Tuning a Saxophone with "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

[@blindcanseemusic]

thanks for showing your playing with the tuner.

[@Stevecollinsclear]

I have been back playing 12 months - after a break of 30 years. Technology has changed the music landscape beyond my recognition. Back then?I played alone ; 'in tune' meant nothing ( 'cept the 'flat notes hurt my ears. I have found Tonal Energy tuner a month ago. I too love the smiley face.Is weirdly rewarding. To warm the horn up, I begin each practice sessionwith scales , once 'round the cycle of fourths - then I turn on TE Tuner on my iPadand play each scale again- watching the line to get each note into the green + the Smiley face! Doing this forces me to realise how weak my embouchre is. Bringing each note into the green? Whether flat or sharp? Makes my lips/jaw ache. I rest for a bar or so between each scale. Then, I go to my play alongs. I can literally hear the improvement in my sound. Thanks for your confirmation that I am on the right track❤

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant! Great to hear you are making progress!

[@frankmercurio6009]

Hi Nigel. I use Tonal Energy and love it, especially the smiley face! Thanks for all you do for the sax community.

[@johnbedrosian5781]

I use a TE tuner also, and it can drive you crazy following the tuner as you play because the digital, high technology functioning with these tuners are able to hear all the overtones of each note and it will show you playing sharp and flat during your playing, even though you have the tuner set to the pitch of your instrument. I don't rely on it solely for me being in tune perfectly, but instead look at the overall scale, song, etc. and see how many smiley faces you get. If the majority of the tune gives you a bunch of smiley faces, then I feel comfortable that I'm playing in tune.

[@g-manssaxsound7201]

Hey Nigel. Tried a bunch of tuners when I picked up the sax after years away. Then found Tonal Energy and it is some much better than the other 4 or 5 I tried. I learned a few more of its functions from your lesson above. I use it ALL the time when practicing. Thank you.

[@jochensum1998]

I use an android app called sound corset. Is a metronome and tuner also, and it displays the concertkey and the chosen Key simultaneously.

[@KadrianThomas]

Great lesson Nigel. Thanks for sharing. I Use Soundcorset tuner.

[@KadrianThomas]

@@MyRackley Yep, it's a free app on IOS and it works well. It's a good option for those who may not be able to purchase Tonal Energy. I also have a standard CA-1 Chromatic KORG Tuner. I use both.

[@KadrianThomas]

@@MyRackley cool. Indeed it's funny.

[@tompfender8732]

Hi Nigel, I've joined your online sax school, and I watched, and am now using TE Tuner, workshop. At the 12:10 mark you make mention that you are too sharp, and had to "bring it down a bit", how do you do that? Is that by pulling or pushing the mouthpiece in a just smidge? I've been practicing the warm up can't quite get it, so I spend half my time working on fingering practice, and other time trying to the get the right tune... sometimes they even come together! Thanks. Great info.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hey Tom. Great to see you working on your tuning. Reach out to the Tutors inside Sax School or come along to one of our Livestream sessions if you’d like more help with this. When you’re sharp or “a bit too high” with your pitch you can pull the mouthpiece out slightly to correct the tuning. Once you get the mouthpiece position about right for most notes though, any other small changes are done with your mouth. Good luck.

[@cangers21]

Excellent video Nigel! I also use Tonal Energy in my warmups. I also realize that my Sax is not physically warm enough when I first check the tuning. That explains the tuning discrepancies after playing for a while.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

This is an important thing to be aware of Claude - can be very frustrating otherwise, particularly if you live somewhere that gets cold.

[@peterolsson3662]

Using tonal energy app since a few month. Very helpfull. Best app i found so far for practice.

[@rongolec5472]

I agree. I have been using this for the past year and really love it. The only problem i am having is to get it to work with an external bluetooth speaker. A year ago it was fine but, at some point - whether owing to a Apple software upgrade or an upgrade to the ap I have lost this functionality. However....I can live with it

[@christopheradamd3414]

Great video Nigel you talk a lot of common sense there & I think that really these modern tuning device's give you more information than you need & this can certainly baffle new players to the sax & they will find them selves spending all there practice time trying to get the smiley faces to Evey note & it just won't happen! All I had when I was starting out was an "A" tuning fork & could only tune the f#

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

I still have a tuning fork kicking around at the bottom of my sax gig bag somewhere!

[@tonyworth4095]

Good tips. I use Cleartune for my tuning but will look at Tonal Energy now and see how that compares. Thanks

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

I like Cleartune too, but Tonal energy is more fun I think so find myself using that more these days.

