Have you ever listened to an alto sax player and wondered how they got their sound?
Here, 7 Sax School members share their tips on playing alto saxophone – their gear, their practice tips and their inspiration.
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Our Sax School Community is awesome. Every day, saxophone players from over 80 different countries around the world use our Community to share their progress, ask questions, get feedback and support each other. And they love to make music together and collaborate.
The Challenge
For this collaboration, 7 alto sax players from our Community, were brought together by another member, Bev, for a challenge.
Alice, Andi, Dave, Janet, Kay, Larry and Susan recorded themselves playing alto saxophone on the same solo section of “She’s Like the Wind” from the hit movie Dirty Dancing.
In the video you can hear them playing this section side by side, to hear their different playing styles.
The aim is to inspire each other and other alto saxophone players like you!
Watch the video and find out below how they get their sound.
Alice
Alice lives in Singapore and she has been playing alto saxophone for 4 years.
Alice’s Gear:
- Mouthpiece: SYOS Custom Jimmy Sa (Anthracite Metal 5*)
- Reed: Légère American Cut, strength 2.75
Alice’s Recording Effects:
- Reaper
- Compression (default)
- EQ (default)
- Reverb (between -30 to -36)
Alice’s Embellishments and techniques:
- Vibrato
- Grace Notes
- Fall/offs
Alice’s Inspiration:
Alice’s Special Tips:
I listen attentively to the singer’s rendition of the song, paying close attention to their emotions and overall performance.
Afterwards, I try to replicate their style and infuse the same emotions into my own interpretation of the song.
Alice’s Practice Tips:
Normally, I will warm-up with a major and chromatic scale, intervals, Sax School’s Cello piece and a classical étude.
When I warm-up, I will incorporate vibrato, altissimo, growl, scoops, and breathing control. For example, when I reach the last note of a scale, I will play it (with even vibrato) until I am out of breath. So, I have to consciously make sure I am pushing out air from my diaphragm.
Then, I will either practice a song or play something new.
Andi
Andi is from Northern Ireland has been playing alto saxophone for 3 years.
Andi’s Gear:
- Mouthpiece: Jody Jazz HR 5*
- Reed: Légère Signature, strength 2.25
Andi’s Recording Effects:
• GarageBand – echo & reverb
• Cloudvocal iSolo Lite clip-on sax microphone, Effect setting 3 (reverb)
Andi’s Embellishments and techniques:
- Vibrato
- Dynamic variation
- Grace notes
Andi’s Inspiration:
Nigel McGill (of course!)
I love most sax riffs and solos – especially 70s/80s pop/rock/disco/funk.
Since joining Sax School I have become partial to Junior Walker and Sam Butera.
Andi’s Special Tips:
As I play, I sing the song in my head to reflect the rhythm, articulation and emotion of the singer.
Andi’s Practice Tips:
Play songs that you really love and that one day you may be able to use – to play for others!
Dave
Dave is from the USA and has been playing alto saxophone for 10 years. Previously be played the clarinet.
Dave’s Gear:
- Mouthpiece: Theo Wanne Fire, 6
- Reed: Légère American Cut 2.5
Dave’s Recording Effects:
• GarageBand – echo & reverb
• Cloudvocal iSolo Lite clip-on sax microphone, Effect setting 3 (reverb)
Dave’s Embellishments and techniques:
I wouldn’t say I have a natural vibrato, but I am working on it and I use it sparingly. I like ornamental notes, graces notes and bends and such. I try to play with a lot of feeling and thus we get lots of dynamic variations and a few glissandos and when the piece dictates it.
I can growl a bit, but you have to be careful with any of these things and not overplay it or over use it, because they become less effective!
Dave’s Inspiration:
- Cannonball Adderley
- Sonny Stitt
- Sonny Rollins
- Chris Potter
- Nigel McGill
- Trombone/cello players and vocalists
Dave’s Special Tips:
I’ve always focused on having a nice steady warm tone, and good air / breathing. If you have solid relaxed air, the notes just come out as expected, providing your sax is in working order.
I use an app called Tunable which I find very effective and it really shows you graphically where your tone is.
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Janet
Janet is from England and has been playing alto saxophone for 13 years.
Janet’s gear:
- Mouthpiece: Selmer Concept (one size)
- Reed : Vandoran V21, strength 3
Janet’s Recording Effects:
Cloudvocal iSolo Choice clip-on sax microphone. Effect setting 1 (reverb)
Janet’s Embellishments and techniques
- Vibrato
- Grace notes
- Mordents
Janet’s Inspiration:
- Dave Koz
- Kenny G
- Jess Gillam
- All the Sax School teachers
Janet’s Special tips:
I sing the song in my head as I play to portray the right emotion and feeling.
Janet’s Practice Tips:
When playing a long note, try to do something with it: eg vibrato or changing the dynamics.
