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I am 82 years old and have been playing for 70 years! I must say your suggestion about keeping shoulders from hunching while playing is the first time I have ever heard it and it not only improved my tone but eased my fatigue. I am very grateful for this most helpful advice and will now be a student of your other videos. Yes, even with playing for 70 years, a player who is willing to learn will always find something to improve their playing. Thank you.
Doctor Wallace, I consider you top shelf. With my years of utube viewing, yours is the easiest way. You go deeper, into the meta. And also your wit and teaching style makes it more enjoyable.
Hey Thanks Aaron! I *think* a part of that may be that I’m getting better at mic placement and recording. My tone hasn’t changed much in a decade, but I think my latest videos sound better? Regardless, thanks for the kind words!
@@drwallysax yes I heard the differences in the mic scheme. In any case I really do feel like you’re playing with a more beautiful natural tone. I dunno. Hard to tell I guess, since every frequency I hear is through a digital filter. In any case whatever you did is fantastic and I’m really looking forward to what you have in store for the future.
I took lessons for a year and was never told that tonging was to end a note. This is going to change my life. Thanks Doc, great videos this year, really looking forward to the rest of the things you have planned.
This is such great advice. I’m returning to the sax from a 13 year hiatus. My fingers still remember but my lips and breath support are slowly coming out of retirement lol. Thanks for everything!
Thanks for everything you’re doing, Dr Wally! Always bring me a smile along with knowledge. I especially love the fact that I can increase my tone by 15%! I was looking for a 10% improvement, so thanks. You always over-deliver! 😎🎷😎
Doctor Wallace , Thank you for this great videos . I rewatch your videos and take notes and practice and wait for your next video and I’ve progressed so much ... Thank you ♥️
Wow, great info. I'm planning on getting back into practicing saxophone(tenor in the past, alto this time). I'm definitely going to apply this idea to my regimen. Thanks.
Absolutely love your content, and the way you make more difficult concepts easy to understand (aka - using the diaphragm correctly). I'm still challenged with tonguing correctly while at the same time putting my lungs in my stomach, but the sound is definitely fuller. THUMBS UP!
Thanks, Steve! Glad it's helping! The tongue "valve" is rather counterintuitive to the way many of us learned (myself included) - it takes time, but once you get it, it's like riding a noisy, expensive bicycle!
I can Just agree to all the comments. It's s great fun to listen to your Lessons and the information ist easy to understand. I got my Instrument Serviced and will pick it up tomorrow. Then i will get straight back to the January lessons.
Welcome to the Saxophone Academy, Anthony! I'll have you fitted for a uniform and send over the paperwork. In the meantime, happy practicing and be sure to hit me up with questions!
Great advice! I can´t wait for the lesson on how to get a small cold sound, where we are told to breath small gasps from the chest and fade out all our notes ends...j/k :D
Hey Wally! Finally, someone who’s NOT saying to use your diaphragm to drive the air out. Yay! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Totally agree about the phrasing thing as well. Great point. Kinda like the kitchen “faucet” analogy (native English speakers say “tap” 😉) - the pressure is always there, and you just flip the tap on when you want the water, or sound. Lovin your new regular content - super high quality. I like your non-patronising attitude as well. Your subs seem to be shooting up as well, so great job. Congrats! J😊
Another great video! I think the right reed is also important to sound big. With a light reed you are able to play louder and it’s easier to play more bars, but the sound is terrible.
Whoa, whoa back up. You're using your tongue to finish the note? I was taught (admittedly back in the dark ages) that the pressure is trapped behind your tongue and the release of the tongue combined with the correct diaphragmatic pressure is what starts the note. You mean to say I've been doing it (amongst many other things!) wrong all these years?
First, good on ya for taking care of your grandparents! I have tremendous respect for caretakers. Hope you're tone picks up a bit of plump while it's there (and you eat well too). Happy Monday!
