Split Tones - How to get them on Alto Saxophone

Split tones on Alto Saxophone are a really cool effect. In this tutorial I explain how to achieve them, and some troubleshooting tips if you aren't being successful
Randal Clark has toured and recorded with Jeff Lorber Fusion, and is a professor of saxophone at the University of Utah.
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[@mr.soulful7717]

Thank you for the holistic approach to split tones.

[@garymelhaff9327]

Just saw Sanborn tonight and mistook what he does as growl, so split tone is new technique for me to learn, thanks for such great explanation!

[@brianmatthews232]

Super demonstration/explanation 😀

[@dannyadeshina]

I've always thought players used to actually growl the notes to get the cool sound. Nice to know they are actually splits. I'll try this 🙏 Thank you for this!

[@Blujayemusic]

I got it finally!!! Gonna keep practicing 😤

[@spontaneousgroovincombusti2902]

What a giving, likable guy. No one ‘splits’ like you, Rangell, and Sanborn. Update- thanks to you, I finally got it! Just need to find tune now…

[@peterthenuts2313]

Hey man, YOU ARE REALLY GREAT, your effectiveness is amazing. Please keep posting more video lessons. No one talks about this, I've been looking for years. Thank you very much

[@kelvinyeung687]

Thank you ! I thought it was the same as growl for 20 years , now I am clear

[@RichardWong]

Great video Randal. I took a nearly 20 year break from the sax until a few months ago and your videos have been one of my inspirations to pick it back up again.

[@AlexMelton-w9m]

Would you do a split tone video for tenor?

[@MaddoxHumphries-w2h]

Lovin' it! The unblinking stare is unnerving though.

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

@@MaddoxHumphries-w2h noted. I’ll try not to stare.

[@fredjacksonjr.4422]

Wow Thank you Randall! That has to be the most thorough and comprehensive video on split-tones I have ever watched. Thank you again and I’ll make sure to share. F. Jackson Jr 🎷 Can’t wait to shed this

[@michaelwendell7771]

Best i have seen on youtube....👍👍👍

[@jeromeking6001]

Can you show that on the Tenor please

[@geoffreydeibel]

Great video, Randall!

[@Mike-hq2ok]

Wow, I've been wanting to see a tutorial on exactly these techniques! Thank you Randall! Not back to the woodshed!

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Glad I could be of service.

[@alaynawatson3312]

Miss hearing you teach, my friend! Great video!

[@maxhoecker]

This was great! Never knew about the alternate altissimo A

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Wicked video man! 👍🏻

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Thanks so much. I think you have some good vids out there too. ;)

[@stitch4772]

Excellent. Loved the video! I have a very similar set up. Gonna try this! You sound great!

[@jeromeking6001]

Is it harder on the tenor sax?

[@christianciciriello_Sax]

No for me is easier

[@moocow3934]

I just learned of the existence of split tones so this was perfect! I have a lot of trouble growling and especially in the upper registers so it would definitely help me as well as others if you could make a growl tone video (Btw I subbed immediately after I heard you play jaco’s “the chicken” :)

[@marcusd6908]

I love your videos Randal! Any chance of making a soundtrack minus sax for purchase of Missing You? Absolutely love your new remake of that old Yellowjackets hit..and love the hard hitting bass sound 👍🙏😎

[@ramasawmysokanaden4298]

Hello I like your explanation and your sax sound thank u very much

[@joelrodriguez1232]

Great video. Subbed+1.

[@LennyPrice]

Really excellent video, Randal! Grateful for such a simple and complete explanation of how to produce this essential sound! #ForwardMotion 🎷

[@ezequielequielfernandez]

Thank you very much that was very helpful 🎷

[@andrewilson442]

Great info I needed this. Thank you!

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Hope it helps.

[@hectorbellorinsax4933]

Exelente la explicación maestro muchas gracias. Mi admiración a su música 🎼🎵

[@adysaxman77]

❤ very informative 👏

[@oladipupotemitopephilip2687]

Thanks so much, great teacher 🔥🔥

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Great video! Will there be another for Bb and higher? I find F# can be made to spilt by releasing the octave key. That split A was new to me thanks.

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

My experience with the notes I didn't cover don't really split consistently or at all that I'm aware of. I'm sure there are some particular fingerings that could work for some people, but they would probably vary between manufacturers of saxophones and be hit or miss with every person. I was able to split a high B once where the stars aligned and the reed just let it happen....but since I can't depend on it...I don't usually try.

[@lyntedrockley7295]

@@randalclarkmusic4333 very wise, those are rare days (or nights)!

[@rwagenvoort5548]

Hi Randal, can you tell me what tipopenig you have on the Beechler?

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

@@rwagenvoort5548 7

[@jimscimonetti1457]

Thank you Randall!!! You ate THE MAN!

[@loslatinos2875]

What reed number or size are you using? what brand of mouth piece, model or number, tip opening do you have? Thank you.

[@Ihbaworldsax]

Awesome info. Thanks

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

You’re welcome

[@THESAMMUSIC]

Love it

[@martinpahnke9958]

Thanks, man!

