Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Lou Donaldson, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Stitt, Lester Young, Johnny Hodges, Roland Kirk, Chris Potter, Hank Mobley Eric Dolphy, and MILES DAVIS ? LOUIS ARMSTRONG, CHET BAKERI know they're not sax but they rock by musical boat and YOU BETTER SAX
in all my saxophone playing I've been unconfident with my sound, every teacher would say "just practice" but never elaborated more or told what exactly to do. This video truly made me excited again to play and I will update what I think I improved on in a week! Edit: its been awhile, but this really did help me. I am so much more confident in my playing and I'm not as nervous when doing solos!
ALTOISTS: - Kenny Garrett - Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker - Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley - Sonny Stitt* - Tenor also - Dick Oatts - Phil Woods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A few of my current living inspos: - Bob Reynolds - Chris Potter - Joshua Redman - Dave Pollack - Baptiste Herbin - Danny Janklow - Grace Kelly - Alex Hahn - Andrew Gould - Ben Van Gelder - Will Vinson - Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
Sonny Rollins is without a doubt my favorite player. Such a beautiful sound, and so accessible. I love the way he use old standards or songs like “There’s No Business Like Show Business” or “I’m An Old Cowhand” and turns them into something new and very musically interesting. He’s an incredible player and improviser.
I'm totally eye-balling those free courses. Aiming for a second place finish on this giveaway contest. (Great time to do a giveaway, BTW). Winning that sax would also be favourable.
I've been playing sax for over 60 years, but thanks to you, Jay, I'm now focusing on the importance of long tones, overtones and the altissimo register. I've always believed that you shouldn't practice until you get it wrong, but you must keep practicing until you get it right. Your videos have changed my routine (and sound) in the woodshed. Using the tuner and metronome have become an essential part of practice sessions. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! Please keep up the good work and keep these vidoes coming... Big T
having a major crisis playing my instrument (once again, never fails to happen even after over 12 years of playing). Basically boils down to me not feeling like a make progress even though i set aside time to practise every day and being bored with my improvisation. I really needed this video, change in my practise routine usually make a big difference. please make the mouthpiece video!
I have not played my tenor sax or clarinet in over 25 yrs and your videos have ignited the desire to start practicing. It is also good for my breathing control as I am asthmatic Thank you
Warren Hill is a pretty underrated alto player. By the way Jay is totally right about not having to spend too much money for a good tone. I've been able to develop a decent jazz tone with my YAS-23, vandoren java reeds and a Yamaha 4c
Favorite Sax Players Alto: Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderly, Jackie McLean, Kenny Garrett, Tia Fuller Tenor: Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Eddie "Lock Jaw" Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rolins, James Carter (when he's not showing off), Chad LB
I gotta agree with all of the tenor, two you may wanna check out if you want a more laid back style and full airy sound are Scott Hamilton and Flip Phillips. Check out The Blue Room, Singin' In The Rain (both Flip), and check out Dear Old Stockholm, Foolin' Around, Days of Wine and Roses, You are My Sunshine, by Scott!
@@andraskarpathy6428 I would've put some baris down but honestly, I don't listen to many so I didn't want to put like a shortlist but if you want to listen to 3 great baris go at it on some standards together check out "Baritone Explosion!" also Gerry Mulligan is another great bari player that you can check out if you haven't. :)
- Paul Desmond (Alto) - Charlie Parker (Alto) - Cannonball Adderly (Alto) - John Coltrane (Tenor, Soprano) - Sidney Bechet (Soprano) - Ben Webster (Tenor) - Lester Young (Tenor) - Stan Getz (Tenor) These people are legends!
I play alto so for me there's nothing like Paul Desmond, unique and sweets unmatched sound. When I play I have always his sound in the head, I like the speed and emotional sound of Art Pepper too.
Paul Desmond makes a really nice sound, haven’t been a big fan of Charlie Parker but i respect his skills. Paul Desmond reminds me of a vocalist. Instruments are usually replicating vocals anyway.
My favourite players are Cannonball Adderly, Stan Getz (so glad they were mentioned many times) and Benny Carter (I think he wasn't mentioned at all). Listen to Carter's version of "My one and only love" ... for me beyond words! Michael Sperry
Jay My favorite players are: Michael Brecker, David Sanborn John Coltrane Dave Koz I am glad to have found you. I really needed someone to practice the right way. Your video on "6 Thing wrong with how you were taught saxophone" really got me to realize I have been practicing the wrong way all these years. I have been playing soprano and alto for over 20 years and just NOW am I starting to get more out of my playing. Thanks for your videos. Keep up the good work. Art
I love practicing long-tones. I find it's a really great way to get into the mindset of playing, to "connect" with the sax and to get the "feeling" of the right intonation. I use Tone Energy too, after your recommendation. I think of long tones as both a warm-up and a meditation that helps me get prepped for a really good practice. I'm impressed by your "ultra" sensitivity on Tonal Energy - I've just graduated to "Medium"
Soprano-- Branford Marsalis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter Alto- Paul Desmond, Cannonball ,- Tenor-- Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane (Flamenco Sketches) Michael Brecker, Clarence ( The Big Man!) Clemons ,, Baritone- Stephen (Doc) Kupka, Ed Manion ( Asbury Jukes)
Leroi Moore was hands down my all time favorite sax player and he was the reason I started to play in HS. R.I.P. buddy. I hope you have a golden sax up in heaven to play on.
