Soft and Sexy Low Notes On The Sax / How To Play Subtones

[@philharrison549]

Scott, you’re one of my favorite go-to guys for saxophone lessons. Thank you!

[@ScottPaddock]

Thank you Phil! Glad that you enjoy the channel.

[@ComputerCentralInc]

Misty is also a great tune for subtones 😊

[@douglange6863]

I love the “FOO” reference for jaw position and lip on the reed, which is very clear and easy to model. While at a sax masterclass with Don Menza 40 years ago, he described subtone without using the “Foo” and then asked a random kid in the audience to demonstrate the subtone technique. Being that random kid, I didn’t get my jaw and lip into a good “Foo” position and became petrified that I couldn’t get a subtone down a D. He was very patient and continued to work with me for a few minutes and eventually took my sax and easily played a fabulous subtone down to Bb. He then exclaimed that if he could do it with my Link STM on an old Buescher True Tone, I could, too! Although I eventually figured it out, your wonderful explanation of subtone technique is the best and your explanation of proper vibrato for subtone is a bonus!

[@ScottPaddock]

Hey! I went to a Den Menza masterclass about 30 years ago, and he was fantastic. Such a dynamic player, with a great style and sense of musicality. Glad that my explanation of subtones and the breath of air vibrato helped clarify things and make it easier to explain.

[@douglange6863]

He was impressive and after 10 more years of giving masterclasses, Don Menza was undoubtedly fabulous clinician, too. Picking a random high school kid from an audience of university sax majors, who happened to bring his sax, probably seemed like a great idea at the time. Being about 1981, information about players and their instruments was often hard to come by. So being next to Don, I got a good look at his custom gold King Super 20 and it was breathtakingly beautiful!

[@paulscott337]

The Shadow of your Smile ...sounds great with sub-tones . Great video. Thanks

[@ScottPaddock]

I haven't played that tune in a long time!

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Very beautiful information Thank you so much 🎉

[@ScottPaddock]

👍👍

[@robbielike]

Wow, clear, simple, thanks brother!

[@aljerones99]

Subtones! Where do I begin? The songs I love to play with sub tones are: 1. Misty 2. The nearness of you 3. Body and soul Love your down to earth lessons, Scott! 😊

[@themessageinabottle9574]

I subtone nearness of you... check out "don't explain"

[@RagdeDPazqua]

My favorite subtones sòng is Misty. Great lessons thanks and God bless!

[@AndrewDavidson-w2c]

Hi Scott Just started following your tutorial ... Impressed so good to get such straight forward advice Really helpful

[@seppl8145]

Danke!

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks for the support! It is very much appreciated!

[@pavelpatsenkov]

Very useful tutorial, Mr Paddock. Thank you so much.

[@ScottPaddock]

You’re welcome!

[@HahnJames]

This is really cool info. I'll have to try it tomorrow. Everyone is asleep right now as I should be. Thanks, Scott!

[@ScottPaddock]

Subtones are fun to play and can add a whole different sound to your sax. Have fun with them!

[@EricPalmerBlog]

Off topic, I hope you have a great holiday season and new year. Getting back into the alto after a 43 year pause and your sage advice has been important. Keep up the great work (and great sound).

[@ScottPaddock]

Thank you! I hope you have a great holiday season as well!

[@seymourheron2533]

Thank you Scott.God bless you

[@mariarut925]

Good lesson.thanks

[@clivecolledge4191]

Great thank you.

[@Stevecollinsclear]

Thank you somuch - I love ballads - low slow and mellow , yet have NEVER been able to get the sound I am looking for :-( 😢. THIS - SubTones ! ! Gold. Why oh why have I never been told - much respect

[@ScottPaddock]

I’m glad I could help you solve the puzzle!!! Your ballads are in for a major upgrade

[@carstenpodehl8074]

keep the show going!

[@crugil]

I've had a lot of fun playing "my one and only love"

[@ScottPaddock]

That’s one of my favorite ballads! Have you heard the Michael Brecker version?

[@bobblues1158]

One can also leave the the tongue on the reed. This also dampens the sound and your jaw can remain forward, maintaining the ability to articulate staccato and legato plus transition to the altissimo. Also the pitch will not go flat. My favorite subtone melodies on tenor are Lover Man in Db concert or the bridge to Sophisticated Lady in concert Ab.

[@ScottPaddock]

Leaving your tongue on the reed gives you a muted tone, but not a subtone. The muted technique deadens the sound a bit, while the subtone gives you an airy, but full sound. I like to play Lover Man in the original key on alto (D), but bring it down an octave.

[@bobblues1158]

Ok; Thanks for that info Scott!😀@@ScottPaddock

[@robstevens9590]

I use subtones a lot, especially on smooth jazz numbers from Brian Culbertson, slow versions of "Autumn Leaves" and dozens of other ballads.

[@ScottPaddock]

Hey Rob! Yeah, they are used all over the place in smooth jazz.

[@ChinhNguyenbn]

Thank you so much🥰

[@unclemick-synths]

Great video - just what I've been looking foo! 😎👍 I'm trying to increase the difference between my subtle Buescher and my energetic Yamaha so this will help achieve that.

[@ScottPaddock]

Yeah, absolutely in the low end. It bet it will be easier on the Buescher. Let me know which one has the richer tone.

[@unclemick-synths]

@@ScottPaddock the Yamaha has a richer tone but it's precise on pitch and naturally loud. My first sax was a Buescher and I tracked one down recently because I missed the way it let me bend and blend notes and the willingness to do delicate tones. I think foo will work nicely once I master it.

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Sir Which wireless mic use for saxophone?

[@jimm4905]

"What's up Foo?" I'm playing Subtones... Good advice on embouchure position 👍🏻

[@ScottPaddock]

Thanks!!

[@artlex_]

fino😁 como siempre mano!!!

[@drewhunt9205]

Angel Eyes is my favorite.

[@ScottPaddock]

Oh!!! That's a good one that people don't play enough.

[@user-cm7xo9io5x]

Every time I play a note lower than low c it comes out as an over tone like an octave higher I have watched countless videos on amateurs and airflow but I still can’t get it to come out I can play c just just fine but C# B and Bb

[@ScottPaddock]

You might have a leak in your horn that is causing those overtones.

[@TommyJones49]

Neighbors ask me if I heard that explosion last evening, maybe a hot water heater exploding or car back firing. I said no, I didn't hear anything and walked away.

[@MrBoybergs]

I'd suggest listening to lots of Ben Webster ballads; the king of subtone.

[@ScottPaddock]

Yeah, Ben Webster could definitely personalize a ballad!

[@TommyJones49]

My sax is broken, sounds like a train wreck.

[@chefpaul650]

🍻🎷🎼🎶🎶🎼🔥🔥🔥💪💪💪💘

[@ScottPaddock]

🍺🍺👍🍺🎷🙌

[@enoffz8021]

"Play Misty for me..."

[@ScottPaddock]

An all time classic!

[@psevdonim257]

please tell me what kind of beautiful mouthpiece is this? brand

[@ScottPaddock]

That's a Barkley Brazil Kustom Pop 7 blue.

[@psevdonim257]

​@@ScottPaddock Thank you, I'll know, it's a pity that there are no such things in stores and from other countries delivery is not possible for my city :(

[@davoc5140]

Anyone here tried the online course?