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Beginner recording Recording Progress

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It's late and I'm tired, this is a new song and so this isn't the best playing but I got the recording process down great. No reverb, I'm just relying on the ribbon for ambience. Also no EQ on anything, just compression and limiting. Also I'm using a RJS 2S un-filed reed instead of a Vandoren Java and it's warmer sounding. I'm really happy with how this sounds, it's very natural. Also the new reed sub-tones great. This video sounds clear and open and there is no overly warm processed sound anymore. I'm finally truly glad I bought the Royer R10 mic. I can safely duplicate this technique for future videos.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKuTRHnovMY
 
I felt like redoing this (and I'm going to do a third version.) I'm looking for comments on my improvisation and sound. It seems I've posted so many times I've worn out my welcome and people have stopped responding. Maybe I'm not that good of a musician, but I appreciate having this place to post my videos. I'm actively seeking ways to translate this experience into something more socially oriented. A guitar player called me yesterday, so I'm going to call him back!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWq-W2hw1v4
 
IMG_7797.webp


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7YOf038CWc


Feedback welcome! Thanks.

😀
 
The response of a freshly overhauled horn is jarring, especially when you've been compensating for leaks for awhile. Sounds like your intonation is well under control, though. It takes a few minutes to not compensate for the former leaks, then you learn how easy the horn actually is to play. In any event, these recordings sound great.
 
Hi @AlonW,

First off, I love listening to your recordings! Secondly, I truly applaud you for taking on some 'non-jazz' tunes such as 'Teen Spirit' and 'No Woman no Cry'! I'm absolutely convinced that you'll really learn a lot from playing "something completely different"!

FWIW, my Big Band had a 'listen' to my recording of their 'Anniversary Concert' on Jun 28. Together with our MD who occasionally said 'Stop' (= 'Pauze') so that he could give some comments/feedback. Almost exclusively on the 'Timing Feel' of the band.
For example:
- timing (watching the MD, listening to others players - or in your case, the backing track)
- jazz 'Timing Feel' vs. 'straight - playing the notes as written'
- relaxed/lazy/laid 'Timing Feel' on most numbers (very slightly behind 'the beat')
- 'driving' Timing Feel on a few numbers (precisely on or slightly ahead of 'the beat')

Our amateur Big Band (with members who have a decade or more of playing experience!) have been working on 'Timing' and 'Timing Feel' for years. And we're still struggling! According to our MD (who has a 'Master' qualification in music), a 'Timing feel' is difficult to teach and much easier to 'absorb' (and practice) through just listening to music.

Googling on 'Timing Feel', the only reference I could find was to this 9-year old Reddit Post The whole thread is interesting but the response by user Wolfey161 was IMHO the most informative.

What does this have to do with you?

Because IMHO for the kind of tunes that you are 'comfortable' playing (La Mer, Bye Bye Blackbird) you have your usual 'relaxed/lazy/laid back' 'Timing Feel which perfectly suits these sounds.

In contrast, the melody on the original (and live) version(s) of No Woman no Cry' is 'relaxed/lazy/laid back'. Your version is much 'straighter' = 'precisely on the beat'.

Your 'Timing Feel' on 'Teen Spirit' fluctuated a bit (especially on your solo). It started off really with with the slightly 'laid back'' timing of the original. But to my ears (especially on your solo) you got slightly 'ahead' of the beat

No criticism, just constructive feedback.

Two other suggestions:
- your sax is so strong (loud) 'in the mix' that - for a listener- it's often difficult to hear the backing track. Sure, as a soloist, your sax should stand out, but IMHO 'in balance' with the backing track.
- you don't seem to wear headphones/earphones; I just wonder whether hearing the backing track through either might help you improve your ''Timing feel' on some tracks

Congrats and best wishes as always,

Mike

PS On the topic of 'Jazz Timing Feel' one my Big Band members (the drummer) shared this video.
View: https://youtube.com/shorts/Bp3QMCv76Jc?si=5idsvfxxubajdZvd
 
MikeMorrell said:
Hi @AlonW,

First off, I love listening to your recordings! Secondly, I truly applaud you for taking on some 'non-jazz' tunes such as 'Teen Spirit' and 'No Woman no Cry'! I'm absolutely convinced that you'll really learn a lot from playing "something completely different"!

FWIW, my Big Band had a 'listen' to my recording of their 'Anniversary Concert' on Jun 28. Together with our MD who occasionally said 'Stop' (= 'Pauze') so that he could give some comments/feedback. Almost exclusively on the 'Timing Feel' of the band.
For example:
- timing (watching the MD, listening to others players - or in your case, the backing track)
- jazz 'Timing Feel' vs. 'straight - playing the notes as written'
- relaxed/lazy/laid 'Timing Feel' on most numbers (very slightly behind 'the beat')
- 'driving' Timing Feel on a few numbers (precisely on or slightly ahead of 'the beat')

Our amateur Big Band (with members who have a decade or more of playing experience!) have been working on 'Timing' and 'Timing Feel' for years. And we're still struggling! According to our MD (who has a 'Master' qualification in music), a 'Timing feel' is difficult to teach and much easier to 'absorb' (and practice) through just listening to music.

Googling on 'Timing Feel', the only reference I could find was to this 9-year old Reddit Post The whole thread is interesting but the response by user Wolfey161 was IMHO the most informative.

What does this have to do with you?

Because IMHO for the kind of tunes that you are 'comfortable' playing (La Mer, Bye Bye Blackbird) you have your usual 'relaxed/lazy/laid back' 'Timing Feel which perfectly suits these sounds.

In contrast, the melody on the original (and live) version(s) of No Woman no Cry' is 'relaxed/lazy/laid back'. Your version is much 'straighter' = 'precisely on the beat'.

Your 'Timing Feel' on 'Teen Spirit' fluctuated a bit (especially on your solo). It started off really with with the slightly 'laid back'' timing of the original. But to my ears (especially on your solo) you got slightly 'ahead' of the beat

No criticism, just constructive feedback.

Two other suggestions:
- your sax is so strong (loud) 'in the mix' that - for a listener- it's often difficult to hear the backing track. Sure, as a soloist, your sax should stand out, but IMHO 'in balance' with the backing track.
- you don't seem to wear headphones/earphones; I just wonder whether hearing the backing track through either might help you improve your ''Timing feel' on some tracks

Congrats and best wishes as always,

Mike

PS On the topic of 'Jazz Timing Feel' one my Big Band members (the drummer) shared this video.
View: https://youtube.com/shorts/Bp3QMCv76Jc?si=5idsvfxxubajdZvd
Read more…
Thanks Mike,

I appreciate the feedback and happy to know someone is listening and finds what I'm doing enjoyable. I make the sax louder because I feel I can't hear myself properly over the backing track since I'm trying to learn from my mistakes. I record with a speaker in my room, so I don't have to use headphones. I think it looks better and is more comfortable for my ears, and then I combine it with the backing track. I think timing fluctuates, it's like an additional way to express oneself. Hopefully the expression is meaningful is some way. I don't think it's good to always be on the beat. It's a matter of choice but mostly I like to be a little bit late, to give a laid back feel. Listen to the way Frank Sinatra sings this song.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPJpKeRBsrU
 
Blackbird was pretty well done.

Add THAT TITLE to 'Frequently called jam tunes' and have that ready for jams....Stella too.

Not gonna go thru it with a fine tooth comb...there were points where it seemed you weren't following the form but you seem to have repeatedly found your way back to it, so that worked.

I would say maybe reduce your Note Spray a bit....leave a bit more space, no need for so many rapid fire eighth notes...but honestly...gee...65% of sax players will do that also so who am I to say ?

All in all, sounded like a jazz tenorist playing Blackbird....
 
Hi @AlonW, I just want to say that your the 'mix' of your recordings with the backing (Stella by Starlight, Shangri La and Après un rêve has improved enormously. IMO by a factor 10.

On these tracks, you sound much more like a 'sax soloist in a band'. Even if the 'band' is on a backing track! On these tracks your solos are (IMHO) much better 'in balance' with your backing tracks.

So my heartfelt congrats for figuring out and dialing in the best 'balance' between solo sax and backing tracks!

Looking forward to your new 'releases''.

Mike
 
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Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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