Reviews

Every saxophonist wants to improve their tone, especially after they have mastered the basics. A great sound should fill the room without you struggling. To achieve this, many players will experiment and work on technique, while others will try to get the right equipment. However, even with the right horn, mouthpiece, or reed, you will still need to practice to develop the right skills. We have several tips you can use in the practice room, so you can walk away with improved and stronger overall sound than when you first walked in: 

     1. Work on your overtones.

If you are unfamiliar with overtones, you are fingering one note, such as a low C or B flat, then producing a different note, so you end up with a note above that one. Overtones help you get your altissimo notes on your saxophone. Working the overtones series enables you to develop the muscles in the mouth and the larynx. 

     2. Practice on the mouthpiece.

Practicing on your mouthpiece when it's removed from your saxophone is an excellent exercise for your sound-producing abilities. You are exercising the same muscles you use when you exercise overtones. Practicing on the mouthpiece uses the same muscles you'll use when you play. Try playing scales once the mouthpiece is removed, and you will realize that your tone has greatly improved.

     3. Listen to good saxophone players.

Listening is one of the easiest, but the most important things you can do. Find artists you like and listen to them a lot. You won't be able to recreate a good sound unless you have one in your mind you want to replicate. It's like learning a language – you can't learn to speak it unless you hear it. Choose some artists that you like, and get recommendations from others, and make sure you listen as much as you practice. 

Practice these tips and before long you will realize that your saxophone tone is much bigger, and you will no longer be dwarfed by the person next to you. Contact WestCoast Sax for help selecting the right mouthpieces for your saxophone.