Smoky Subtone on alto

[Ilya Karzov]

Hello Johnny! I’d like to develop airy subtone for playing ballades on alto. I mean when a sound fades out to breath and breath stays for a while filling the spaces. Here are a few examples.

I know that Coleman Hawkins and especially Ben Webster used it a lot and I guess it easier to achieve on tenor saxophone. I’ve heard probably only Sherman Irby on alto playing that style (in attached video). Could you please give some recommendations how to achieve this tone. Does it require a mouthpiece with big opening, etc?

[Ilya Karzov]

[William Cingolani]

While you’re on the subject Johnny, how does one get that velvety tone, sometimes woodsy.

[john]

if you mean that low sub tone, I losen my lower lip and probably open up the oral cavity too
lots of air support while holding back a bit.

[William Cingolani]

Hi Johnny and llya. I’m working on those sub tones too. “Danny Boy” is a good song to use for practicing sub tones https://youtu.be/p5C6tQV05YU https://youtu.be/slJuYBsRSUg

[john]

wow Sil Austin is right up there with that kind of tone with my personal fave Ben Webster which I just posted an example here:
https://howtoplaysaxophone.org/introduction-to-the-saxophone

[jak Swift]

Speaking tenor, the thing these guys have in common is that they use Otto links. I couldn’t say for sure the same would apply to alto, but I don’t see why not. Check out Scott Hamilton. In his earlier days he ripped it up. Now he just seems to play real easy on a link #12.

[jak Swift]

Love the Sherman clip. Sounds like he’s using a harder reed. Like Johnny says, keep that lower lip as loose as possible, relax and push the air THROUGH THE HORN, Not into it. I was once shown the Getz chops by a guy who really had it together. Don’t ask !! I don’t want a ton of mails asking why it doesn’t work…LOL !! I mentioned in another post my dislike for the other forums. This place is just so friendly…its great !!

[Author]

Posts