good saxaphone sound?

Question

can anyone help me with ways to sound better on saxaphone(alto). ive only been playing for a year or so and i can get a good clean sound but its not smooth enough. i have a good meyer mouthpiece but i cant seem to make my playing sound any better. i listen to people like billy joel and the solo on "just the way you are" just sounds so smooth and i cant understand how people do it. any techniques or help that can make me sound better?

Answer 1

So, you've been playing for a year and already you want to sound like Phil Woods? You need to set that bar a little lower, my friend! He's been playing for almost 60 years.

Based on your question, it seems that you are not so concerned about your 'sound' (as you say it is good and clean - that's the way it should be), but your 'technique'. Improving your technique takes study and practice. A private instructor is a good idea to help you find some practice materials on scales and techniques in this area.

Phil Woods plays what is referred to as 'Hard Bop' or 'Post-Bop'. You can try to find some books with studies in those styles, but again, an instructor can guide you through this much quicker and easier.

Start listening to your favorites on a daily basis and get the songs 'in your head'. I always find that if I can hear a song or technique 'in my head', I can play it. And know for the 'P' word - I used to hate hearing this too, but you gotta practice and you gotta practice a lot to get the technique and sound down. There is no way around it!

Answer 2

Of course you don't have a good smooth sound yet, you only been playing for roughly a year, you can't expect to sound like Charlie Parker after a year! But most people won't get to sound like Bird no matter how hard they practice. just parctice more and in a year or 2 you will have a good clean sound that is smooth enough for ya.

-K.Punk

Answer 3

A ton of practice and sometimes for an hour or more. Some other good saxaphone players you may find interesting to listen to are: Paul Taylor, Mindi Abair, and Jeff Kashiwa. These are Smooth Jazz artists but their sax work is truly amazing.

Answer 4

I think the most of what you need is practice, that sort of sound comes with experience and confidence, you can chase it for years but then suddenly one day it seems to just dawn on you, good luck

Answer 5

sturdy Morning Baltimore- Hairspray i've got have been given The solar in the Morning- Annie Get Your Gun merely like Being In Love- Brigadoon Defying Gravity- depraved i ought to bypass on and on! BQ- Hairspray BQ2- likely

Answer 6

DO NOT RUSH YOUR FINGERS WHILE PLAYING.

bridge the notes.

You are playing staccato in melody with slow Rhythm

the bass could go ,as fast as it please, the treble goes patiently slow.....so Your fingers.

by the way.......You are not playing Jazz ,anyway.
if that were the case I might say...OK,now swing it.

Answer 7

when my sound isnt smooth enough, i listen to "Bird Of Paradise" by charlie parker and mimic his technique which usually works and when it isnt rough enough, i listen to "Giant Steps" and mimic that