Song Help

Hiya · Song Help

In about a month, my Junior High band will be performing in Victoria, Canada as a yearly competition thing. On one of the songs that we are performing, I have this big solo.

This is where you guys come in. Do you think you could play this song and record yourself and post it here? I need some inspiration...

Here's a recording of me (mind the quality)

And here's the solo:

BariSax37

I cant do the whole playing thing but I can give you some help.....

ok at the beggining your starting in a bit too strong, Im guessing that its a slow and pleasant song right? well at the beggining try to start smoother.

at the 12th measure of your solo you went from the louder note(G) to the softer note(a) without the decresendo. You went from loud to soft between the notes without decreasing your volume while still on the half note.

As a last note it souded as if your reed was to dry, when you do your solo make sure its wet enough to play smoothly.

JPSaxMan

I can make a recording of one or the other and show you how I would do it myself Mr. Green

.

Your timing is a little off because you're going too slow; I'm not sure what the bpm of the song is, but I'll record my rendition asap. Very Happy

reisio

You're cutting off the ending half notes.

Hiya

Yeah, I'm cutting off the half notes because I running out of breath.

JPSaxMan

Running out of breath?

That sounds like a problem...you really need to work on your breath support if you can't even do 6 beats without having to take a breath. That sounds like a reeeal problem Confused

Hiya

I played a reed 4 1/2 on that song. My tip opening for my mouthpiece is pretty huge also. Trust me, I could hold a note for a LONG time on a size 3.

JPSaxMan

Well, that could be why

Larger tip opening; softer reed and vice versa Cool

reisio

ya, um, you don't need a 4 & 1/2, grab a 3 (or sand down your 4 & 1/2s)

Hiya

I'm actually not sure why the heck I use a 4 1/2. I use a 3 for jazz but I tend to use a harder reed on classical. I just feel that I can't get that dark sound out of the softer reeds. When I tried using a 3, my solo was very bright, sounded happy and bebopy Confused

. I also feel that vibrato is easier on the lower octives with a hard reed.

Any tips on achieving a dark sound? All I know is that you're supposed to use cold air instead of warm air, and I've been doing that.

Thanks for all the advice so far, I really am grateful.

BariSax37

Your mouthpeice. Your probally getting a "bebopy" sound because your probally using a jazz mouthpeice. get more of a classical moutpeice instead of a jazz moutpeice

JazZz

how long have you been playing?

Hiya

Not too long, about two years.

BariSax37

ahhh thats why you dont have that mature sound I was wanting to hear
try opening your throat up, pretend like theres an orange in your throat, it will help darken your tone

JPSaxMan

An orange? Dang man, I think a hard boiled egg is a better example (imagine trying to shove an orange down your throat) Shocked

BariSax37

yeah well its just what my band director told me like 4 years aago and i never forgot that phrase lol

Hiya

Heres the what I sounded like at the band festival.

http://www.myfilestash.com/userfiles/dianna/213131221.mp3

You guys really helped me a lot :]. Thanks a WHOLE bunch.

BariSax37

I agree with the judge, you should GREAT glad to be of some service and continue to practice and play, you have a great sound and lots of potiential

Thomas