Jay, I gotta say, I started playing Sax after watching you and it is just awesome that in this age and time, we can reach out and find guys like you out there!
My favorite saxophone players are: - Stan Getz - Charlie Parker - Wayne Shorter - Dave Pollack - Daehan Choi - Eric Marienthal - Paul Desmond - John Coltrane Totally forgot about Zane Musa R.I.P :(
Thanks very much. I have had a sakkusu alto saxophone for almost 12 years . You have made me resolve to start learning how to play and I have been following your videos in the last 5 days. So it means I have been practicing for 5 days🙈🙈. I live in Ghana but will find a way to purchase your course soon once I can prove to myself that I won't stop half way as always. Thanks again
Alto players - Lou Donaldson, Sonny Stitt Jackie Mclean, Cannonball Adderly, Art Pepper. Tenor players - John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, Hank Mobley, Charlie Rouse. Bari players - Stephen Kupta, Pepper Adams, Ronnie Cuber, Leo P.
Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane (ofc), but of people currently alive and playing, Derek Brown has an amazingly interesting way of approaching the saxophone, and I absolutely love it.
Great video Jay, my favorite player to listen to is Gerald Albright. I work on long tones every single day, I spend 10-15 minutes doing this but I set my alarm for 5 minutes, I never get bored playing long-tones, I fall in love with playing long-tones because sound is the most important thing to me. I also work on long tones in a chromatic form but only five notes at a time based on the key I’m working in so I spend one full month on just those five notes then move on in the next month in another key and so on. I’m about the long game because I’m not competing with any other player. And of course I use one set of the overtime series. I’ve been doing this for over a year now and it’s the most improvement I’ve experienced with my sound development so far. Thanks again for sharing Jay.
There’s this kid named Lucas who is super talented he’s in high school band with me. He can play saxophone, clarinet, and mellophone and sounds excellent playing all of them
Jay, i love your channel. I played sax for a couple of years, but stopped when we had kids (that's about 10 years now). Now my youngest (girl) is 8 years, she starts playing sax!!!....and i'm starting again (yes!). We both practice together and have a lot of fun together. I'm playing a Yamaha YAS280, and she is learning on a hired sax.... so a Jean-Paul AS-400 would be a great birthday present (July-6). We all know the great sax-players, but my main saxophone player is Benjamin Herman he made me fall in love with the Sax! !
Some of My Favorite Players: Cannonball, Stitt, Rollins, Parker, Baptiste Herbin, Mobley, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Vincent Herring, Coltrane, Earl Bostic, Tubby Hayes, Phil Woods, Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, Gary Smulyan, Nick Brignola, and so many more.
Jay, THANK YOU! this is the first time I have heard on a CZcams vid about sound the importance of listening. Alto: Marshall Royal, Lou Donaldson, Cannonball Adderley, Dave Pietro. Tenor: Dexter, Mark Colby, Dexter, Michael Brecker, Dexter, Hank Mobley, Dexter, Wayne Shorter and Dexter.
This is great Jay ! Thanks! I’ve begun incorporating long tones into my students practice routine. My favorite Tenor player is Dexter Gordon & for Alto I’d have to go with Art Pepper. But there are many great players I enjoy listening too. I’m all over the place!
Dexter Gordon is the best saxophone player ever in my opinion, absolutely amazing sound. Also Sam Taylor has a unique sound that I try to imitate a little bit
Thx Jay! Amazing vids, although I think there are sax players, who created their own sound without listening to others music. Whatever, at the moment I am enjoying Bob Reynolds a lot, but of course Getz and Coltrane are on my mind. Thank you again for your work and the giveaways you organize! Cheers from germany
Just picked up my Tenor Sax today after 15 years 😬 I’m really excited but nervous. I quit just shy of achieving “the sound” I was looking for... hoping I can get that back & then finally achieve that sound!
@bettersax I’ve been playing saxophone for 5 years now and i play the tenor. I am in 10th grade now and I’ve been wanting to pick up the alto for a while, but I’m sure my parents don’t want to buy another saxophone when my main is tenor. This give away would give me the best opportunity to start playing alto so I can play pieces meant for saxophone for competitions and recitals. If you’ve read this, thank you for taking the time to do so!
