Hate your saxophone sound? | Here's what to do

[@jodyespina8277]

Nigel, What a great lesson. I'm about to start the first day of the NAMM show and your lesson inspired me to remember that it's all about the sound and all of the little details that put the emotion into the music. Those details entail a lot of different techniques and I bet you have resources on SaxSchool like how to achieve those bends and scoops. It would be cool if you could put links to each technique required to achieve that Sanborn approach. Great job, like I said, very inspiring.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks Jody! Your mouthpieces make it easier! Hope Namm goes well for you.

[@jodyespina8277]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool You da man

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

I second that Jody!

[@jazzman_10]

It's been 8 years since I started and I am starting to sound good now, even my piano likes it 'cause it resonates when I play! 💪 My fingers still suck though... but sound is key, I know the rest will come with patience, practice and ears to listen.

[@jazzysteph0509]

thx, great lesson and very informative, for my part what inspired me at 17years old was the Gerald Albright solo in "One more night" of Phil Collins and the great "Lilly was here" of Candy Dulfer (back to 80's).Cheers from Belgium

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Two legendary solos Stephane!

[@jrgenfriis5891]

Thanks Nigel your video came just on the right time...The day before yesterday, I was arguing with my alto. My confidence in the sax and my self was below 0, thought we never was able to find the sound together, 2 days -No playing, I was compleatly down.... then just like a miracle.. your video came in the malibox.... It was just what I needed. I am back on the track. Henriette

[@jeffarcher400]

On a different note the importance of the acoustics after the sound leaves the instrument is often overlooked. One of my favorite places to practice is a wooden pagoda structure. There's an amazing sweet spot in the center where sound blooms like being inside a fine violin. Step away and it falls off to lo fi ho hum. When I'm in the zone I feel the fullness and depth of infinite possibilities and try to internalize it. I still fall flat out of the zone but I know I can sound like that if only... The other cool acoustic spot is a towering concrete overpass with a u shaped flood control underneath. The sound here is immense,open and airy with that depth and slight reverb of a large cathedral. These places are like being miked and mixed by the finest soundman in the business and in a way they are.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Good point Jeff. It’s fun when you find a place that you love to play in.

[@mikedixon1398]

My inspiration track is anything by Scott Hamilton below 150 bpm.

[@olafstenzel2684]

The Video from Nigel with Scott Hamilton was Great and i got the Ballad Essentials afterwards. The song „In a Sentimental Mood“ really inspires me.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Love it Mike. So many great recordings from Scott. Hope you got to check out our masterclass with him in Sax School recently.

[@nicholaswolff4478]

Great lesson Nigel. My inspiration track is Kirk Whalum's 'I will always love you'.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

One of my favs!

[@thepianokid27]

Sanborn is my very first inspiration to pick up the sax and Maputo happens to be one of the very first tracks I listened to! Double Vision was the first Sanborn album I ever purchased :) Another of Sanborn’s tunes which really inspire me is his version of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. Absolutely lovely phrasing and all~ I’ve never heard of another version which touches me as much as that one did :)

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool!

[@crooklyn673]

I found my playlist after this video. Listening you play, gives me the inspiration to hit those High Octive notes, to work on improvising, to better my overall sound. We learn by example, and you set the perfect example for, kepping up with our practice, work on our scales, etc... My journey just started with the 🎷 and I'm following that lovely sound on my way, to find my Beautiful Sound on my journey there 🎷🎶🎷🎶🎷🎶 Thanks Nigel 👍🏾

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Wow great to hear the lessons are helping you John!

[@tristansmith9149]

Phil Woods solo in Just the way you are is my inspiration. Though thanks to this channel, I have many others to explore. For a living player, Eric Darius doing Uptown Funk is astonishing.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Agree, Eric Darius is a great player. Thanks for watching.

[@MrMelby]

Great lesson!

[@marcbohets6671]

You are so right. I play in a concert band, and we are playing mostly movie music and some classical things, and for that I had a rather classical sound. But for myself, I like blues and jazz a lot, and I struggled a lot to get the jazz and blues sound with my fairly classic mouthpiece, .... until I started to listen a lot and tried to mimic the style and sound, and gradually, my sound changed from classical to a more bluesy sound. My band mates and the band director also noticed this big change and complimented me for this improved sound. I did not change mouthpiece, I still play on the same stock yani closed mpc, but I can make the sound change from classic to bluesy to fairly bright now. I feel I start sounding much better on a stronger reed than my usual 2.75 reed, so I am tempted to try a more open mpc to see how that sounds. When I have a bad day, usually start playing my favorite tunes gets me over it.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Good on you Marc. Great to hear you have found your sound!

[@ketong71]

The first Sanborn tune I transcribed by ear was "The Dream". This was back when all I had was a turntable and a music notebook. That was difficult, but so much fun. I couldn't get the "Sanborn" sound back then, nor can I do it now. Still trying.

