Saxophone Intonation

[@therealbiggiecheese7034]

Hey man I remember watching your videos when I first started playing in 7th grade and here I am playing in college still watching your videos, much love 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MrBoybergs]

By far the best lesson on saxophone tuning I have witnessed in nearly 40 years of playing. A massively important subject that is often overlooked or not given enough attention. Thank you

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for watching

[@PhinAI]

This is an incredible lesson. It is intelligently presented, and extremely important to understand. Unintentional dissonance is difficult to bear. Thank you, Sir!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@sharatssaxophone]

You are a great teacher! Thanks

[@Eric-wc9sr]

Such an under rated sax channel. Thx for the great content

[@charlesmintus3063]

This is the most advanced music theory I have ever tried and thought I had understood. Wow...very much a man about his music if not his horn. I have my horn and my music understanding is so far below my needs....thank you for this....well done.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool

[@SteveDew]

Really liked this channel until I saw this video. Now I absolutely love it. PREACH the good word about the tuner & its proper place. It's not like the audience is sitting there with one!

[@jakubhladil5340]

You are seriously underappreciated Sir!

[@Sirvalorsax]

I need a viral video to really "blow up"

[@djsaxlondon253]

the net step will be to practise with the tuner set to wind ultra as wind med is very forgiving

[@guntherzwahlen3990]

Very usefull video about how to tune YOUR INSTRUMENT instead of a lot of adwices sometimes rather on the "moralising side" to tune up yourself. Yet both aspects are very important, this one here qiute inteligent introduced by this teacher, thank you so much for putting it together!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@skippruitt2391]

This is excellently explained!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@CoreyHogan710]

I learned about Maximum Beat Reduction in high school...my BD used to always tell us to "listen to the wave, the less wave, the more in tune." Awesome. This is great. And I agree 100% with the tuner being a guide. Tune to the people you're playing with. 🎷🎶👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Sirvalorsax]

Good teacher!!

[@CoreyHogan710]

@@Sirvalorsax Sir...quick question regarding YOU playing altissimo....do you find yourself "biting" sometimes to make notes speak or is it all an overtone thing for you? I've done the overtone series...for a long time. It's just some notes just DONT SPEAK....DON'T "POP" so to speak. Just wanna know your take on it. I'm sure it can also be a mouthpiece/reed combination as well but yeah...love your altissimo...I can only go to a D...

[@grandesax]

man you deserve to be bought many pieces of cake 🍰

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks 😊

[@roanmccormick7923]

Very valuable advice from a very knowledgeable player

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

Dr.Valorsax... Go, sir! Another informative and scholarly presented video.. Muchas gracias, mi amigo!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@mason5069]

Wow! Im currently playing the tenor sax for my school in first chair and I’ve been looking around at videos explaining more in depth things about the saxophone and music as a whole to stay ahead. I must say the revelation of understanding that the tuner you used in this video which is the same as my band director doesn’t just immediately dictate everything. It’s important to rely on ones ear as well as the people your playing with. Thank you for this well put together informative video

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for tuning in and good luck with band!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for tuning in and good luck with band!!

[@pzente]

very good material amigo appreciate this

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool, thanks for watching

[@joerumler48]

The fro looks good 🎷👍

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL!!

[@Marcosls2015]

AMAZING pearls! Thanks a lot for sharing all of that! Happy 2021!

[@christinemitchell171]

What a fabulous discourse

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@dreamlover122769]

You are still ..simply the best many thanks for incredible tuition Sir ...from London .UK.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Smiley Face LOL!

[@Cantbuyathrill]

This guy is my new guru. A treasure trove of insightful approaches.

[@Sirvalorsax]

:)

[@bronkarlee]

Outstanding lesson! This has helped me a ton. I've been struggling with a super flat middle C# on a new alto I just bought. Thank you!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool, thanks for watching!!

[@ktpmusic2406]

This seems to be a great video on something I definitely need to work on. Thanks for doing it!

[@Sirvalorsax]

:)

[@LaurieSavage]

This is great and is exactly where my head is now. Thanks, I'll watch this a few times.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Sweet!

[@basketball7677]

Great vid! You should have a much bigger audience.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I'm working on it. Feel free to share with as many people as you like. Thanks

[@juanitoperez3754]

I agree

[@bltpkstz]

Great lesson on intonation! I really need to get better at it. Thank you!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Glad it was helpful!

[@martinrova8984]

This is awesome, thanks

[@Sirvalorsax]

Glad you like it!

[@coin777]

Yeah. But how do I intonate on the sax? Every tone i Play is flat, and I can't push the mouthpiece any further.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I would make sure there are no leaks by bringing your sax to a repairman. Also, make sure that your tuner is calibrated properly. What sax, mouthpiece and reeds are you using?