Hi Jay, I’ve learned a lot from you already. I intend to purchase my first alto sax at the beginning of next month! At my age these days, I want to indulge myself back into Jazz. I played Trombone growing up. Looking forward in learning more from you? Thanks
My favorite saxophone player is my current sax teacher, Edgar Abraham. Excellent Jazz and classical musician, he is also a composer and teacher in the classical saxophone department of the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico. You can listen to his albums in his social media, Edgar Abraham
I was a Stan Getz fan for years, but now as I am getting ready to retire, I have really latched on to Scott Hamilton. There is a special bonus to liking Scott Hamilton. Ivan Baldet has done I think about 100 transcriptions on CZcams so I play along a lot. Since the pandemic, I have played maybe 12 hours a week and seen some real improvement in my intonation. I have been satisfied as my tone quality has improved and my ideas and approach have improved over many years of just having fun, but I think I am sounding a lot better now. I used to always tend to play sharp (better than flat I guess) but now playing with Scott a lot, I believe my intonation has improved 10 fold and inspiration to my own ideas has increased at the same time.
Of course no shame at all ! It is a very usefull exercise with a lot of gain playing saxophone The embouchure will be very flexible, toptones get much more in control, vibrato better, more possibility to color your tone in different ways. Have to practise this more ! Still even after playing 48 years now😅 thanks for the vid
I have several musicians I love to hear playing their saxophone ; They are; Lester Young, Jimmy Heath, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Eric Dolphy, James Moody, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Yusef Lateef, Stan Gtez, Cannonball Adderley, & Sonny Stitt, Paul Desmond, I also admire; (Jay metcalf, Karl Sanger), Gerald Albright The Greats as well as the teachers
Hi, I've bee. playi my alto sax for more than 10 yrs but never fuli time, now I'm not 60 and looking to retire . I like your video's and they help a lot. Keep on .... Thanks
I like Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Paquito D´Rivera, Eric Marienthal, Michel Breker, Dave Koz, Grover Washinton Jr, Jay beckenstein, Marc Russo, and Candy Dulfer... but i really fell in love with the sax after listening to John Helliwell (supertramp)
I've noticed that a lot of the professional players who have influenced me are band members or session musicians, not just frontmen or the main credits. It's probably a styles thing, as I mostly come from Rock and Roll, as opposed to jazz or classical. A few of mine are Dick Perry of Pink Floyd, John Helliwell of Supertramp, Grady Gaines of Little Richard, Eric Demmer, who played with Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and Boots Randolph. Also all of the saxophonists on James Brown's Live At The Apollo. These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. P.S. There are a lot of things happening right now that we're pleased with, but wish it didn't have to take a global pandemic. Oh well, such is life, might as well live to laugh and play.
Using this app was a humbling experience. I am so incredibly out of tune (and out of practice) and my jaw is so stiff and sore. Thank you so much for making this video
I'm 69 and all of my life I have been interested in music, both playing various instruments and listening. I have never considered playing the sax, ever, and then I heard Lester Young play and the next thing I know I have a Yamaha YTS-26 and I am playing everyday. I start every session with just blowing long tones into the mouthpiece alone, then into the mouthpiece with the neck. After about 5 mins of that I move to the entire instrument and just play long tones. Then I move to scales and finally to what ever song I'm trying to learn. My main focus for the entire practice is to make sure the each note is clear and beautiful sounding before I move to the next note. I have had my sax for 5 weeks now our cats have stopped running for cover so I must be doing a lot better. It all started with Lester Young's gorgeous sound. Since then I added Ben Webster and Gerry Mulligan to the mix but it all started with the "Pres".
@bettersax You called me out. I havent played in over five years but now that I have some time i took the good old saxophone out and rediscovered it to be a great source of entertainment and brain stimulation. Your videos are keeping me engaged and I'm learning so many things my old teachers never taught me. Thank you!
personally i like to listen to leo p. he is a Bari sax player that does so wild and groovey sounds. he does an amazing job playing and has an amazing control on his sax.
One of the deciding factors for me in pulling the trigger to learn Sax was hearing Kaori Kobayashi play the Sax. When I heard her play "Nothings gonna change my love for you", I fell in love. With her sound, the Sax and her.
