Play Jazz Saxophone
Want to learn how to play jazz music on the saxophone? Want to hone your skills or impress others? This article is for you.
Steps
- First things first, assuming you know basic skills of playing, a jazz mouthpiece will greatly help. Otto Link makes an amazing ebonite mouthpiece for jazz, as does Meyer. Vandoren v16 and Java are specifically for jazz, while the V5, as long as it is open, is a great saxophone mouthpiece. Also check out Jody Jazz and the Selmer supper session, as well as the Selmer sd20 All the greats, Charlie Parker, Coltrane, Cannonball, Brecker... used a jazz mouthpiece. Remember, a jazz mouthpiece should be open, for basic jazz from size 6-8 or 9 should work, for big band music, 5-8 should work and for crazy funk and fusion, 7-11. Don't be deceived by players that you can use your classical mouthpiece for jazz.
- Get jazz reeds. jazz reeds are highly recommended and so is a good ligature. Rico Select Jazz reeds are really good, and Vandoren makes four specifically for jazz, The jazz ZZ, Java green, java red, and the V16. The v16 provides a very full sound. Vandoren traditional reeds also work decently for jazz. Hemke reeds are also great for jazz. Smooth jazz star Kenny G uses Hemke reeds. Many websites allow you to buy one reed of a certain type. Do this for several and find the one you like best. It should both sound good and respond easily. The vandoren optimum ligature has a reputation as a classical ligature but if you choose the plate with four points, the reed vibrates to its maximum capability. Also check out the Francois Louis Ultimate ligature. Try to avoid all rovner ligatures, as they dampen the sound WAY to much and have WAY to much contact with the reed.
- Change your mindset before playing jazz if you already play classical. It is a different form of playing, less control, more unpredictable and " from the soul" It's about grooving, but doing it well.
- Learn to swing. Play scales in a different way. Get used to articulating and create your sound.
- Learn the seven modes. These are Ionian (major), Dorian, Phrygian, lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian (minor), and Lochrian (in ascending order).
- Listen. Listening is very important for developing a jazz style. Listen to such greats as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, and develop the style you want.
- Join a jazz band. There's no better way to learn to play jazz then joining some group and playing it first hand. If you are just starting, most middle and high schools have a jazz band.
- Take private lessons. Get a professional to prevent you from causing bad habits that go into your subconscious memory.
Tips
- Bear in mind that all the saxes differ, and therefore you should adapt to this by utilizing the full effect of your sax, whether it be alto, tenor, baritone, etc. All types of saxophones have benefits and drawbacks associated with them, and you should be prepared to exploit the benefits and downplay the drawbacks.
- Improvisation is also a large part of jazz. If you're playing classical music, learning to improvise is one of the first things you need to do. Listen to "the greats", and pay close attention to how they improvise, and compare the different styles they have. Start out by improvising with scales. Also, try to find music books containing jazz standards or etudes (jazz study pieces.) Your local music shop may have some of the aforementioned books. If you don't have a music shop near you, or your music shop doesn't sell them, browse the Internet, and you will find many a website that sells these books. Most books will contain CD's that have backing tracks with which you can play.
- Transcribe jazz songs and try to play it exactly like a jazz great on a recording.
Warnings
- Avoid mouthpieces on Ebay from china or without a brand (or just any mouthpiece on Ebay for under $70) as these are cheap and will just hold you back, even if you are skilled. The plastic or rubber ones are especially hard to play. Why shell out $50 for a piece of junk, when you can save $150 for something that will last a very long time.
- Make sure you know what style you want. Buying a metal mouthpiece gives you a different sound than a hard rubber mouthpiece.
- Don't get too caught up in equipment, however. How you play will determine your sound far more than your mouthpiece and reeds etc. However being an equipment dork is not bad
Things You'll Need
- Saxophone
- Jazz Sax reeds
- A jazz mouthpiece
- A ligature that allows more vibration
- Good records
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