Saxophone Scales | What and how to practice

[@lucassstache8069]

“Correct is way better than fast” Love this Message!!! 🙏

[@drwallysax]

Have an awesome week, Lucas, and happy practices!

[@lucassstache8069]

@@drwallysax you too! Keep killing it🙏

[@adsupermusone8875]

FAB!!

[@hypnojouk]

Love this ❤

[@matthewhetzler4912]

A wise man once said, “Practice at the speed of no mistakes.”

[@drwallysax]

Very wise. that's pretty slow for me!

[@KadrianThomas]

I love this statement

[@mr555harv]

finger speed is essential to many improvisations and reading. Trying to improve your speed leads to inevitable error. Better stated, the scales need to practiced both at the speed where you can do it without error, and then at the limit of your speed, where mistakes are inevitable. Then you drop back, try again, and keep plugging along, improving slowly but surely.

[@larimus1828]

Damn, I’m going to steal that!

[@rgx6083]

"Tempo de Learn-o"

[@wids]

Dr.Wally prescribed just what I needed, 1000mgs of scale practice Side effects may include: Heavenly tone

[@drwallysax]

Take two harmonic minors and call me in the morning Wids.

[@nextgenrevo3223]

Man, I wish I had found this channel in high school rather than as a freshman in college studying saxophone.

[@rachelwallace5175]

literally same !!!

[@flintlong2937]

Dr. Wally, your dry sense of humor is absolutely hilarious. Your teaching is excellent! I'm so glad I found you. I'm an accomplished pianist, and have played tenor for a hobby through the years. Now at an advances stage of youth, I am getting serious about it. Thanks!

[@SomeGuyOnSax]

A great fundamentals video that I haven't seen anyone else really touch on. Once again, well done Dr. Wally. Plus excellent nerd joke and rip on trumpet players!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks David! Hope you have a great week my friend!

[@Wheatman44444]

Your humor works perfectly for a teacher my friend I’m happy to learn from you

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Jacob! Happy practicing !

[@thomashunt2905]

A comment on metronomes. I've had a lot of metronomes from an electronic kit I built myself to my current Dr Beat. Over the years I've found they keep improving metronomes. Each time I get a new one it plays with me more closely than the previous one.

[@josephinebaguioro5754]

Wally baby, you are great.. The best teacher around... (mike in NZ)

[@Bob-hv6dy]

Been asleep all day with Covid, but when I got the notification for the new video I hopped on so quickly! Thank you Dr. Wally!

[@drwallysax]

Oh no, you doing ok Bob?!? Take care of yourself man!

[@drwallysax]

Bob, just checking in. You feeling better?

[@Bob-hv6dy]

@@drwallysaxhey Dr. Wally! I’m feeling a lot better Covid free! Sorry for the late reply i don’t know why I don’t get notifications lol

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

@@drwallysax I think he means wuhan (the age old musical question..)

[@avalor2699]

Sometimes I just watch the vids for this guy's humour hahaha! one of my fav Sax channel!!

[@drwallysax]

Much appreciated, have a great week my friend.

[@Errordemn6]

This was a great video. Thanks. I'm getting back into my Alto Sax at the age of 37. Last time I played it was 12 years ago

[@MrGmantza]

Great advice on scales for any instrument! I initially tried practicing scales on flute with a (at least that's what I thought I was doing at the time) "swing feel". Now I understand why I intuitively gave up and started practicing them in a straighter and slurred way: It really felt like it was too far away from swing and closer to (as I now understand thanks to you) French overture. I'm not sure though, whether it was due to geographically being closer to France, playing the flute or just plain ignorance :D Thanks!

[@drwallysax]

Ha! Your proximity to France is to blame! (Greece, right?). We’ll cover jazz articulation very soon with some free etudes I’m putting together, but keep those scales straight!

[@MrGmantza]

@@drwallysax Yes, Greece. Can't wait to watch the jazz articulation videos. Thanks!

[@geoffbuss3699]

Can't be your proximity to France - it would have sounded like an accordion.

