Seven year hiatus for me. Surprised I could still read sheet music so well and automatically play (mostly) the correct notes. These series of videos is going to help me recoup in a fun and engaging way...this guy makes points clearly but also with humour. This articulation is probably what I inherently learned when progressing through Otto Langey Sax Tutor Book with my teacher, and building up speed while playing in a concert band. It does no harm to work through these exercises. Looks like he is playing a Conn 6M with the under slung octave key and micro tuner on the neck...nice vintage American sax.
I only started playing six weeks ago. These videos are simply great. Easy to understand and have really given me some clear aims. No sales, no self-adoration or product placement. Thank you!
thank you dr.wallace my teacher mr.collins teaches me the ta ta ta part you we're talking about really appreciate the videos and the work you put in to them im a beginner saxophone player i started in late march i play alto saxophone
I found an old video tape in the dusty bowels of my college A/V library of a master class of Donald Sinta. He took a Sharpie and loaded up the tip of the reed with black ink. He proceeded to articulate a few times and stuck his tongue out so show exactly how far back on the tongue to contact the reed. What made a difference with me is when my first college teacher suggested a change in approach. Instead of focusing on the tongues approach to the reed, think about drawing away, releasing the note. Kind of like the mind set we would use if offered $100 to touch a red hot frying pan.
Thank you for the lesson; Dr. Wally! I just happened to see it in the sidebar. I haven't paid much attention to that particular aspect of playing and I thought that I would probably suck at it! I was wrong...it was much easier than I expected. I must still be progressing. ;) I believe that I was already doing that with Mack The Knife and probably some other songs...so much to learn and so little time. No worries! It's a joy, just to be making some music.
Ive been playing sax for 5 years and I’ve been tonguing my notes with the idea of “tah.” Just the harararara by itself improved my tonguing in minutes. Thank you so much for making this video it rlly helped me out a lot 🙏
I couldn't agree more with this video! I even use my thumb to represent my tongue with my own pupils. I've just shared this video with one of my students. Excellent and correct in every way. Thank you for making this video.
Great lesson! 👍. The most helpful bit for me was using the power in the air column to help drop the tongue so it's more about relaxing the tongue and letting it fall away from the reed rather than using the tongue muscle to pull it off the reed.
Thanks for the vid Doctor Wally! I can't help but think of the vehicle backing up warning sound... I will have to add this to my practice tomorrow. You had a vid on reeds and mentioned that you would be back with your reedgeek and talk about more about fixing reeds. Didn't mean to change the subject, but I can't find that video. I know, I know yes I will go practice.
Besides the quality of content and its vivid and entertaining presentation I also appreciate the sensible use of mens clothing like well made jackets with pocket squares and even the occasional use of a tie. Keep up the good work, the Gods of Swing applaude from above! 🤵♂️
Great lesson. I was wondering if you have some tips on the double tongue techniques. I know of two kinds ; throat and tongue, and just tongue. Seems easy for me on the flute but not to my liking on the sax. I'm always amazed at some sax players with a nice clean fast double tongue ability. I play alot of jazz etudes at a speed of 264 which is about as fast as I can tongue with a proper articulation and feel. I would like too use the double tongue for special effects on ballads as well. That for me would be fast and legato phrasing moving through chromatic and scale tones. Thanks for all you are doing for us sax players. I also enjoy 😉 the humor you add too the lessons.
Dr. Wally, it's really great to see you disseminating quality knowledge about how to successfully aporoach the sax. The other woodwinds have refined schools of practice that allow musicians to succeed at a high level. Sax players deserve the same. I would encourage you Dr. Wally to reconsider your stance on tongued vs. breath releases. Even in this video I hear you sometimes intuitively ending notes with only the breath and with a lovely effect. In fact I use a breath release on sax more often than not. This is a staple of flute playing and is common on clarinet and oboe as well. A breath release requires good support as you mention in this and many of your videos and has a lovely musical quality in so many musical situations. Thanks for your great work! Glen Quarrie, saxophone instructor: Carnegie Mellon University, retired.
Sorry to be confusing. Basically this: First, great job teaching solid sax techniques in a world where that knowledge is not easy to find! Second, ending a note without stopping the reed with the tongue (just stop blowing) can be a very musical way to end a note on sax. As long as the player uses good breath support the pitch won't go flat when released or taper off too slowly to be musical. This "breath" release is delicate, less abrupt, just the thing for bouncy staccatto passages, poignant dolce passages, etc. Sometimes I use a hybrid of the two approaches, using the tongue to complete the release after taking away the air in order to shorten the release time without the abruptness of a tongued release. I learned these tonguing techniques from my teacher Eugene Rousseau at Indiana Univ. and from being around a very, very long time. Keep up the great work Dr. Wally. I love your channel!