Alto players: Dave Pollack, Johnny Hodges, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker, Kenny Garrett Tenor players: Stan Getz, Bob Reynolds, Ben Wendel, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Hank Mobley, Rich Perry, Chris Cheek (just to name a few)
Ima junior and the second chair at my high school. I love listening to my first chair section leader who is going to Illinois State University to join their saxophone studio. He’s a beautiful player and has helped me become the player that I am
i've been using my ear sensitivity for learning to play guitar and even playing my harmonica, I cant even read notes but because of my ear sensitivity i can play harmonica from what ive heard , and even tuning guitar just by listening to the tone. hope to learn the sax
I listen to Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker and Paul Desmond on alto. My favorite tenor players are John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz, and Michael Brecker.
[Alto]: Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Maceo Parker .... [Tenor]: John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Rouse .... [Bari]: Serge Chaloff, Ronnie Cuber, Denis Diblasio
I play alto (& flute) but most of my favorites are tenor players: Michael Brecker, Ben Webster, Chris Potter, James Carter, Eric Alexander, John Coltrane, Lester Young, Chad L. Brown, Charlie Rouse, Scott Hamilton, Oliver Nelson(tenor & alto)… Alto players: Johnny Hodges, Paul Desmond, Grace Kelly, Charlie Parker, Gerald Albright, Candy Dulfer, Cannonball Adderley, Dave Koz, Everett Harp, … (I need to include Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Joseph Jarman, Pharaoh Sanders, and Anthony Braxton -- when I'm in the mood for that kind of music).
Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Lou Donaldson, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Stitt, Lester Young, Johnny Hodges, Roland Kirk, Chris Potter, Hank Mobley Eric Dolphy, and MILES DAVIS ? LOUIS ARMSTRONG, CHET BAKERI know they're not sax but they rock by musical boat and YOU BETTER SAX
John Desmond
Sonny Rollins?
Paul Desmond?
in all my saxophone playing I've been unconfident with my sound, every teacher would say "just practice" but never elaborated more or told what exactly to do. This video truly made me excited again to play and I will update what I think I improved on in a week!
Edit: its been awhile, but this really did help me. I am so much more confident in my playing and I'm not as nervous when doing solos!
I LOVE how you run this practice on a beginner horn. It shows how important practice truly is
Jay is a very comfortable and wholesome blend of Bill Burr and Sam Rockwell - thanks for the videos, Jay!
So true!
Watching this with my sax round my neck.
It’s time I did some long tones
I have wanted a sax for so long now. I even started learning all I could even without owning one.
Yo, if you haven't bought a saxophone then take this reply as a sign! Start the journey
ALTOISTS:
- Kenny Garrett
- Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker
- Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley
- Sonny Stitt* - Tenor also
- Dick Oatts
- Phil Woods
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few of my current living inspos:
- Bob Reynolds
- Chris Potter
- Joshua Redman
- Dave Pollack
- Baptiste Herbin
- Danny Janklow
- Grace Kelly
- Alex Hahn
- Andrew Gould
- Ben Van Gelder
- Will Vinson
- Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
Eckzploitt this is a FANTASTIC list of musicians
Where is Eric Marienthal?
Luka Lazarevič YESSS Hes literally my alto sax idol
What about dereck brown
Abraham Avendano never heard of him.... what kind of sound does he have?
Sonny Rollins is without a doubt my favorite player. Such a beautiful sound, and so accessible. I love the way he use old standards or songs like “There’s No Business Like Show Business” or “I’m An Old Cowhand” and turns them into something new and very musically interesting. He’s an incredible player and improviser.
I'm totally eye-balling those free courses. Aiming for a second place finish on this giveaway contest. (Great time to do a giveaway, BTW).
Winning that sax would also be favourable.
Hey Jay, who are you using to host the giveaway?
Some of the Sax players that I listen to are:
Grover Washington Jr
Kenney G
David Sandborn
Tower of Power Lenny Pickit
Candy Dulfer
I love Paul Desmond. I cant get enough of his performances. Take five.
He's amazing.. I love his unique sound (kinda try to imitate it)
Favorite sax player of all time: Kamasi Washington. He's awesome
I've been playing sax for over 60 years, but thanks to you, Jay, I'm now focusing on the importance of long tones, overtones and the altissimo register. I've always believed that you shouldn't practice until you get it wrong, but you must keep practicing until you get it right. Your videos have changed my routine (and sound) in the woodshed. Using the tuner and metronome have become an essential part of practice sessions.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! Please keep up the good work and keep these vidoes coming...
Big T
Alto players that I listen to: Daehan Choi, Douglas Lira, Michael Leighton, Dave Koz, Grace Kelly,
My favorites are: Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Eric Dolphy, Billy Harper, Paul Desmond, Kenny Garrett, Greg Osby and Stan Getz.
Sax players I love, Junior Walker, King Curtis, and Ace Cannon 😎
Jay, i have been playing and teaching for decades. This is so spot on that I must recommend it to students. GREAT job.
Thanks.
