Jazz/Classical Tone

[RiehlSax]

In a recent lesson with my teacher, he noted that he believed that my tone needed some work. When I asked him how, he just told me that it seems to be half Jazz, half Classical. This obviously poses a problem, because I am very classically oriented, but not surprising since I'm a recent convert, (from a lot of Jazz to a lot of Classical). At a recent competition, the judge noted the same thing about my tone. (Freaky? Same wording). Anyway, I hope to have as much of a Classical tone as possible, so I would greatly appreciate any suggestions to accomplish this. My setup is one of those "Intermediate" Yamahas and a Selmer C*, regular VanDoren, 2 1/2.

Tom

[paulwl]

Maybe this is just a nice way of telling you that you're too individualistic?

[Merlin]

I tend to favour a #3 Vandoren on the C* to take a bit of the edge off...try that and see if they think it's more legit.

[paulwl]

Good advice that... still, there's something about coming from jazz to classical that creates a subtle disturbance in "the force" in a recital or masterclass. It happened to me too at my first such event in a Rascher oriented workshop. I wasn't bending pitches or taking liberties or what have you, but I got a few comments that my tone was a little too vintage-jazz-oriented. Not bright, mind you. Just not "right", somehow.

Near as I can figure out, it was a combination of 3 things that worked a subtle magic on the ears of those present:
1. I was playing a Conn 6M alto, a horn without many adherents in that school.
2. I admitted using a Fibracell reed (allbeit with a stock vintage Conn mpc).
3 (and most tellingly). I had not really been drilled in the tonal precepts of that school. Almost everyone listening had had a Rascherian teacher, if not Rascher himself. I was a tourist by comparison - interested in the style, but not really a "believer" (although no one would have actually said that). Too individualistic and self-taught, I suppose.

But people commented that I had a tone they enjoyed hearing, one that was refined and musical, and that meant a lot to me coming from a context that was, I think, more foreign to them than I realized at first.

Moral? (If you require one...) Playing classical is more than just not being obviously jazzy. It is a total musical world view, and one that requires some serious immersion and rethinking. Not just of the way you play saxophone, but the way you hear and feel music.

[paulwl]

Good advice that... still, there's something about coming from jazz to classical that creates a subtle disturbance in "the force" in a recital or masterclass. It happened to me too at my first such event in a Rascher oriented workshop. I wasn't bending pitches or taking liberties or what have you, but I got a few comments that my tone was a little too vintage-jazz-oriented. Not bright, mind you. Just not "right", somehow.

Near as I can figure out, it was a combination of 3 things that worked a subtle magic on the ears of those present:
1. I was playing a Conn 6M alto, a horn without many adherents in that school.
2. I admitted using a Fibracell reed (allbeit with a stock vintage Conn mpc).
3 (and most tellingly). I had not really been drilled in the tonal precepts of that school. Almost everyone listening had had a Rascherian teacher, if not Rascher himself. I was a tourist by comparison - interested in the style, but not really a "believer" (although no one would have actually said that). Too individualistic and self-taught, I suppose.

But people commented that I had a tone they enjoyed hearing, one that was refined and musical, and that meant a lot to me coming from a context that was, I think, more foreign to them than I realized at first.

Moral? (If you require one...) Playing classical is more than just not being obviously jazzy. It is a total musical world view, and one that requires some serious immersion and rethinking. Not just of the way you play saxophone, but the way you hear and feel music.

[paulwl]

:oops: Oops. I double-posted just by using the BACK button to return to the index! I must remember to click in the board to navigate...

[Merlin]

Any idea if you'll be able to make it to the Cardinal Workshop this year Paul?

We really have to hang out together 8)