Mastering Long Tones: Overtone Matching

Want to make your long tones more productive? Dr. Wally gives free exercises for using overtone matching to improve your tone.
🎷🎷Free Overtone Scales: www.thesaxophoneacademy.com/o...
Overtones starter guide: • Saxophone Overtones

[@eddiecrawford9233]

Thanks for the long overtone practice lessons. Practice makes perfect. Now let's practice!

[@shoulduhow2890]

Loving your channel and I'm so glad to see all these videos coming out recently! Down the road I'd love to see a video about using voicing/embouchure to work on manipulating your sound like you mentioned. Thanks for all these videos!

[@evanchrisney7069]

Thanks for the excellent teaching material! If anybody ever asks me how to get a good sound, I'll share this video and say "this is the way."

[@drwallysax]

That is very kind, thanks Evan! This is the Way.

[@FunkOsax]

Excellent content. Thank you.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks David, happy practicing my fiend!

[@leilanidiaz6921]

im so glad i found this channel

[@drwallysax]

Hey, welcome to the Academy Leilani!

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

Tonal quality a la: Paul Desmond Art Pepper Lee Konitz Bud Shank Gary Foster Frank Morgan* Fausto Papetti* (Pop) Thanks, Doc.

[@drwallysax]

I do love some Shanky-pepper-desomond

[@thesouthernbrass]

DOC WALLY! Thank you for laying this out for us plebes. Particularly enjoyed your visual sound conspet diagram!

[@drwallysax]

I HAZ A DOKTORATE

[@wids]

Thanks Dr.Wallace! Been trying to slowly stop using the octave key but that might be a bit too advanced for atm

[@sorenfuhrer401]

Great content!

[@rupmelodyMUSIC_IS_MY_HEARTBEAT]

Oh you are great Sir. I'm a crazy fan of you. I always wait for your new video. 💖🌼💖

[@drwallysax]

Awww, thanks Rup! That’s very kind, hope you have a wonderful week!

[@paultega2101]

Impactful knowledge.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Paul! Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!

[@wids]

Also youre hilarious. You kill me pretty often on here/the podcast

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Wids! This week's episode wasn't particularly funny, but next week I'm making fun of ligatures. Hopefully a chuckle or two. Happy practicing my friend!

[@grayfox3057]

You sir have an amazing alto sound

[@drwallysax]

You sir, are my new best friend!

[@ForcedMemeIsAMeme]

It's really true.

[@kurt.schwab]

So happy you are back! You cannot believe what you are doing to my sound ;-). I'm sure my neighbors will be very thankful :P I noticed that the matching becomes suspiciously easy (in terms of intonation AND sound) once I go beyond high D (4 partial of Bb). Could I be doing something not right here (for example with my throat)?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Kurt! First, I'm super happy the exercises are doing well for you (my wife HATES the overtone excises, I do them daily). As you go higher, I find less need for overtone matching - the naturally fingered notes become more focused with little voicing needed. I really try not to mess with my throat, just keep it relaxed. Great question! Keep me updated, and happy practicing!

[@Filippo-Parisi]

You're really great in your style. Excellent way to teach, great sound and technique but the suits are the best 😊👍

[@drwallysax]

You're very kind, Filipo! I always say, if you can't sound good, at least try to look good! Happy practicing, my friend!

[@grayfox3057]

Filippo Parisi I agree with this fellow Italian gentleman: your suit game is on point!

[@Filippo-Parisi]

@@drwallysax oh right but you sound really good either

[@drwallysax]

You guys made my day, thanks!

[@jewelrynoblet1490]

Thanks i love this video I was starting to make overtones but i feel it change my sound in other color but it doesn't better than my sound without overtones Can you help me to improve the evertone in the good way

[@sergiogutierrez1806]

Hello Dr.! Thank you so much for your videos and information. You have been really helpful to improve my sound and conexion with the saxophone. I have a little question, when I practice overtones and going in the lower registrer my tonge moves down and I think I have to use my "Adans apple" to achieve it hahaha, Is it wrong? Because it doesnt hurt, it feels nice, but I think I can't move my tonge lower without using my adan's apple or throat. Thank you for your time! And sorry about my english.... im from Chile... hahaha

[@drwallysax]

Afraid I can't tell for sure without seeing it in person. If it doesn't cause any strain, it's probably ok? But if it leads to pain or fatigue, please do stop! I try to keep my throat relaxed and let my tongue do the work,. Good luck! Also, your English is great - and hope all is well down south!