@@glenquarrie3414 Ahhhh, I gotcha. Absolutely, in classical (my 3 degrees were classical study) we nearly always end the note with air. In this video I'm adding the tongue more as an exercise in demonstrating the function: stopping vibration (rather than "attacking" the reed). Most of my online students are jazz players - and funny enough - the challenge is getting them to end phrases with the tongue! (ubiquitous after 1945) We're very much in agreement, Glen. Happy Saturday!
@@drwallysax I believe it to mean that it's not about developing muscle in the tongue, but rather thinking of controlling the tongue to bounce on and off the reed by means of the air. Sort of like bouncing a basketball. it doesn't take a strong muscle to do so, it takes control of the hand in a relaxed manner to get the ball to bounce fast and evenly, not a strong development of muscle. I realize I'm not explaining this action very well, but it basically means developing speed by relaxed control of the tongue, aided by the air stream, rather than trying to developing a strong tongue muscle. A controlled reflex not muscle power. I really enjoy your videos. You play with a great sound and control of the horn and are obviously a very good teacher.
Great video! But I have what may be an odd question: When I started on sax, back in the late 60s, I was taught to tongue by tapping the tip of my tongue against the roof of my mouth--just like when saying the consonant "t" (or "d" for jazzier, more legato articulation). I suspect this was because my original band director was mainly a trumpet player. I drifted away from playing while I was in grad school, and just came back to it a few years ago. And then, looking at videos like this one, I learned for the first time about actually touching the tongue to the reed, as you describe. But when I try this, I find it's more awkward, and I don't have the finesse I have with my old method--which is to be expected, since it's a new skill. So my question: do you think it's worth my time and effort to relearn to tongue the way you teach in the video, or would I be better off just sticking with teh way I was originally taught? Thanks!
Thanks for another helpful lesson. I haven't thought about tongue technique in a while so appreciate the exercise suggestions. By the way which classical piece are you playing at the beginning?
Great Video ! Do this tongue articulation change with different tone articulations (ie: stacatto...) or its just the speed or other variables that do change ?
Very timely Dr. Wally! Just last night I thought..."I need to practice tonguing" because it sounds so thick and not delicate at all. So I practiced a few things but had no real structure. I was close by playing 4 note scales. I need to work on delicate, crisp notes. I have to mention that your slur then tongue exercise at 8:40 sounded so close to the rapid fire 5 note that I really couldn't hear the slur part. How do you slur so 'articulately'?
@@drwallysax Maybe I'm slurring wrong or I misunderstood you. When I slur, I keep a constant flow of air and open/close keys. No stopping of air just changing notes. When I tongue, the air pressure is constant but the tongue starts/stops the note. So if I slur two notes then tongue the next, my tongue stops the second slurred note then lifts off to start the 3rd note. Is this what you mean?
I've always tried to play with a light tongue and sometimes I'm even successful, but your suggested syllable seems to indicate that you start notes without the tongue starting on the reed. If so that answers some questions I have about why my initiation of phrases seem amateurish and not as lyrical as I would like. Am I on to something or did I misinterpret "ha-dah-dah-dah-daah"?
Thank you doctor. Very valuable tips. I have one question tho. I’m using only the neck part for tonguing when I start practicing. But tonguing feels more difficult when I attach the whole sax. Would you recommend practice with the whole instrument or just the neck would be enough and faster to improve?
At last I know how to spell tung! Thanks for this video once again. I have not thought about the mechanics of tonguing in a long time so I found this interesting. Have you ever used double tonguing on the saxophone? I've tried it a few times but without much success or none at all to be honest.
Love the video Dr Wally, thanks so much for putting out such reliably solid content. I was wondering - when you say slur 2, tongue 2 - but you're playing 5 notes, does that mean that the fifth note is slurred? So only the first note of the next set of 5 would be slurred before tonguing 2? Think I've got the wrong end of the stick. I'm imagining something like this (S S T T S) (S T T S S) (T T S S T) S = slur, T = tongue Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks 😁
Listening back, I think the first and last note of each 5 note cell is tongued. So really, only the second note is slurred into (or rather the first pair are slurred into each other). So it's more like: Tongue, slur, Tongue, Tongue, Tongue Can anyone confirm this? Tying myself up trying to understand how this exercise should work and I'd hate to practice it badly!