[@johan0234523]

Thank you for this extremely useful video!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool, Thanks for watching.

[@perioax6506]

Just got a new bari since I’m going to college with it and I’ve had such a hard time with the intonation on the palm keys. I hope it gets better, thank you

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool

[@andrewhockley2579]

Thank you, that has answered a lot of questions that had been simmering away for a long time. Best explanation of intonation I've found on line anywhere.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool

[@parker550]

About the best intonation tutorial I've heard.. Top lad👍🔝👏🎷

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@simonemaxwell5173]

I agree I am struggling with intonation on my sop. This lesson has everything I need to know, presented in a clear way. Great work

[@jacquesdeghorain3162]

GENIAL !!!! Mais heureusement que j'ai une bonne oreille parce que , théoriquement , je ne suis pas capable de te suivre . Tes connaissances sont très au-dessus des miennes et je crains que ce soit pareil pour beaucoup de saxophonistes !!

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Amazingly instructional video!

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Fantastic information

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@MattdaFlute]

Excellent video simply explained really well done. Thanks

[@Sirvalorsax]

:)

[@MattdaFlute]

@@Sirvalorsax I find practising with a really good drone in 5ths or 4ths is helping me heaps with my intonation. There's a good set of drones I use from a cd just called "The Tuning Cd" (I am not connected in any way to that product just find it so useful)

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for the tip. I've been using various instruments with Sibelius.

[@MattdaFlute]

@@Sirvalorsax The thing I like about it is that it plays the drones over multiple registers at once. So it's easy to hear for different octaves. Great for large interval leaps.

[@claragary]

Thanks bro!! Damn, so many things that we have to learn and do in order to try to sound like a pro! Great lesson👍🎶🎶

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@jseligmann]

Excellent. Thank you!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool

[@andrepaes3908]

Amazing tips 👏👏👏

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@fun1111]

How would you know if your low Eb keypad is opening to much or little?

[@ramonirizargomez8887]

Fantasitc..ufff a lot of work to do..!!!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL! Me too

[@avonriver2891]

Thanks, I have tuner app

[@Sirvalorsax]

😃

[@dougmoran3340]

Interesting and useful video. But could you please advise the name/type of shoulder harness used ........ my elderly neck cannot bear the weight of a tenor sax for more than a few minutes. I’ve tried a shoulder support device, which is a little better, but still affects my neck. Your chest/shoulder harness looks to be the sort of thing that I need.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I use the one from BG. I've used it for tenor and alto and bari

[@Jazzmarcel]

First viewer!.........very very important subject!

[@davidreesey6747]

Thanks,

[@thepiper4u]

Do you always play cannonball as your favorite saxophone tenor I tried mark 6 but there beautiful but to much green on the horn laquar and discoloration and way over priced I own a Gerald Albright signature series professional beautiful horn sound is superb, thinking of a second one but in gold

[@Sirvalorsax]

For now yes. I'm looking into some other saxes as well

[@thepiper4u]

@@Sirvalorsax are you thinking on old tenor mark 6 or the new models?

[@lylecrawford2794]

This is one of my favorite episodes, but I seem to have an issue with the palm keys being too sharp, then the first altissimo G (which is the only one I can get at this time) is much better. I have a Selmer Mark 7 tenor, and use a Berg Larsen 110 2M mouthpiece with a 2 1/2 Legere signature reed. If I don't push the mouthpiece almost all the way onto the cork, then I will play flat on the low notes. I've returned to the horn for a couple of years after about a 20 year hiatus. I never learned the lower lip over teeth method, and try to use the airstream like a string player's bow, or maybe more like a finger over the end of a water hose. Can you give me some advice - do I just need to try to relax even more for the palm key notes, and keep plugging away on the long tones, maybe get a slightly less open mouthpiece, or maybe palm keys are opening too far?

[@mason5069]

Before you listen to my advice know that I haven’t yet watched the video and believe it or not am only a 14yr old sax player for my school. I’m in love with music and especially the Saxophone and have learned a lot in my 3-4 or so years of playing. Low notes and high notes alike are increasingly difficult to play. After reading your comment I didn’t really understand your non use of the lower lip over teeth method. If it is as it seems to me you need to adjust to this method as quickly as possible for more control on your pitches. Speaking of pitches your higher notes that are coming off sharp, as he said has nothing to do with your mouthpiece or reed. Simply experiment with tightening and loosening your embouchure understand that everything that goes on in your mouth impacts your tone. When I warmup at school and begin tuning a friend of mine is usually and tune and I try and match his pitch. It is usually that I’m a bit sharp just as you are and instead of moving my mouthpiece I slightly loosen my bottom lip and relax my air for that comfortable middle c. All in all don’t stress over your equipment or horn. focus on refining your embouchure and perfecting your tone! 👍 I hope this helped shed some light on what the problem may be. I’m here to help if you have any further thoughts

[@Sirvalorsax]

I would experiment with a different saxophone. Try some pro models at you local music store and bring tuner with you just to verify if it's you or the horn. I had an old Martin Committee that was an absolute intonation disaster but the tone sounded great.

