pretty consistently, with much less air. In either case, though. I would have been way too high/sharp without the keyboard tone reference. So I suppose this question is somewhat answered for me. Thanks for all the awesome stuff you put out there regardless, though. I really appreciate it, especially since you come across extremely 'real'.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I appreciate anyone who wants to be less plugged into the matrix 😎 LOL. HOWEVER, there are some real advantages to playing/practicing with the internet. One of which is playing along with recordings and recording yourself doing so. Recordings also serve the role of tuner and metronome. In short, being able to combine more efficient ways of using the internet should be the best of both worlds. Or.... bust out the old record player and tape recorder and essentially do the same thing. 😃

[@dorklymorkly3290]

@@Sirvalorsax Oh yeah, I'm gonna have to look for a recording solution for sure. I'll probably get one of those recording drum machines second hand or something (probably good for a backing track too). Tape would be real oldschool lol and I'm not opposed to that at all (using a wind up metronome atm), getting cassettes is just a pain in my neck of the woods. Sure, I'm grabbing a lot of the parts online, but I do want to go offline...and I live in the sticks, really. I already dread getting the sax serviced, but, I'm in it for the long haul. I waited over three decades on doing it. Not anymore. Anyway, have a good one. Cause, again I really appreciate your stuff. I'd do it monetarily, cause...a thank you does not buy cake at most bakeries, T_T but, I'm German, and online transactions are very finicky without paypal, and I don't have paypal (long story... but if a certain law gets repealed that requires new passports to not have fingerprints on them anymore...I'll get one again...so I have to use a special bank transfer solution atm) So, yeah... best wishes for now, but those are fully backed with meaning and conviction.

[@javierquesada798]

teacher know the group IRAKERE DE MUSICA AFRO CUBANA?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I found out about them when I was in college. Paquito and Arturo, WOW!!!

[@javierquesada798]

@@Sirvalorsax Carlos abehrof what's my teacher in cuba not for long time thank

[@theleftymonster]

I just got a Otto Link STM and I love it!😻 I’m trying to pair it with a reed. What’s your suggestion? Also based on your experience, with what reed makes it easier to hit the altissimo notes with the STM. Thanks

[@Sirvalorsax]

I've used Vandoren green and red box over the years. I prefer redbox now.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Altissimo is more about embouchure than reeds bit I prefer Redbox still. A lot of people are having success with Rigotti Gold reeds. I just added some to my cart

[@theleftymonster]

Sirvalorsax, Thanks man. I had one of those Vandoren 4 packs with different types of reeds: Green, Red, ZZ and V16 so I decided to open them all and try them side by side while they are all fresh. You are absolutely right Java Red was my top favourite. I found it flexible and free blowing with right amount of body and buzz then ZZ which was closest to red but just a bit darker and little less buzzier. The third place was Java Green which wasn’t as free blowing as red and missing the body and the buzz and my least favourite one was V16 which was too hard and too dark for me. I tried them with all my mouth pieces and the golden combination for me was the Otto Link rubber vintage Tone Edge #7 and Java Red box 2.5. Java Red also sounded great with my rubber V16 T-6 mouthpiece but for the metal STM Link I feel like it was just a bit brighter to my taste (maybe because I’m using softer reed) I got a better result with regular Rico orange box as it stayed more true to the classic Metal Link sound that I was hearing on the records.

[@theleftymonster]

Sirvalorsax, it would be nice if you make a video about comparing Rigotti gold and Java Red and let us know your impression as how they sound and feel like compare to one another.

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@theleftymonster I'll look into

[@SaxophoneDanLive]

My palms and above are 10-20 cents sharp. Is this because my reed is too soft or my embouchure is too tight? Thanks for the videos, keep em comin'!

[@LowReedExpert1]

A quick (but not foolproof) test is:can you bend the note's tuning comfortably? In my experience a reed that's too soft won't consistently let you bend things in tune or will need way too much modification. Naturally the best answer is ask a teacher. Or someone who can hear you who knows saxophone. There's only so much we can hear through text, and a teacher can find the problem very quick

[@michaeldean9338]

lol...@2:18, his 'C' ('see-e-e-e-) is actually a Db!

[@skelligringphotographyandw7012]

I got Tone Energy tuner (before I saw you mention it), but it wasn't settling on a single tone. It just kept jumping between different notes. :(

[@jazzcornertv]

i dont have that tuner but trust me, some days it seems like i am much better at the in between notes. other days i think i know what i am doing. i hope to one day figure out which i have mastered (lol)

[@glenfordtanwing5085]

You are good and a all round player, I would like to be ur neighbor 👍🏾🎼🎶💯

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL

[@glenfordtanwing5085]

Sirvalorsax listen, thanks for responding, I am having trouble with my front “e “ fingering, help, help, help.😊

[@meldavis7183]

Still doing them

[@NiktWaznyNW]

My master

[@leonardomarini2490]

What tuner is that?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Tonal energy tuner

[@paulfairchild3461]

Gold

[@DeMariThompson]

You should try a SYOS mouthpiece

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

He said in the comments of his last video that he might if he can find one(s) cheap. Doesn't want to pay that much for plastic though--I feel it.

[@SaxophoneDanLive]

Lotta good players playing SYOS these days. I have one on the way to give it a try. Easier than speculating ;)

[@DeMariThompson]

@@SaxophoneDanLive me too, it's for alto. Its Cody Dears signature;)

[@DeMariThompson]

@@gangofgreenhorns2672 it's not plastic tho

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

@@DeMariThompson "What's in a name? That which we call a 'rose,' by any other name would smell as sweet." It's totally plastic lol. I mean I just started lessons with Wenzl McGowen who has two custom pieces, and I've held Mike Wilbur's custom tenor piece (didn't ask to play it) hanging out with them. He even tried my Berg, and said he liked his piece better--and he sounded great on both. So not saying they're no good, but I get the reasoning behind SVS not wanting to drop the money too. The resonant qualities of plastic seem less pleasant to my ear than ebonite, or metal--but not on every player.

[@joshcharlat850]

You said it! It is very weird...multiphonics and vibrato.

[@johnbull6909]

That was a long one.

[@tuxsax]

2:19 “you can seeeeeee...” (but it was a D!) 🤪