Scott, I’m very self conscience about how I sound. My music is the one thing that I do for my own personal enjoyment and keep it to myself. Though I’m still not very good, your videos bring me so much closer to acceptable human consumption. Thanks, and keep them coming.
After playing sax for thirty plus years I have seen a lot of sax books and videos and I have had countless lessons, you subtone lesson is the best I have seen. I hope you can get paid for your great work. James H
Every time I search for videos to learn a new technique its always your videos that end up working for me. Masterfully taught and straight to the point, these videos help a lot.
First of all, thank you for your videos! I've learned more in a couple of hours, playing along with your videos, than months on my own! I find subtones really pleasing, and definitely something I want to cultivate in my playing. I took it as a challenge to try to find subtones in the higher register as well =D It's not the most "traditional" sound, but I really dig it. I guess it goes back to something you mentioned, when talking about finding ones own sound. Ultimately it's up to your taste, and how your sound makes you feel. Thanks again!
No leaks, I m sure. No gargle neither. Actually, Contrarily to you recommendation, I need to take more mouthpiece to avoid these unwanted vibration. Maybe cause of my mouthpiece, it s a selmer S 90 170? same pbme with reeds 2.5 and 3. Curious? just to know, I use to play with just 5 to 7mm mouthpiece, no more. maybe not good? I tried to take more mouthpiece (>1cm), sound is less controllable.
Thank you Mr Paddock for your reply. Understandably I was disappointed. No one seems to use the DL embouchure. I started my musical education on clarinet and at that time it was the double lip embouchure that was used. I did not actually enjoy this type of embouchure with the lips stretched over the teeth. I did not particularly like the clarinet sound especially in the higher registers so discontinued and took up piano which I completed to performers grade. I was actively engaged in woodwind refurbishing from the age of sixteen and have been so engaged for the past fifty years . I took up tenor saxophone some twenty years ago and found the double lip embouchure allowed me produce the soft smooth sound that pleased me and all listeners greatly. I find the single lip embouchure produces the characteristic honking harsh brutal natural sound of the saxophone which charitably stated could serve as a form of acoustic torture. As far as has been possible I have learnt of only two performers who have used or presently use the double lip embouchure. One being the Master, John Coltrane and the other a contemporary French performer Paul Ennison.While I totally understand your inability to help out with my request could you at least let me know the type of mouthpiece and reed hardness. Or you could even give me the brand names of the mouthpiece and reed and I could check out Google for information. I use a Keilwerth Angel Wings tenor, Rico A7 mouthpiece and Rico 2.5 reed. I do most sincerely and dearly love the sound you have demonstrated in your video and feel sure I could give my front teeth to get out even a fraction of your most beautiful subtone sound quality.I would like nothing better than hear you on a full ballad in subtone.All the very best to you and thank you again for your most speedy reply.
Hey Vivian, I play a Barkley Brazil Kustom Pop 7 Blue (definitely not the most natural sub-tone mouthpiece... it's kind of edgy and bright). And I play Legere Signature 2.25 reeds with a BG Silver Duo ligature on a P. Mauriat 67RX Influence alto.
Cheers Scott. So clearly explained with beautiful sounding sub-tones. I’m off to practise with an old leaky sax now so I suspect this might be difficult for me right now. Inspiration to get that new Mauriat next week. (tenor) Any advice or model recommendations?
Hey! I play a 66RX and love it. The 66R is really good too. Don't get unlaquered unless you like a sax that looks really aged. I prefer the dark lacquer but that is all personal preference. Let me know how it works out!
Is it possible to play subtone using a double lip embouchure? if so could you offer some suggestions or advice or instructions? thanking you for your reply..
Hey Vivian, my advice would be not to play on a double lip embouchure. You lose a ton of control and sound production by having your top lip on the mouthpiece instead of the teeth.
hi, any idea why I can't play low notes other that using Subtone and with double cushion. If I try the full sound with my teeth resting on the mouth piece, the notes just break or stay high. Actually I never learned how to play with my teeth resting on the mouth piece, and I hate it. please what am I supposed to do in this case?
Very nice it already helped me. I always had a tough time getting the low C B and Bb but, it has improved just now. What suggestions do you have to develop the low C B and Bb or sub tones in general ? Thanks !
@@ScottPaddock Thanks ! it is getting better. It does help to do what you did in the video to alternate back and forth from full sound to subtone full sound to subtone...etc The subtones used to be flat but, they are getting nicely intune with practice. I guess the muscles develop and the control too so the intonation gets better
is it possible to play subtones with a double lip embouchure . Ideally what should be the tip opening of the mp and whoa sore of chamber should it have.. I use a dp embouchure and am able to play soft and super soft but the breath sounds are totally absent. Can anything be done to get the true subtone as you have demonstrated in your video? Thank you.
Hey Vivian, I have no idea. I don't recommend double lip embouchure at all. It has a very limiting effect on how you can play and sound on a saxophone. I'd strongly suggest going with a traditional embouchure.
Why I cannot play low notes straight especially B flat , then C # and B but if I am coming gradualy from higher notes it's ok I am trying to play saxophone now for more than 6 years, same fricken problem. I feel like just throwing it, especially when I am told that you have to spend $100 to repair a sax if it needs it can you answer my question please , or anyone who can help
Hi Mr. Scott, I have some question about subtone. I use Vandoren V16 Reed size 2.5, I can reach low B subtone, but I can't reach low Bb subtone. By the way, how to fix it, thanks.
The B is usually more difficult than the Bb. You may have a leak in your Bb key. If there is no leak try relaxing your jaw even more. But the Bb in general is more stable than the B so I'd have your horn checked out.
Blocky_Games i feel very less resistance playing on size 3.5 of vandoren reed but gets tired literally after playing scales on size 4 of the same brand
It depends on your playing level and your gear. But somewhere between a 2.5 and a 3 on cane is what all over my students play. Or a 2.25 - 2.75 on legere signatures. I play a 2.25 legere signatures. If I played on a size 3.5, I might be able to play half of one song before needing to stop. Haha.