Thx for all of the free tips. I'm on disability pension, and cannot afford to pay for lessons. You have done me and I'm sure others a great service. Thank you.
I never laerned to improvise . I am a very good 'reader' of notes. So this is a very useful lesson for me because I would like to be able to improvise . I am 58 years old, did not play for 30 years and now I started again since one year. Playing my alto gives me so much joy but always short of time because there is so much I want to learn. ( I am Flamish so sorry for my English writing) Thank you for your lessons.
I'm just glued to watching your lessons all this while. As I await the arrival of my saxophone, I'll keep following. Thanks so much for the simplicity. God bless your heart.
Go for it Mike. I have loads more resources to help you on my website. My free lesson Tool Kit is a great starting point. You can get it here: www.mcgillmusic.com/saxophone-tool-kit
Just great exercise, I'm a guitar/piano player since childhood and never really got the hang of improvisation and going to get a sax soon. Looking forward to play here, super easy and fun!
This is theeee best video i have seen so far, and i want to create my own channel and try to teach others :) thanks so much. I have played alto and tenor i am in Year 8 and that other video you made on the three mistakes not to make really helped.
Thankyou so much. I will follow your channel. Thankyou for the great tips on improvisation i have just started to play on Tenor sax and this will really boost me in Jazz skills.
a great explanation of the blues scales. I've normally tried to play by 'ear' and failed many times. I've now got a structure to build on. Thanks Melvyn
I'm a big fan of your sax lessons. You make it so easy to follow along. I very much appreciate it. I have listened and watched other wannabee teachers. There lessons have been sometimes more about showing of their playing skills, than trying to really teach the instrument. I'm trying to learn the circle of fifth, do you have a lesson about that? Please let me know.
Good to start slow and listen to your notes for ideas to play using just combinations of the G, B, and D. I use my soprano sax at the computer to play the b flat parts, Tenor is hard to maneuver around the screen and keyboard.
Great stuff as always, I would love to go back to your course but like Tim, I am on my old age very low pension. I am 77, and hope I win the lottery so I can take your course. Keep on the great work.
Wonderful. Just wonderful. A longer loop of taking turns in different keys would be fun - you probably have that in the sax school? Anyway - new to the channel and absolutely loving it! :-)
Could you tell me if you could use triad pairs and the pentatonic scale at the same time. What I mean is if soloing and you say improvise over 4 bars using the pentatonic scale could you use triad pairs in the following 4 bars? Thank you
Hi Liam. There are lots of different techniques you can use to build your solo. The important thing is that you have a system for how you are using them. So, test and practice lots of different things, but keep the structure of what you’re doing at the front of your mind. Hope that helps.
I refer to the short “jamming” session ........ it was great ..... very entertaining. But could you please explain how you chose those three notes for the tenor. It just wouldn’t have worked with a random selection of any three, so how did you decide on those ones ?
Good session. very helpful. A question I have, though, is - if my saxophone is getting inconsistent and some notes are sometimes coming out weird and still too high and terrible intonation, what could be wrong? My sax is often warbling badly and malfunctioning in the B and G note below the octave key in the lower octave. It's expensive to get these instruments fixed if and w hen they develop leaks in pads or other related issues. Any hints or suggestions?
Lots of choices there. I played Vandoren “blue box” reeds for years but now only use Legere Signature reeds. They are more expensive per reed, but last much longer and are more consistent, so in the long run are far more economical.
Good question. Rhythm is something lots of us struggle with. I’ve made a full course on it inside my Sax School actually which I’m sure would help you. If you’re interested I have a 30 day free trial here: www.mcgillmusic.com
Hey Nigel, I have been playing tenor for 2 1/2 years, and I am looking for a new mouthpiece. I have been using a bad one that came with my sax, and I have been needing a new one. I am playing in a concert band, and will soon be playing in a marching/symphonic band. I am torn a little as well because I love playing jazz, but I am not in a jazz band, so I just want a mouthpiece that can be good in all genres of music. Do you have any suggestions for a new mouthpiece?
