Playing Outside: Pentatonic Scale with Chromatic Shapes

[@beneficjenci]

The perfect teacher. So clear, relaxed and full of humour. Big fan here! Thank You!

[@drwallysax]

Well you just made my evening, thanks my friend! Happy practicing!

[@SaxSpy]

Great lesson and love the sound of the Conn :)

[@drwallysax]

Derek! Thanks man. You need to come out to NC and film some nerdy vintage goodness with me!

[@SaxSpy]

@@drwallysax Oooh yes, that would be epic!

[@sonholee5769]

@@SaxSpy Exponential, logarithmic rise in sax nerdom. Would be epic!

[@sonholee5769]

Ok. I can totally hear those half step up notes. When you were playing the exercises, I could hear some of the notes choices that I heard in those classic modal albums from late 50s and 60s. Light bulbs going off! Also, I like how you worked in the Conn to the video monologue. A+.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Sonho Lee, appreciate it my friend. Happy Practicing!

[@nazt1000]

Dr. Wally, I never got to take your class when I was at UNCG but now that I’m picking up saxophone you have been a lifesaver. I’ve also picked up a think or two to use in my trombone playing. Thanks for these videos!

[@drwallysax]

Hey Caleb! Glad it's helpful - you graduated the G?

[@nazt1000]

@@drwallysax graduated Spring 2021 so it feels like a fever dream, but yes

[@ronaldkubis8912]

Professor, I admire your elegance, sense of humor and didactics. thank you very much

[@drwallysax]

Thanks for the kind words, Ronald. Much appreciated!

[@couchphotography8861]

very cool and groovy...don't know how I missed this one! Thankyou! Happy New Year!

[@MessengersoftheCross]

We have missed you Dr. Wally. So inspiring. Thank you Sir. 😎🎵🎶

[@drwallysax]

That's very kind, Thanks Wayne! Hope you have a great week and happy practicing!

[@peterassing591]

Fantastic playing Dr Wallace , I am a serious student and follower of your teaching and master work.

[@jeremywei9592]

Enjoyed this lesson very much, very interesting 👍💪🕺. Thank you great teacher 🙏

[@yvesbajulaz]

Great lesson and super sound

[@drwallysax]

Thank you, Yves, made my afternoon!

[@lesteracree1010]

Love those sounds!

[@jacquelamontharenberg]

Very nice Dr Wally. The combinations seem limitless.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Jacque! It really is limitless, fun to experiment with!

[@francistaylor5097]

Great to see you back, Dr Wally. Hope all is well with you.

[@drwallysax]

Hey Francis, missed you guys! I'm doing very well, thanks man. Kids are finally back in school so I can get back to weekly lessons! How are you? Good summer?

[@francistaylor5097]

@@drwallysax Yeah, all good thanks. Your vintage Conn looks superb; is it a 6M?

[@drwallysax]

@@francistaylor5097 Thanks, yes it's a 6M from 1942! Built right after Pearl Harbor, but before the factory was shut down for the war effort.

[@francistaylor5097]

@@drwallysax That's brilliant. Have you seen Matt Stohrer's recent Repairman's Overview video? Fascinating stuff.

[@Patricexyz]

Welcome back Dr Wally!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Patrice, happy practicing!

[@serzok1]

Good one. Thank you. Good ideas to enrich a solo in a modal tune or similar.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Sergio! Happy practicing my friend!

[@DJsilversax]

Thanks Dr. Wally great to have you back with some excellent content. So glad to hear that the Sax Fundamentals course hasn't been abandoned. I was beginning to wonder. :)

[@drwallysax]

Thanks for your patience, kids are back at school and now I can get back to my 2nd family - you guys!

[@javierm_uk1588]

Great lesson! When properly used, some chromatism sounds amazing to my ears. Nice colour. Also great to see new content! We missed you!

[@drwallysax]

Missed you guys, but glad to be making more fun lessons. Hope you're well Javier!

[@craigiefconcert6493]

The super-smooth dr WW!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Cragie, hope you have a wonderful week and happy practicing!

[@vladimirlopez7840]

That 6m sounds so beautiful.

[@drwallysax]

Thank you, made my day Vladimir!

[@lukeserrano62]

Great lesson Dr. Wally! The Conn 6M suits you and sounds particularly weighty in the mid range.

[@drwallysax]

Oh wow, thanks Luke! I feel the same way, it just sings for me. Appreciate it, hope you have a fantastic weekend!

[@robertchiaravalli20]

@@drwallysax Dr. Wally, what year was your Conn 6M made. I have a 1927 Conn with a similar tuning screw on the neck.

[@zecastello]

Awesome lesson. Very enlightful!!!!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Ze, hope you're having a great week!

[@johnpino4837]

Very cool, I have been wondering how to get these sounds for a while now. I am a guitar player and this is very easy to do on the guitar.

[@Sully365]

This is very interesting. I learned to improv 25 years ago and recently came back into the family. I wish i had learned these methods instead of my very on depth , switch scales based on the key changes" methods that have you jumping back and forth so much.