[@stulast]

The Tonal Energy tuner has been a real help for me because I can see not only how in tune I am, but how well and long I've managed to hold that intonation (and the smiley face). There are a fair few free apps out there, but for not much more than a price of a coffee (£3.79), Tonal Energy gives you a great tuner, very cool metronome, a great user interface and a whole host of tools that really help you get your intonation and vibrato honed in. You can even change how accurate you need to be to get the smiley face. I use this app whith all my long tones exercises and, my favorite thing to do, is to have the tuner on, play something without looking at it, randomly hold a note and then look at the tuner to check my intonation. One big aspect of intonation, for me, is getting used to how each "in tune" note feels. We get so much great physical feedback from the sax, so, as we hone our skills, we get to "feel" when a note is in tune, as well as hear it. That connection between the top-teeth and the mouthpiece is really useful.

[@kenralph5072]

I've used Tonal Energy Tuner since I took up the saxophone, about two months ago. It's been a godsend. Sadly I've had an update to EMUI 10 and it no longer starts! I'm dropping it onto an old phone instead! Loving your lessons, especially Lazy Sunday! Thanks

[@g000glemaniam4]

I've been using Tonal Energy for a few years now. Excellent Tuner and Metronome. I've never used it as you have in the video but I will start today. Very good video! Thanks Nigel.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

You’re welcome, glad it was helpful

[@jazzyjag1989]

Hi Nigel, as I mentioned earlier I've started playing again after many years of absence. When I started playing in "funk style " bands we generally just tuned to our keyboard player. Now that I trying to have some fun, it seems a little more difficult because I generally practice solo. That being said, I now only have my ear so yes I'll be checking the ET toner for my sessions, especially long tones. Thanks

[@robertweller8987]

Nigel I use Tonal Energy it works great I use the wide sensitivity setting

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool, glad you like it too Robert.

[@ralfputz6076]

I use that exact tuner, but have trouble getting C sharp right.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

That can be a tricky note.

[@22pmors1]

Great exercise for improving relative pitch, Nigel! I use TE Tuner and agree it is perfect for this.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers Paul!

[@fredflintstone1428]

Another great tune is Sondheim's 'Send in the Clowns' as it has fourths, fifths and octaves, along with scalic passages. Great video BTW.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Ooh that’s a good one too.

[@rn5193]

Hi Nigell, I use the big old Korg DTM12 or the small new Korg TM-60, which one allows at the same time to have metronome and tuner, but the screen is small

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Wow, that’s a classic!

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Nice tips this is helpful for experienced players as well.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers Samuel!

[@Samuel-ge7im]

No worries Nigel.

[@edgarala2150]

Thank you nice tips

[@petegalindez9961]

I use TE Tuner like you. I do like your recommendation to just leave it in concert pitch. That does save some fiddling between instruments. Thanks for the tip!!!

[@gideonsax]

I use tonal energy tuner also and it is great. I’m probably not using all the options the app offers.

[@lisasmallman9039]

I had a go at playing/practicing my sax while sitting down on today but struggled to find a comfy position and get a good sound, seem to sound better standing, any recommendations for a good sitting position 🎷

[@waynedziubinski3550]

Hi Nigel, I use a KORG TM-50 tuner/metronome. I'll be checking out the Tonal Energy tuner that you recommended - what's not to like about smiley faces .. :-)

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

I agree!

[@jay54733]

Hi there, I only have a macbook pro, and when I searched for the tuner, it said it wasn't available. Anyone got any ideas how can get it on mbp please?

[@frankversteeg8107]

yep, tonal energy i am using, great app

[@jacobojimenezos08]

Incredible video thank you for that nice tips

[@joziki]

I use Soundcorset. Happy with it so far.

[@windydankoff4020]

I absolutely prefer the app "Tunable" for iPhone and Mac. It TRACKS the intonation in graphic form so I can see where I've been. And it has a record function to play back what I just did, again showing the tuning history. And and easy metronome too. I fix instruments, so all this is very handy for that reason too.

[@rus5p1]

I use TE Tuner too and it’s fantastic

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome

[@rayopeongo]

This is something else that has changed since I picked up playing the sax again; I have tuner and metronome apps on my phone. It makes practicing much easier. I use Bandmate Chromatic Tuner and the Metronome 22 from Soundbrenner. Both are free.

[@xxczerxx]

Can you program TE to cycle through tones/ a scale?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Good question - not sure about that.

[@kevthehorn]

Cheers Nigel Nice One

[@manuelsosa6483]

Hi Nigel, I use Bandmate Chromatic Tuner I find it pretty good, but will consider trying Total Energy Tuner because I took like the App that gives a sort of "human' expression, like the smiling face in that one.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

I haven’t tried Bandmate. It’s good to check out the different ones available Manuel.

[@maxtimoshin]

What mouthpiece you play?