How to tongue better. Use your tongue to do dumbell curls. It seems impossible at first, but before long your tongue will be knocking out sets of 30 and admiring itself in the mirror, then it will absolutely obliterate your reed with it's strong flapping action.
Doctor, what mouthpiece and reed are you playing on that Conn 6M? ( mine unfortunately was totalled out completely by the US postal service-I was too cheap to go Fedex or DHL)
Is that a conn with a selmer concept? That caught me off guard! How is the combination? I've always thought these super old horns just didn't wanna play in tune with modern pieces like that
This is a great video, but my tongue just can’t move really fast while trying to tongue. If there is no reed in my mouth my tongue moves like normal. I have no idea what my problem is, if anyone knows please tell me.😅 Even if I do articulate faster my air just stops after I release my tongue.
I like to use a "la" syllable when tonuging since it feels like it consumes less energy, is there something wrong with that? I've been practicing almost everything I practice at extremely slow tempo but im just too afraid to speed it up and lose some clarity in my execution :c
Wonderful lesson and exercises! All was going great until I got to the one 8th and 2 16th, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get it right at all. "Harararara" instead of "Tatatatata", even with this I somehow couldn't. My tongue would either stop for too long or barely even approach the tip of the reed. It's as if my tongue is already very tired and very slow. Have any of your students had such a problem?
I’m curious how you found your 56 mouthpiece on the 6m? I play the same horn with both Meyer NY reissue 5 & 6, both of which I really like, but I’m still curious to try your new mouthpiece. Seeing you not using it here has me wondering if they didn’t pair well?
@@drwallysax Thanks so much for the reply- do you think I’d be ok getting the .08 tip? My Meyer’s are .07 and .076 respectively (I haven’t tried the 7m which is .08).
i've played flute for ten years and I've been teaching myself saxophone in the last year, I often tongue on saxophone how you tongue on flute, by making the T sound on the roof of my mouth, is this a habit I need to break now or do you ever use that kind of tonguing on sax?
It was a 1942 (I think) - I sold it shortly after. The placement of the neck strap ring drove me nuts - also the bell keys on the other side meant it wouldn't fit in any good aftermarket case!
@@drwallysax Isn't the horn you are playing the video a 6m or am I embarrassing myself? I've always wanted to try a vintage American horn from that era, but have never had the opportunity.
@@JoAnnP38 Oh yes, it's a 6M from 1942! Brian at Getasax.com sent over three for me to try, and I bought this one. He thinks it's the best built horn (pre-WWII) for the money. It's taken some adjustment, but I'm in love. They are (generally) much more affordable than King Super 20s or Selmers, but that may be changing as people get "hip" to C.G. Conn :) You should definitely try one! If you need a good dealer, I have 100% faith in Brian - I'm happy to hook you up!
This was so helpful. One question: do you change how you tongue depending on the register? Tonguing low Bb definitely requires... I don't know, more surface area of the tongue touching the reed? Or are you able to do it identically throughout the range of the horn?
When you say "hah dah dah dah dah", I assume that the "hah" syllable is just to get your tongue in the correct position but it's not actually part of the articulation process, right?
Do you have like a online saxophone school? I found one, but I don’t know if it’s any good and it’s a lot of money to pay upfront. If you could get back to me and let me know what my options are I would greatly appreciate it.
< Nice & Delicate ! How would you go about on a "Tower of Power" Horn Section style ,very sharp stacatto?> What is ideal: Tip of the reed 1mm. above the edge of the tip of the MP, or 1mm. below?? All my life I´ve been tonguing in all thinkable ways... ! they all feel wrong¡ ( crying )...(back after 1 hour) Yes ! I have been doing as you say but...with about half tongi, it´s powerful ! OK screw ta-ta-ta, it´s ra-ra-ra but here the tongui is just waving to the reed...never touches it ! ¿ right? Teaching discipline to our tongues is far-reaching ! >Amen.
I think you just have to experiment and find the right 'spot'. I've been playing for less than three years; although, if you like TOP. I play the intro to "You're Still A Young Man", starting on upper E. I don't know if it's the right key; but it sounds good to me!
Never once did I imply articulation was always staccato. The majority of my examples were legato. Take your pedantic, nationalistic nonsense elsewhere.