"Dr Wally believes in you" ...Dr Wally may have taken one too many baritones to the head O.o! Seriously though, I have to thank you for the breathing explanation, the reminder (for both how I breathe when I'm playing and to be patient with myself), and the new way for me to look at my breathing while playing. One of the issues I run into is, surprisingly, Karate. No not random karate fighters trying to punch me in half when I'm playing (though I could hardly blame them), but rather karate breathing. In karate, breathing is the opposite, you pull your belly in when you inhale and let it expand on the exhale (for various reasons that I won't bore you with) - unfortunately after ten years on this, whenever I require a large intake of breath I default to this technique because, well, 10 years of karate training. Goes to show, though, that just because something is an "art" the toolsets don't necessarily overlap... also that I REALLY need to redouble my efforts on getting a more focused mindset when playing. Oh and I deffintly agree with the other comments on this vid. Somethings have definitely just clicked for me (not just on sax but clarinet as well) ^_^ .....I still have no idea what's supposed to click from Charlie Parker and Glen Gould though =.=;;
I know what you mean about karate breathing - the sudden sharp exhalation and kiap. It's certainly different, but with practice you'll get it my friend! Dr. Wally believes in you.
@@drwallysax Not only an expert in music but knowledgeable in karate!? ...Well then, I guess I have no choice but to believe in the me that believes in you that believes in me.
Dear god, Evan I’m in tears 😂😂 sadly, it’s the opposite! My wife is an actual doctor, I cleared all the anatomical stuff with her. When I asked about the lungs expanding down, she said “less so when people become obese.” The visceral fat makes deep breathing difficult 😞 Will this slow my cheese habit? It will not.
I have a question about my back pressure air getting stale. Am I taking in too much air? I find myself releasing the remaining air at the end of phrases just to make sure I have new air in my system otherwise I get lightheaded. Does this make sense or is this even possible? Thank you for your vids, great stuff.
Hey Doc, when you're breathing out with the abs contracted is the stomach deflating at the same time or does it stay out while you're contracting. Thanks.
Question for the Doc! You play both classical and jazz. I do the same but at a much much much lower skill level. I am wondering what tip opening you use for both styles. I have a Selmer C* for classical and JJ HR 6 for jazz. I find it hard to adjust between the two and I certainly cannot use the same reed strength. Do you manage two separate sets of reeds? I also find myself practicing with the C* often, just to not wake up the kids. Which makes it more difficult when returning to the HR 6. Any suggestions on this topic? Perhaps a video on this would be a good idea?
FANTASTIC question, Nate - I'll make a video. Short answer - I use separate reeds for each mouthpiece. Also, you have to get used to sucking in two genres for twice the time as your peers. It's a VERY humble path, and maddening at times. But I'm glad I walked it!
my main instruments are Bari sax and clarinet. I haven't played alto in a few years, but I'm playing it for a musical, and I forgot how much I despise it. no hate on alto, it's a great instrument, but it's so much harder to get good a good tone on it.
4:25 MY JAW WAS CLINCHED AND MY SHOULDERS WHERE TENSED UP CLOSER TO MY EARS THAN NORMAL! HOW DID YOU KNOW DR. WALLACE? LOL THANK YOU. I RELAXED AND MY SOUND GOT INSTANTLY BIGGER AND MORE VIBRANT.
@@drwallysax Dr. Wallace it works even better for me on alto. I think this is huge. The way you explain it about how being super relaxed helps you breathe better! I don't think a lot of people are doing it right like this! A zillion thanks.
This is a really good video, but I’m also wondering how would you get a tone like Paul Desmond? I really like playing his music and I want to try to develop a tone similar to his.
The equipment really does matter though, I’m high school I played a saxophone that was difficult for me to do low D easily, it took lots of air. Then one day I tried another saxophone and the low D came out so fast my brain couldn’t compute for a second how the light air I was breathing caused such a crisp easy low D.
