Category Archives: Effects
Runyon Mouthpieces
There are a fantastic set of mouthpieces for saxophone and clarinet at the runyon website. These mouthpieces are easy to play, have a high sound and baffle and project notes like no other mouthpiece I’ve tried to date – particularly … Continue reading
Vibrato – when do I use it?
Look at vibrato as either on or off. Like a switch. Either play with vibrato and waver all notes in the piece of music (unless certain notes are stated otherwise in the music), or alternatively don’t use vibrato. The worst … Continue reading
Vibrato – should it be flat or sharp?
Tha answer is both. When you waver the sound the correct tone should be changing from slightly sharp to slightly flat over the note. Getting this correct is a skill and there are various vibrato exercises that can be done … Continue reading
Saxophone/Clarinet Vibrato – How?!
The best advice I can give you is to ask for my help during lessons and I’ll give you the necessary skills and exercises needed to take away and then master vibrato – however I’ve found a site that actually … Continue reading
Saxophone effects – the jazz trill
The trill can be used to great effect in improvisation and especially on the saxophone can be used very creatively and mixed with other saxophone effects. The way into trills for improvisation is to buy a trill leaflet and try … Continue reading
Saxophone Effects – The Breathy Sound…
To get a big breathy sound like many jazz artists used, you need to blow excess air down the horn without playing a louder note. To practice this try some of the lower notes – it’s easier to achieve than … Continue reading
Saxophone Effects – The Bend
The sax bend is done with the embouchure. Press your lower lip against the reed and pull away again. Do this quickly and you will have produced one bend. It sounds simple, however it’s harder than it sounds. The hardest … Continue reading
Saxophone Effects – The Growl
This is one of the easiest to perform…well you can either do it or you can’t. If you can roll your letter R’s then you can. To play it: Whilst blowing roll the throat as if saying a word beginning … Continue reading
