Saxophone Flutter Tongue, Bending, and Timbre Trills

Dr. Wally teaches how to flutter tongue, bend, scoop, and timbre trill on the saxophone. Overtone fingerings used are free at:
www.thesaxophoneacademy.com/o...

[@hmfernandes1]

Dr. Wally, you are, by far, the best sax teacher in the all internet. The way you approach such boring subjects as scales, makes sax learning as fun as a walk in the park.

[@drwallysax]

Thank you my friend, most kind :)

[@stevepethel6843]

I don't play sax but I love how you change the tone on the same note by different fingering like the 1950 blues players .I have heard that sound and never knew what it was but I liked it then and now I know how you guys do it. Very cool.Gods continued Blessing on your giving video lessons and Life...thank you

[@drwallysax]

Glad it was enlightening! Now go buy a saxophone, Steve!

[@derekakien7379]

An army guy showed me the FLUTTER tongue 50 years ago when it was rarely heard. Sounds better on the Tenor. The TIMBRE trill was used a lot on those heavy blues riffs in the 50s. Great stuff. BTW you play really well!

[@tomscott1741]

What you call "Timber trill's" is part of what makes John coltrane's double time in the 60s so amazing! The way he uses this technique is by far my favorite! I love it

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely - "false fingerings" is another common name. What's your favorite Trane album?

[@tomscott1741]

@@drwallysax my favorite Coltrane album, it's hard to pick one! But the first thing that popped in my mind is his live at Birdland 1963 record. That being said, I really love his live concerts the best! There's a special place in my heart for everything I've ever heard that man play.

[@tomscott1741]

What's your favorite Coltrane recording?

[@SheltoniaNation]

I think that the timbre trills are one of the many gaggle of things that Michael Brecker did in the Jaco Pastorius‘s Birthday Concert album that floored me so much. That and every single thing else that he did in his solos.

[@maguffle]

I never even considered timbre trills! Thank you!

[@drwallysax]

They're certainly fun, happy practicing!

[@Danox94]

Wally, sorry, Dr. Wally, I love your sweet sound on alto. The suits too. Got that Dave Brubeck quarter look.

[@drwallysax]

That's very kind Danox, thanks my friend!

[@kennarducci7126]

Love your videos , I am 80 yr old amateur tenor / alto player mostly self taught , I used to play strictly by ear til I taught my self to read , I hope to see more of your videos and be able to improve my playing, I left you a comment similar to this on face book , I have videos o f me playing improv , on my face book page ans if you see me you can tell I am still learning, Thank You for these videos ,,,, Ken N

[@grayfox3057]

I love your style, sense of humour and the way you present all the notions. Very unique channel I have to say, I love it!

[@drwallysax]

Wow, thanks Francis. Glad you're part of the Academy!

[@mroutofpreportion1848]

I like men

[@dancemomsxoxo24]

Amazing lesson! My daughter been playing saxophone for 2 years and this has helped her so much! Keep up the good work!

[@nopp3810]

not me accidentally learning fluttering while I was in band today and now am getting ✨absolutely obsessed with ur vids✨

[@saxnoobplayer9710]

Best teacher ever, thank you so much...🔥🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏👏🎵🎵🎵🥂

[@johnvallis7223]

Great stuff! Cheers and Best Wishes from Canada!

[@gibrantrejo9193]

You are a fantastic teacher, I just found your channel. And I really am getting a lot out of your lessons, thank you.

[@drwallysax]

That does my heart good, thanks Gibran. Glad I can help!

[@dervalsylvester2328]

I love this guy, but love the music even more saxophone forever.

[@marianogringaus]

Thanks. You are a great teacher. Thanks

[@Greebstreebling]

Thanks for clear and interesting description and demonstration of techniques.

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome, happy practicing!

[@SaxJockey]

Superb lesson. Johnny Hodges the master of bends 😍, you have a beautiful tone Dr Wally. Those timbre trills are really cool, might explain some of the tones from Red Prysock (Tenor). Prysock was an absolute blast, but oddly never seen any footage of him playing.

[@danielcohen9637]

Best sax channel

[@drwallysax]

Hey, thanks Daniel!

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

Great tips, tone, and funny. Well done!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks Chaplain! Happy practicing my friend!

