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?
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.
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 !!
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