[@sergiogutierrez1806]

@@drwallysax Perfect!! Thank you so much for you answer Dr.!!!

[@dennis9242]

Hey Doc, what would be a good way to incorporating your larynx and throat muscles in playing? Any exercises for that? Thanks.

[@drwallysax]

Don't hate me, but I REALLY don't recommend trying to manipulate the larynx or throat. There was some research done with endoscopic cameras, and woodwind players were terrible at predicting the "opening" and "tightening" of the muscles. I keep that area as relaxed as possible, a big open valve for my air stream. Then, I let the soft palate and tongue do the voicing work. I've also known some people who've hurt themselves trying to manipulate the throat muscles. Good luck, and if you do, be sure to take it easy and STOP if it feels strained or uncomfortable!

[@dennis9242]

I agree but I'm just trying to use my throat to get a better sound as good sax players such as yourself do.

[@drwallysax]

I probably do move my throat, but just don't think about it? Through enough transcription (playing along with recordings), I find myself (and my students) making the right physical changes unconsciously. I knew a guy that basically had to quit playing do to a throat injury. That just really freaked me out!

[@Iamthatmelody]

Thank you Dr. Wally for this amazing studies. I am working with you on overtone matching and I have a question about it. On your video 4.26 minute we play D to A and when we play D to get sound of A : should we put 2. octave button on or off while blowing to D also low B flat and C sharp as well because we are trying to get high note... this is very interesting study for me.. many thanks Ezi Q, much love Xx

[@drwallysax]

Good question! The A overtone is rather unstable and flat on many modern instruments - so you can add the low C# key to "vent" it. I don't do this on my Selmer mark vi, but have to on that Yamaha. Now, question for you! What is that awesome Bach piece you're playing on the KZbin short (flute)?!

[@Iamthatmelody]

@@drwallysax Thank you for your answer Dr. Wally - The flute piece called Bourée , sending much love. Have a nice day 🌞

[@sergej100qca4]

Great video! I have a question about gear: I live in a place where there is no way I can try out mouthpieces. I need help from an experienced player (like you). I love the sound of Stitt, Cannonball and Woods. Which mouthpieces can help me with achieving that type of sound? I'm thinking about a Meyer 100th anniversary model, or maybe Theo Wanne NY or JodyJazz.... What would you suggest?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Sergej, I haven't tried the Meyer 100th anniversary model. Tell you what, I'll order one and give it a review. In the meantime, I really do perfer the Meyer to Theo Wanne or Jody Jazz, which both felt overpriced to me. For the more expensive, hand faced pieces, I really dig Phil Tone mouthpieces. Phil does great work, very easy to work with. Good luck, and keep me updated!

[@sergej100qca4]

@@drwallysax does Phil do custom mouthpieces or does he just reface them?

[@drwallysax]

@@sergej100qca4 He does custom pieces. I'm playing on one in this video (Aurora, I think?). I've never met him, I love the piece I ordered a few years back.

[@sergej100qca4]

@@drwallysax thank you!

[@stevensonmore1202]

@@drwallysax hmmm...maybe the Orion? Kind of a brillhart hybrid. Phil doesn't make a Aurora for alto.

[@friedman24]

Thanks for this video! You are talking about matching the tone quality... What about the intonation? It seems like my overtones are not exactly in tune with the fingered notes (maybe off by 5-12 cents), is that a problem or should I just not worry about it?

[@drwallysax]

Intonation, for me, comes 2nd when practicing overtones. I did my best to match the intonation in this video, because I didn't want the discrepancy to bee too distracting. BUT, that required a lot of additional voicing. When I'm practicing at home, I really don't worry too much about it. The changes necessary to bring certain overtones in tune are just too big (in my opinion) to be practically applied to the normally fingered notes. Smart people certainly disagree with me on this...like most things... GREAT question!

[@friedman24]

@@drwallysax Aha! That helps a lot. Thank you! Hope you haven't given up on the podcast, I've been missing it the last few months...

[@joshcharlat850]

@@drwallysax I really am glad this question was asked because I thought to myself, "Hold on a minute!" I was looking at the tuner and it wasn't pretty. Let me add that after doing these overtones, (...and I don't do them well I'm sure) I seem to play the range of the horn more in tune. Well, probably not the highest end.

[@user-he6kq5bw1q]

Hi, Sax buddy. Could you be so kind as explain me what kind of mouthpiece should I use as a Sax beginner?