Stan getz and Dexter Gordon are pretty nice. I like their sound
Right there with you
Love me some Dexter Gordon! that man has some chops, and his big full sound always gets me. Favorite song of his is Cheesecake.
having a major crisis playing my instrument (once again, never fails to happen even after over 12 years of playing). Basically boils down to me not feeling like a make progress even though i set aside time to practise every day and being bored with my improvisation. I really needed this video, change in my practise routine usually make a big difference. please make the mouthpiece video!
I have not played my tenor sax or clarinet in over 25 yrs and your videos have ignited the desire to start practicing. It is also good for my breathing control as I am asthmatic
Thank you
Warren Hill is a pretty underrated alto player.
By the way Jay is totally right about not having to spend too much money for a good tone. I've been able to develop a decent jazz tone with my YAS-23, vandoren java reeds and a Yamaha 4c
From my exp. as a tech and player, the student model 4c mpc. is probably still the best ;CHEAP: MPC ON THE MARKET.
Favorite Sax Players
Alto: Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderly, Jackie McLean, Kenny Garrett, Tia Fuller
Tenor: Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Eddie "Lock Jaw" Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rolins, James Carter (when he's not showing off), Chad LB
I gotta agree with all of the tenor, two you may wanna check out if you want a more laid back style and full airy sound are Scott Hamilton and Flip Phillips. Check out The Blue Room, Singin' In The Rain (both Flip), and check out Dear Old Stockholm, Foolin' Around, Days of Wine and Roses, You are My Sunshine, by Scott!
Bro where is the Bari love lol
@@andraskarpathy6428 Ronnie Cuber
@@andraskarpathy6428 I would've put some baris down but honestly, I don't listen to many so I didn't want to put like a shortlist but if you want to listen to 3 great baris go at it on some standards together check out "Baritone Explosion!" also Gerry Mulligan is another great bari player that you can check out if you haven't. :)
@@TheCabbageMan Thanks for the suggestions!!! :D
Top 4, for now.
Soprano: Jhon Coltrane
Alto: Paul Desmond
Tenor: Stan Getz
Baritone: Lars Gullin
I'd love to see al comments
My favorite: Jhon Coltrain
isn't his name Stan Getz
Alto: colin stetson
Tenor: Colin stetson
Bass: colin stetson
Clarinet: colin stetson
Bass clarinet: colin stetson
🤑🤑👑
Jay I play bari and would like it if you posted more content targeted at the bari. Love your videos and keep at it
Me too!
Then leo P is ur guy
- Paul Desmond (Alto)
- Charlie Parker (Alto)
- Cannonball Adderly (Alto)
- John Coltrane (Tenor, Soprano)
- Sidney Bechet (Soprano)
- Ben Webster (Tenor)
- Lester Young (Tenor)
- Stan Getz (Tenor)
These people are legends!
@@jankostokic4913 Sorry.. Of course.. Bob Gordon (Bari) and Gerry Mulligan (Bari).. They're great!
I play alto so for me there's nothing like Paul Desmond, unique and sweets unmatched sound. When I play I have always his sound in the head, I like the speed and emotional sound of Art Pepper too.
mik Vituper Paul Desmond sounds like clarinet
Paul Desmond makes a really nice sound, haven’t been a big fan of Charlie Parker but i respect his skills. Paul Desmond reminds me of a vocalist. Instruments are usually replicating vocals anyway.
Favorite sax players, Candy Dulfer, Eric Leeds, and now U!!
My favourite players are Cannonball Adderly, Stan Getz (so glad they were mentioned many times) and Benny Carter (I think he wasn't mentioned at all).
Listen to Carter's version of "My one and only love" ... for me beyond words!
Michael Sperry
Jay
My favorite players are:
Michael Brecker,
David Sanborn
John Coltrane
Dave Koz
I am glad to have found you. I really needed someone to practice the right way.
Your video on "6 Thing wrong with how you were taught saxophone" really got me to realize I have been practicing the wrong way all these years.
I have been playing soprano and alto for over 20 years and just NOW am I starting to get more out of my playing.
Thanks for your videos. Keep up the good work.
Art
I love practicing long-tones. I find it's a really great way to get into the mindset of playing, to "connect" with the sax and to get the "feeling" of the right intonation. I use Tone Energy too, after your recommendation. I think of long tones as both a warm-up and a meditation that helps me get prepped for a really good practice. I'm impressed by your "ultra" sensitivity on Tonal Energy - I've just graduated to "Medium"
Nubya Garcia is amazing and i’m listening to her everyday!!!!
Soprano-- Branford Marsalis, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter Alto- Paul Desmond, Cannonball ,- Tenor-- Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane (Flamenco Sketches) Michael Brecker, Clarence ( The Big Man!) Clemons ,, Baritone- Stephen (Doc) Kupka, Ed Manion ( Asbury Jukes)
Leo p is my all time favorite saxophone player. I just love his fun and playful style.