[@NicHitsBig]

This is the perfect mix of content and education. Thanks for taking the time!

[@drwallysax]

Hey, thanks Nic, that's very kind!

[@l.j.2917]

Thanks Doc! I'm going to stay tuned in for what's to come!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks LJ! More good stuff coming soon!

[@rieldauz5088]

I hope the money YT is giving is enough for our payment. Thank you for this.

[@LeoNovel]

Ooooooh! The hidden articulation patterns are AWESOME!!! 🤓🥳

[@bobgreen1236]

"Mail me your lunch money" LOL.....seriously, good advice in this vid Dr Wally!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Bob! Happy Monday my friend!

[@sitarnut]

Dr. Wally should have been the 7th Grade Band Teacher we all needed... would end up with a sense of unique Sax Humor an throw puns around like crazy.

[@drwallysax]

@@sitarnut I taught middle school band for a few years! Those kids didn't really get me...

[@egassi1027]

I love your tone. If that is you playing in the background, it sounds like Desmond tone which is my favorite tone for also. Your videos are great. Thanks Dr Wallace

[@drwallysax]

Thanks my friend! The theme song is my band: The Sononauts! It's a tune I wrote called "Your Love is a Gamma Ray." Happy practicing my friend!

[@sitarnut]

Dr. Wally, you look way straight, talk fast, but you're correct on all of it.... wish I'd had your advice in my teens, 76 now, still practicing scales for smoothness and articulation. Getting Paul Desmond's gorgeous tone is a bit harder. Peace from TX.

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Jim. Appreciate you reaching out from the Lonestar State! I have a philosophy: If you could sound like Desmond, why would you try to sound like anything else?! I'm always chasing that sound too my friend. Happy practicing!

[@KevinArellano]

Finally getting back to saxophoning and am so glad I came across this video

[@marcusvaldes]

Glad I found this channel. GREAT lesson.

[@smrtn2441]

How timely. Just a few days ago I ordered A Daily Dose of Scales for Improvisation by Craig Fraedrich. Thanks Dr Wally for another excellent teaching vid.

[@drwallysax]

I'm not familiar with that - but I'll check it out! Happy practicing!

[@smrtn2441]

@@drwallysax It's a complete book of scales and modes for treble clef instruments. Mmmm modes.....

[@baddognobiscuit2]

So glad I found you!

[@The_Ex_Boxing_Nerd]

If you don’t have a high F# key, if you press down (with octave key) front F (the key above 1, or the B key) with 2 (middle saxophone C) and the side Bb key it works perfectly fine. High E can be played with the front F key, 2 and 3 (the G key). You can even play it without the front F key by fingering, with the octave key, an F with the side Bb key.

[@michaelfandetti]

Your channel is excellent!!! Just discovered it and it’s the perfect blend of educational and pretty darn funny. Thanks for the great content

[@w2tty]

I sure am enjoying your videos. I am relearning the sax after 30+ years of not touching it. I look forward to how to add the swing technique (something I never understood), realizing I have a long way to get the basics really solid again first. But here is what I really like about what you do: you talk about and show mistakes and how to correct them. There are tons of instructional videos out there, but yours is the first one I have found that mentions the types of mistakes beginners make. Yes I make those mistakes! In so many ways I am starting over. Thanks for covering common mistakes.

[@drwallysax]

Hi Paul, this makes my heart happy, thanks! We’re going to be working on this stuff together in the fundamentals course (it will be free), I do hope you join us! I’m looking forward to sharpening my skills as well. Hit me up with questions! Happy Monday!

[@zeniktorres4320]

Me too, 30 years absent from it :(

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

@@drwallysax I'n ot far enough along to even make t h o s e kind of mistakes! (but having fun).