[@thomaskipfer1008]

False fingering, a fabulous concept; flutter tongue on saxophone. I’ve used bend for years, but an entire fifth? The technique works...use sparingly- yeah! But, It gets you in the door. Sneaky but with good taste. Yes, a funky technique, one that works. Fresh technique Dr. keep em coming!

[@joelsierra-alonso9139]

This is top notch content right here

[@drwallysax]

You know what, YOU'RE top notch Joel. Thank man, I hope you have an excellent weekend. Happy practicing!

[@SemajMusiq]

Your videos are amazing‼️ Thank You for creating detailed videos🔥

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely welcome, happy practicing!

[@SemajMusiq]

@@drwallysax will do ‼️ Thank You

[@wids]

4:29 I almost fell on the floor. I love these so much Gonna need to check out Johnny Hodges now. Unrelated but you mentioned Art Pepper on one of the podcasts I believe and I've really enjoyed digging into his albums.

[@drwallysax]

Pepper is Amazing! Thanks for watching, and keep it sassy Wids.

[@derekakien7379]

Overdo the bends and I feel seasick. LoL

[@a1saxy]

Thanks for this lesson. Really helpful

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Phil! Let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help!

[@saxophonelavanya2064]

Thank you very much SIR 🙏💖

[@angus7278]

On my tenor I’ll occasionally do a quick vibrato trill on a B flat. With the F and A keys pressed with the left hand, quickly jiggle or rattle the side of the right hand pointer finger against the key that makes it a B flat. Apply sparingly! Btw - I’m glad I found your channel. Good advice presented in a humorous way!

[@drwallysax]

I'll give that a try, Angus. Happy practicing and have a great weekend my friend!

[@PonchMuniz]

Great stuff!

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Ponch! Happy holidays - and happy practicing my friend. (hit me up with any questions)!

[@krommer66]

LOVE IT!!!!!!! Any ideas or techniques to create similar effects on the clarinet. When I do the Rhapsody gliss, I use mostly my air and throat and very little sliding of fingers.

[@rmcq1999]

John Lurie does great things with timbre trills.

[@BetoClaudio]

Thank you Dr. Wallace! Great lesson! I love the bends.

[@drwallysax]

Hey, thanks Roberto. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@drwallysax]

Also, I see that white coat. A fellow doctor, I presume? (My wife is a family practice doc).

[@BetoClaudio]

Saxophone Academy actually, I'm learning the soprano, and it's a different instrument for me. I changed my alto by the soprano and I loved it, but is harder than the alto :( I'd like to know more about bends on the soprano. Thanks a million, Dr. Wallace.

[@BetoClaudio]

Saxophone Academy actually, I am a professor of human anatomy in Brazil and also a musician. I'd like to get a doctorate degree in music, but I don't have any graduate in music.

[@drwallysax]

Very cool! My favorite record on earth is alto saxophonist Bud Shank with Brazilian guitarist Laurendo Almeida! Soprano bends are done the exact same way as alto, but the voicing will be higher (obviously). Have you tried mouthpiece exercises?

[@lilboo500]

This is really helpful, thank you so much!

[@drwallysax]

I'm glad it helped, Lil boo! That's fun to type: Lil Boo. Hope you have a great weekend, Lil boo. See, I just love it. Lil boo. Lil Boo. Now my name seems boring.

[@lilboo500]

@@drwallysax Dude you just made me laugh so hard😂. Thank you for the laugh and the nice message

[@drwallysax]

@@lilboo500 check out my latest video - I have a student named Gorfgarf. I mention a project for you two in his comment. Happy weekend!

[@alessiodelperugia]

Super!! The best!!

[@alessiodelperugia]

I would say you are a professionist comedy actor besides a super saxophone player.

[@drwallysax]

That's very kind, thanks Alessio! I'll stick with saxophone, and fail one career at a time ;)

[@owenwalter451]

Good video keep em up

[@drwallysax]

Will do. Go practice.

[@SAMMYSAXMUSIC]

Hello Dr Wally, great to have found your channel. I was searching for flutter tonguing techniques to get to the bottom of this, yours is the first that clearly explains this technique. But it's very difficult, perhaps you can suggest a deeper rehearsal approach to getting this sound or go into more detail about the "back of the mouth" tongue roll because I still can't get it. I will start by spending most of my waking hours without a saxophone rolling "r's".

