Playing the saxophone Slurring G down an octave

[eb424]

Ok so if i play a G no octave then put the octave key on it plays a high g. But i have to tongue it to get back down..does that seem right or should you be able to rock between G and G an octave higher

 

[lydian]

That's normal. It takes some effort to drop back down. In fact, you can easily go up and down without using the octave key at all.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Good question.

Slurring large intervals was something that @Shane - Saxology Canada was going to give us some tips on.

Slurring down an octave or other large intervals is not easy. You cannot think of the octave key as a switch, it often needs us also do some of the work, and tonguing is the most obvious, along with slackening the jaw if it really must be totally legato, but there is a caveat, it could result in at the note starting out flat. I've devilled my tonguing so it's more or less invisible inaudible.

But if this is something you could do before, but no not so well now, then I'd suspect a leak is creeping in.

In fact, you can easily go up and down without using the octave key at all.

Well yes, it's an important part of the process to use your embouchure, the octave key is just there to help the process. On flute, there is no octave key, you do it with your embouchure, breath and a little bit of willpower.

BTW, I've edited your title to help people know what the thread is about 😉

However I presume it isn't just G?

 

[eb424]

That's normal. It takes some effort to drop back down. In fact, you can easily go up and down without using the octave key at all.

Hey thanks nice to hear from you again

 

[thomsax]

@eb424 I use to do an embouchure excercise that is called "legato utan tunga" (legato without tounge"). It's about to increase the flexibilty of the lips (embouchure). The tounge should be totally inactive allthrough the excercise. It's hard to when you are quickly changing the embouchure and doing the "octave- jump" down, for a sample C3 to C2, or C2 to C1 ... . This excecersie is a part of of interval excercises to get an even tone allthrough the register of your sax. You can start on C2 to C#2 back to C2, C2 to D2 back to C2, C2 to D#2/Eb2 and back to C2 ... work chromaticlly up to the C3 or higher. Then work chromatically from C" down to C1 or lower. Use a metronome and and set the pace to 60 bpm. Play half notes and hold the last tone for three beats and zip air on the four beat.

I read about the excercise above in a swedish magazine that Ulf Andersson (RIP) wrote in 1982. I wrote back to him and asked if he could explain more .... and he wrote back and explained .... . Uffe Andrsson was a great player and teacher. So when I'm saying I'm auto-didact is not 100% true. I was influenced by magazines and letters.

Ask you teacher do demonstrate how to do/play excercises like this.

 

[mizmar]

To be picky... Dropping from high to low G (for example) isn't slurring, surely.
Wouldn't slurring be to play, more or less, continuously?

The OP question was about jumping, no?

BTW, I've edited your title to help people know what the thread is about

What was the original title?

 

[eb424]

To be picky... Dropping from high to low G (for example) isn't slurring, surely.
Wouldn't slurring be to play, more or less, continuously?

The OP question was about jumping, no?

What was the original title?

High G to low G..thought it may have been a mechanical issue i need to tongue to get back once octave is depressed..Hence slurring i guess..

 

[eb424]

Good question.

Slurring large intervals was something that @Shane - Saxology Canada was going to give us some tips on.

Slurring down an octave or other large intervals is not easy. You cannot think of the octave key as a switch, it often needs us also do some of the work, and tonguing is the most obvious, along with slackening the jaw if it really must be totally legato, but there is a caveat, it could result in at the note starting out flat. I've devilled my tonguing so it's more or less invisible inaudible.

But if this is something you could do before, but no not so well now, then I'd suspect a leak is creeping in.


Well yes, it's an important part of the process to use your embouchure, the octave key is just there to help the process. On flute, there is no octave key, you do it with your embouchure, breath and a little bit of willpower.

BTW, I've edited your title to help people know what the thread is about 😉

However I presume it isn't just G?

I dont know tbf..I only noticed on G..going to chek later

 

[Pete Thomas]

use to do an embouchure excercise that is called "legato utan tunga" (legato without tounge").

The simpler description is slurred.

To be picky... Dropping from high to low G (for example) isn't slurring, surely.
Wouldn't slurring be to play, more or less, continuously?

Slurring is going from one note to a different one without stopping or using the tongue. So dropping from a high to low with now tongue is slurring I think.

What was the original title?

G

 

[eb424]

@eb424 I use to do an embouchure excercise that is called "legato utan tunga" (legato without tounge"). It's about to increase the flexibilty of the lips (embouchure). The tounge should be totally inactive allthrough the excercise. It's hard to when you are quickly changing the embouchure and doing the "octave- jump" down, for a sample C3 to C2, or C2 to C1 ... . This excecersie is a part of of interval excercises to get an even tone allthrough the register of your sax. You can start on C2 to C#2 back to C2, C2 to D2 back to C2, C2 to D#2/Eb2 and back to C2 ... work chromaticlly up to the C3 or higher. Then work chromatically from C" down to C1 or lower. Use a metronome and and set the pace to 60 bpm. Play half notes and hold the last tone for three beats and zip air on the four beat.

I read about the excercise above in a swedish magazine that Ulf Andersson (RIP) wrote in 1982. I wrote back to him and asked if he could explain more .... and he wrote back and explained .... . Uffe Andrsson was a great player and teacher. So when I'm saying I'm auto-didact is not 100% true. I was influenced by magazines and letters.

Ask you teacher do demonstrate how to do/play excercises like this.

Thanks @thomsax..great advice as usual..couple of issues..I can't find a teacher..I know what c3po is but all those othe cs go above my head..🤣🤣

 

[Pete Thomas]

I dont know tbf..I only noticed on G..going to chek later

If it is only G, then maybe that does towards a leak affecting only that note.

 

[eb424]

The simpler description is slurred.


Slurring is going from one note to a different one without stopping or using the tongue. So dropping from a high to low with now tongue is slurring I think.

G

Was it just G...no wonder you changed it..plonker I am ( c3po ref attempt at humour)🤣

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes it was just G

 

[eb424]

Yes it was just G

No wonder you changed it..Not exactly descriptive huh

 

[thomsax]

To be picky... Dropping from high to low G (for example) isn't slurring, surely.
Wouldn't slurring be to play, more or less, continuously?

The OP question was about jumping, no?

What was the original title?

I just don't understand why we should be slurring if we can pactice to hit a tone nice and clean (ren tonträff). Slurring (sluddrande) is maybe something you do on "syttande mai" in Norway or at "Midsommar" in Sweden? Use to alcohol involved on both occasions.

 

[mizmar]

17 May isn't as big a drinking occasion as midsummer.

 

[mizmar]

For Norwegians to get sluring drunk the employer has to pay

 

[Pete Thomas]

I just don't understand why we should be slurring if we can pactice to hit a tone nice and clean

Whether you slur or tongue when soloing is up to you, but when playing a written part that requires slurring then you should. Also in a section the phrasing should be consistent so if the section leaders slurs then so should the others. If not written then phrasing might be something worked out at rehearsal. Or maybe just mind reading.

 

[mizmar]

Ok.
According to Google

A glissando is a smooth slide between two notes, while a slur indicates that a series of notes should be played legato (smoothly) without separate articulation.

Maybe, for a long jump, it's just legato?
Moving from 2nd to 1st register legato can be challenging?

 

[thomsax]

Whether you slur or tongue when soloing is up to you, but when playing a written part that requires slurring then you should. Also in a section the phrasing should be consistent so if the section leaders slurs then so should the others. If not written then phrasing might be something worked out at rehearsal. Or maybe just mind reading.

Just wondering, how do we write "slurring" when we read music? With a legto bow or another sign.