[@Debukochi]

Whoa! I've been missing out on months of your great KZbin posts. The holiday break will be an ideal time to catch up. Where have you been all of my (playing) life? (That's rhetorical since I started playing in '63.) Your wit and communication skills are as accomplished as your playing. You're a pleasure to listen to and learn from, even for ol' boogers, like me. :o)

[@drwallysax]

That's very kind, Debukochi, thanks! You're not that much older than me, we're just "well seasoned" boogers my friend. Hope you and your family have a wonderful holdiay!

[@gabrielfernandes9195]

Muito bom, professor! Obrigado pelas suas dicas. Be happy!

[@Rabittsfoot1]

Dr. Wally's fortune cookie message of the week. Play scales everyday and you become better saxophone player.

[@drwallysax]

Confucius say: many scales make for good technique

[@magicalmew5209]

damn this video is so clean and precise, good advice!!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, MagicalMew, much appreciated! Happiest of holidays to you - and happy practicing!

[@rodaeritreanmedia2141]

thank u for giving us your best learning

[@drwallysax]

Thank you! Hit me up with any questions you have!

[@Project41Band]

Thank you doctor. Enjoyed the lesson. I appreciate it.

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Charles, happy practicing!

[@titovergis]

Oh wow this is simply amazing. !!!! Subscribed and waiting to watch more of your videos.

[@drwallysax]

Wonderful, thanks Ashwanth!

[@nostalgia6669]

Unfamiliar... Funny how just a word is enough to change your perspective about things. Suddenly I feel like I wanna practice high notes lol your videos are greats! Such an educated source of sax wisdom!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Nostalgia! Wish I could take credit, but I can't remember which of my mentors used the term. Had a similar effect on me!

[@amj.composer]

Thank you Dr. Wally!!!!!!

[@ronaldmcaulay4346]

Thanks for your advice on practicing the scale straight, I notice quite a few teachers online tell you to practice with a kind of lilt rhythm, is the to make you sound jazzy, I would love to play like a bebop player but dont know how to practice that way. I will keep tuning in thanks Dr Wally.

[@drwallysax]

Stick with me, Ronald! I promise we'll cover it soon. But, the BIG secret: listening! There are no hard and fast rules (though some generalities can help), but listening constantly, and repeatedly will be the biggest determining factor in your success and fun. I never really sounded like a bop player until I started transcribing (not writing down, but learning by ear and playing along) my favorite players. You got dis.

[@krishk322]

Thats a sharp man right there. Subbed

[@drwallysax]

Awwww, thanks!

[@billwoods6508]

Brilliant video with some extremely great advice for musicians looking make the most of their practise time - and its funny too.

[@drwallysax]

That's very kind, thank Bill!

[@simonfivez2947]

Great Video!

[@Rav3r916]

That was very helpful! Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@drwallysax]

Glad it’s helpful, Rav! Hit me up with questions and happy practicing!

[@alexwillats]

Looking forward to the video on articulation👍🏻This was great too, Doctor! Thanks 😊

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Alex, I'm working on it!

[@mmmdisciple]

Hi Dr Jason Wally Wallace. First up...a compliment to you....I'm a huge fan of yours. Love your KZbin channel and Podcast. You make me laugh and entertain me greatly. You have a gift....... Now that I have your attention by stroking your ego alittle..... My name happens to be Jared, I play the Oboe and I am an Asthmatic. 🤪 (Your Podcast fans will understand why I mentioned that 😁) Keep up your amazing work. You are worth squillions in my book.

[@gorfgarf9735]

Great vidéo. Very entertaining

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Hey Dr Wallace good to see you again. I hope all is well.

[@siddiqueabdullah5930]

Love this guy's style!

[@marilenakostog5217]

very good lesson thank you!! i have one question what does slur practice mean?

[@michaelcheon9031]

What a great tone!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Michael, hope you have a great new year!

[@mahlonkapule7304]

thank you for these

[@javierquesada798]

very good video and so I have studied all my life thank you and health

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, and same to youJavier!