[@rezamosayyebi2800]

عالی وفوق العاده هستید

[@sergej100qca4]

I hear you have some great bop vocabulary. Can you do some videos on using the solos transcribed and learning the bebop language?

[@drwallysax]

Absolutely, it's in the works.

[@kohmrsaxman]

Thanks so much sir’

[@drwallysax]

Most welcome!

[@Subparanon]

Before I ever thought to use my vocal cords while playing, I could get growl sounds and make the instrument howl by forcing split tones with my tongue. It can be subtle or it can be a full on squealie, just takes practice.

[@amenobach1468]

Thank you for good media for ma as a composing student! and I Subscribed! May I ask If Alto Saxophone can play D# & F# trill? (the 3rd line D# & 4th line F# from the bottom in general G clef). I'm sorry for not good my english.

[@JoAnnP38]

I love this channel so much! Are you planning on doing more podcasts or are you still on COVID-hiatus?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Joann! Hiatus for now, but I’m exploring options. How’s your summer?

[@charliefink1381]

Wait, there's a podcast?

[@drwallysax]

Charlie Fink this all started as a podcast. On a COVID break, but hopefully I can get it booted back up.

[@charliefink1381]

@@drwallysax Style like that and you were audio only??

[@drwallysax]

Charlie Fink Ha! Podcasts are waaaaaay less work!

[@robstevens9590]

I've been trying to imitate Johnny Hodges' scoop, but without any tips on how to. Thanks. I have trouble maintaining a growl for more than 1 short note.

[@kayleerobertson6858]

he sounds like a news reporter lol.

[@michaelcheon9031]

I always click 👍 before watching it

[@drwallysax]

Thanks, Michael!! I mean, I hope you watch it too! Have a great weekend!

[@ellispeters9627]

Very helpful thanks you . Still having a challenge with growls despite knowing (I think!) the theory.

[@drwallysax]

Hey, send me a message through the website - detail the challenge and what you've tried. Happy to help! thesaxophoneacademy.com

[@pianosongsandgaming4816]

There’s one thing I want to learn and it was something from a student from ASU, he said to do it he would grab the reed with his tongue and let go and it would make this thud sound, then he proceded to play 300 doing it

[@johnnyloungejazz5477]

Can I ask about your different MP’s you play.

[@aljerones99]

Hi, Dr. Wally. I'd love if you covered trills, chromatic falls or rises, grace notes and also how to swing.

[@drwallysax]

Hi Alex, great suggestions. Certainly some of those I can knock out in a video. Thanks!

[@aljerones99]

@@drwallysax ... I have to say, I have returned to review other videos I watched some time ago. This was very, very well presented. This was not about a "What to do" it also covered "How, why and when you embellish" Fantastic! * We do it TWICE because it is NICE ...*

[@sergej100qca4]

This is much needed. I asked you a few weeks ago about the Meyer 100th anniversary, would you review it?

[@drwallysax]

Hey Sergej! I did not forget, I actually looked for the 100th anniversary but couldn't find one. Know any retailers with one in stock? Happy Wednesday my friend!

[@sergej100qca4]

@@drwallysax I think Kessler and Sons has a return policy and the piece in stock. There are also Ebay listings for new 100th anniversary models.

[@yehudalichtenstein574]

I have a question: A lot of times I hear a saxophone player playing with mildly raspy sound, but I'm not sure if it's actually growling or they just gets some amount of distortion somehow. This is mostly on tenor btw. So my question is: Is it possible to play with some amount of rasp in the sound without actually growling? Or is it that those players are just growling all the time?

[@entropy5962]

when bending we lift all fingers simultaneously?

[@couchphotography8861]

For those who can't roll their rrrrrs, here's a good one: finger bottom c, while blowing, lift 1st finger of right hand....a really good growl comes out!

[@j.r.1210]

That's a multiphonic, not a real growl. Also, the rolled Rs are for flutter tonguing, not growling.

[@kevinfisherman01]

Hi Wally Kevin Channel Islands enjoying the lessons thank you .but still having problems I can play Scarborough fair But still not very good . But trying hard kind regards Kevin

[@stangetz534]

Thanks love you’re sound. Did you time travel here form 1950? I am trying to figure out if its an act or for real😆

[@drwallysax]

Travel from 1950? That's absurd. Astro-tech Industries didn't send me to the future until 1956.