[@drwallysax]

The result may be very similar, but I find this way of thinking much easier (and more fun). When I'm improvising, I honestly don't think in terms of chords - but the context they create. I was lucky to have some great mentors that worked with my lil' brain!

[@Sully365]

@@drwallysax my teacher was great and then college had so much, but changing entire scales every 2-4 beats used to confuse the heck out of me. . Fast forward 25 years and other techniques are finally sinking in. Thanks for the video and response

[@leobird8756]

It’s definitely unfortunate that people learn that way sometimes. When I was a beginner, looking at rhythm changes charts FLOORED me. I thought every standard seemed impossible to learn because i actually thought I had to think about memorizing and switching scales every bar. Then one day everything clicked when I realized I just had to HEAR the music, and rhythm changes as well as half or more of the jazz standards became immediately accessible to me. I firmly believe the best way to learn jazz is just practicing scales, arpeggios, and basic patterns in all keys, and transcribing your favorite artists. Sing the solos, practice improvising at slow tempos. Incorporate meter exercise work. Only those things for years can take you to any possibility you could imagine. I think people overcomplicate the process by looking for shortcuts and tricks, when the real secret is just working an extremely basic agenda diligently daily for years

[@robstevens9590]

Nice exercises to expand the vocabulary and learn more about tension and resolution! I spotted the Conn right away, because of the unique neck. That's the (borrowed) sax I started on 50+ years ago, before buying a Selmer.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Rob! I'm really enjoying the Conn - it's a 1942, made right before the factory shut down to make altimeters fore the war effort.

[@jimtessin4130]

Excellent

[@presequel]

nice one! I learned this many many years (decades) ago on my guitar, some style. But on my guitar i found this lots and lots easier with just sliding up 1 fret, than now on my sax :D Great vid and nice inspiration for some practicing!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Johan - much easier on guitar indeed!! Happy practicing :)

[@shipsahoy1793]

I really like this approach. I hear it in some of the jazz I listen to and try to emulate, and I always wonder when I recognize this technique in the music, “why do I like that so much, and why does it work” lol .. Now the Dr. has given me a prescription with which to practice it on my own👍. ✌️👨🏻

[@drwallysax]

"Why does it work" is SUCH a great question to ask, very insightful! Interestingly, after finishing my Doctorate and passing post-tonal and every theory course imaginable, I find the answer to be: "it works because it sounds good!" I know that sounds flippant, but HONESTLY, there's a million ways to approach explaining the sounds. Melodies are tension and release, and there's only 12 notes. This is a way I find connects with my lil' brain and my students. I hope it helps !

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@drwallysax oh yes, definitely! Thank you so very much !! 🥳😘👨🏻

[@astarothgr]

Once again, amazing content. I wish there was some way to inject this knowledge straight into my veins, hahaha.. ... until such a method is devised, guess I'd better go practice! Cheers!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks my friend. Intravenous lessons are coming soon!

[@MrSpock71]

It's official. I owe you very much, sir.

[@drwallysax]

I just appreciate you watching! Happy practicing my friend :)

[@MrSpock71]

@@drwallysax but what about that beautiful B natural in the second measure of the last tenor section? how do you explain that sir? how? just how? ;)

[@sudhakartamang1792]

Superb ❤❤❤ ..Next , over Groovy or funky modal progression would be great 😬

[@drwallysax]

I can't do funky, but might be able to fake groovy?

[@sudhakartamang1792]

@@drwallysax Thankyou so much for your invaluable lessons, your response , everything ..❤️

[@SaberMuslim]

Hey Dr Wally can you post a pdf link for those lines for Tenor please? I can definitely add those to my playing - especially on "Maiden Voyage" Thanks!🎷

[@christopherbergercpo1719]

We’re using pent over modal, all the notes in the Eb-p give us the alt tones over G7. ( I like F# over G7) So should we use this equally when we’re playing ii V? Instead of thinking altered scale melodic minor over dom7? ( send my regards to F# over G7). Thanks C

[@nicookkerse4199]

Would this work the other way around (a major key and the minor key of a half step below)? I bet it will. I’ll fool around and find out.

[@kohlertfiftyseven2956]

Great lesson Doc! BTW...I don't know if it was the improv licks or the 6M but it sounded like you were slightly channeling some Paul Desmond there (I realize Paul didn't play a 6M)! I loved it!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Kohlert - I do love some Desmond! Hope you have a great week!

[@leonardnovel]

Oooooo! Is that a new sax? 🤩

[@drwallysax]

It is! It's a Conn 6M from 1942! How are you Leo? Hope you're well my friend!