Same my second favorite is Derek Brown.
fav alto players: jackie mclean, eric dolphy, johnny hodges
soprano players: steve lacy, evan parker, dave liebman
Leroi Moore was hands down my all time favorite sax player and he was the reason I started to play in HS. R.I.P. buddy. I hope you have a golden sax up in heaven to play on.
Jay, I gotta say, I started playing Sax after watching you and it is just awesome that in this age and time, we can reach out and find guys like you out there!
thanks!
My favorite players to listen to include:
Dexter Gordon
Sonny Rollins
Johnny Hodges
Camille Thurman
Sherman Irby
Ben Webster
Coleman Hawkins
:)
My favorite saxophone players are:
- Stan Getz
- Charlie Parker
- Wayne Shorter
- Dave Pollack
- Daehan Choi
- Eric Marienthal
- Paul Desmond
- John Coltrane
Totally forgot about Zane Musa R.I.P :(
Severe Traffic and Candy dulfer...
John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Dave Brubeck are great for classic jazz and some of my favorites
Thanks very much. I have had a sakkusu alto saxophone for almost 12 years . You have made me resolve to start learning how to play and I have been following your videos in the last 5 days. So it means I have been practicing for 5 days🙈🙈. I live in Ghana but will find a way to purchase your course soon once I can prove to myself that I won't stop half way as always. Thanks again
Alto:
- Phil Woods
- Eric Marienthal
Tenor:
- Bob Reynolds
- Cris Potter
- Björn Arkö (Swedish, check him out!)
Bari:
Nick Brignola
will do!!!
Alto players - Lou Donaldson, Sonny Stitt Jackie Mclean, Cannonball Adderly, Art Pepper.
Tenor players - John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Stan Getz, Hank Mobley, Charlie Rouse.
Bari players - Stephen Kupta, Pepper Adams, Ronnie Cuber, Leo P.
Paul Desmond, Patrick Bartley, Thomas Edinger, Don Braden, Benjamin Herman, Sonny Stitt, Grover Washington Junior, Joshua Redman
Love Sunny Stitt. Especially his tone (sound).
Cannonball adderley, Dextor Gordon, John Coltrane, Paul Desmond, and even Charlie Parker and his smooth be bop lines
Jay you have saved my saxophone playing! You’ve totally convinced me to buy your core essentials lesson! You’re amazing
Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane (ofc), but of people currently alive and playing, Derek Brown has an amazingly interesting way of approaching the saxophone, and I absolutely love it.
Kenny G made me buy a soprano saxophone. Just got mine this month. Can't wait to master it.
Great video Jay, my favorite player to listen to is Gerald Albright. I work on long tones every single day, I spend 10-15 minutes doing this but I set my alarm for 5 minutes, I never get bored playing long-tones, I fall in love with playing long-tones because sound is the most important thing to me. I also work on long tones in a chromatic form but only five notes at a time based on the key I’m working in so I spend one full month on just those five notes then move on in the next month in another key and so on. I’m about the long game because I’m not competing with any other player. And of course I use one set of the overtime series. I’ve been doing this for over a year now and it’s the most improvement I’ve experienced with my sound development so far. Thanks again for sharing Jay.
Favorite players: Jay Metcalf of course, Keith Crossan (Tommy Castro band), Grover Washington Jr.
There’s this kid named Lucas who is super talented he’s in high school band with me. He can play saxophone, clarinet, and mellophone and sounds excellent playing all of them
I guess I'm too late to win the sax. 🤣 Just starting out on soprano and your videos have help this old guy out for sure.
Jay, i love your channel. I played sax for a couple of years, but stopped when we had kids (that's about 10 years now). Now my youngest (girl) is 8 years, she starts playing sax!!!....and i'm starting again (yes!). We both practice together and have a lot of fun together. I'm playing a Yamaha YAS280, and she is learning on a hired sax.... so a Jean-Paul AS-400 would be a great birthday present (July-6).
We all know the great sax-players, but
my main saxophone player is Benjamin Herman
he made me fall in love with the Sax! !
Some of My Favorite Players:
Cannonball, Stitt, Rollins, Parker, Baptiste Herbin, Mobley, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, Vincent Herring, Coltrane, Earl Bostic, Tubby Hayes, Phil Woods, Lester Young, Gerry Mulligan, Gary Smulyan, Nick Brignola, and so many more.
Jay, THANK YOU! this is the first time I have heard on a CZcams vid about sound the importance of listening.
Alto: Marshall Royal, Lou Donaldson, Cannonball Adderley, Dave Pietro.