[@QalinaCom]

this is the only video on "long" bends that I found but it felt rushed. Please make a separate video just on what you did at 3.06. Will be much appreciated.

[@drwallysax]

Hi Qalina, another video is unlikely (it's a tremendous amount of work). But, I'm happy to answer any specific questions you have!

[@QalinaCom]

@@drwallysax yes, your videos are very polished and must take a lot of effort, but if you would ever consider making a simple talk through how the bending of more than a tone are made, I am sure this will be very popular-as I don't seem to find any. I can't slowly release keys and achieve Blue Rhapsody-ish intro kind of bend. I can bend, just not to a great distance.

[@drwallysax]

@@QalinaCom It's a longer discussion on "voicing" or altering oral cavity. The keys are more abut timbre than pitch. Bending the front F would be a good place to start - see how far you can drop the pitch (while maintaining embouchure and jaw position. I'm homeschooling my kiddos currently (schools are closed), I'll consider more videos on the subject, but likely not soon.

[@tommyesposito606]

i play alto wally and love the sound of paul deamand ans c parker. desmond uses a number 4 reed on a gregory mp i cand get sound out of a 3.5 rico what do u think the best reed is

[@drwallysax]

For the Desmond warmth, I’d go with a French file - blue box vandoren would likely work very well! Happy practicing Tommy!

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

Okay I got a CONN 10M. So now how long before I can stand on the stage tapping my boot like Sal Nistico, hosing down the house ripping every kind of run up and down scale.

[@EddieJennings]

Alas, we who cannot roll our R's will never flutter tongue. Luckily, we can still access the various other interesting saxophone sounds :)

[@drwallysax]

True! You'll also never star in a Tele Novella!

[@j.r.1210]

Yes, a lot of these sax technique videos simply assume that everyone can already execute whatever odd tongue motion or palate contortion is required for a particular sound effect.

[@jamespartaik8816]

multiphonics please Dr.

[@Trevayne4]

Dr. Wally so is a bend and a scoop the same thing?

[@drwallysax]

Yes! Most beginner players do waaaaay to many quick scoops at the beginning of far too many phrases. Slow bends are a bit more involved, but there are no hard and fast definitions. Simply what I call them? Make sense?

[@Lardbeane]

Mm flutter tongue... I gotta learn to roll my r now

[@vannigio6234]

uah! 🐻👍🎷💥

[@ImKlutzy]

I don’t think I’m physically capable of flutter tongue because I have a tongue tie 😩

[@drwallysax]

It's absolutely not necessary, I made a video because people ask but I honestly never do it!

[@ImKlutzy]

@@drwallysax hmmm, well what about double tonguing or just tonging fast in general? Maybe I’m making up excuses and my tongue tie isn’t actually limiting as much as I think, but I am trying out for region this year, and I’m not sure I can play at the required tempo (assuming they don’t decide to slow it down which sometimes they do) I often find myself being able to double tongue for short bursts but that’s it.

[@woohoo3021]

SASSIER 🤣

[@metal665lica]

Why am I here? I don't even own a saxophone

[@drwallysax]

Subconsciously, you want one. Join us, Nico. Buy a saxophone. Fame and fortune await! *individual results may vary

[@metal665lica]

@@drwallysax I know guitar, drums and bass, but have always wanted to learn the sax. But I neither have the money nor the lungs for it 😂 Seduce me no longer, vile tempter! I will not join your CULT of satanic yet smooth yummy jazz. Be gone with you!

[@itstoasty7089]

What about the people that can’t roll their R’s...I can’t flutter fly

[@drwallysax]

Growling is your best option! (You're not alone, I had a couple of friends in college that couldn't either).

[@itstoasty7089]

@@drwallysax So should I just hum into the sax while I play? Been playing for 7 years and I still can’t growl 😂

[@jyanic8258]

First

[@drwallysax]

second

[@jyanic8258]

Lol first when I loaded it but whatever

[@MYFAVORITECHRISTMAS]

I-know-nothing...

[@TheMcduck007]

Good video. But this guy sounds like he hates young players 🤣

[@drwallysax]

Not all young players, just my students.

[@superblondeDotOrg]

How do you notate it properly on score? What are the engravings on staff? Why is this important aspect not part of the video?