Harmonics ?
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Have you tried any of the books available on the subject? Rascher's book has really helped me, the "visualization" of notes is actually one of the more important parts of harmonics, at least to me. If I'm not thinking of the note that I want, I can't play it.
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C is much harder than Bb. Have you already done Bb and B?
Make sure you hear the sound in your head clearly before you try to play it.
That may mean playing the fingered version first so you are sure what you are shooting for. I sometimes have students play (upper) bis Bb and then add all the fingers for low Bb while trying to maintain the higher one. Same would be the case for C.
Other tricks to get it to speak include flicking the G finger or high D key when working the Bb overtones, so you could try to trigger it by using those keys or others in the upper stack. HOWEVER, once you get the overtone, you must work to be able to stabilize it without any tricks. When you get the feel for how it needs to be played, you return to the proper overtone exercises without the tricks.
Make sure you hear the sound in your head clearly before you try to play it.
That may mean playing the fingered version first so you are sure what you are shooting for. I sometimes have students play (upper) bis Bb and then add all the fingers for low Bb while trying to maintain the higher one. Same would be the case for C.
Other tricks to get it to speak include flicking the G finger or high D key when working the Bb overtones, so you could try to trigger it by using those keys or others in the upper stack. HOWEVER, once you get the overtone, you must work to be able to stabilize it without any tricks. When you get the feel for how it needs to be played, you return to the proper overtone exercises without the tricks.
beginning here and working your way up, and up and up.raf:) said:
Bb
line3: ), Fline5: ), Bb, D, F, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, A natural, Bb. In that order.On tenor I can't get the D or above. On Alto I can get the D, but not the Bb haha. Just keep practicing.
When you go to B Natural move all of the notes I said up a half step. Same with C.
I first make sure I'm warmed up pretty well. I find that easier than just trying cold turkey. Then I just really concentrate on the note, its pitch, and my throat and embouchure. It's something you just need to try. It's hard to just explain it.raf:) said:
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Yes. Look at the "other tricks" paragraph in my previous post. My students can usually get the note by flicking one of those keys open and shut. Then, of course the trick is to hold onto the note and stabilize it. After that, you have to learn how to get it to speak without cheating, but if you can stabilize it after the flick, you're 80% of the way there. Once D and F come, everything else seems to just start falling into place, including altissimo.raf:) said:
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Everything already suggested sounds right to me, I always say, throat flexibility ,not tension but openess,like singing high notes,it feels like there are slightly different areas of the throat supporting the particular harmonics and when relaxed and located they sound clear.play bugle calls for fun!also you can mix and match the various areas for chords like throat singers.
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You can also learn a lot about larnyx manipulation by studying overtone singing. Google 'David Hykes', or check out this site:
http://www.fusica.nl/
http://www.fusica.nl/
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Once you get it, hold it, then try slurring down to the F. If that works do the same thing down to the middle Bb. You may learn something about the (reverse of) the voicing change required. In general. make exercises out of going back and forth between the ones you CAN play. Once you get D and F, you can do bugle calls, which is a great workout!raf:) said:
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Hi, I've only been practicing harmonics for a short while, so I'm sure I just need more practice, but I have one question.
I can't seem to get the first harmonic on Bb (The next Bb). I can very rarely, but not for long, and it's never clear. (Always has a lot of the low Bb in it)
However I have no trouble at all getting the F. And even the next Bb.
I can get the first and second harmonic easily on the fingerings of B-E too.
It just seems weird to me that the Bb is the only one giving me troubles. It seems like it is supposed to be the easiest from what I've heard.
Do you think it could be due to a leak in my sax or something? Or have other people gotten the higher harmonics before this one too.
I can't seem to get the first harmonic on Bb (The next Bb). I can very rarely, but not for long, and it's never clear. (Always has a lot of the low Bb in it)
However I have no trouble at all getting the F. And even the next Bb.
I can get the first and second harmonic easily on the fingerings of B-E too.
It just seems weird to me that the Bb is the only one giving me troubles. It seems like it is supposed to be the easiest from what I've heard.
Do you think it could be due to a leak in my sax or something? Or have other people gotten the higher harmonics before this one too.
On alto sax? I have that same problem sometimes. I think I skip that Bb and go right to the F because of my emouchure. Just relax it more and focus more on it. I can get it out now, but it's just a matter of really concentrating on it. Just keep practicing it and it should clear itself up.Saxophondue said:
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Thanks. Yeah, alto sax.
As long as someone else has had this issue I feel better. I'm sure it will come with practice. =)
As long as someone else has had this issue I feel better. I'm sure it will come with practice. =)
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