Great question. There are lots of options out there. Personally I am a big fan of the Theo Wanne mouthpieces for the same reason you mention - versatility. I'm playing on a Slant Sig hard rubber size 8 from Theo Wanne. It's a brilliant all-rounder for me. You could also check out the original Otto Link metal "tonemaster". I've also used a Vandoren V16 T8 piece a bunch over the years that is a bit dark, but very versatile. Hope that helps.
Not wishing to be negative but if you have never improvised before the chances are you haven't much of a clue about backing tracks. Look on line and there are hundreds and hundreds. Very frustrating when we are told ... right let's play over this track...as if this "track" is as obvious as knowing which way up you hold a saxophone!!
the only improvement i can think of to this video is a short explanation of transposing these simple exercises to concert pitch but aside from that this was really helpful for applying sax concepts to the ewi
Thx for all of the free tips. I'm on disability pension, and cannot afford to pay for lessons. You have done me and I'm sure others a great service. Thank you.
"Let's improvise together."
*Me watching this at 1:30 am*
I never laerned to improvise . I am a very good 'reader' of notes. So this is a very useful lesson for me because I would like to be able to improvise . I am 58 years old, did not play for 30 years and now I started again since one year. Playing my alto gives me so much joy but always short of time because there is so much I want to learn. ( I am Flamish so sorry for my English writing)
Thank you for your lessons.
Lang leve de sax school lessen!
Hi Lydia, I'm an older player too (59) so welcome to the club! You are right -- playing sax has brought much joy into my life. Have fun!
@@SlabHardcheese awesome
I'm just glued to watching your lessons all this while. As I await the arrival of my saxophone, I'll keep following. Thanks so much for the simplicity. God bless your heart.
Simplicity is the best method keep it up
Nigel that was a very inspiring simple and informative lesson I loved jamming along with you while only playing the three notes. thanks again buddy
Awesome. I haven't played the sax in about 10 years and want to get back to it again. This is a great way to start.
Go for it Mike. I have loads more resources to help you on my website. My free lesson Tool Kit is a great starting point. You can get it here: www.mcgillmusic.com/saxophone-tool-kit
Great job. Really helpful.
Just great exercise, I'm a guitar/piano player since childhood and never really got the hang of improvisation and going to get a sax soon. Looking forward to play here, super easy and fun!
you are a fantastic and nteractive teacher, may you live to grow very old.
I've only been playing for a week, but this improvising video is the most fun I've had so I'm signing up for your classes!
Awesome, so glad it helped you Curtis. Looking forward to helping you inside Sax School!
So great!
Excellent and practical easy to use techniques thank you.
Thanks John, hope it was helpful.
Thank's enjoyed that! Only been playing for a month, not easy when you have never played any instrument before! but I'm learning?
VERY GOOD PATTERN TO START WITH AND SIMPLE, I VE HAVING A HARD TIME IMPROVISING
WHY ARE WE YELLING?
your lessons are really funny and enjoyable. keep up the good work and thanks
Thanks Virgile!
Thank you so much
Thanks a lot for your sharing of experience and expertise. As a beginner I do learn much. Again, I am deeply grateful to you.
lovely hint
Very good, simple, well explanation and also nice because we play together!
Great lesson, really good pace! Thanks
I'm watching this the day of my performance
My first time. I liked it very much. Neeltje holland
Really enjoyed this. Fun!
very helpful. i have a jazz band audition today and needed this thank you
Did you get in?
This is theeee best video i have seen so far, and i want to create my own channel and try to teach others :) thanks so much. I have played alto and tenor i am in Year 8 and that other video you made on the three mistakes not to make really helped.
Awesome, great to hear you found this useful.
AWESOME
So useful- thanks. I find improvising so hard, especially making the rhythm interesting
That can be a real challenge - keeping it simple is the best strategy, particularly with your rhythm.Thanks for watching Anna.
Very nice. Found I was often inverting your melodies.....
Cool.
Wow that was awesome. I enjoyed taking turns playing.