My girlfriend recommended this video. I have never touched a Saxaphone in my entire life.
brooo😭😭😭
Clearly considering you spelt it with an "a" XD
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Who knew? Some actual quality sax teaching on YT and not a product in sight! Brilliant lesson Wally. 👌🏻
You didn't see the subliminal advertisement for GIK acoustic panels? (and thanks Jamie)
@@drwallysax mine are shipping now! Exiting times. Omg, we’re totally GIK bros now. 🤛🏻
I thought that was Jamie
Dr Wally is a fantastic teacher as he simplifies and -provides solid foundational techniques. This tutorial helped me a lot.
Just getting back to alto after a 35 year hiatus. Your videos are SO very helpful. Thank you.
MOST welcome, Gaye! Happy practicing!
Seven year hiatus for me. Surprised I could still read sheet music so well and automatically play (mostly) the correct notes. These series of videos is going to help me recoup in a fun and engaging way...this guy makes points clearly but also with humour. This articulation is probably what I inherently learned when progressing through Otto Langey Sax Tutor Book with my teacher, and building up speed while playing in a concert band. It does no harm to work through these exercises. Looks like he is playing a Conn 6M with the under slung octave key and micro tuner on the neck...nice vintage American sax.
The back pressure at 4:30 is the most useful advice I have ever seen. Much faster transition when stopping/starting notes.
That helps a lot, thank you Dr. Wally!
I only started playing six weeks ago. These videos are simply great. Easy to understand and have really given me some clear aims. No sales, no self-adoration or product placement. Thank you!
Thanks my friend - all the sales pitches are subliminal ;)
Excellent instruction.
Thank you sir!
Thanks Bruce, happy Tuesday my friend!
Thanks for confirming exactly what I teach Wally. I call it the backing truck exercise when you start and stop the note.
Great video, and thanks so much!
Thank you for your quality lesson! No doubt this will take my playing to the next level!
Thank you…This has been a weakness for me and this is the first time I’ve heard actionable steps to improve.
Hope it helps! Happy practicing Doug!
Absolutely brilliant. Well done sir !!! Very helpful
Thanks very much, happy practicing Robert!
Great stuff Doc. I think it's also going to improve my French.
Thank You for that important lession.
I'll include this in my practice.
Fantastic, happy practicing!
Your videos are always helpful and you get your points across with humor. Keep it up!
Thanks! Happy Tuesday!
thank you dr.wallace my teacher mr.collins teaches me the ta ta ta part you we're talking about really appreciate the videos and the work you put in to them im a beginner saxophone player i started in late march i play alto saxophone
I found an old video tape in the dusty bowels of my college A/V library of a master class of Donald Sinta. He took a Sharpie and loaded up the tip of the reed with black ink. He proceeded to articulate a few times and stuck his tongue out so show exactly how far back on the tongue to contact the reed. What made a difference with me is when my first college teacher suggested a change in approach. Instead of focusing on the tongues approach to the reed, think about drawing away, releasing the note. Kind of like the mind set we would use if offered $100 to touch a red hot frying pan.
Sinta on Sax - good ol' VHS
Just excellent!
Thank you for the lesson; Dr. Wally! I just happened to see it in the sidebar. I haven't paid much attention to that particular aspect of playing and I thought that I would probably suck at it! I was wrong...it was much easier than I expected. I must still be progressing. ;) I believe that I was already doing that with Mack The Knife and probably some other songs...so much to learn and so little time. No worries! It's a joy, just to be making some music.
Good Golly Doctor Wally This is the best description I have seen for tongueing . Clear and precise and a simple explanation .
Thanks Martin, appreciate it! Happy practicing my friend.
This is one of the best lessons I have heard on articulation. Thank Dr. Wally!
That's very kind, thanks Dean!
thank you so much !!! I have to practice this ^^!!
Amazing content!
Ive been playing sax for 5 years and I’ve been tonguing my notes with the idea of “tah.” Just the harararara by itself improved my tonguing in minutes. Thank you so much for making this video it rlly helped me out a lot 🙏
So good, thank you so much!
Greetings from Berlin, Germany.
Wow, awesome job on teaching what is for me a very different thing to understand .
So glad it's helpful, happy practicing!
This helped so much! You saved me
This makes me INCREDIBLY happy to hear, thank you. Happy practicing and have a great weekend!
Thank you!!!!
Thanks for this video ! I don't play saxophone but my tonging improved greatly because of your video. My gf loves it
erm what🤨
Excelente tip!!
Thanks Javier, happy practicing my friend!
Love to see you pulling out the Conn Dr. Wally!
Thanks Joe, happy practicing!
I couldn't agree more with this video! I even use my thumb to represent my tongue with my own pupils. I've just shared this video with one of my students.