[@lucasgrape8576]

"Always practice to the metronome" ... is good BUT: What you want is good *internal pulse*. If you just put the metronome on every quarter and adjust your play to that, you can fall into the trap of *externalising the pulse*. To learn *internal pulse* you can use gap clicks where the click only appears every x measures, or you can put the metronome on just the off beats (which is suuper helpful for getting swing feel), or -if you wanna get really fancy- feel the pulse a 16th before the metronome click. Since I practice this way it made a huge impact on my timing and confidence!

[@pas0003]

Another excellent video! Thanks!

[@drwallysax]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@doubleknaveryVII]

Great and entertaining video. Lunch money in the mail.

[@drwallysax]

Send to: Wally is a huge nerd too P.O. Box 3218 Nerdville, NC 27889 (and thanks for the kind words)!

[@wisdommdavis1471]

I love this video

[@antoniorizzo6227]

Dottor Wally le faccio i miei complimenti per la facilità di insegnamento e spiegazioni. Esiste qualche libro di queste scale con relative basi di accompagnamento, grazie.

[@Dinhjason]

Big thank you for this video!!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks for watching, hit me up with questions!

[@PonchMuniz]

I always like your posts, very good stuff

[@drwallysax]

I always like your comments, Ponch, they make my day. Happy practicing my friend!

[@giUyi]

Thank you Doctor

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely welcome. Hit me up with questions my friend!

[@yun_saxophone-studio]

hi~~ thank you for your lesson !!

[@glen.s9860]

Hi Doc, is it poss for you to do a vid on alternate fingering, I am interested in the C# fingering (vintage) well I am an old dog ruff ruff

[@ldever3]

I always like taking my A major up to Altissimo A. Same with E, B, F#, C#; all full octaves. The other scales I'm content to stop at F.

[@Filippo-Parisi]

Very useful advice. Thank you 👍

[@drwallysax]

Thank you, Filippo, hit me up with questions!

[@almanac520]

Thanks for the school band references. I’m coming back to music, and this is giving me a lot of context

[@drwallysax]

Glad it helped! I was a band director for a number of years, was a very rewarding job (but man, a tough one)!

[@jnmkkmnj]

This is exactly how Lou Marini Sr. Taught me to play all of the scales.

[@drwallysax]

Is that Blue Lou? From the Blues Brothers?

[@bishalkashyaphaha]

Hi Dr. Wally, I was wondering if you have any online courses or subscription for lessons where I could join for a more detailed and structured lessons. Thanks

[@manoharachandrasena5367]

Great teaching sir 👍

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Manochara!

[@itisnottaken4444]

Love your reiterating of playing scales full range. Music doesn't exist in a two octave box so your scales and patterns shouldn't either. Trent Kynasstons daily study for saxophone has alot of great stuff for expanding range and such.

[@juanmarinez4236]

Great pointers

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Juan, hope you have a great week. Happy practicing my friend!

[@samramphal3473]

Thank you

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Sam! Happy weekend!

[@owenwalter451]

New neck on the alto? Finally going fully unlacquered? What model and why?

[@drwallysax]

Just an old M1 neck I had lying in a drawer. No big difference, just popped it on for fun. Happy Monday, Owen.

[@juanrondonmusic]

Subtítulos en español Dr. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@paulhughes6182]

Dr Wally, look forward to your next video,, just cant get metronome

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Paul, Happy practicing!

[@VideoNash]

thanks

[@arnoldwegstern5124]

Very nice. But take a look at Martin Schmidt-Hahn clarinet !!

[@Iconicjoe256]

Keys like F#, C#, have there level of difficulty most especially at the A# and between C# and D# mostly in the low Octave how do u go about that

[@apistosig4173]

Dr Wally - can you please tell me which scale, or scales, annoy the neighbours the most? ;-)

[@drwallysax]

Full range melodic minor. It's not the scale, but yelling of profanities navigating the turn-arounds that keep the neighbors up. Good luck, and no mercy!

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

😂 😂

[@Ema_137]

Hi Dr Wallas, I have a problem when i change from a high note to a low note, I feel that it sounds weird and not natural 😊

[@peedrowchan-man102]

This makes just so much sense, Yet I’ve never done scales across the whole range, only 2 octaves. I’ve got a Seiko on the way too Professor!

