Playing the saxophone Getting my head out of the game.

[mizmar]

I’d bet if both of you (@cappers and @mizmar) .... you’d be able to play along with it an hour or two after that.

Here's the last tune I leaned by ear

Theory & Impro - Improvising and all that jazz

YouTube - with the arrangements on the site, under the YouTube tab View: https://youtu.be/SfNe1inUi7E Yes I found it! I have been mainly focussed on the lesson sections and not really delved into the You Tube bit. I am currently working through the Learn to Improvise section and Music...

cafesaxophone.com

And, sure, it's a tremendously important and useful thing; and I practice it regularly..
... But, wrt to my OP ...
Before that, the previous tune I learned by ear was for my flute teacher.. a tune he really loves and has recorded, and I'd check myself with a metronom and recorded backing (he'd prepared) ... And he still wasn't happy. And it wasn't the couple of technical errors (one triplet too slow; one f-half sharp to high); it was overall.

The only thing I can think of is that I was ambivalent about the tune. I wasn't playing music, I was completing an exercise.
And it's not just that context, I'm the same on sax (often) or, now, singing...

 

[Jimmymack]

This seems to be more your teachers problem than yours. If they had a special connection to it and recorded it they may not be open to any other interpretation so you are required to reproduce their vision of the piece and if you don't then you are bound to fail.

I know we aren't supposed to criticise teachers but however good they may be in some respects if they are making you lose confidence and dislike playing then they are doing a bad job.

Find something you like, listen to as many versions as you can and take the elements that you like and make them into a piece that's yours. Be confident that your interpretation has as much value as anybody else's, not least because it matters to you. Trust yourself.

 

[mizmar]

This seems to be more your teachers problem than yours

Again, that particular example is a symptom.

But, yeah, I do need to focus - at least some of the time - in tunes I really like and that's gonna take some work to think about and organise

 

[Colin the Bear]

The difference between learning as an adult and learning as a child is that children have no prejudice about playing nursery rhymes and very simple or even baby tunes.

These tunes are so simple that the playing becomes almost autonomic and expression comes to the fore. No thinking just playing.

Maybe a visit to the nursery and an in depth investigation of simple, one handed tunes will help to bring out the emotion.

For timing, dancing helps. If you dance you begin to understand what a dancer needs from the music.

 

[mizmar]

If you dance...

Again restraining order

But, yeah, having thrown the whole toolbox at timing; I'm pretty well over the hump. Lots of improvement; but at least there are, now, foundations...
... One of the improvements is to have confidence in it, and not always to be looking over my shoulder - and that's part of the issue here.

 

[jazzdoh]

I think a lot of players struggle with timing, I did 40 years ago and it took me longer than other aspects to sort out.
What helped me was playing in big band where timing was crucial to get right and the help of others in the band.
Great answers above and I think what Colin said about playing music that you enjoy is great.
I think as musicians we all have strengths and weaknesses, but it will get better with time.

 

[thomsax]

The thing that feels most engaged is when I manage to play something with backing/iReal. I'm not really good at this but improving - maybe there'll be a positive feedback-loop here?

Follow your instinct. Don't listen too much to others.

 

[eb424]

I mentioned elsewhere that it's not a problem because, well, I'm a grown-up and capable of saying if something's a problem and negotiation. Also, for the kind of flute I'm learning, teachers are as rare as hens teeth. And, actually, his feedback is certainly a chunk of me improving musicing in general.

As for "practice, practice..." For sure. Practicing is what I do to solve most problems...
.... Where I'm blocked is playing a tune in order to play a tune rather than as practice!

I'm the same at the moment. I only play from backing tracks and for fun...but if theres no fun?? Is there not a song you love listening to..Ive found that it really helps if you love the song..regardless of its worthyness in the sax world..you play so much more passionately..if there is learn it from begining to end with the track till youd be happy listening to it.

 

[mizmar]

really helps if you love the song..regardless of its worthyness

Well yes:
I and I am about to embark an a reggae odyssey .. No Woman No drink dat red red wine.
In part:
After letting it all hang out in this thread, and reading some other threads; I've resolved to always put in time in just messing around. Feels much better!

 

[thomsax]

Is there a way for you to play with others? Far more enjoyable and inspiring than playing alone. Playing alone is a bit like drinking alone.

To "join a band" seems to be a worldwide leadword these days. It's fun to play my favourite music/style/genre with others. From 1984 to 1998 I just played/blowed sax on my own. And most of the time with the saxophone, I was playing by ear. Just me and the sax trying to play what I had heard.

When a started to go to blues and rock jam in the late 90's I had the tone/sound. But then I was called to be "macho".

In my opinion, to join a band too early is overrated.

 

[eb424]

Well yes:
I and I am about to embark an a reggae odyssey .. No Woman No drink dat red red wine.
In part:
After letting it all hang out in this thread, and reading some other threads; I've resolved to always put in time in just messing around. Feels much better!

You need it @mizmar. Ive not played for a week, after playing the same tunes for weeks for a fundraiser. I need to learn for fun now so for this ill turn to cillas " youre my world". Great call above "mess around" for a bit..keep smiling

 

[Wonko]

I wasn't playing music, I was completing an exercise.
And it's not just that context, I'm the same on sax (often) or, now, singing...

I have been taking lessons for over 10 years now, and I still have a whole lot to learn.
About 3 or 4 years ago I had the feeling that I was at the start of a new journey, learning to play music. Before that I was just playing one note after another, not playing music....
I can't say that I can play music now, but I am learning to ......

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hi @mizmar,

I truly value your participation in cafe sax. And I've really enjoyed - and valued - our conversations via PM. I completely understand the reasons you give. And I fully support you in whatever decision you make.

If you're not enjoying playing music, then you IMHO at least need to take a break. To re-assess whether - and if so - in what form you'd maybe (again) enjoy playing music. Or not.

FWW, I took a break for 3-4 years from playing sax. Until I - by coincidence - discovered a local (amateur) Big Band in which I enjoyed learning to play completely different (jazz) music. There was no 'pressure' to perform, All band members just enjoyed playing together to the best of their abilities

I just want to mention that it's not at all necessary to be able to 'play well' (or even aspire to that) to enjoy listening to - and playing along with - music. The best example I can give is guitarists who only know 3 chords, can't play any solos but still enjoy 'joining in' when they can.

About a year ago, I joined a 'Blues/Rock/Pop' band, Which has the same 'mentality' as my 1st Big Band. We all enjoy rehearsing and playing together (with respect for our individual abilities). No pressure, just mutual encouragement.

On a last note w.r.t. your comment on 'I struggle to play the right notes at the right time', the only 'music' I have in my 'Blues/Rock/Pop' band is lyrics + chords. So I had to quickly develop a 'feel' for the rhythm and when I needed needed to add a 'fill' or solo.