[@mpdarocha]

Muito bom, eu gostei bastante

[@shipsahoy1793]

Dr. Wally, just to let you know, I tried the WCW 56 Mk II for my alto, and sadly I had to return it after trying to like it for several days trying different reeds, etc. I haven’t been able to top my old cannonball cam #5 (2mm) . The 56 was very similar in design, but the chamber was bigger on the 56. I got the 0.075 opening purposely knowing the chamber size a priori, but that didn’t help. It was always too dark, and it didn’t articulate as well for me up high, Although it did need reeds that were a half strength or so harder. I actually have a better appreciation now for my Cannonball mpc. I think it’s pretty close to what I’ve always wanted for alto anyway …you just always have that feeling there may be something you’re mossing.. I guess the only thing missing is more practice, like 25 hours a day worth on one sax setup ! 🤣

[@drwallysax]

Sorry you it didn't connect with you. It's certainly not for everyone, but it's my dream piece. Happy practicing!

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@drwallysax oh I tried so hard to like it, but it wasn’t happening. I hope it wasn’t the hand refinishing that was a problem. The mpc always sealed well and the table and rails were smooth and even. I was thinking maybe a combination of the larger chamber and maybe a slightly different facing curve. No harm done; it was worth the $16 hit for to try it at home. WCW has to cover ship and clean for a non-sale. I believe it was very fair.

[@paulobarrosmendonca8269]

Entendo pouco de inglês ' mas ' sensacional 👍🎷🙂

[@Pepsax]

fantastic!!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Giuseppe! Happy practicing my friend :)

[@Pepsax]

@@drwallysax …already practicing, now!

[@drwallysax]

@@Pepsax EXCELLENT....goood....gooood

[@reuven8815]

Dr. Wally in the Houuuuuuuseeee! Ow!

[@drwallysax]

Too hot to go outside! Happy Sunday, Reuven!

[@reuven8815]

@@drwallysax thanks Dr. Wally, please let me know about your tutoring I would like to plan for that now

[@AlexVolkhin13]

Hello, can you recommend a microphone for recording and performing. I have an AKG c519m, but I don't like it. Is Shure beta98h/c possible? The DPA 4099 is impressive, but it sounds expensive. Maybe this is a good topic for a video?) Thanks.

[@drwallysax]

Afraid I'm the wrong person to ask! I'm terrible with recording equipment, sorry!

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Woooowww beautiful

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Rasesh! Hope you have an excellent week my friend!

[@01contralto]

Nice exercises, Dr. Wally Pdf lesson pentatonic? Thank

[@drwallysax]

Sorry, don't have a .pdf download for KZbin. I keep a few of these as incentives for my Studio subscribers. Happy practicing!

[@AlyssaMartiniMusic]

Yo this was a huge improv hack :D

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Alyssa, happy practicing!

[@marciovis]

Great!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Marciovis! Hope you have a great week and happy practicing!

[@Trevayne4]

OK Dr. Wally thanks for the video! but I got to ask what’s going on with your alto saxophone neck?

[@drwallysax]

You mean the amazing Micro-Tuner? It's a feature CG Conn had on their artist model saxophones! Octave key is underneath, and the bell keys are on the other side of the bell! It's a strange bird, and I love it!

[@Trevayne4]

@@drwallysax thanks Doc, we students like to know what the Doctor is playing 😎 boy that low register sounds like a tenor play on Doc play on it sounds great

[@drwallysax]

@@Trevayne4 you just made my day, thank you!

[@eduardoferraro9549]

Excelent!

[@drwallysax]

Thank you Eduardo, happy practicing my friend!

[@eduardoferraro9549]

@@drwallysax I'm a improvisation teacher, nice material!!!!

[@Saxmanjoe]

Outstanding lesson! I see now the "building blocks" those cool jazz sounds are made with! I have a lot of practising yet to do but I'm working on it. Gratitude great Obiwan Saxnobie! May the sonicverse be with you! 🖖🖖🖖🖖

[@drwallysax]

And also with you, Skyhonker. (have a great week, Joe!)

[@03Venture]

🤗🤗🤗

[@drwallysax]

Happy Sunday! Now go practice...

[@flopa9928]

New Sax?

[@drwallysax]

It is, well New to me! It's a 1942 Conn 6M, built right before CG Conn had to stop saxophone production and switch to making altimeters for the war effort!

[@flopa9928]

@@drwallysax Great Horn! For me the pre WWII models have a sweeter, dark sound I really like.

[@MichaIsraelKovler]

"Bermuda Augmented Triad" - if I came only for that, it was worth it...

[@drwallysax]

Happy sailing, Micha! Hope you're having a great weekend!

[@MichaIsraelKovler]

@@drwallysax I'm from Israel and here Sunday is a working day... (-:

[@saxfish]

< ! YummY ¡ I shall go into the Twilight Zone for your eXXpreso Maestro ! THANKS¡ >

[@drwallysax]

I kind of want to see an entire TV series of traveling to alternate realities and sampling their coffee! Happy practicing Mike!!

[@saxfish]

@@drwallysax < You are just a step away ...you already have your own show and play the main character ! ¿ Would you take your Sax along in dimensional travel? Which one? >