On repeated notes, try to make them sound different eg. play them with different intensity.
Work out in advance where to breathe and if necessary mark it on the music. This will help enhance the phrasing. If it’s a tune with lyrics never take a breath in the middle of a word.
Over-exaggerate your dynamics. It will seem over the top to you but if you put 100% into the sax only 75% will come out.
Don’t be over critical of yourself, look at what you have achieved and improved on as much as what you need to work on.
Above all have fun.
Kay
Kay is from England and has been playing alto saxophone for 4 years.
Kay’s gear:
- Mouthpiece: Syos Karsten Belt, strength 5*
- Reed: Silverstein Ambipoly, strength 2.5+
Kay’s Recording Effects:
Cloudvocal iSolo Prime clip-on sax microphone. Effect setting 1 (reverb).
Kay’s Embellishments and techniques:
- Vibrato
- Grace notes
- Scoops
- Dynamic variation
- Glissando
Kay’s Inspiration:
Alexandra Ilieva
Luis Graziatto
Phil Smith
The Sax School team
Kay’s Special Tips:
Take inspiration from your favourite saxophonists. Emulate what do they do to create their unique sound. We are all hybrids!
Kay’s Practice Tips:
Try Sax School’s Fast Fingers exercise! It’s excellent for building dexterity.
Practice Overtones for 5 minutes every day. It opens the throat and helps you become aware of your tongue position for each high note.
Larry
Larry is from the USA and has been playing alto saxophone on and off since he was a child.
Larry’s gear:
- Mouthpiece: Berg Larsen, 85/1 (vintage mouthpiece from 1980s)
- Reed: Légère American Cut, strength 2.5
Larry’s recording effects:
I try to get the recording to sound natural with the backing track being used. But I also try to use a light touch to subtly enhance rather than overuse effects.
I use trial and error. I just select a preset and play until I am somewhat happy with the sound!
For this recording, I used Logic for the DAW. Reverb, 1.8 seconds, 25% wet. Compression: Threshold, -10; Ratio 1.4. EQ: alto sax default preset.
Larry’s Inspiration:
Early inspirations included Grover Washington, Jr., Jay Beckenstein (Spyro Gyra), David Sanborn and Chris Vadala (Chuck Mangione’s saxophonist and a teacher of mine years later). Why? Amazing sound and the music just feels good (time and groove)!
Initial “straight-ahead” jazz alto inspirations were Phil Woods, Cannonball Adderley and Sonny Stitt. Why? All have great sound and time, flawless technique, and endless creative and flowing improv ideas.
Larry’s special tips:
Sound is very personal and what one person likes another may not. I think it is for others to listen and decide if there is something unique about anybody’s sound.
I try to focus on playing with a full sound and conveying emotion that hopefully will be relayed to the listener. Also, I view playing techniques as tools to use when desired. And I don’t generally set out to use a particular technique or effect. But rather I try to let the music and my feeling dictate what I will use at the time.
In terms of improvisation, I tend to think (and hopefully play) melodically and work to create new melodies over the harmony while improvising.
Larry’s Practice Tips
Don’t be in a hurry when practicing. Things will take as long as they take. Slow things down and learn them correctly the first time. The cliché is true: Practice makes “permanent.”
Don’t be afraid to experiment. I try to spend part of each practice simply making up melodies and connecting my ear to the instrument. A teacher once advised me that practicing exercises, without spending time on using that information creatively, will result in music that sounds like an exercise.
Figure out what works for you. There are many ways to attack a practice problem. Look for advice and guidance, but everyone is different, and you know yourself best.
Finish practice sessions on a positive note. Do something fun so that you are looking forward to playing again tomorrow.
Susan
Susan is from England and has been playing alto saxophone for 6 years. Previously she played the flute.
Susan’s gear:
- Mouthpiece: Meyer Bros Connoisseur New York, 7
- Reed: Hemke, strength 3
Susan’s Recording Effects:
Space Designer, Hall effect
Susan’s Embellishments and techniques
- Vibrato
- Grace notes
- Fall offs
- Dynamic variation
- Rubato
Susan’s Inspiration:
I love Paul Desmond!
Susan’s Special Tips:
Feel the music! I don’t think too much about technique. But my classical training has instilled in me the importance of breath control and smoothness in playing.
Susan’s Practice Tips:
Chromatic scales are great for finger dexterity!
Final Thoughts
I hope you were super-inspired by the great playing from our Sax School students!
If you dream of playing alto saxophone like this, whatever style of playing you’re into, take a look at Sax School PRO.
We’ve got all the lessons, tutor support and resources you need to make great progress, and develop your own playing style.
Plus you’ll be part of our awesome worldwide Community of sax players – and you have seen for yourself the amazing things they can achieve together.