Forum of the Saxes

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

For a while now, I have been trying to get a sound that was similar to Paul Desmond's. I absoulutely love his tone and want to try to get something like it, so I could build off of it.

Does anyone have any tips/ideas on how to achieve a tone like his? Specific things would be nice.

Jacob · Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2005 11:15 pm Post subject:

Start by playing along to his recordings, emulating his sound.
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Altosaxophonerules · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 130 Location: Canada

Listen! and listen! Then try looking for his setup: www.saxlessons.com
has them. Then play along with him. GOod luck!

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

Do what Jacob said - play along, try to emulate his sound.

You probably don't want to be using a metal mouthpiece, and you probably don't want hard reeds, but that should do it - I don't suggest going out and buying a Selmer Super Balanced Action and a Gregory mouthpiece, not unless you're really bored, rather rich and okay with trying to be a clone.

Bariman · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2005 6:13 pm Post subject:

Also, you can play some Jazz phrases instead of actual songs (quicker to learn technically), and use those to practice his stylings. He has a very smooth and even tone, very legato at times, so practice on slurring and quick key movement would be good.

Bariman
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reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

If you want to visualize it in your head, I don't think "smooth" is what you want. He professed to be aiming for the sound of a dry martini, which is more like "clear" or "clean" or something, I would say.

Jacob · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject:

Last I knew, he had a fairly breathy, soft tone. Obviously, the easiest way to sound like him is by playing softly, but of course the trick is to sounding like that at normal volume. Laughing

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reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

he went through a few different eras of style changes and of course got older

Bariman · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:34 pm Post subject:

I will stick by smooth, also very lofty, like you're floating. Hard to describe.

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

http://www.myfilestash.com/userfiles/dianna/Desmond.mp3 Here's a small clip of him, just incase you needed to refresh your memories lol.

Jacob · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:35 pm Post subject:

I was slightly exaggerating it. I listened to a recording of him like 2 days ago, plus I have a couple of his albums.
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reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida