Forum of the Saxes

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

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 · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 70 Location: Warren MI

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.
_________________
Jason Hamilton
Baritone Saxophonist
Warren Mott High
Warren MI

JPSaxMan · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:18 pm Post subject:

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

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

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

You're cutting off the ending half notes.

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

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

JPSaxMan · Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:12 pm Post subject:

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

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

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 · Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 12:39 am Post subject:

Well, that could be why

Larger tip opening; softer reed and vice versa Cool

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

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

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

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

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 · Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 70 Location: Warren MI

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
_________________
Jason Hamilton
Baritone Saxophonist
Warren Mott High
Warren MI

JazZz · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 170

how long have you been playing?

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

Not too long, about two years.