My old teacher, Vince Trombetta (Brecker's old teacher), had me do long tones in a way he called 'spider webbing'. It requires a metronome at 60bpm, and a tuner. Start at middle C#, The tone will be held for 15 seconds total. The first 5 seconds you ramp up the volume from ppp to fff, then hold for 5 counts, then fade it out to ppp over 5 counts, then breath for 5 counts...watch your tuning throughout. now go up to D. You are going to repeat the 15 count fade up, hold, fade out. Then go down to C...then up to Eb, then down to B, then up to E, down to Bb, up to F.....continue this until you go to low Bb and high F. The whole exercise will take 10 minutes.
Dave, a few years back I learned from you to practice my long tones in arpeggios up and down the inversions. Gotta let you know this CHANGED THE GAME for me. Intonation improved, tone opened up, ear developed, started hearing and playing melodies I never worked on before… thank you so much for all the value you add to the community, we appreciate you!!!
the "Ee-Aw" concept is worth millions! Focusing on this instead of the embouchure for pitch control is great, I've been thinking about embouchure way too much. Thank you for sharing!
Almost all of this is directly applicable to trumpet. One thing I've discovered after watching this is that when I play into a tuner I tend to play sharp when I play really soft and flatten as the volume increases (at least on these mid-range notes). I'm pretty sure I don't do that when I play with other musicians though because I tune by ear and have no problem blending in a section. Interesting exercise though.
I swear - every time I am working on something in my practice life, shortly thereafter you come out with a video about what I am working on! It's so weird, but welcome! I've been playing a while but never really did LTs so just re-started that effort and BOOM, your video comes out. Are you able to read minds? Thank you!
Thank you for the insight, Dave! I am interested in joining your community in a few months. I would like to converse about aspects of intonation that transcend 12 tone equal temperament that are pertinent to horn players. By this, I am referring to the ability for a saxophonist to play in accordance with the harmonic series and how that may sound when playing with an instrument that cannot, such as the piano. I am also interested in the idea of having two separate conceptualizations of intonation, one being in 440Hz, and the other being in 432 Hz (ideally to be used when playing bossa nova with a nylon string harmonicist.) I look forward to presenting these ideas to the community, and seeing where the conversation takes us.
Great video! At first I was surprised that you didn't mention practicing overtones at all, but it dawned on me that a lot of folks (I imagine) don't even practice long tones to begin with. Perhaps introducing overtones would discourage some from practicing long tones altogether because it's certainly not easy to do. Or maybe you find overtones to be a waste of time 😉
You nailed it - overtones are something to work on after you already have a confident and comfortable sound. If you are unstable with your pitch/tone, working on overtones isn't going to help - it's just going to take away valuable time that could be spent centering your sound.
This is great. Thanks for the vid! Would be cool to see the tuner as you’re playing to see where you are as you play…but still great without it….I guess I can set up my tuner as you’re playing! (Just hit me)
Dave skips over the absolute most important part. More important than embouchure. Air support. If you do not support the air stream, all of the long tones in the world won't fix your sound. It becomes super clear on the quiet notes. If you support the quiet notes, they are steady and strong. You can think of long tones as training your air support. Lock your core. Push out against your abdomen. However you think of it. Produce an Energized stream of air. Then everything Dave says here becomes into focus. It is second nature...once you train it.
My old teacher, Vince Trombetta (Brecker's old teacher), had me do long tones in a way he called 'spider webbing'. It requires a metronome at 60bpm, and a tuner. Start at middle C#, The tone will be held for 15 seconds total. The first 5 seconds you ramp up the volume from ppp to fff, then hold for 5 counts, then fade it out to ppp over 5 counts, then breath for 5 counts...watch your tuning throughout. now go up to D. You are going to repeat the 15 count fade up, hold, fade out. Then go down to C...then up to Eb, then down to B, then up to E, down to Bb, up to F.....continue this until you go to low Bb and high F. The whole exercise will take 10 minutes.
Dave, a few years back I learned from you to practice my long tones in arpeggios up and down the inversions. Gotta let you know this CHANGED THE GAME for me. Intonation improved, tone opened up, ear developed, started hearing and playing melodies I never worked on before… thank you so much for all the value you add to the community, we appreciate you!!!