[@drwallysax]

Yamaha 4C is a GREAT place to start

[@rafedanos3995]

Thank you Wally! What horn are you playing in this video?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Rafe! It's a Yamaha 875EX, but I had the lacquer removed. Happy practicing!

[@rafedanos3995]

@@drwallysax thank you! I thought it was that or a custom z. I am looking at getting an unlacquered custom z. Do you have to do any special care after you got lacquer removed do get an even patina?

[@anrianka]

iam using jody jazz hr 7. but my lips still feel tired after 10 minute long tone. should i change to lower tip opening? any opinion?

[@drwallysax]

Have you tried a 1/2 strength softer reed?

[@anrianka]

@@drwallysax yes i did, but i feel its become more brighter.

[@montraix]

New sax player here, 6 months, what are overtones and how do they relate to altissimo?

[@drwallysax]

That's a big topic, far beyond what I can answer here. To get a basic explanation, check the wiki entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtone . As for altissimo, we use a similar mechanism "voicing" to gap the altissimo register as we do playing overtones. Short answer: they are a great tool for developing "voicing" or how we shape our oral cavity - this affects EVERYTHING related to your sound.

[@saraschutz9940]

I’m confused on what you mean by an overtone. Are you referring to playing the same note with and without the octave key? Trying to get them to sound the same?

[@SaxJockey]

It is about playing the lower note (with all its good fatness), then creating the higher overtone of that note without altering the fingering (i.e do not use the octave key) AND trying to achieve a similar full sound as for the lower note. Then you can remember the voicing when playing the higher note with the normal fingering (with octave key), hopefully producing a fuller tone.

[@danielcohen9637]

What should the embouchure be for funk?

[@drwallysax]

Same as any other my friend! most funk players like a mouthpiece with a bit of a step baffle - adds some punch and helps carry over amplified instruments. Great question!

[@halfabee]

What is an overtone? Sorry to ask such a basic question 😊

[@Sirwaltertatt]

Do I try to match the sound of the overtone to the normally fingered sound or the normally fingered sound to the sound of the overtone?

[@drwallysax]

Match the normal note TO the overtone. The overtone will have a big, rich resonate sound - strong in the fundamental. Good luck and happy practicing!

[@Sirwaltertatt]

@@drwallysax Thank you, and thanks for all your excellent videos!

[@owenwalter451]

hey Dr. Wallace, quick question: so lately ive really been digging into my jazz tone and have been going for that modern Garrett sound. Ive found that when listening and watching Garett that he opens his throat and cheeks alot. Ive been trying to do this but it seems i cant get enough resistance to open up while not blasting. i currently play a Phil-tone .067 opening with a slight baffle and 3m select unfiled jazz reeds. What are your thoughts on easing into a stiffer reed by first playing a box of the more free-blowing 3h filed reeds and then "moving up" to the stiffer (or at least i find them to be) 3h unfiled reeds. This would simply be to raise the resistance in my setup so i can open up for a fatter sound.

[@drwallysax]

Hey Sunstarv12. In my experience, I found the D'Addario unfiled a little bit less resistant than the filed reeds (your mileage may vary). Garret has a fairly focused sound, if you go too resistant, it'll get too fuzzy. You can create a lot of resistance and "fatness" through voicing. When I was transcribing Garrett, I'd use a half size weaker reed and blow a faster, more narrow airstream (my perception, anyway). Not to do that annoying teacher thing, but....transcribe and play along! Good luck and keep me updated!

[@owenwalter451]

Saxophone Academy thanks for the reply. I have been transcribing and am currently finishing up getting song #8 up to speed and want to transcribe something off of introducing Kenny Garrett. I’ll keep working on the airstream/breath support stuff to get to take my sound to the next level!

[@drwallysax]

You got dis. In the meantime: can I offer you a nice egg in these trying times?

[@seleldjdfmn221]

Amazing work. You really Are talented! oh, and happy repeat Day! :o

[@drwallysax]

You are too kind. You are too kind. :) :)

[@thomasschneider1785]

I don’t understand am I using the octave key? Your doing these overtones with just your inside of your mouth some how never uderstood these

[@drwallysax]

You are correct, no octave key. It's all about shaping the oral cavity (tongue making vowel shapes) to alter the airstream and bypass the fundamental.

[@xaviermarican4557]

1:13 sound concpet

[@drwallysax]

I recommend you work on your sound concpet.

[@xaviermarican4557]

@@drwallysax Thanks, my snoud concpet will definitely incorporate work on emchoubure and viocing. Loving this channel, by the way.