Excellent and correct in every way.
Thank you for making this video.
So glad another educator finds it useful! I appreciate you taking the time to let me know, happy Thursday Michael!
Awesome vid Doc :) the difference between using ‘tah’ vs ‘dah’ is hugely significant!
Oh man, glad it's helpful! Have a fantastic week!
Nice to see others playing the Conn 6M. You doesn't see that so often.
Hell of a horn 🙂
Great lesson! 👍. The most helpful bit for me was using the power in the air column to help drop the tongue so it's more about relaxing the tongue and letting it fall away from the reed rather than using the tongue muscle to pull it off the reed.
Glad it helped!
Thanks for the vid Doctor Wally! I can't help but think of the vehicle backing up warning sound... I will have to add this to my practice tomorrow. You had a vid on reeds and mentioned that you would be back with your reedgeek and talk about more about fixing reeds. Didn't mean to change the subject, but I can't find that video. I know, I know yes I will go practice.
I haven't made the video. It's going to take a lot more experimentation on my part - I just don't feel like I have enough data?
Thanks a lot!
Most welcome!
Besides the quality of content and its vivid and entertaining presentation I also appreciate the sensible use of mens clothing like well made jackets with pocket squares and even the occasional use of a tie. Keep up the good work, the Gods of Swing applaude from above! 🤵♂️
Well that brightened my afternoon, thanks Kalender!
Great lesson. I was wondering if you have some tips on the double tongue techniques. I know of two kinds ; throat and tongue, and just tongue. Seems easy for me on the flute but not to my liking on the sax. I'm always amazed at some sax players with a nice clean fast double tongue ability. I play alot of jazz etudes at a speed of 264 which is about as fast as I can tongue with a proper articulation and feel. I would like too use the double tongue for special effects on ballads as well. That for me would be fast and legato phrasing moving through chromatic and scale tones. Thanks for all you are doing for us sax players. I also enjoy 😉 the humor you add too the lessons.
that's a very good exercise and I hope I can do this even I'm a beginner or novice on my saxophone. thank you very much teacher. 😊
Most welcome, happy practicing!
Dr. Wally, it's really great to see you disseminating quality knowledge about how to successfully aporoach the sax. The other woodwinds have refined schools of practice that allow musicians to succeed at a high level. Sax players deserve the same. I would encourage you Dr. Wally to reconsider your stance on tongued vs. breath releases. Even in this video I hear you sometimes intuitively ending notes with only the breath and with a lovely effect. In fact I use a breath release on sax more often than not. This is a staple of flute playing and is common on clarinet and oboe as well. A breath release requires good support as you mention in this and many of your videos and has a lovely musical quality in so many musical situations. Thanks for your great work! Glen Quarrie, saxophone instructor: Carnegie Mellon University, retired.
Hey Glen, not sure what you mean?
Sorry to be confusing. Basically this: First, great job teaching solid sax techniques in a world where that knowledge is not easy to find! Second, ending a note without stopping the reed with the tongue (just stop blowing) can be a very musical way to end a note on sax. As long as the player uses good breath support the pitch won't go flat when released or taper off too slowly to be musical. This "breath" release is delicate, less abrupt, just the thing for bouncy staccatto passages, poignant dolce passages, etc. Sometimes I use a hybrid of the two approaches, using the tongue to complete the release after taking away the air in order to shorten the release time without the abruptness of a tongued release. I learned these tonguing techniques from my teacher Eugene Rousseau at Indiana Univ. and from being around a very, very long time. Keep up the great work Dr. Wally. I love your channel!
@@glenquarrie3414 Ahhhh, I gotcha. Absolutely, in classical (my 3 degrees were classical study) we nearly always end the note with air. In this video I'm adding the tongue more as an exercise in demonstrating the function: stopping vibration (rather than "attacking" the reed). Most of my online students are jazz players - and funny enough - the challenge is getting them to end phrases with the tongue! (ubiquitous after 1945)
We're very much in agreement, Glen. Happy Saturday!
Superb, Dr Wally. I am looking forward to putting this into practice tomorrow morning. Any more podcast episodes on the horizon?
Oh, I forgot ask what the piece is that you play at the start.
Hey Francis. Not sure about about the podcast. Happy practicing!
I really enjoy every single lesson of yours. You have an awesome ability of explaining things!
wow, thanks Ari!
Nothing like a conn… sweetest tone and lightest fastest action… :-)
I've been very pleased!
