Tone or Sound Hearing oneself vs. Recording

[GCinCT]

I am currently putting a lot of focus on developing my tone, lots of long tones, overtones, mouthpiece and breathing exercises, articulation. Obviously, we what we hear behind the horn is not what others hear in front of it. I do practice playing into a corner and playing against the walls, eyes closed. I know this is closer to my actual tone.

I also record frequently, but I don't have great or even what I would consider good recording equipment. I use my iPhone with either the recording function of iReal Pro or the Total Energy Tuner app. My question is, how much can I rely on these recordings as any indication of what I really sound like? I eventually want to upgrade my recording set up, but I am unable to do so right now. The tuning app has an analyzing function that shows the harmonic overtones present. That is helpful, but maybe I shouldn't be too trusting of the actual representation of my true tone.

Any thoughts?

 

[Targa]

Are you listening to the recording through the phone speaker or ear pieces of one form or another which will be better?
Or push it through any other speakers you have that will take it.

 

[GCinCT]

I generally use a set of Bluetooth earphones that I have.

 

[Veggie Dave]

Any thoughts?

I wouldn't be overly concerned about anything you hear other than intonation, timing and note stability. If you think it sounds right in the room then it sounds right.

 

[GCinCT]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about anything you hear other than intonation, timing and note stability. If you think it sounds right in the room then it sounds right.

I am very concerned about those aspects. Nice to know I can focus on those.

 

[saxyjt]

I wouldn't be overly concerned about anything you hear other than intonation, timing and note stability. If you think it sounds right in the room then it sounds right.

Let me translate this for you as you may not be fluent in VGD (that's an English dialect full of nuances, sous-entendus although rather straight forward but never offensive).

So make sure you walk the walk, talk the talk, but if you don't like what you see in the mirror, that's only you, so don't try to change it... You can't! It's you. The truth, the reality.

Equipment can make it look worse than it really is, but the truth remains... Whatever it is.

Remember what we all heard about Charlie Parker. He could play anything and still sound great.... I could have written something along the lines of Ava Gardner could wear anything a still look great, but these days I'm not sure I can say it without sounding sexist or whatever...

Bottom line is: "just blow away and enjoy it."

Don't waste your time trying to sound like Kenny G! You won't.

You'll end up sounding like you and that's just as good if not much better.

 

[GCinCT]

Eureka! I've read many posts here in the Café and I recall many times where the more experienced members discussed the importance of experimenting with the placement of the mic. I tried it. All the way across the room, halfway across the room, bell in front of the mic and then ... mic near the G# key. Magic. Who was the alto player with the bright, jazz tone, ringing with upper partials? It was me. I still need lots of work but my tone is getting closer to the sound I am striving for. All those long tones and overtones are paying off.

 

[GCinCT]

Let me translate this for you as you may not be fluent in VGD (that's an English dialect full of nuances, sous-entendus although rather straight forward but never offensive).

So make sure you walk the walk, talk the talk, but if you don't like what you see in the mirror, that's only you, so don't try to change it... You can't! It's you. The truth, the reality.

Equipment can make it look worse than it really is, but the truth remains... Whatever it is.

Remember what we all heard about Charlie Parker. He could play anything and still sound great.... I could have written something along the lines of Ava Gardner could wear anything a still look great, but these days I'm not sure I can say it without sounding sexist or whatever...

Bottom line is: "just blow away and enjoy it."

Don't waste your time trying to sound like Kenny G! You won't.

You'll end up sounding like you and that's just as good if not much better.

Thank you very much for that excellent advice. The truth is, there are many saxophone players I idolize, but in the end, I do want to sound like me. Art is a personal journey and it's different for each artist. Just hoping that as I become a better version of me, there will be a least a few people that enjoy listening. 🙂

 

[Ivan]

Not sure tuning app will tell you how you sound

You don't need to get sophisticated with recording gear

Eureka! I've read many posts here in the Café and I recall many times where the more experience members discussed the importance of experimenting with the placement of the mic. I tried it. All the way across the room, halfway across the room, bell in front of the mic and then ... mic near the G# key. Magic. Who was the alto player with the bright, jazz tone, ringing with upper partials? It was me. I still need lots of work but my tone is getting closer to the sound I am striving for. All those long tones and overtones are paying off.

Taming the sax is a useful resource....Saxophone Recording: Microphones

 

[GCinCT]

Not sure tuning app will tell you how you sound

You don't need to get sophisticated with recording gear

Taming the sax is a useful resource....Saxophone Recording: Microphones

Thank you for the link, Ivan! What a great article. I learned a lot and now I have a path to find a better way to record. Much appreciated.

 

[Ivan]

Thank you for the link, Ivan! What a great article. I learned a lot and now I have a path to find a better way to record. Much appreciated.

Glad I've pointed you in the right direction

Taming the Saxophone is well worth browsing further... many useful, readable and authoritative articles

 

[taiwanpaul]

The best recording equipment will make you sound better, but a phone / basic recording device actually allows you to hear you (even though you may not like it!) I record myself on my phone - that's me. A friend once recorded me, with gate, compressor, reverb, etc........ I've also been recorded in a professional studio.......wow, did I sound good!! However, when I practice and record myself on my phone, it's then that I realise that I still need to keep playing and practising (long tones, triads, riffs, runs, oh no don't hit that wrong note again!).......................Don't put too much emphaisis on your recording and equipment , It ain't what you play, it's the way that you play it (and thats'what gets results! {Banarama!!}) Just enjoy it........blow!!