[@grrr8save]

It sounds like you are using a "setup" note when you play the F#. Am I wrong or is there a reason for that? What notes do you do that for? Thanks.

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

No. There’s not a setup note. I’m just scooping into it slightly. Doing that helps me make sure I don’t over shoot the note and can find the split quicker.

[@tommyesposito606]

love this

[@thepianokid27]

Hi Randal, what constitutes a properly adjusted front F key in order to get that split tone to occur? Is it easier if the front F tone hole is less open or more open when the front F key is pressed? ie the key height of the front F

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

It will be easier if it is opened less, but the real reason for the adjustment is not for the split tone, but for the ease of playing the altissimo.

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

If it’s opened too little, the notes will not sound good though. Gotta find the right balance.

[@thepianokid27]

Thank you for the detailed explanation 🙏🏼

[@imhero1952]

Hey man, excellent job! What mouthpiece u use?

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Thanks. It’s a Jody Jazz DV7

[@velvetknight780]

Did you switch from a Jody Jazz DV, to a Beechler? on you album cover it looks like a Beechler.

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

I’ve been playing a Beechler for many years and recently switched to a DV. I still play the Beechler, but I play the DV a lot.

[@DodoTheCreator]

Few secs into the video and i can see Sanborn mouth position or is it only me, Thank you for this content

[@domingofernandez5746]

Hello Randal, hope you are doing well! I'd like to reach out to you in order to propose a partnership with Tomplay, what's the best way to contact you?

[@dannyadeshina]

Hello teacher! I tried this like I said but whenever I try to intensify the sound, I get a growl instead 😢😢😢 What can i do to help. It feels as though the growling is inevitable.

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

A growl can only happen if you are humming. So if you are growling, stop humming.

[@dannyadeshina]

It's working! Thanks! Though the G altissimo was my first fair attempt. I'll keep trying.

[@pbjbbj2259]

thanks you！but how to split the note on lower f, likes the last split tone at the video beginning？

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Lower notes don’t all split well. You have to open up your throat and put a lot of pressure on the reed. I angle the horn down to assist with that. Honestly, whether they split or not in the lower ranges is almost completely dependent on whether the reed is going to play nice or not.

[@pbjbbj2259]

@@randalclarkmusic4333 thank you so much，clak！

[@stevekeiretsu]

had to chuckle where you preface your attempt to demo a split 'A' with a disclaimer it's hard to do it there compared to altissimo. i can't seem to NOT split that A. I spent an hour earlier today doing very little except trying to not split that A. I haven't even attempted altissimo yet, can't growl to save my life, never realised split tones were a thing people did deliberately, but I'm the king of splitting that A, so that's nice for me I guess

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Ha ha. Love it. Look at my voicing video. That may help.

[@stevekeiretsu]

@@randalclarkmusic4333 as it happens I watched this one because it came up as a recommended next video when I watched your voicing one!

[@joelrodriguez1232]

@8:45 The problem with f key adjustment

[@michaelwendell7771]

I use a Vandoren A45 with a sinthetic reed, having difficilty splitting notes....🤷‍♂️

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

What opening is the Vandoren, and what brand and strength synthetic?

[@michaelwendell7771]

@@randalclarkmusic4333 yur not gunna believe this🤣 A45 is (1/100mm)220 Like an 8 I use a Bari brand medium tenor reed on my alto sax. Tone is great, altissimo easy peasy, but can't get it to split. Tried loosening the lig screws....🤔

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Ha ha. Tenor reeds on alto is fun. The mouthpiece/reed combination needs to be right to get the splits consistently, as does your voicing. I’d experiment with a 2-2.5 reed on that 8 opening and if that doesn’t work, there is something going on in your voicing inside the mouth, probably will need to raise the tongue to a higher vowel.

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Also, some synthetics and strengths make splitting hard. I can split well on some brands but not on others.

[@TLPeffer]

Thanks for the cool tips Randal ! You sound great using this technique on your new album. What is your mthpc/Reed setup in this video? Thanks again

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

This is a Jody Jazz DV 6 with a vandoren blue box 2.5 which are a little stiffer than the green or red. The DV like a reed just a tad stiffer.

[@TLPeffer]

@@randalclarkmusic4333 is that your regular setup these days? Did you use that on your album? I thought you were playing on a Beechler metal

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

@@TLPeffer I played a Beechler Belite on my record which I love. I’ve been experimenting with some other setups. This’s DV sounds great and is an easy player.

[@TLPeffer]

@@randalclarkmusic4333 you sound awesome on the Beechler. I know the DV’s are totally easy to play and have a phat sound. Good luck with the experiment

[@Atlaswastaken558]

Fingerings 10:00

[@skaholic_tv]

Me personally my split tone is in my throat (growl)

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

Cool. That’s a totally different sound, that’s fun to do too.

[@skaholic_tv]

@@randalclarkmusic4333 i try to your technique about split tone,., thanks for the tips sir,.,

[@ogdTo]

Omg it's so painful for the ears to practice how to do 😔

[@randalclarkmusic4333]

My family tells me the same thing. 🤣🤣

[@Atlaswastaken558]

Fingerings 10:00