[@helengordon-saxophone]

Ah, Maputo. Such a great piece to play. Brilliant tips Nigel, thanks. 🤗🎷🎶

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks for watching Helen.

[@zisoulantasiou9618]

Thank you so much you are inspiring us

[@johnanderson5978]

I can honestly say I have a love hate relationship with the sax because I always have problems with it so I try limit myself with the amount of time I spend on it but I still love it. I wish these instrument manufacturers would spend as much time/labor on manufacturing student models as they do on manufacturing the professional model because for people who love the sax with every fibre in their body but can't afford a professional level horn because it's too much money find themselves seeing the repair man all the time because it wasn't built with the right materials/machines

[@alanhowell3646]

Great advice

[@Alex-vl5jp]

Thanks Nigel for this and always great lesson and advices from your hige experience and expertice! For the sound inspiration I love to turn on Boney James "Soild" album especially songs Tonic and Soild - ohhhhh what a charming and seductive deep rich and warm sound to me this Boney James sound is like absolute ideal tuner! )) Also as much as many of Kirk Whallum things and of course the Gerald Albright! Their sounds are all like a holy grail of a saxophone sound to me! For the smoothjazz and funk I like to tune in to lovely Eric Darius and Mindi Abair. For more rock like sound I love CHase Huna - what a powerfull and bombastic,energy sound! Anyway Nigel God bless you and help you with your great work!

[@dennisd2531]

Good lesson, loved it...

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers Dennis

[@emilyholgate898]

My inspiration is Andy Hamilton. After hearing the solos in Duran Duran’s, Rio I knew I needed to play the Sax!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Another classic solo Emily! Love it. You know we are focussing on “Hit Song Sax” this month in Sax School with our PRO members. Sounds right up your street!

[@geoffcsax]

Good ideas, clear instructions. For me, UB40 'Food for Thought'

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thats a classic Geoff!

[@kvvaghul6735]

Just joined sax school a week ago Nigel, and I'm already learning a lot! For me, I particularly like the sound of Neamen Lyles playing Michael Jackson's "Remember the time" And this was a great video!😊

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks KV and great to hear Sax School is helping you!!

[@marciertrombiere2565]

amazing

[@martinburns5498]

Hey Nigel, I was thinking I need to learn something new as I've been spending too long on one song and need to come up for air! This has inspired me to go back and think what made me love sax and it was some tracks from Dark Side of the Moon so I'm off to find your Floyd lessons and use this approach!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome. Go for it Martin!

[@MrMelby]

Great idea!

[@vincentgaglio5106]

So awesome. Although transcribing will take hours but I need to do it

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Just start simple with transcribing Vinny. Just 1 phrase is a good start.

[@vincentgaglio5106]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool you are right.

[@bobbo0708]

my target 'sound like' tune is King Curtis' Misty from his Evererst Sessions album.

[@sabnavis51]

Beautifully explained Nigel.

[@markquiroz3460]

Great Video! @9:09 you referenced the mouthpiece. Where can I buy the Jody Jazz Jet Mouthpiece, with ability to return if I get the wrong sized mouthpieces?

[@lisagoyne1378]

Great video, Nigel! I really enjoyed hearing how you listen to music. That was helpful- kind of like active listening or something. Thanks!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers Lisa! Glad it was helpful.

[@MusicMediccom]

Great video!

[@colinsamuels1056]

my favourite track blue trane

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Love it.

[@larry3402]

Fabulous video/lesson and track, Nigel! A favorite tune for sure. In the more straight ahead jazz genre one of my all-time favorite tracks for great alto sound is Phil Woods' playing on The Summer Knows off of the Musique Du Bois album. Sublime playing.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Nice one Larry - what a lovely track!

[@peterolsson3662]

Great Lesson, very helpfull, thanks a lot. I got started on Sax by David Sanborns playing on the track People, People by Tommy Bolin (RIP). Still love it, even so I switched to Tenor and listen to a lot of other stuff like Jan Garbarek for instance.

[@alfisher8939]

Wow Tommy Bolin. Haven't heard that name for a while. I remember playing with him when I was in High School and he was in Jr. High. His skill level was off the charts even back then.

[@denominator208]

Great sound, bright and punchy! What kind of mouth piece are you using? Jodyjazz Jet? My inspirations are always Dexter G and Art P; their lyrical playing soothes the soul. Patricia by Art and so many ballads by Dex.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Yes the Jody Jazz Jet on this video. Love Art Pepper’s sound too.

[@ronlang7236]

My inspiration track is Pink Floyd Money sax solo

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Love it Ron!

