Do These 8 Things for a Beautiful Saxophone Sound

I'm 72 and purchased a beautiful Jean Paul alto sax. Playing three months and very satisfied with my progress... Thanx to you my friend!!!

1. 1:19 play everyday 2. 1:24 stop biting 3. 1:51 softer reeds 4. 2:04 let the air do the work 5. 2:15 listen to great saxophone players 6. 2:24 practice longtones 7. 2:33 be patient, think long term 8. 2:40 upgrade mouthpiece

Hi Jay - since I retired from work I have been playing long tones every day - playing a (different) scale over the full length of the horn (so i get round the cycle of fifths ) listening to each note for at least a whole note or two or four (quarter note = 60bpm), and checking tuning / intonation against a drone.. Last week my band director walked past me and said my tone is really sweet and full of character . So - to everyone out there - Jay's message about long tones works. It just takes patience, persistence, dedication day in day out.

As a player, teacher and perpetual student of the saxophone I think this advice is absolutely the best advice out there. All credit to you Jay 😎🎷👏👏👏

“Everybody needs a teacher”. That is so true. Years of self-teaching after acquiring some very rudimentary beginner’s skills from my high-school teacher brought very little gain. The past 3 years with a proper teacher and I feel I’ve progressed 20 years.

“Let the air do the work” is the most important tip from this video IMO.

Thanks for this Jay. The putting the time in is really important, and what you said is so true. 10 years ago I sounded terrible, and I was in college! But I practiced every day, had my ass kicked by the right people, and I sound a lot better. These days I mostly play to keep in shape, or learn music for new gigs, but pulling the horn out of the case and playing and being honest of where you stand with it is key.

Great content. I started playing saxophone in the 90s, before internet. No tutorials available, no YouTube, no teachers around where I lived in Norway. I purchased the saxophones, and started playing with Jamey Aebersold play-alongs. Years later it turns out I instinctively did things correctly. Holding the instrument, fixating the reed, cleaning the instrument, and most importantly, embouchure. I used a double lip embouchure, never even knee there was a formal term for it back then. Turns out it's the exact embouchure that Stan Getz used😊 And without trying too hard, I sounded similar to Stan. Wasn't trying to copy even...

For me, as a professional, i always enjoy your tips and advices. And what i like the most is your ideea that you have to practice no matter if you are a begginer or a professional. Tnx for the video!

Great video as usual Jay. I wasted years that I could've been studying because of noise issues. About two years ago, I built a practice room which was not quiet enough, then I built a sound proof "shed" in my garage where I can practice any time of the day or night. Just one more note, golf is as frustrating as saxophone believe me. 🤣

Ironically, only an hour before watching your video my husband and I saw a guy sitting in his car by the side of the road playing his sax. Proves you can practice anywhere if you really want to. No excuses!!

Brilliant. Starting again after a 43 year pause of playing for 7 years. Really having fun. Keep up the great work and thank you.

Thank you Jay for answering my question! This was a very motivating video to keep practicing and fine tuning my sound.

I love it. " Practice every day"... Thanks alot dude. Great video,.. highlighting the reality of life. You get out of it,.. what you put into it, and if you want something, you have to put in the work. Passion, and determination breed results., in anything you pursue. I'm an old man, and I can attest to this truth. Like it or not,. it's still the truth.

Im an older player and I chased the sound for many years until I found my sound about 15 years ago. I went to a sax shop that had many used quality tenor sax mouthpieces. I spent hours going through mouthpieces. I found the mouthpiece of my dreams, a Lamberson. I had never heard of that manufacturer, but now I'm very aware of him. I spent many years along with three years in the Army band system with the wrong mouthpiece for me. Jay is right, don't be afraid of using a softer reed. Some mouthpieces are designed for a softer reed. "Let the air do the work".

Jays videos taught me how to play and I will continue to accept any wisdom he gives us, thanks Jay!

I already watched this video and I am watching it again because its just a nice reminder. Thanks.

Thanks Jay! I’m a rare student who is starting off on bari and have been enjoying being a member of yours since August. I’m pleased with my overall progress but this was a great reminder to stay consistent and focus on the incremental improvements

Thanks, Jay, I'm going to watch this video every time I need a motivational boost while I'm practicing every day for the next ten years, ha ha. Seriously, this really helped. Thank you.

Every comment is Golden Jay.... Your passion an knowledge shines through.... After 35 years of playing (doing lots of things wrong) I wish I'd followed much if this video suggestions. Recently enrolled in your Pentatonic Foundations Course. More enjoyment and fun ahead... Please do more of these type videos.... They add another dimension. Cheers Jimu