[@drwallysax]

Hey! Keep it clickin' my friend! Happy practicing and hit me up with questions!

[@peedrowchan-man102]

@@drwallysax I’ve been doing my scales this way for the past month, 4-5 times a week, alternating on sax and clarinet. At first I was Struggling with the palm keys at top and the left pinky table at bottom, and with pinky keys in middle and bottom on clarinet, it took me forever to do all 12scales Right. Now I can do all 12 at about 66bpm, sixteenth notes, on both sax and clarinet. I feel Happy and Confident - I used to leave those high and low notes out of the regimen! Pinkies gettin a workout, Thanks Dr. Wally!

[@sakuntalarichardson5231]

Hi, just wanted t find out if you know what to use to prevent my teeth from slipping off the mouth patches. Happy new year and stay safe doc

[@clementineb8352]

Get thinner patches...

[@sakuntalarichardson5231]

@@clementineb8352 will try. Thanks

[@drwallysax]

Good recommendation, I also use softer ones - teeth dig in a bit, but very stable. Good luck and keep my updated!

[@sakuntalarichardson5231]

@@drwallysax I use push bicycle tubes. I cut them and use them as we do not have a shop that Carrie's anything for saxophones. They are ok but, in the beginning they tend to slip. They last a real long time though. Thank you for your reply.

[@sonholee5769]

Man. I need to practice. I need a shirt. Metronome on!

[@drwallysax]

Sonho!! Good to see you! We’ll get matching shirts.

[@sonholee5769]

@@drwallysax metronome has to always remind me how bad my time is. why metronome? why???

[@drwallysax]

@@sonholee5769 😂

[@sonholee5769]

@@drwallysax I started practicing again and I started on a C scale and turned on my Korg tuner/metronome, bc I remembered this video. Thanks

[@Ace_YourExam]

Hey! Great video! One question: What kind of mic do you use? Thanks 😃

[@VasileMarin]

I am very curious about 1 thing regarding scales practice. When practicing scales, do you focus on intonation? Do you practice with a tuner as well as the metronome on and try and make sure that you are in tune? If not, then what is the main focus when practicing?

[@drwallysax]

When I practice slow scales for tone, I do them with drones. Tuners train your eyes, not your ears. The main focus for scales (once you've internalized the key signature) is building technique: effortless, efficient, rhythmically rigorous technique. Speed, then, becomes a happy bi-product. Great question!

[@VasileMarin]

@@drwallysax Thank you so much for replying. Now I understand.

[@ssgtjohnjohnson4921]

What would be a great speed to start with the metronome?

[@drwallysax]

Really depends on the student, sorry I can't be more specific, but it varies wildly depending on experience level!

[@saxophonistmraju6750]

Thank you sir

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely Welcome!

[@williamalexanderyankes2030]

Wally, reading the Pentatonic scales (and other scales) I notice accidents like F sharp on the G scale are often skipped while flats appear within the bars. How can one memorize these array of issues? There must be a practical answer. Thank you.

[@jellewils3974]

Taking Melodic Minor as the starting point, adding in #4 Bluenote, #7 Harmonic minor, #6 (from Dorian in the same key) and #2 (because I dunno, sounds edgy like the bluenote does, will give you a lot of options. Anyone got any tips on how to spice up my Major scales?

[@paulaewa]

Great video Dr Wally! Maybe I'm a huge nerd but I actually like practising scales 🤓

[@drwallysax]

I do too - NERDS UNITE!!!

[@HB-ve4wi]

Thanks for another great video! I'm just wondering: would you be able to speak about the bis key? Is there a one-fits-all method when to use use what type of Bb? Thanks!

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely - we'll cover optimal fingerings in the scales section of the fundamentals course next year. but in general - Bis for most things, except when A# to B (or vice versa). Then use side Bb. for arpeggios and all flat scales - I recommend Bis! make sense?