Tenor: Dexter, Mark Colby, Dexter, Michael Brecker, Dexter, Hank Mobley, Dexter, Wayne Shorter and Dexter.
Stan getz, Coleman Hawkins, Michael brecker and Sam Rivers are so very nice. I like the way they play sax❤️
this is going to sound so typical, but i listen to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, and Cannonball Adderley
This is great Jay ! Thanks! I’ve begun incorporating long tones into my students practice routine. My favorite Tenor player is Dexter Gordon & for Alto I’d have to go with Art Pepper. But there are many great players I enjoy listening too. I’m all over the place!
Dave Koz, Kenny G, Kaori Kobayashi and ofcourse Jay Metcalf!!
Very informative video! Keep it up and God bless! 🙏😊
Favorites.....Dexter Gordon....Hank Mobley.....Sonny Rollins....Charlie Rouse....Coleman Hawkins.....Thanks J
Ronnier Cuber and Leo p have my favorite sounds currently. Starting to love Gary Smulyan again
Dude you legit read my mind😂 like last night I noticed that my sound resembles so close to their sound and I was amazed
Muchas gracias por sus clases, son de mucha ayuda para un optimo sonido en el saxofón, saludos desde Arica, Chile
great advice to play long notes trying to tune by ear. Thanks, Jay! your lessons are of great help to the saxophonist community
Dexter Gordon is the best saxophone player ever in my opinion, absolutely amazing sound. Also Sam Taylor has a unique sound that I try to imitate a little bit
Thx Jay! Amazing vids, although I think there are sax players, who created their own sound without listening to others music. Whatever, at the moment I am enjoying Bob Reynolds a lot, but of course Getz and Coltrane are on my mind. Thank you again for your work and the giveaways you organize!
Cheers from germany
Wayne Shorter is the most inventive. Tough to copy him, though.
People not mentioning Michael Brecker and Bob Berg breaks my heart
Both monsters. Bob Berg's work with Cedar Walton is a favorite.
You did.
Just picked up my Tenor Sax today after 15 years 😬 I’m really excited but nervous. I quit just shy of achieving “the sound” I was looking for... hoping I can get that back & then finally achieve that sound!
@bettersax I’ve been playing saxophone for 5 years now and i play the tenor. I am in 10th grade now and I’ve been wanting to pick up the alto for a while, but I’m sure my parents don’t want to buy another saxophone when my main is tenor. This give away would give me the best opportunity to start playing alto so I can play pieces meant for saxophone for competitions and recitals. If you’ve read this, thank you for taking the time to do so!
Kenny G is hands down my favorite saxophonist
Hi Jay, I’ve learned a lot from you already. I intend to purchase my first alto sax at the beginning of next month! At my age these days, I want to indulge myself back into Jazz. I played Trombone growing up. Looking forward in learning more from you? Thanks
My favorite saxophone player is my current sax teacher, Edgar Abraham. Excellent Jazz and classical musician, he is also a composer and teacher in the classical saxophone department of the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico. You can listen to his albums in his social media, Edgar Abraham
I was a Stan Getz fan for years, but now as I am getting ready to retire, I have really latched on to Scott Hamilton. There is a special bonus to liking Scott Hamilton. Ivan Baldet has done I think about 100 transcriptions on CZcams so I play along a lot. Since the pandemic, I have played maybe 12 hours a week and seen some real improvement in my intonation. I have been satisfied as my tone quality has improved and my ideas and approach have improved over many years of just having fun, but I think I am sounding a lot better now. I used to always tend to play sharp (better than flat I guess) but now playing with Scott a lot, I believe my intonation has improved 10 fold and inspiration to my own ideas has increased at the same time.
my saxophones have been crying out to me to practice
Of course no shame at all ! It is a very usefull exercise with a lot of gain playing saxophone
The embouchure will be very flexible, toptones get much more in control, vibrato better, more possibility to color your tone in different ways. Have to practise this more ! Still even after playing 48 years now😅 thanks for the vid
Daehan Choi has a BEAUTIFUL tone and I highly recommend listening just for his sound alone
I have several musicians I love to hear playing their saxophone ; They are; Lester Young, Jimmy Heath, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Eric Dolphy, James Moody, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, Yusef Lateef, Stan Gtez, Cannonball Adderley, & Sonny Stitt, Paul Desmond, I also admire; (Jay metcalf, Karl Sanger), Gerald Albright The Greats as well as the teachers
Igor Batman, Paquito D´rivera, Mike Brecker are my all time favorites
Hi, I've bee. playi my alto sax for more than 10 yrs but never fuli time, now I'm not 60 and looking to retire . I like your video's and they help a lot. Keep on .... Thanks
I like Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Paquito D´Rivera, Eric Marienthal, Michel Breker, Dave Koz, Grover Washinton Jr, Jay beckenstein, Marc Russo, and Candy Dulfer...
but i really fell in love with the sax after listening to John Helliwell (supertramp)
Fave players; Rollins, Coltrane. Modern players- Denys Baptiste, Paul Booth, Courtney Pine (all UK tenor players)
thanks a lot to the bettersax crew,,for all you do for the community of saxofon players everywhere.,,, on my part , much appreciation
Jr Walker hands down since i was a kid. That sound is why i put a sax in my hands to begin with.
