Stop "Rambling" While Improvising! Here's How... (Part 1)

Sometimes the most simple techniques yield the most effective results. This is one of those times.
Watch Part II to this tutorial here: bit.ly/1PkKCqm
Gear (but does it really matter?):
Reeds - amzn.to/2byJByQ
Ligature - amzn.to/2b1uYll
Mouthpiece - bit.ly/2acqB6Z
Saxophone - Selmer Mark VI SN: 111XXX - bit.ly/29W1Srz
EWI - amzn.to/2b1EKXj
Midi Controller - amzn.to/2bdjNtd
Hair (the most important gear of all): Bb Texture by Bumble and Bumble - amzn.to/2byJROm
To book Skype lessons, please email me at [e-mail].
Instagram: @JeffSchneiderMusic
Snapchat/Facebook/Twiiter: @JSchneidsMusic
www.JeffSchneiderMusic.com

[@SamChaneyProductions]

This is some of the best advice I've heard about improvising. Using sequences of motif's is so powerful!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks, Sam! Glad you're diggin it.

[@malfisher4326]

Top stuff, Jeff. Thank you. I've been working on similar lines with the interval of a fourth - if played diatonically, say over the Dorian mode, it sounds very cool - particularly if, as you suggest, the rhythm is varied. I'm a pianist by the way. . Keep putting it out, man. I'm sure that I speak for awful lot of musicians when I way that your lessons are invaluable and that we are learning a lot. Thanks again.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thank you again, Mal! That means a lot. And keep on with those fourths. It's a fantastic interval to play around with.

[@zaak4876]

Too many jazz tutorials dance around the important stuff like how to play it and what to look for, but this video jumps right in and is simple yet really effective and helpful.

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

JEFF,You are one of the greatest saxophone instructors ever - always. Your instructions are pricelessly invaluable - especially for those of us who are penniless and cannot afford the tuition [cost] Thanks a Zillion, my friend.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thank you for watching! Happy to help.

[@bluescanfly1981]

Amazing stuff, I just found you while learning how to not suck at music. I've been messing around with composing and haven't worked with sax before. It's good to see it in its natural habitat.

[@marselmusic]

That's so coo! Never really thought about that, and also I remember today it's self my teacher told me that I can do scales in those ways so that I can jump from one note to another in an interval more than a tone away,instead of just playing scales... Thx so much these videos mean much to me and are very beneficial, and are very easy to understand

[@ShanTalyCual]

Thank you Jeff!! You´re great ! you are totaly extending my musical horizon!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Happy to hear that. Thanks so much!

[@Southbound27]

I agree - real help with the concept of building up a melody using scale degrees. Thank you!

[@vaaschook9760]

Great video ! Thanks for sharing so much

[@Mr.CrackZapIt]

Smart, cool, and generous....thanks!

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Jackson ORDEAN I appreciate the comment. Thanks for watching!

[@grillmeister0815]

Hey Jeff, this is such a great exercise. I have so much fun doing this and making up all kinds of sequences. This really helps and you might also do this over some Changes so you get the changing right. QUESTION: So i layed down my horn for years, but I want to get really serious and study sax. So I said to myself "Start from scratch, and learn things right" So I did it and start with all the basics again and really digging it. COULD you make a video about how to get good technique & speed while practicing? So to finally be able to bop like Mr. Parker? thx Best sax channel so far ! love it

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

grillmeister0815 Thank you sooo much! Will definitely put up a Part II that talks about sequencing over changes. Technique videos are coming up soon, too! And if you'd like to set up a Skype lesson, feel free to shoot me an email at [e-mail]. Thanks again!

[@espr7564]

Thanks Jeff cool vid, you have an awesome pure sound 🎷👍

[@claudiaparada3300]

you are the flipping best

[@Undvne]

Thanks bro. These concepts have inspired me in the practice room today :)

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Daren Sirbough So glad to hear that, Daren. Happy shedding!

[@victorlaw4256]

Great stuff! Thanks Jeff.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

+Victor Law Thanks, Victor!

[@randydill4418]

Jeff, I’ve been playing for about 8 years and practice most days, looking back on your playing career and how you got to your playing ability, what 3-4 things would you suggest helped you progress the most? Btw, I understand theory okay, feel my rhythm could be better though I play everyday with a metronome, can create some improvs but probably not as well as I’d prefer. Thank you

[@chriscastellon6970]

Ha! The first ascending thirds riff you played could have been the melody to the Christmas tune "The Man with the Bag" :)

[@cardallnevin2904]

Hi Jeff! first off: Great video like the rest! I've got a question here; I've picked up the tenor sax and am struggling with intonation excercises. Can you suggest a routine that i could do to improve my intonation? i have a musical background playing the guitar and piano, but those are just easily tuned unlike the sax, which is making me struggle. you see i want to play things i know already how to but it sounds god awful really. thank you and keep up the videos =)

[@jazznkoalas491]

LONG TONES!!!!1!1!1!1!1!! That being said, I'm a guitarist but back in the day would play trombone. From what I remember from experience and what I hear from my horn player friends is work on long tones. Practice with a tuner beside you and go up a few scales. Improves tone, intonation and lung capacity.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Cardall Nevin Hi Cardall, So glad you're liking the videos! I will be putting up more videos on sound and intonation in the future, but for now I'd recommend practicing octave slurs with a tuner. For example, get your tuner out, play a low G, make sure it's in tune, hold for a bit, and then slur up to a high G and make sure that's in tune, too. The quicker you can get each note in tune the better. Repeat this exercise with other notes. Feel free to shoot me an email at [e-mail] to set up a Skype lesson if you'd like dive even deeper!

[@sugarwick]

Wonderful. From Chennai India.

[@jazzchromaticdulcimer4223]

Hey Jeff, great stuff! Do you have any videos on developing motifs/ideas?

[@TheAvgCommentator]

I do. Think like a drummer.

[@Gotta_watch_big]

Key and scale of what you played in the intro?

[@reyesramos1910]

Do you have a book I may buy?

[@supersalsa9491]

Awesome vid man. Could you make this approach work in a non-modal situation? Like in a bebop tune. How would you take this approach? Also what mouthpiece do you use? I suspect maybe theo wanne? It's new to my eye

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

supersalsa Thanks! I think a Part II to this video is a must. We'll explore the concept over changes. As for mouthpieces, I play on a Pillinger.

[@mjazzguitar]

When doing 1 - 2 - 6 do you take into account the minor second on the 3 chord?

[@davepassaro7133]

if you go E F B in C major you mean?

[@rpmurphy77]

Hey Jeff ThankUUUUUU! GETTING SOME GREAT IDEAS OF THESE VIDEOS, YOU RULE!! Spoke to you on Skype that time... chat soon.

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

Thanks, Richie! Hope you're well!

[@zactaylorschindler8208]

How does that neck strap not kill your neck??

[@HanfM]

What brand of glasses do you wear?

[@sandyshore18]

Warby Parker

[@tellitlikeitis-rg4ny]

miles davis " its not the notes you play , its the ones you leave out"

[@JeffSchneiderMusic]

That’s a good one!

[@alberttreed]

isn't this an inversion technique?

[@desertmoon610]

I wish I could get skype lessons! But I'm only 13 and meh parents won't let me 😭