[@HB-ve4wi]

@@drwallysax Makes total sense, thank you! I was taught to ignore Bis and have been struggling to catch up. Much appreciated.

[@bluegoose555]

@@drwallysax thanks Dr Wally ...I wondered about that as well ...as I noticed you used side Bb on the January Blues...which is seriously far more smoother (and more eleganter too.. as well ) "...when you can take the pebble.. grasshopper "

[@bluegoose555]

Correction side A#

[@juzzonmorris]

Do you have beginner video tutorials?

[@timmao2358]

did you get a new neck? For some of the vid I saw a neck without the bright lacquer and Yamaha logo

[@drwallysax]

It’s an old M1 neck that I had the lacquer removed (when I had my horn lacquer removed as well). It’s been sitting in a drawer, pulled it out for kicks. The logo fell off a while back, so I need something fun to replace it!

[@timmao2358]

@@drwallysax ok

[@egassi1027]

What is the white mpc your playing in this video?? Looks like a Perfectone.

[@drwallysax]

It's a 1965 Brilhart Tonalin! I've partnered with Windy City Woodwinds to "democratize" the vintage piece, and made my own homage piece: The 56! The Tonalins are great - but pricey and hard to find a good tip opening!

[@felixol]

Hi, I am just starting with the saxophone, do you have any suggestion of which good saxophone I can buy to start? Thanks

[@drwallysax]

Hi Felix, depending on your budget, @bettersax is releasing a new alto with Conn/Selmer - looks to be an outstanding value for the price. Pre-orders should be online very soon.

[@MarcKellerSax]

Mail me your lunchmoney :-D This one came unexpected, good chuckle and as always good stuff!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Marc, happy practicing my friend!

[@MarcKellerSax]

@@drwallysax And the same to you!

[@paoloalbano4690]

Dr. Wally, thanks to remind me I have to practice scales.. I have a question: which minor scale you suggest to practice? ... (still have troubles with minor scales..)

[@drwallysax]

Hey Paolo, great question! You need to "know" all the minor scales - but for technical practice I recommend doing Harmonic Minor full range and in intervals. Natural minors are tucked away inside the major (so no need for a ton of practice) and melodic minors are such a pain in the turn-around - going natural minor on descent. I want my students to KNOW the other forms, but spend their time practicing harmonic minor. The Saxophone Academy workbook coming early next year will have the full range harmonic minor scales and intervals (3rds - 7ths). happy practicing my friend!

[@paoloalbano4690]

@@drwallysax thanks a lot, that is exactly what I wanted to know..

[@olivermanley24]

Thank you brother :)

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, Oli!

[@oliverkollas4526]

Would it be good to begin practice with the chromatic scale? Just playing all possible notes from low to high and Bach again?

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely! We'll cover chromatic scale exercises in the fundamentals course next year. But the chromatic alterations (enclosure notes,etc) I like to teach IN CONTEXT of actual great music.

[@presequel]

had to read thru all the comments to see if this is not asked before, but dont thing so: what about the timing of the metronome? Is it 4 notes on 1 tick or 1 at every tick? (or 2)

[@drwallysax]

GREAT questions - depends on tempo. At slower tempos - one click per 2. At faster, once click per 4! The scales in my free workbook are written in 16th notes - so eight note beat at slower tempos - quarter note at faster. make sense?

[@jazzgent]

I have been known to use all 850 scales in one solo!

[@drwallysax]

God giveth 12 tones, Jazzagent found 9 more.

[@IvanIvanov-ip9el]

Many thanks, very useful ! Recording my exercises, the „noise“ of the flaps is pretty annoying. Here, I didn‘t hear anything. I have to work on it, or it‘s „just the mic“ ?!

[@drwallysax]

Close up mic will definitely pick up things the audience may not hear - good observation ! Happy new year, Ivan!

[@diegodelavega1883]

Anyone know how to get a metronome app to sound in a Bluetooth consistently? I get it to sound for a second and then no sound. #metronomeneedy