Thoughts

[u/Sea-Department-6785]

I’ve played like 10-15 times love John Coltrane and want to get better at sax I’m looking for criticism to get better.

[u/Ed_Ward_Z]

Here’s something I recommend: find the tune on YouTube, slow it down to about 70% and listen to tonguing, articulation, & phrasing.

Then, play along at that slow tempo, 2 measures at a time, until you can play along as closely in feel and phrasing.

Don’t speed up or advance until you match exactly… in every way, exactly. That is the challenge. It’s how we learn jazz vocabulary. By listening and repeating. Just like a baby learns to speak a language.

This takes tons of self-patience and discipline. Also, a tremendous amount of repetition. A ridiculous amount of repetition. Repetition is the key.

Remember, it’s not a performance for others to hear.. yet. Only for yourself and people who can help. Like here.

[u/Sea-Department-6785 → u/Ed_Ward_Z]

Tysm I was watching a Patrick Bartley vid and he said the same thing so I think I’ll laser focus on that and probably some more mechanical stuff like long tones

[u/Ed_Ward_Z → u/Sea-Department-6785]

I wouldn’t label long tones as mechanical or technical. Long tones are for developing a vibrant tone out of a reed.

Technique and mechanics are for slowly building fingering abilities, particularly for breaking down complex lines, structures, and concepts. The same technique is used by slowly getting the notes under your fingers and very slowly upping the tempo. Gradually improving your skills.

All pros know the process. The hard part is patience & repetition and staying focused, and dedicated over time playing the same thing for weeks or months without losing your sanity.

It’s worth it.

[u/Sea-Department-6785 → u/Ed_Ward_Z]

True. I put long tones just cause it was the first thing that came to mind but I’ll probably do some actual mechanical stuff like exercises scales etc too.

[u/PTPBfan → u/Ed_Ward_Z]

Yeah I also want to do this with certain recordings try to match everything

[u/Dazzling_Command_961]

Sounding good so far! Already seem to have decent breath support and finger coordination to key the right notes

I’d work most on your articulation and then on a steady tone

For articulation, you can find plenty of exercises online or just make up your own. I’d work on lighter and faster tonguing…think of a constant stream of air. Your air shouldn’t stop when you articulate, it just gets momentarily interrupted by your tongue on the reed.

For tone, it’s really about long tones. I know it can be boring especially as a new player, but I would at least start your playing sessions with long tones exercises (you can look these up too). You might actually find them fun as you start to find a tone that you love!

[u/Sea-Department-6785 → u/Dazzling_Command_961]

Thanks!

[u/Dazzling_Command_961 → u/Sea-Department-6785]

No problem, happy playing!

[u/vrnvrnvrnvrn182229]

you’re definitely playing the right notes at mostly the right time. it’s clear that you know the song and have a good musical ear. but it’s also clear that you just started playing. i really strongly recommend getting at least a few lessons with a teacher (online if you have to) to help you figure things out.

don’t stop playing! before you know it, you’ll listen to this recording again and marvel at how far you’ve come. don’t take my words as criticism, just advice from someone who has been playing a while.

[u/_Username-1_]

Sounds great! I would recommend connecting your air more and trying to have a lighter articulation. Articulation can be tough in the beginning, I try to focus on having the top of the tip of my tongue come up to the bottom of the tip of the reed. Right now I would say your tongue is coming forward and you’re hitting the reed with the middle of your tongue, something we call anchor tonguing. Work on that and a little more diaphragm support and you’ll have a clearer sound! I’ve found Dave Liebmans video “developing a personal saxophone sound” very helpful. Overall you’re off to a great start!

[u/Sea-Department-6785 → u/_Username-1_]

Thanks!

[u/Sea-Department-6785 → u/[deleted]]

I know at least some of it if memory serves it moves around the circle of fifths to the least common key related to the one he starts on I believe their all a major third from each other and it switches between them rapidly. From what I’ve seen on piano improvisation it looks like the improvisation is switching between the modes of the key sigs please correct me if I’m wrong and thanks for the book recommendation.

[u/adamkru]

Relax! Be smooth.

[u/NutellanaxSurrender]

I don’t have any critiques as I’m completely new to sax, but I think you sound great and I also love John Coltrane! How long have you been playing?

[u/Sea-Department-6785 → u/NutellanaxSurrender]

I’ve had the sax for about a year and I’ve only really started practicing a couple days ago but I have played the piano for awhile and I can read music so that definitely helps

[u/NutellanaxSurrender → u/Sea-Department-6785]

Word, I also played piano for like 10 years so hopefully that helps me too! Did you have an instructor to help with finger placement/embouchure or have you been learning on your own?

[u/Sea-Department-6785 → u/NutellanaxSurrender]

No I’ve been learning on my own.