I really appreciate those kind words! So glad you're getting a lot from my lessons 🙏
the "Ee-Aw" concept is worth millions! Focusing on this instead of the embouchure for pitch control is great, I've been thinking about embouchure way too much. Thank you for sharing!
You're very welcome! We don't need to over-complicate things, especially when it comes to embouchure and tone.
Almost all of this is directly applicable to trumpet. One thing I've discovered after watching this is that when I play into a tuner I tend to play sharp when I play really soft and flatten as the volume increases (at least on these mid-range notes). I'm pretty sure I don't do that when I play with other musicians though because I tune by ear and have no problem blending in a section. Interesting exercise though.
Truly excellent video, sir! Thank you for the demo.
You’re welcome!
Very lovely information
Great lesson as usual and I will start this with my practice!!
Awesome to hear!!
GREAT!! Thank you very much for sharing!!!
You’re welcome!
I swear - every time I am working on something in my practice life, shortly thereafter you come out with a video about what I am working on! It's so weird, but welcome! I've been playing a while but never really did LTs so just re-started that effort and BOOM, your video comes out. Are you able to read minds? Thank you!
I'm so glad to hear that!! No I can't read minds...but I do listen when people tell me they need help with something - that's what I'm here for!
You are the greatest saxophone teacher in the world! Thank you for every single lesson! You are amazing!
🙏🙏
Thank you for the insight, Dave! I am interested in joining your community in a few months. I would like to converse about aspects of intonation that transcend 12 tone equal temperament that are pertinent to horn players. By this, I am referring to the ability for a saxophonist to play in accordance with the harmonic series and how that may sound when playing with an instrument that cannot, such as the piano. I am also interested in the idea of having two separate conceptualizations of intonation, one being in 440Hz, and the other being in 432 Hz (ideally to be used when playing bossa nova with a nylon string harmonicist.) I look forward to presenting these ideas to the community, and seeing where the conversation takes us.
You’re very welcome! That’s an interesting conversation for sure - can’t wait to dive into it!
Wonderful video as always! Maybe it’s time for me to *actually* practice saxophone and this is a great way to start lmao
Ayyy thanks! 🙏
Great video! At first I was surprised that you didn't mention practicing overtones at all, but it dawned on me that a lot of folks (I imagine) don't even practice long tones to begin with. Perhaps introducing overtones would discourage some from practicing long tones altogether because it's certainly not easy to do. Or maybe you find overtones to be a waste of time 😉
You nailed it - overtones are something to work on after you already have a confident and comfortable sound. If you are unstable with your pitch/tone, working on overtones isn't going to help - it's just going to take away valuable time that could be spent centering your sound.
Useful.
Thanks!
cool you explained the throat, now do the same with explaining altissimo and throat for people still struggling out here plsnthnku!!
I go into that (and MORE) in my saxophone success workshop! That will be coming out again later next month - be on the lookout for it!
Thanks! What is the recording/mic setup you use for this? Sounds good!
Thanks! It's a Carvin CTM100 mic, going into a Focusrite interface, going into Logic Pro.
Good stuff, Dave. Any recommendations re: a good tuner app (iPhone) or tuner device?
Thanks! I just use a simple one called “Cleartune” for iPhone - nothing fancy!
Hi Dave! Thanks for these basics and importants work... Did you practice long tone when you use harmonics?
You're welcome! Do you mean when I do overtones? If so...I did a little bit.
That's all well and good, but really all you need to do is just practice long tones. 🤣
Great video as always man.
😂
This is great. Thanks for the vid! Would be cool to see the tuner as you’re playing to see where you are as you play…but still great without it….I guess I can set up my tuner as you’re playing! (Just hit me)
Ha, I thought about overlaying the tuner but didn't end up doing it. Next time for sure!
That first clip…I feel so attacked😭
😂 this is based on experiences I've heard of, so that doesn't surprise me!
Dave skips over the absolute most important part. More important than embouchure.
Air support.
If you do not support the air stream, all of the long tones in the world won't fix your sound.
It becomes super clear on the quiet notes. If you support the quiet notes, they are steady and strong.
You can think of long tones as training your air support.
Lock your core. Push out against your abdomen. However you think of it. Produce an Energized stream of air.
Then everything Dave says here becomes into focus.
It is second nature...once you train it.
Ok but like what if I just played very long notes...
jUsT dO lOnG tOnEs
Or just play the piano instead?
Or play both