Cheers Rich. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thankyou so much. I will follow your channel. Thankyou for the great tips on improvisation i have just started to play on Tenor sax and this will really boost me in Jazz skills.
Great to hear that Rufus!
a great explanation of the blues scales. I've normally tried to play by 'ear' and failed many times. I've now got a structure to build on. Thanks Melvyn
Cheers Melvyn, I’m glad it was helpful.
Always great, thanks!
just great
Cheers.
I'm a big fan of your sax lessons. You make it so easy to follow along. I very much appreciate it. I have listened and watched other wannabee teachers. There lessons have been sometimes more about showing of their playing skills, than trying to really teach the instrument. I'm trying to learn the circle of fifth, do you have a lesson about that? Please let me know.
Thanks Heinz! Glad you’re enjoying the videos. We definitely have lessons on circle of fifths inside Sax School PRO. saxschoolonline.com/courses/
Great lesson .
This was a great introduction, it gives us a beginning point and some great insight. Already makes me wanna jump in!!!
Cool! Glad it was helpful Richard!
Nigel, this amazing i love it
Great to hear that Ernest!
I really love the beginning. It sounds really nice. I just can't stop listening to it. I like your playing from 0:16 to 0:20
Cheers Jason!
Agreed, I'd love to know more about this lick, it's so funky!
It's cool... I love it.. Keep it up..
Hi Nigel Great VID ,I HAVE ONLY JUST STARTED TO IMPROVISING,AFTER MANY YEARS PLAYING. Howard
Brilliant to hear that Howard. The full course will really help you I think.
Good to start slow and listen to your notes for ideas to play using just combinations of the G, B, and D. I use my soprano sax at the computer to play the b flat parts, Tenor is hard to maneuver around the screen and keyboard.
Great information I'm just about to start learning
Nigel, This is AWESOME. Am joining your school today .
Great! I’ll keep an eye out for you in Sax School.
Off to have a go!! Thank you🎷!
Thanks for your videos! Love’m! God bless!
Super sir
Cheers!
AWESOME .. i had so much fun playing it.. please make more such videos :-D
Cool!
Im a trumpet player. I got some ideas from this cool
Superb first lesson - thanks for this. Where do I find lesson 2 please? Also - where do I find a backing track?
Peter Drake same I need a backing track
Fantastic lesson just skipped through I’m defiantly going to have a go with my tenor and look at rest of the course thanks Mark
Brilliant! You’ll love the full course.
Thanks info. how to improvising on saxophone
Gostei. Vou estudar com este vídeo essa semana. Parabéns pelo trabalho.
Great tips!!
Cheers Ben!
awesome and brilliant
Cheers!
Great exercise.. thanks a lot.
Cheers Henrik, hope it helped you.
thats justr superb
That was very useful to start improvising - thank you. (PS: using a recorder ...)
Thanks very nice
Great stuff as always, I would love to go back to your course but like Tim, I am on my old age very low pension. I am 77, and hope I win the lottery so I can take your course. Keep on the great work.
Thank u very much, it beautiful
Very interesting
Very helpfull!
Great to hear that Sylvain!
I've never known how to start improvising but this seems like it might work...and its fun!
Very usefull
sounds good. stubby
Hey that was really cool I didn't have my sax but used my mouth to keep up with the rhythm.Now I will get my sax and try it soon as I can
Awesome. Glad it helped!
Wonderful. Just wonderful. A longer loop of taking turns in different keys would be fun - you probably have that in the sax school? Anyway - new to the channel and absolutely loving it! :-)
Anything specifically for soprano sax?
Can you please help us with only one name of a similar song to try your method?
Very usefull but if got long way to gone 7
Short licks to rehearse on please
I just start learning sax 🎷 alto and I really need help
This is awesome.
Please, how can I get the remaining videos on this course. First time
Hi Oyetunde. The full course is available inside Sax School. You can find out more here: www.mcgillmusic.com/join.
