SOTM July 2025 Fire Eater

[Ivan]

A snappy tune by the amazing Rusty Bryant, from the album of the same name

View: https://youtu.be/YUqjLX0vDsY?feature=shared


This is your chance to play funk-i-ly. A simple tune with two parts to it (A+B as marked on the sheets), five times through, so that's head, solo x3, then head

@nigeld and I differed on the format for the solo

For ease of counting and not losing place you can choose the backing track ('with B Section') that includes the B section after every A, so the format is Head AB, Solo ABABAB, Head AB

I prefer the option to miss out the B in the solo until just before the return to the head, (minus B Section) so that's Head AB, Solo AAAB and back to Head AB. I think this is an easier way to go off on a musical rant in the solo

All you need, backing, sheets, .mscz, .SGU, is in this folder. Thanks very much, Nigel, for your patietn fettling of the materials

 

[Digger2054]

Any pointers for soloing over this, with the rather repetitive chords?

 

[Colin the Bear]

Any pointers for soloing over this, with the rather repetitive chords?

You've answered yourself. 🤔

 

[Ivan]

Any pointers for soloing over this, with the rather repetitive chords?

Perhaps chord changes are like a path to walk down; but take the changes away and you're in an open field and unsure of whether to strike off in one direction, or to run about like an arse

You can do either

Or spin on the spot. Or walk in zig zags

Listening to Rusty filling the space a few times (lots of times) will rub off and percolate the feel down to your fingers

My approach is to get revved up on the head then let myself go, and throw notes at the solo whilst trying to think funky. Not scientific and not very musical theory

How well that works you'll be able to judge when I upload a version some time after the weekend. I'll have given it another run through with the Jack Ruby Five at Babbitty Bowster in Glasgow, Sunday afternoon

@Pete Thomas will have an infinitely more informed answer

 

[wakyct]

I really like this tune; I've been lax in recording for SOTM so I'm going to give this a go.

 

[Colin the Bear]

You've answered yourself. 🤔

Expanding on that, with a repetitive arrangement it's up to the soloist to expand and decorate it. Rhythmic phrases and patterns can create interest as do changing chord extensions. Also don't forget to leave gaps and pauses to add a bit of mystery. Start slow and simple and build complexity. Being creative takes practice and patience.

 

[Ivan]

A week later than advertised, my attempt to grasp da funk stick

Fire Eater.mp3 | Powered by Box

app.box.com

 

[Digger2054]

I've really enjoyed messing around with this one 👍 One of the better takes, as there's lines and phrases I like in this. There are other takes but that had nice phrases, but it just didn't seem to flow.

https://soundcloud.com/david-hammond-823180899%2Ffire-eater-alto-sotm

 

[Colin the Bear]

I've really enjoyed messing around with this one 👍 One of the better takes, as there's lines and phrases I like in this. There are other takes but that had nice phrases, but it just didn't seem to flow.

https://soundcloud.com/david-hammond-823180899%2Ffire-eater-alto-sotm

More attention to pitch and intonation needed.

 

[Digger2054]

More attention to pitch and intonation needed.

First time playing my alto in a while, went back to the S80 mouthpiece too. Something else to work on - At least you haven't slated my timing - I'm taking that as a small win 🤣

 

[MikeMorrell]

I've really enjoyed messing around with this one 👍 One of the better takes, as there's lines and phrases I like in this. There are other takes but that had nice phrases, but it just didn't seem to flow.

https://soundcloud.com/david-hammond-823180899%2Ffire-eater-alto-sotm

Really enjoyed listening to this, @Digger2054! Congrats on this recording! Congrats also to @Ivan for picking this tune and (as always) to @nigeld for his magic on the notes and backings.

One to be proud of!

You didn't ask for any 'improvement suggestions' and usually, I don't give any unless requested.