@@drwallysax How's the intonation? I'm thinking about checking out a 6M, like I've been playing a Yamaha many for years
damn I wish I'd know all this at the beginning of the year when I started finally practicing with regularity. Better late than never though I suppose.
You've got this, keep at it and enjoy the journey!
All the things you are teaching are the same as my saxophone teacher… he always says practice more… too
You’re the first person I’ve seen to use a vintage conn for classical music
I was taught that it should be a controlled reflex action by the tongue, with air support of course.
I'm honestly not sure what that means?
@@drwallysax I believe it to mean that it's not about developing muscle in the tongue, but rather thinking of controlling the tongue to bounce on and off the reed by means of the air. Sort of like bouncing a basketball. it doesn't take a strong muscle to do so, it takes control of the hand in a relaxed manner to get the ball to bounce fast and evenly, not a strong development of muscle. I realize I'm not explaining this action very well, but it basically means developing speed by relaxed control of the tongue, aided by the air stream, rather than trying to developing a strong tongue muscle. A controlled reflex not muscle power. I really enjoy your videos. You play with a great sound and control of the horn and are obviously a very good teacher.
Great video! But I have what may be an odd question: When I started on sax, back in the late 60s, I was taught to tongue by tapping the tip of my tongue against the roof of my mouth--just like when saying the consonant "t" (or "d" for jazzier, more legato articulation). I suspect this was because my original band director was mainly a trumpet player. I drifted away from playing while I was in grad school, and just came back to it a few years ago. And then, looking at videos like this one, I learned for the first time about actually touching the tongue to the reed, as you describe. But when I try this, I find it's more awkward, and I don't have the finesse I have with my old method--which is to be expected, since it's a new skill. So my question: do you think it's worth my time and effort to relearn to tongue the way you teach in the video, or would I be better off just sticking with teh way I was originally taught? Thanks!
I've actually just discovered this after years, and from what I'm seeing yes
Good lesson Wally. Learning new things everyday!! BTW, what’s the horn?
It's a pre-1950 Conn 6M with the microtuner on the neck
nice 😌
Thanks for another helpful lesson. I haven't thought about tongue technique in a while so appreciate the exercise suggestions. By the way which classical piece are you playing at the beginning?
Hi mike, glad it was helpful! The opening piece is a Marcello Cello sonata I arranged for saxophone. Have a great week!
😎 Thanks for the reminder of TC (tongue correctness)..
You’re such a good doctor…🥳 Oh, and nice car horn and car alarm, btw.. 👍👨🏻
Ha! happy Tuesday Ships Ahoy!
@@drwallysax Thanks! You have a great one, too, Doc Wally! 🎷
Great Video ! Do this tongue articulation change with different tone articulations (ie: stacatto...) or its just the speed or other variables that do change ?
Very much like 👍 👌 😕 🙂 😄
Happy practicing, keep the tongue light and your tone sweet my friend!
Very nice lesson. Thank you. I am wondering about saxophone in this video. That looks different.
That's a Conn 6m, nice horn, just wasn't for me!
Very timely Dr. Wally! Just last night I thought..."I need to practice tonguing" because it sounds so thick and not delicate at all. So I practiced a few things but had no real structure. I was close by playing 4 note scales. I need to work on delicate, crisp notes. I have to mention that your slur then tongue exercise at 8:40 sounded so close to the rapid fire 5 note that I really couldn't hear the slur part. How do you slur so 'articulately'?
All in keeping the air pressure constant! Let the tongue end the slur - not your air!
@@drwallysax Maybe I'm slurring wrong or I misunderstood you. When I slur, I keep a constant flow of air and open/close keys. No stopping of air just changing notes. When I tongue, the air pressure is constant but the tongue starts/stops the note. So if I slur two notes then tongue the next, my tongue stops the second slurred note then lifts off to start the 3rd note. Is this what you mean?
@@bobfixes7640 EXACTLY!!!!
I've always tried to play with a light tongue and sometimes I'm even successful, but your suggested syllable seems to indicate that you start notes without the tongue starting on the reed. If so that answers some questions I have about why my initiation of phrases seem amateurish and not as lyrical as I would like. Am I on to something or did I misinterpret "ha-dah-dah-dah-daah"?
Thank you doctor. Very valuable tips. I have one question tho. I’m using only the neck part for tonguing when I start practicing. But tonguing feels more difficult when I attach the whole sax. Would you recommend practice with the whole instrument or just the neck would be enough and faster to improve?
Whole instrument! You want the resistance to feel the same as when you actually play!