[@geraldgrover1292]

I use Clear Tune App. I will look at Total Energy also. I play Alto so I want to go from C to Eflat

[@angwer2940]

Great video Nigel, I guess the next key question is: when you find you are sharp or flat on any note or notes, what do you do to raise or lower the pitch? Thanks

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Great question Ang. The small adjustments can be done mostly with your tongue position, but also a little with your embouchure pressure.

[@angwer2940]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool Thanks Nigel. I use the TE tuner too and really like using it when playing on my mouth piece alone. Set it to generate tones as you play and then try and match the tones for pitch. A very versatile app.

[@maxtimoshin]

What Yamaha?

[@rinozaurrini359]

I have the tuner korg tm 50 I put the calibration note to 442 is that ok?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Interesting - I would normally go for A 440.

[@rinozaurrini359]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool thank you I am gonna buy a new mouth piece its about time lol

[@henrygutierrez7720]

hi higel. excellent video but I have several questions. the system you use for tuning dr notes where I can buy or download it on the internet. That system is already ready to detect the instrument that you are using, for example, it has some format that the instrument class can be placed as Alto sax.

[@harrysahotaharry3649]

Which is this app

[@doormatcat]

I've been playing for 6 years and never heard of this.

[@steveriley-snelling1929]

I use TE Tuner. Great app.

[@landismaitland-whitelaw5040]

I use tonalenergy also really like it.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool

[@jacobojimenezos08]

How was called the app ?

[@pmwizard48]

I use the bandmate chromatic tuner.

[@andrewfriis3510]

Had difficulties with this on and off for years. How much does room temp change things? Often have practice in cold rooms.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Actually room temperature can be a real issue, particularly when you first start playing. You’ll be very flat (low pitch) in a cold room. I notice this in my recording room during the winter.

[@avitus7]

Nigel, the analysis tab on TE Tuner is awesome. It took me a while to use it, but it is great for reviewing 8 bars or so and figuring out which notes are consistently out of tune. (My middle D is always sharp and my middle C is always flat.). Question: do you have any advice for what constitutes 'out of tune' ? I'm usually within +- 10 pts but the medium setting on TE Tuner targets +- 3 cents (which seems very tight to me) Even the 'wide' setting is +- 5 cents and they characterize that as 'beginner' (!).

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Great question Andy, there isn’t a hard rule on this in my opinion but I think it’s best to aim to be generally in tune overall. You’ll never get perfect but you should be able to get that “smiley face” on any note you stop on during a song.

[@sheilaforde836]

I use Tonal Energy. I like it very much.

[@danderibas2640]

wow sounds great

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers Dan!

[@parkerpolen]

Nigel, Just out of curiosity, what kind of mic do you use for videos?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi Parker, I’ve used a Rode NT1A for years, but have just changed to a AKG C414XLS (which is AMAZING!)

[@parkerpolen]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool Thank you! I have an MXL 770 and I'm trying to figure out if a condenser mic is any good for saxophones. It seems like from research it should work pretty well. My problem is since it's XLR, I'm trying to figure out how I would use it with my iPad. I have an audio interface, but then I think I would I have to set up the whole rig just to record sound quality video 😬

[@ailishbethd4033]

I use Soundcorset and play Fly Me To The Moon to warm-up as far as I can. Still can't play the low C every time though, lol

[@marcdeckard7064]

Useful.

[@ashleeleathers845]

I can’t not tune my saxophone So can you tell me how to tune my saxophone

[@ambrozyszybka5721]

First comment under this video. Greetings from Poland!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Greetings Ambrozy!!

[@tlahnala]

I also use Tonal Energy

[@waynedziubinski3550]

I was going to download and try the Tonal Energy tuner but got this message/warning. - This app is available only on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. - Bummer! True? I am an Android / Windows 10 user.

[@namwebs]

Get it from Play Store, for Android.

[@hermanwalker856]

Yes, KORG CA-30 Tuner

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

That brings back memories Herman! Good solid piece of kit.

[@adamjonkman6888]

Tonal energy us GOD TUNER

[@esfahan1961]

When you realise you're not using your ET tuner enough :(

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Ha!

[@johnharland2336]

This is ridiculous. By your logic, learn to play Over the Rainbow, then tune your sax. I for one find this incredibly over the top, no pun intended.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi John. Of course this isn’t a lesson for beginners. The idea here is to use melodies you know to dial in your tuning. You’ll find that most pro players use an exercise like this. But even if you are earlier in your saxophone journey you could use this technique on whatever piece you are playing. Hope that helps.

[@lelpep1]

I also use TE, but find playing with a Shrutibox app is also good.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Ok cheers for the tip Les, I’ll take a look.

[@jeromeking6001]

Don't think it was a great idea to do it in two different keys. It's too confusing to explain to beginners.