[@lylecrawford2794]

@@mason5069. It wasn't until the last teacher I had many years ago pointed it out to me that I even realized I was doing something different with my embouchure, but although he uses the traditional method, he advised me not to change it. He plays both classical and jazz and has a PhD in music, so I trusted his advice. Later I learned that many players do in fact use the lip out or at least the "no embouchure" embouchure. Apparently, some, like John Coltrane, use/used a double lip embouchure. I agree that the player is the most important aspect though, thanks.

[@lylecrawford2794]

@@SirvalorsaxI bought this horn in 1982 as a young adult novice player, and it's the only tenor I've ever tried. By coincidence I also have the Tonal energy app, and that's when I realized just how sharp those palm notes are (love the frowning face almost implying "seriously?"). The only reason I wondered about that mouthpiece is I bought it used a long time ago, but got nothing but squeaks out of it, so just stuck with my Otto Link 7*, but when I came back to playing found that the ligature was crap, and thought I'd try the Berg again, and with the legere reed it was great. I tried it with a several cane reeds just to compare, and nope, still nothing but squeaks. I think that's good advice trying another horn to rule out if it's me or the instrument, also because I've also found the ergos awkward for my small hands. I quit playing years ago after being so humiliated on stage when I was invited to play a tune at a local Jazz club. I wanted to play "Soul Eyes" but the trumpet player said no one knows that, so suddenly I've got "Four" in front of me, and got completely lost. It was a horrifying experience for me, but probably everyone else just thought, wow that guy sucks, and then went home and forgot about it. The point I'm getting to is it may be a good idea to spend more time learning actual songs and playing with other people to practice the tuning methods you mentioned, instead of just at home. Thanks for your help man - I really enjoy your channel!

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@lylecrawford2794The blues is a good way to get back in the game. It's a very nice way to build confidence. Good Luck and keep me posted on your progress. Thank for the info on your back story. It really helps me create content people want to watch

[@vernonely9969]

Sir i have a 1924 new wonder Tenor sax to sub tone low b and b flat its kind of stuffy. How do i over come this problem. Do i play 1 1/2 reed strenght. Im the one with the 1933 Otto link master link mouth piece . The first metal mouth piece otto link made in 1933. Thank you

[@antje-kirstenkleybocker5142]

Thanks, for all but I can't play your instrument, thank you for entertaining

[@jalenpettus6424]

Greetings from Montréal! Excellent video, I like your analysis on tuning very much. I’ll definitely be looking out for more videos. I also see that you have reviewed many mouthpieces in the past, and I was just wondering if you’ve tried out any Retro Revival mouthpieces by Joel Peskin. If you have tried them out, how do they play? If not, I hope you pick up some pieces in the future. Merci Beaucoup mon ami.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I haven't tried that brand. Maybe in the future if the budget allows. Thanks for tuning in to my channel

[@curtisvalle5141]

Second time through .... Question; Soprano. Do you find that with a lip out approach which is even more pronounced (for me) on a straight sop., all mpcs must be pushed virtually all the way in on horns I've owned. cheap or expensive. Not an issue on the bigger horns. Thoughts?

[@meldavis7183]

Now that was great.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@juanangelcardonalopez2479]

Sos un genio!!!!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Gracias

[@bobo4691]

What is the brand of that soprano with the high G key at 7:40?

[@silver10m10]

Been playing for 40 years and this is one of the most informational videos on saxophone I've ever seen. What manufacturer makes the tuner ?

[@douglasbaker5933]

He's using the Tonal Energy app. I got mine from Google Play... I'm pretty sure it's available for iPhone/iPad. It's a great tool - I just learned how to use the Temperament setting here!

[@Sirvalorsax]

I still haven't fully explored what this tuner can do. It's pretty cheap too. :)

[@bluegoose555]

maybe try downloading the free app... "InsTuner"...its very useful....as a "clock face" format (circle of fifths ) with a needle (like a tachometer)

[@jambajoby32]

Damn I have the same issues w my trumpet!