Hi Doctor Wally. How can I get a few zoom lessons with you. I am 69. I played tenor in small groups until I was 30. Then quit when my career needed some serious attention. Now looking at possible retirement in next couple of years. I picked sax back up 3 years ago, alto this time. Been loving it. I fell in love with the sax laying in bed as an 8 to 10 year old with my dad listening to Stan Getz Jazz Samba, and all those Verve recordings. I can still hum all of his solos, to this day. But I can’t play them. My other favorite was Paul Desmond who I saw in concert with Brubeck in the mid 70s, at Philadelphia Academy of Music, only a couple years before he died. … I am struggling trying to sound warm like my hero’s, and to improvise. Any chance I can get a few zoom lessons from you? Whatever the cost is, it’s worth it to me. Just to improve a little. And I can tell you are a teacher I can connect with. Please reply if you can. Doctor J!
Hey Nathan, it's a prototype! I've been working with a young company out of Chicago - we've developed my new mouthpiece! It's hands down, the best I've played (obviously I'm biased - I helped design it to my tastes). Should be releasing soon - and for under $100! (I'm excited, in case you couldn't tell).
It is normal - depending on horn, overtones can get pretty crazy out of tune. I find it useful to practice without worrying about intonation (focusing on tone and resonance) and other days spending some time brining them in tune. Either way - no worries!
Nice lesson doc, I have a question which is not about this lesson tho. My question is, how do I make use of the octave key? I mean when do I hold it and when do I release it? thank you
octave key is used for the notes D2 and higher. The "D" that's on the fourth line of the treble staff. That note and any higher - smack the ol' octave key!
Interestingly, the actor playing Max was nearly the exact same age as I am now when he played that role. So, that comparison, while not entirely flattering, tracks.
Thanks Ernst! The mouthpiece is actually a prototype - I hope to have news about it VERY soon (I'm beyond excited). It's hands down my favorite mouthpiece - and it's gonna be super affordable. The reed is a 3.5 Boston Sax Shop!
That is so awesome. Im trying to get a new saxophone . I was thinking of getting a Yanigasawa alto sax. I don’t know what reed or mouthpiece to get and I need help.
@@ernstlozin6138 yanigasawas are great! - I love Yamahas, but they're both top notch. As for mouthpiece - I should have a release on the one I'm playing VERY soon. I think you'll love the price as well ;)
I also wanted to donate to you as well , do you have cash app. I believe God has given you a great grace over your life to play the sax and I want to sow a seed into your ministry. I have a ministration coming up February 20th. I don’t know if you are faith based but I will also like prayer as well.
short practice sessions with LOTS of breaks! You're going to have to toughen up some VERY tender spots on the inside of your lip. Don't overdo it! Be patient and gentle with your embouchure!
@@drwallysax - NOW you tell me about the sage! I knew reeds are the cause of all suffering and pain in the world already, but I didn't know I needed to burn sage (while wearing my dress shirt, tie and jacket) when playing.....
Hi Dr! Great video, I have a question, I'm a begginer and I realized that when I loosen my jaw my tone gets bigger but also flat, so I got more my mouthpiece in, then with minimal pressure it gets too sharp making it too hard for me to play in tune because I'm not used to playing in that way, so I don't know if that is normal and I have to master that embouchure or I am doing it wrong and the mouthpiece position has nothing to do with the tone and tune, so what could I do? Thanks! I enjoy your videos
Afraid this is where we find the limitations of internet teaching. I can't really comment without having seen/heard you play. Definitely seek out a good teacher in your area!
Hi Don, back in 2009 I finished the 3 pound "Grill Monster" hamburger from the Hot House Tavern in under 5 minutes. This earned me the certificate "Doctor of Beef Science" and 10% off appetizers for life! (it's actually in Saxophone Performance....don't tell anyone, it's a silly degree)
@@drwallysax I always think it is one of the more unfair aspects of musical life that it’s so tough for a musician to earn a crust. After all, players work as hard as any other committed student, give themselves over to hours of practice (often risking injury) and have the additional task of competing not only with other professionals but also the hordes of amateurs doing it for a lark.
Kidding aside, always keep your standards high and juuuuust out of reach. Celebrate your wins, but the joy is in growth. You'll get there Alexander - keep practicing my friend!
It's a prototype - I'll be releasing it in the next 2 weeks! It's my new favorite - based off 1950s Brilharts, but hand faced and under $100. I'm in love with it!