Could you tell me if you could use triad pairs and the pentatonic scale at the same time. What I mean is if soloing and you say improvise over 4 bars using the pentatonic scale could you use triad pairs in the following 4 bars? Thank you
Hi Liam. There are lots of different techniques you can use to build your solo. The important thing is that you have a system for how you are using them. So, test and practice lots of different things, but keep the structure of what you’re doing at the front of your mind. Hope that helps.
I refer to the short “jamming” session ........ it was great ..... very entertaining. But could you please explain how you chose those three notes for the tenor. It just wouldn’t have worked with a random selection of any three, so how did you decide on those ones ?
They are just the chord notes. The root : G, the third: B, and the fifth: D. Those are the notes the vamp is playing.
Diego Asseo Soledad ........ I’m none the wiser.
Good session. very helpful. A question I have, though, is - if my saxophone is getting inconsistent and some notes are sometimes coming out weird and still too high and terrible intonation, what could be wrong? My sax is often warbling badly and malfunctioning in the B and G note below the octave key in the lower octave. It's expensive to get these instruments fixed if and w hen they develop leaks in pads or other related issues. Any hints or suggestions?
Very Interesting. Do you have clarinet courses?
Hi Hugh. Sorry, I haven't put out any clarinet courses yet.
What's the most reliable type of reed
Lots of choices there. I played Vandoren “blue box” reeds for years but now only use Legere Signature reeds. They are more expensive per reed, but last much longer and are more consistent, so in the long run are far more economical.
@@McGillMusicSaxSchool I currently use vandorens and I will look into the other brand you suggested. Thanks so much!
take me by the hand and teach me, please, keep me on the loop. I am a total novice and I am enjoying it without any technique.
still cant get a note
What are these minimalistic looking ligatures u are using especially on your alto saxophone? I really like them.
Hi, I'm using a Theo Wanne ligature on my alto. It's a nice simple ligature - works great.
Thanks :)
How does one enroll for your lessons. You seem like the kind of mentor I need. What are the costs.
Hi Zakhele. You can find out about my courses here: www.mcgillmusic.com
I'm verry good reader but i cant understand about improvising. Could you teaching us about how to make simple rytm
Good question. Rhythm is something lots of us struggle with. I’ve made a full course on it inside my Sax School actually which I’m sure would help you. If you’re interested I have a 30 day free trial here: www.mcgillmusic.com
McGill Music Sax School thanks. So what should i do for get rhythm ?
can i came personally and learn
Hey Nigel, I have been playing tenor for 2 1/2 years, and I am looking for a new mouthpiece. I have been using a bad one that came with my sax, and I have been needing a new one. I am playing in a concert band, and will soon be playing in a marching/symphonic band. I am torn a little as well because I love playing jazz, but I am not in a jazz band, so I just want a mouthpiece that can be good in all genres of music. Do you have any suggestions for a new mouthpiece?
Great question. There are lots of options out there. Personally I am a big fan of the Theo Wanne mouthpieces for the same reason you mention - versatility. I'm playing on a Slant Sig hard rubber size 8 from Theo Wanne. It's a brilliant all-rounder for me. You could also check out the original Otto Link metal "tonemaster". I've also used a Vandoren V16 T8 piece a bunch over the years that is a bit dark, but very versatile. Hope that helps.
Hey Nigel what brand Tenor are you using ?
or Soprano ?
Hey Juan. My tenor is a Dave Guardala, my soprano is a Yamaha Custom Z. Thanks for watching.
Yo who here for music class
What kind of mouthpiece is that?
I’m playing a Theo Wanne “Gaia” 8 hard rubber on alto.
Thanks!
@@McGillMusicSaxSchool
Not wishing to be negative but if you have never improvised before the chances are you haven't much of a clue about backing tracks. Look on line and there are hundreds and hundreds. Very frustrating when we are told ... right let's play over this track...as if this "track" is as obvious as knowing which way up you hold a saxophone!!
The way he slaps his hands down on the keys while talking lowkey triggers me 😬
the only improvement i can think of to this video is a short explanation of transposing these simple exercises to concert pitch but aside from that this was really helpful for applying sax concepts to the ewi
Excellent ! !