[@RandoDred]

Do you still tune sharp if using open lip embouchure?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Yes but remember, you want to tune a little sharp in order to play in tune

[@curtisvalle5141]

Good Sir, . Love your applied physics pervasive throughout your vids. Question Dr. re gigs with dudes tuned down 1/2 step. This old dog doesn't have the same chops or generously, muscle memory/brain power/inclination to woodshed to pull it off seamlessly transposing. Any experience on actually tuning your horns down that far? i can get there "easiest" on sop and flute.. alto tougher... tenor the worst. Granted it sucks all the way round. On my keyboards... punch a button. Humbly yours...

[@Sirvalorsax]

The only time I had to do that is when playing with a DJ. They can be all over the place. I would suggest in addition to not pushing the mouthpiece in very far, not putting the neck on all the way if its that low pitch. Some notes will be off however.

[@curtisvalle5141]

@@Sirvalorsax Thanks. "some notes... off" is a good example of your understated style. You Sir, are obviously above the fray by successfully avoiding aging rock singers in guitar bands. Conscious attention to intonation ,as you say ,is tough to maintain..... esp. if mpc is wiggling and octave key post requires a condom or it cant mate with its neck partner.

[@curtisvalle5141]

Intonation, like a solid rhythm section, goes unappreciated until it's not there. Excellent point re "play with others" . If you're right and the other cats are wrong guess where an attentive audience places blame?

[@PrinceSwaggy]

Middle F# is a confusing note to me why to tune to that why not F it's a perfect fifth from the lowest note on the saxophone and is more resonate Why do we tune to notes like that and Concert A why not Ab

[@Sirvalorsax]

And also you want to tune to the most "middle" part of the horn. The low Bb will have a tendency to be sharp on almost all saxophones.

[@PrinceSwaggy]

@karnviriskanrivr how come Low B Flat is the fundamental and F# to the fundamental of the instrument is a augmented 5th which isn't a easy to tune interval how does that work?

[@PrinceSwaggy]

@@Sirvalorsax what about F does it tune better?

[@PrinceSwaggy]

@karnviriskanrivr your right

[@ummagumma3946]

Nice!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks!

[@Eniral441]

Great video! So much of this I've had to figure out over 40 years of playing. Never by an official lesson on it all. It helped me connect some things I've learned and things I've figured out with, filling gaps. However, I've never had a tunner that I could set for a key. What tuner/app are you using? I play Bari, but I still love your videos. Thank you so much.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Total Energy Tuner

[@avonriver2891]

Hello Let me know this tuner app please. Is this a tuner machine? I want it.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Tonal Energy Tuner.

[@03Venture]

This is all very confusing for a 72 year old lifetime amateur sax player... but very interesting, though! Thanks!

[@Cantbuyathrill]

I'm sure you've been doing it right, Pops! There's more than one way to skin a cat (or tune a sax).

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

Only 5 minutes or so in, and I now understand why guitar chords don't sound right on a keyboard!

[@mikeciul8599]

I recommend kzbin.info if you want to learn more - he plays microtonal guitar - guitar with split frets adjusted for just intonation and Turkish Maqam scales!

[@mikeciul8599]

Also for a great overview of the tradeoffs between just intonation and equal temperament, Adam Neely has this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iorLgXSYqK6kd5o

[@kiditapstv2066]

i'm a beginner, and everytime a finger a concert a, it shows up as b on a tuner, and it never seems to show up as a when i finger a. help?

[@Sirvalorsax]

It looks to me like your tuner is set to a Bb transposition. I would check that note with a piano or a digital online concert "A" just to make sure it is not you. What tuner are you using?

[@kiditapstv2066]

@@Sirvalorsax i'm using a korg tm-60. it came with the sax so i thought it be a correct tuner.

[@jonathanromero333]

Hi! I gotta question I want to have a bigger tone and I realized that when I loosen my jaw I get a bigger tone but my tone gets flat, so I get more the mouthpiece in, but then with minimal pressure it gets too sharp, is it normal? Or i am doing it wrong, thanks!

[@Sirvalorsax]

It takes time to develop the muscles for this kind of control. Be sure to play a lower tip opening mouthpiece when you are learning this!!!!!!!

[@augustosantos708]

awesome video, new subscribe! But man, I have a doubt, how do you actually bend up and down a note to get the right intonation? do you move your chin or something like that? you said something about "setting a embouchure" in the end of the video, but i still have that question. thanks for your help!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Yes it is about embouchure movement. Lowering the embouchure produces a lower pitch and tightening it raises the pitch although not as much

[@dennisbullock9627]

HEY BRO PLEASE TELL ME WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST HARD RUBBER TENOR MOUTH PIECE OUT THERE FOR GETTING THOSE HIGH ALTISSIMO NOTES TO SCREAM!! and ALSO GETTING THOSE LOW NOTES NICE AND DARK THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER

[@Sirvalorsax]

My pick hands down is the Vandoren Jumbo Java. I use the T55. It's only around $120-$140 also.