It wasn't until I read @Colin the Bear's comment (and I listened again) that I thought 'yes, some of the high notes are perhaps a bit flat'. On my 3rd listening I wondered, "could the position of the mpc on the neck contribute to this. In the sense that more notes sounded(to me) more on the 'flat side' than on the 'sharp side'. Worth checking.

Since I've started giving suggestions anyway, I would encourage you to learn (or experiment) a bit more about 'mixing' a sax recording to a backing track. Notably w.r.t. volume, EQ, compression and reverb. There's absolutely nothing 'wrong' with your recording! But perhaps it could be further 'enhanced' with some minor (post-processing) tweaks. For free in something like Audacity.

I haven't self-recorded in very many years. But back in the day, a video helped me understand a bit more of the differences between a 'raw sax recording' and post-processed (volume, EQ, compression and reverb) versions, matched to a backing track. Despite spending almost an hour searching on internet, I've been unable to track down this video. But I do see that that are many websites (including TTS) and YouTube video's that give equivalent tips.

One again, I firmly believe that the most important thing is your great performance! Congrats once more! Consider @Colin the Bear's and my suggestions for further improvement for what they are. Not as criticism but as positive suggestions for you to consider in how you might want to further improve

Best wishes,

Mike

 

[Digger2054]

I take most feedback as constructive, and things to build on.

Intonation is probably way off, and mouthpiece position could be an issue, my NW has the micro tuner.

I did add a bit of reverb and EQ in Reaper, but editing recordings is a whole different skill set.

I've been learning improvisation for a while and felt I wasn't making progress, a lot of my attempts sounded the same. So was nice to try a different tune & vibe, and know I can, in a fashion do it.

My biggest issue at the moment is timing, especially playing Bari as a section with no rhythm section, so that's my more pressing matter at the moment.

 

[Colin the Bear]

First time playing my alto in a while, went back to the S80 mouthpiece too. Something else to work on - At least you haven't slated my timing - I'm taking that as a small win 🤣

Timing is OK.
It's a common thing when improvising. Your brain wanders into what you're going to play and the part of you that's listening stops. There's so much going on with a new piece too. Fingerings, chords, licks, trying not to repeat, should I leave a break and your tone centre can wander and lose its base.

We all do it.

 

[Digger2054]

could the position of the mpc on the neck contribute to this

I've done a quick tinker with the tuner.

The S80 sounds much brighter to me, I've popped the D5M on, and messed about getting trying to get it more in tune. Some are still bit off, but not as much, I think it's better lipping a note up, than lip them down? As Colin said once I'm thinking about everything else it's inevitable that my embouchure will tighten.

Also less post processing - A very quick noodle here I'm interested in how you think the D5M sounds.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Head sounds in tune. 👍

 

[Ivan]

I've really enjoyed messing around with this one 👍 One of the better takes, as there's lines and phrases I like in this. There are other takes but that had nice phrases, but it just didn't seem to flow.

https://soundcloud.com/david-hammond-823180899%2Ffire-eater-alto-sotm

Exuburant and stylish

You nailed the head which you played right on the beat (No swing required here; thank you)

When you run into deep waters over the B section, at the end of the solo, you play through without, pause

Well done

As for the intonation...

If that was a live performance...

Your oscillations of pitch would be appreciated by your adoring audience. They would feel it's musicality in the moment

 

[mrblackbat]

OK, bit out my comfort zone with this style, and the backing is pretty static too. But here we go!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURSWxw3Hsc

 

[MikeMorrell]

OK, bit out my comfort zone with this style, and the backing is pretty static too. But here we go!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURSWxw3Hsc

Wow, (as an amateur - and lazy - tenor sax player) I love this recording! Over the years, I've listened to - and admired - many of your recordings. So I immediately recognized your screen name. Many thanks for continuing to contribute and inspire sax players like me to learn to play better.

 

[mrblackbat]

Thanks Mike, appreciated! 🙏

 

[Ivan]

OK, bit out my comfort zone with this style, and the backing is pretty static too. But here we go!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURSWxw3Hsc

Excellent

Good to hear you working out of the zone of comfort