Tonguing on the Sax - All you need to know

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

What are you struggling with when it comes to tonguing guys? Comment here below and I'll reply with tips :)

[@wowz3rs265]

im trying not to think of that in a bad way but its difficult

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Keep up the good practice😀🔥

[@myphan161]

Omg I watched many videos before this to solve my heavy tonguing but this is the most helpful 🙂

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@3hcrew807]

Me too, it solved my problem, thank you so much❤

[@christineroy7739]

Thank you so much brother🙏

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Always welcome!

[@AaronGood]

Cheers, mate! This was really helpful.

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Amazing! Glad it helped! 🙏😀🎷 keep it up!

[@yun_saxophone-studio]

It's really helpful for me ~!! thank u so much

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Amazing! So glad!!

[@yun_saxophone-studio]

@@LondonSaxophoneSchool welcome!!

[@RyanRiduan]

great instruction, i also had this problem back then and it took me long enough to figure this out.

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Great Ryan! So glad you are getting a great tonguing technique now. Let me know if you have further questions. Keep up the good word!

[@melanieready6733]

Thanks Martino! I have just discovered your videos on tonguing. It is helping me to just think of using the tip of the tongue rather than over analyzing the mechanics of it. I have been playing for just a few years but have recently been told that I slap tongue instead of doing a proper staccato. I am sure this is true because I really struggle with very quick staccato. Any tips on how to conquer this?

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Hey Melanie, you want to THINK tip of the tongue but you're not really using the tip. That's important to remember. If you were told you slap tongue is probably because you are using too much tongue all together. Funny enough, I would forget about tonguing for at least a week and play everything slurred. Slurring is way more important than tonguing as you can concentrate on sound better. If you practice all slurred more than tonguing, you will see how tonguing later on will come so much easier. Hope this helps! See you at the call tomorrow. All my best, Martino

[@melanieready6733]

@@LondonSaxophoneSchool Thanks Martino! I love the way you explain things, it makes a lot of sense. Great meeting you and looking forward to my lesson with you.

[@Papikristo]

Do you do online classes

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

yemi lade Yemi, yes sure. Email me at [e-mail] and I will send you details. Looking forward to hearing from you😀

[@Papikristo]

@@LondonSaxophoneSchool will do sir

[@slbeauty1473]

when using tounge technique, splits go through the mouse piece and changing to the bad tone . how to avoid creating that bad sound

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

that's totally normal. Just suck up the spit with a strong suck. That will clear the sound. :)

[@slbeauty1473]

@@LondonSaxophoneSchool OK BIG thanks buddy

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

No worries😀😀🙏

[@yond9476]

Thanks Martino. I'm struggling with tonguing as I think I'm doing it too heavily and stopping the air and making that 'puff' sound. I've tried doing it more gently and it is just completely throwing me off as I'm not used to it and it's affecting my embouchure. Any tips or exercises on getting used to it and where should the tongue be sitting in the mouth?

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Yond! Apologies for my late reply! I missed your message! I don't really think about the position of the tongue. It should feel natural. The one piece of advice I could give you over text is (funny enough) to concentrate more on air //blowing // slurring rather than tonguing. Heavy tonguing is often cause by an inconsistent air flow. Once that is more controlled and consistent tonguing will feel lighter. Remember air is KING, then follows tonguing. So, practically speaking, practice your pieces, scales or whatever you are doing all slurred ignoring all the articulations. Do this a few times and then try to copy that same slurred sound with the proper articulation. I would need to see you to advice properly though. If you need further help feel free to book a free discovery call with me so we can chat further. All the best, Martino app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14146512

[@sg990]

Great video Martino, much appreciated, thank you! My biggest quandary is speed - there is a limit to how fast I can tongue. Do you have any tips on how to improve it? Also, my teacher says the tone sounds just a little distorted/bent when I tongue, probably because I keep my tongue on the reed for too long. Any tips here? :) Cheers!

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

There will always be a limit to how fast you can tongue... some people can tongue faster than others. If your teacher says the note bends when tonguing is because there is too much tonguing happening... basically too much actual tongue. I did a video on tonguing I think you should watch: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHWVnHiDmMmZraM Let me know how it goes😀🙏😂

[@Papikristo]

im struggling with a consistent embouchure

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

yemi lade Hi Yemi, have you watched my embouchure basics video? In there I show exactly how to get q good embouchure😀 it’s in the channel, just look for embouchure basics.

[@adharaesquivel698]

Hi, I have a big doubt: I’ve been playing for a little more than 2 years; I have recorded my self and is It normal that every time I tongue a note my neck (doublechin haha) moves? I’m obsessing over this but idk how to correct that. Thanksss

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Hey Adhara! What is happening is something common among beginner/intermediate players. Tonguing should be done only with the tongue and nothing else. If your chin, throat or any other part is moving (even so slightly) it means you are doing too much. I would isolate tonguing this way. Play a middle B and tongue it 3 times in a long note (so very sparse tonguing with lots of space in between notes). Film yourself pointing at your mouth and neck so you can later analyse your playing. Bring all your awareness to the tongue and aim for a gentle sound. Do it for 5 mins a day or so... keep it short but consistent over time... If you need further help feel free to book a free discovery call so you can find out more about learning at LSS and I can learn about your background and goals and how we might be able to help you achieve great results. You can book the call here app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14146512 Let me know how it goes🎷🤗

[@adharaesquivel698]

London Saxophone School I’ll definitely try this and give it some time so I can change this bad habit 🤦🏽‍♀️ also I will focus on improving my breathing. I have some homework to do haha Again, thanks a lot! 😊

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

@@adharaesquivel698 Amazing! Let me know how it goes :)

[@igsekhar2160]

How to play low notes easily with a good embouchure

[@RyanRiduan]

Inapakurti Guna Saxophone you can play low notes easily with an open and relaxed throat

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Thanks for your comment! :) I have made 2 videos that will help you a lot in getting better low notes. The trick is to stay relaxed and avoid unnecessary tension in your facial muscles. Too much tension will produce either squeaks or more commonly notes jumping up the octave. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXKtZn53iqd6rbc kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ2wi2WtibyHgKM Let me know how you get on.

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

Yes, exactly Ryan! Having an open throat is key along with a great embouchure with balanced amount of tension/relaxation.

[@igsekhar2160]

Sir how to tight the screw of base notes .I have doubt that

[@LondonSaxophoneSchool]

@@igsekhar2160 I'm not sure what you mean. If you refer to the screws on the ligature makes sure they're tight enough to hold the reed in place but don't tighten super strong as there's no need to do that. Let me know if that makes sense :)