This has been very helpful. Thank you. Question, do you keep the same technique when playing staccato?
Yup!
At last I know how to spell tung! Thanks for this video once again. I have not thought about the mechanics of tonguing in a long time so I found this interesting. Have you ever used double tonguing on the saxophone? I've tried it a few times but without much success or none at all to be honest.
Glad it's helpful! I might have a video on double tonguing up my sleeve ;)
Love the video Dr Wally, thanks so much for putting out such reliably solid content. I was wondering - when you say slur 2, tongue 2 - but you're playing 5 notes, does that mean that the fifth note is slurred? So only the first note of the next set of 5 would be slurred before tonguing 2? Think I've got the wrong end of the stick. I'm imagining something like this
(S S T T S) (S T T S S) (T T S S T)
S = slur, T = tongue
Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks 😁
Listening back, I think the first and last note of each 5 note cell is tongued. So really, only the second note is slurred into (or rather the first pair are slurred into each other). So it's more like:
Tongue, slur, Tongue, Tongue, Tongue
Can anyone confirm this? Tying myself up trying to understand how this exercise should work and I'd hate to practice it badly!
I listened to this through my car speakers while waiting in line for my kids. The car in line in front of me thought I was honking at them. 😕
HOW LOUD DO YOU LISTEN TO TH-cam VIDEOS IN YOUR CAR????!!!!
@@drwallysax I can’t hear you! I’m listening to last week’s podcast!
@@Alex-be8sk Wait, there was a podcast released last week? I haven't seen a new upload in quite a while.
@@JoAnnP38 sorry wrong month. That was August. Guess I’m the one who is behind on his homework. Don’t tell Dr. Wally.
Dr. Stephen Fischer tells me to do full range scales
How to tongue better. Use your tongue to do dumbell curls. It seems impossible at first, but before long your tongue will be knocking out sets of 30 and admiring itself in the mirror, then it will absolutely obliterate your reed with it's strong flapping action.
Doctor, what mouthpiece and reed are you playing on that Conn 6M? ( mine unfortunately was totalled
out completely by the US postal service-I was too cheap to go Fedex or DHL)
01:27 "You'll thank me later..." Hilarious LOL thanks
I'm not even sure what I mean 😂- I never use a script and nonsense seems to pour out! Hope you're having a great week Micha!
and the ha da da part as well dr.wallace
Is that a conn with a selmer concept?
That caught me off guard!
How is the combination? I've always thought these super old horns just didn't wanna play in tune with modern pieces like that
Works just fine!
@@drwallysax yep, the Concept is a great piece. Such a huge improvement over S80 and S90 models. Great vid yet again. :)
This is a great video, but my tongue just can’t move really fast while trying to tongue. If there is no reed in my mouth my tongue moves like normal. I have no idea what my problem is, if anyone knows please tell me.😅 Even if I do articulate faster my air just stops after I release my tongue.
Can you make a video on how to double tongue?
Maybe....maybe
Night on Bare Mountain is hell when it comes to tonguing.
I like to use a "la" syllable when tonuging since it feels like it consumes less energy, is there something wrong with that?
I've been practicing almost everything I practice at extremely slow tempo but im just too afraid to speed it up and lose some clarity in my execution :c
La is not an ideal syllable for a few reasons (too long to type). I teach 'da" for a reason!
Wonderful lesson and exercises! All was going great until I got to the one 8th and 2 16th, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get it right at all. "Harararara" instead of "Tatatatata", even with this I somehow couldn't. My tongue would either stop for too long or barely even approach the tip of the reed. It's as if my tongue is already very tired and very slow. Have any of your students had such a problem?
"...so I read." 🤣
They made us run in the Army. I did not care for it.
beautiful song on the opening. could you please share the name and if possible the score?
thanks
It's a transcription of the Marcello Cello sonata I did, currently not available, sorry!
Estou vendo seu vídeo aqui do Brasil. No minuto 6:46 eu não entendi muito bem o exercício
I’m curious how you found your 56 mouthpiece on the 6m? I play the same horn with both Meyer NY reissue 5 & 6, both of which I really like, but I’m still curious to try your new mouthpiece. Seeing you not using it here has me wondering if they didn’t pair well?
Just used my classical mouthpiece for the Marcello intro. Last couple videos I'm using the 56 on my new Conn - pairs beautifully.
@@drwallysax Thanks so much for the reply- do you think I’d be ok getting the .08 tip? My Meyer’s are .07 and .076 respectively (I haven’t tried the 7m which is .08).