[@marktyler3381]

@@Sirvalorsax It's also a great alto mouthpiece.

[@maestrojmusic]

I was 1,000th like...wow😂

[@kahunakumar1338]

hey do you ever side C key? i’ve heard it called ballad C. also what about bis vs side Bb?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I use all of that but I mainly use bis Bb. I use side "C" for some chromatic passages, altissimo, and for tuning adjustments. I've never heard it called ballad "C". I wonder if it's a weird translation from some other language to English

[@mrjfs75]

Frequency .. tone ...pitch...note That metro gives the frequency in beats , cycles , per sec , Hertz. Does it remind you of a hospital heart machine ?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Lol, a little bit

[@book3100]

Big differences. I don't have perfect pitch, but I can tell sharp/flat once I get the scales.

[@Learning2Sax]

My middle C and high C are always so flat

[@jesusestebansuarez9346]

Hi Sir ! Congrats, your are an excellent musician and it is very nice to learn from you, I am a 59 years old probably intermidiate student, what metronome is that, can you download it ??? Salutations !!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

It's Tonal Energy Tuner. It's not a free download but I paid around $5 US for some number of years ago.

[@Eduard_Kolesnikov]

Thx Man

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool

[@TedMaciag]

I'm sure you're out on the road some where. The floor mop in the the frame is a nice touch. Or is that a silent reference that the band cleaned up for that night? Keep up the great work, the reviews are spot on. The advice is superb.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks. Very funny observation! LOL

[@youngandrew66]

Or is he the sax genius janitor who 's boss hasn't heard of KZbin

[@overthetarget9401]

Ted Maciag More on the sea it seems. ;-) Agreed, great advice and very inspiring presentations in general, thanks for that.

[@joer3481]

U r the best :-)

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@nicknikon]

Man is such a g

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL!! Thanks!

[@jean-pierredevent970]

Even a few days ago, we had a concert with a guest jazz saxophone player and he obviously was a great improvisator but even his intonation didn't satisfy me. If you listen to a equally skilled string player or other classical woodwind player, there are less intonation problems. Can it be that a saxophone is perhaps sounding flat to the ear even when it's in tune?? I am already for years puzzled by this phenomenon. It could be that the ear is fooled because it associates 'high tension" with pitch accuracy and the tone of a saxophone often sounds extremely relaxed.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

It’s the buzz that the ‘jazz embouchure’ emphasises when playing with jazz type mouthpieces, which are made to project far .. but at the expense of correct intonation. It’s a trade off - do you want husky jazz sound that comes from incorrect embouchure and that projects far, or do you want precise intonation and much smaller soundstage? The problem is the type of music itself - blues and jazz are stylistically built upon imperfections of the instrument overall poor intonation, and improper embouchure.

[@jean-pierredevent970]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 Thanks, good insights !

[@Jazzmarcel]

Brah, what app is that?...............

[@chriswisejazz]

Tonal Energy Tuner

[@Sirvalorsax]

Tonal Energy Tuner. It's pretty inexpensive too

[@jamestaylor7746]

Never even seen/noticed a high G key.

[@jasonlovi8745]

The piano reminds me of John Carpenter’s Halloween.

[@benoittissier58]

Playing sax with a tuner can be so depressing. Thank you for reminding that we play with and for people.

[@Sirvalorsax]

😃

[@Cantbuyathrill]

Just when I thought I knew something, I'm shown to be a grasshopper.

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL!!

[@ademkunduraci4246]

thank you sir, i don't speak english :(((((( but thank you anyway.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@ademkunduraci4246]

@@Sirvalorsax you are amazing player and helpfully man....

[@Justin-cq4yn]

Since when does Rasheed Wallace pick up saxophone? XD

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL!

[@overthetarget9401]

TE Tuner frustrates me with the "really bro?" face when being flat. ;-)

[@Sirvalorsax]

I like the face it makes when it can't tell also.

[@overthetarget9401]

​@@Sirvalorsax It makes me paranoid, out of the corner of my eye I'm like "does he judge me again? does he? he's judging me again!". :-)

[@espr7564]

Did he mention using your ears??? 🙄 all electronic tuners work on frequencies, that's a fact!! so if you get a free one ore buy one, you will be getting the SAME thing, so don't waste money take a freebie.

[@mikehartman9809]

Excellent! THANK YOU!