[@Hefferidge]

Thanks Nigel, it's thanks to you and Sax School that I pick up my sax nearly every day (I have young kids). I love Graham Millers Dream Lover which I am transcribing and put my initial attempt on Sax Schools user page. Not a great like Brecker, Macio Parks, or Boots Randolph, but the kind of sax style I love (rock).

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Well done for transcribing it Hefferidge - that’s such a powerful way to learn. Keep at it!

[@Hefferidge]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool thank you, it is, has really developed my skills Zabelle

[@rossmcalpine4452]

Nigel, you have provided a great reminder that everyone will struggle at some point, inspiration anything Leo P does, not a barri player but one day...., finally long tones, I think you like many teachers approach it bit in the negative. Whereas, I set my self a weekly challenge, eg the first note I going to play each session is a low b flat, tenor, or going smoothly from a long middle B to a long middle D. I find it really focuses your mind on technique even before you have picked the instrument up. Probably lots of ways to make long tones interesting, hold it for x beats and then fade, repeat and growl ???? Enough rambling appreciate all your clips.

[@victoryokonkwo4140]

Sir please I find it difficult to make use of the octave key, like I don't really know when to hold it down and when to release it while soloing

[@SeanRyanZinoThaGr8]

Take 5 by Dave Brubeck

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

One of my favourites!

[@scottlife1697]

"I've never loved a man like you" as covered by King Curtis. That is what a tenor sax sounds like to me.

[@johndaily6953]

Great video and something to aspire to be able to do. My track is Romeo Void's "A Girl in Trouble". Where can I get the sax notes for this song? Very difficult to find...

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Good question John. Have you tried working it out yourself? Would be a fun project.

[@johndaily6953]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool Thanks for the reply....I picked up the sax for the first time a month ago and enrolled with you 2 weeks ago...will give it a shot as best I can!

[@HahnJames]

Can you use this technique for transposing a person's voice as they sing?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Sure James. Lots of great sax players take inspiration from singer’s phrasing and style.

[@SheltoniaNation]

At a crossroads. Michael Brecker on “the Chicken” on Pastorius’ The Birthday Concert really is everything I want in a sound…but I play (and only have) an alto. How would I even…? Is there an alto counterpart?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Or…..you could strive for that Brecker sound / intensity on alto! That is an awesome track.

[@SheltoniaNation]

That’s a great way to look at it. And a goal of a lifetime :) #OffToTheShed

[@Ez2say]

My inspiration was I2I from the goofy movie and rock with you by Michael Jackson

[@ph2738]

What inspires me to pick up my sax more often is buying new equipment!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Ha!

[@frankmartinez2655]

Don't hate sax be be the hate trying to make like Art Pepper yeah right! (Art great sax man in jazz,cat from Southern California..Played all the main drags in the area at which time were many..Now only two remain..Catalina Bar and Grill,Hollywood..and The Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach..Shelly Mann's Hole in Hollywood be far out.. shut down years ago..Yet now and then jamming takes on, at various out lets..

[@Bestofevermix]

Your Latest Trick 🎷

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Classic!!

[@jackcraven7979]

I like artists like Boney james & Jeff Lorber I prefer a smooth slow jazz style

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool. Boney has a great sound. Nice guy too. Check out my interview with him: saxschoolonline.com/articles/boney-james-interview/amp/

[@jackcraven7979]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool I just tried out a custom z2 alto the shop guy even brought out 3 different horns for me ranging from cheaper to custom z bieng most expensive didn't buy it but great experience 😀

[@zisoulantasiou9618]

Cure for pain - Morphine

[@jakeybrown101]

Dana Colley is awesome on the bari

[@carenbarnet378]

Pink Panther theme

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Classic Boots Randolph! Love it Caren.

[@RobertWilliams-qq4mz]

It's a cliché I know but Baker Street....

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Love it Robert. It’s a classic!

[@DJsilversax]

Anything by Ernie Watts, but My Foolish Heart and Skylark are top of the list. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haesoHaYa5t6oJI

[@mrs.bloxx-li]

Actually I like my sax sound. Unfortunately my sociopath neighbor does not….😢

[@espr7564]

The title say "Hate your saxophone sound" and suddenly we´re onto transcribing and David Sanborn ?? This video is useless.

[@robertopettinato7243]

you gotta a schoollllll?!?!?!?!?!?!?! nahhhhhhhhh.......the semen of a whale spred all over thousands of studients all over USA....now l understand you all....well armed an inmerse in a complete state of alert from each other!!!.

[@robertopettinato7243]

NO NO NO ....WE HATE YOUR SAXOPHONE SOUND!....BUT A BEAUTFUL WALL SET IN BLUE FOR KZbin SHOOT!. OH MY GOSHHHH....TRY AGAIN PAINT IN BLACK YOUR FACE AND VISIT KING CURTIS FAMILY....PERHAPS.....WHO KNOW.S....