Where did you teach? Where could I get lessons with you?
What song were you playing in the beginning
I transcribed a Marcello Cello sonata (playing lower basso part as well)
Does anyone know the name of the song played at the start? I would like to learn it.
i've played flute for ten years and I've been teaching myself saxophone in the last year, I often tongue on saxophone how you tongue on flute, by making the T sound on the roof of my mouth, is this a habit I need to break now or do you ever use that kind of tonguing on sax?
Nope.
I have always had a problem with this. Never patient enough.
Patience and coffee Tony....patience and coffee!
Thanks for your channel. It has already been a great help to me.
My conductor gave me the piece "csardas" for saxophone... I'm 14.... And I only have 2 months left to practice this. Any extra tips for me ? 🙏
What year is that vintage microtuner-equipped Conn 6M you're playing in the video? I had a '56 (no MT) which I wish I never sold.
It was a 1942 (I think) - I sold it shortly after. The placement of the neck strap ring drove me nuts - also the bell keys on the other side meant it wouldn't fit in any good aftermarket case!
@@drwallysax As I recall I had the neck strap ring moved. And the only case I ever had was the original Conn.
Question - is the Conn 6M the best saxophone ever made?
I haven't tried enough to be sure, but I certainly like the 3 I tried! Do you play one, JoAnn?
@@drwallysax Isn't the horn you are playing the video a 6m or am I embarrassing myself? I've always wanted to try a vintage American horn from that era, but have never had the opportunity.
@@JoAnnP38 Oh yes, it's a 6M from 1942! Brian at Getasax.com sent over three for me to try, and I bought this one. He thinks it's the best built horn (pre-WWII) for the money. It's taken some adjustment, but I'm in love. They are (generally) much more affordable than King Super 20s or Selmers, but that may be changing as people get "hip" to C.G. Conn :) You should definitely try one! If you need a good dealer, I have 100% faith in Brian - I'm happy to hook you up!
This was so helpful. One question: do you change how you tongue depending on the register? Tonguing low Bb definitely requires... I don't know, more surface area of the tongue touching the reed? Or are you able to do it identically throughout the range of the horn?
what is the name of the piece in the introduction? please.
It's a Marcello Cello sonata!
@@drwallysax Thank you Saxoph Acad
I have been playing for almost a year and I have been tonguing on the roof of my mouth instead of the reed. Was I supposed to do that?
No, tongue the tip of the reed!
@@drwallysax yeah, now I'm just starting to do that and it has been hard to adjust to but I know I have to if I want to get better, thanks.
Funny just practicing Rolling Thunder on tenor
Also first!
ta ta was the one learned . and its very slow for me
When you say "hah dah dah dah dah", I assume that the "hah" syllable is just to get your tongue in the correct position but it's not actually part of the articulation process, right?
The "hah" initiates the air (without the tongue, obviously). It's to emphasize that air starts the note, facilitated by the REMOVAL of the tongue.
ha da da... thats cool
Do you have like a online saxophone school? I found one, but I don’t know if it’s any good and it’s a lot of money to pay upfront. If you could get back to me and let me know what my options are I would greatly appreciate it.
< Nice & Delicate ! How would you go about on a "Tower of Power" Horn Section style ,very sharp stacatto?> What is ideal: Tip of the reed 1mm. above the edge of the tip of the MP, or 1mm. below?? All my life I´ve been tonguing in all thinkable ways... ! they all feel wrong¡ ( crying )...(back after 1 hour) Yes ! I have been doing as you say but...with about half tongi, it´s powerful ! OK screw ta-ta-ta, it´s ra-ra-ra but here the tongui is just waving to the reed...never touches it ! ¿ right? Teaching discipline to our tongues is far-reaching ! >Amen.
I think you just have to experiment and find the right 'spot'. I've been playing for less than three years; although, if you like TOP. I play the intro to "You're Still A Young Man", starting on upper E. I don't know if it's the right key; but it sounds good to me!
My tongue was always above the whole mouth piece 😬😬
Ig I'm a weirdo, cuz I use the tip of my tongue for "ta" sounds, and the sides and front of my tongue to make "da" sounds.
Should I find myself a French girlfriend for tonguing practice?
🤔🙄🙄🙄🤔💕😆👏😆👏😆
Once again, Americans use the word articulation as a synonym of staccato. Articulation means the combined effect of legate, staccato, tenuto, etc etc.
Never once did I imply articulation was always staccato. The majority of my examples were legato. Take your pedantic, nationalistic nonsense elsewhere.