My favorite tenor saxophone player is Dexter Gordon. And my favorite alto saxophone player is Charlie Parker. His be bop sound is really cool.
2 of my favourite saxophone players are Kenny g and boney james
I've noticed that a lot of the professional players who have influenced me are band members or session musicians, not just frontmen or the main credits. It's probably a styles thing, as I mostly come from Rock and Roll, as opposed to jazz or classical. A few of mine are Dick Perry of Pink Floyd, John Helliwell of Supertramp, Grady Gaines of Little Richard, Eric Demmer, who played with Clarence Gatemouth Brown, and Boots Randolph. Also all of the saxophonists on James Brown's Live At The Apollo. These are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
P.S. There are a lot of things happening right now that we're pleased with, but wish it didn't have to take a global pandemic. Oh well, such is life, might as well live to laugh and play.
Using this app was a humbling experience. I am so incredibly out of tune (and out of practice) and my jaw is so stiff and sore. Thank you so much for making this video
I'm 69 and all of my life I have been interested in music, both playing various instruments and listening. I have never considered playing the sax, ever, and then I heard Lester Young play and the next thing I know I have a Yamaha YTS-26 and I am playing everyday. I start every session with just blowing long tones into the mouthpiece alone, then into the mouthpiece with the neck. After about 5 mins of that I move to the entire instrument and just play long tones. Then I move to scales and finally to what ever song I'm trying to learn. My main focus for the entire practice is to make sure the each note is clear and beautiful sounding before I move to the next note. I have had my sax for 5 weeks now our cats have stopped running for cover so I must be doing a lot better. It all started with Lester Young's gorgeous sound. Since then I added Ben Webster and Gerry Mulligan to the mix but it all started with the "Pres".
@bettersax You called me out. I havent played in over five years but now that I have some time i took the good old saxophone out and rediscovered it to be a great source of entertainment and brain stimulation. Your videos are keeping me engaged and I'm learning so many things my old teachers never taught me. Thank you!
personally i like to listen to leo p. he is a Bari sax player that does so wild and groovey sounds. he does an amazing job playing and has an amazing control on his sax.
One of the deciding factors for me in pulling the trigger to learn Sax was hearing Kaori Kobayashi play the Sax. When I heard her play "Nothings gonna change my love for you", I fell in love. With her sound, the Sax and her.
Chad LB is my example of what i think are a beautiful sound
Alto players: Dave Pollack, Johnny Hodges, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker, Kenny Garrett
Tenor players: Stan Getz, Bob Reynolds, Ben Wendel, Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Hank Mobley, Rich Perry, Chris Cheek
(just to name a few)
I love listening to Junior Walker!
paul desmond is a really good alto sax player he personally i think has the best tone on alto sax
Ima junior and the second chair at my high school. I love listening to my first chair section leader who is going to Illinois State University to join their saxophone studio. He’s a beautiful player and has helped me become the player that I am
i've been using my ear sensitivity for learning to play guitar and even playing my harmonica, I cant even read notes but because of my ear sensitivity i can play harmonica from what ive heard , and even tuning guitar just by listening to the tone. hope to learn the sax
Right now I'm listening to a lot of Marici Saxes (a classical sax quartet) and Amy Dickson. I really like the way sop sounds in classical music.
I listen to Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley, Charlie Parker and Paul Desmond on alto. My favorite tenor players are John Coltrane, Ben Webster, Sonny Stitt, Stan Getz, and Michael Brecker.
[Alto]: Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, Maceo Parker .... [Tenor]: John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Charlie Rouse .... [Bari]: Serge Chaloff, Ronnie Cuber, Denis Diblasio
I play alto (& flute) but most of my favorites are tenor players: Michael Brecker, Ben Webster, Chris Potter, James Carter, Eric Alexander, John Coltrane, Lester Young, Chad L. Brown, Charlie Rouse, Scott Hamilton, Oliver Nelson(tenor & alto)… Alto players: Johnny Hodges, Paul Desmond, Grace Kelly, Charlie Parker, Gerald Albright, Candy Dulfer, Cannonball Adderley, Dave Koz, Everett Harp, … (I need to include Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Joseph Jarman, Pharaoh Sanders, and Anthony Braxton -- when I'm in the mood for that kind of music).