[Dave Pollack]

One of the most important elements of becoming a better musician, in my opinion, is self critique and self assessment. There is no better way of doing that than recording yourself and listening back to it! I tell my students it's like a mirror or photo/video of yourself - you can THINK you look a certain way that day, but until you actually see yourself from the outside you don't really know.

The biggest thing I hear from people that say they don't record themselves is that they don't like the way they sound. THAT'S THE POINT!! I don't know of anyone who truly likes the way they sound - I know I don't! The idea is that recording yourself is a tool to listen back critically as an audience member/listener from a 3rd party point of view.

This can be for blowing over tunes, practicing written passages, original compositions, exercises - anything!

Now is a great time, especially with many people spending so much time at home, to start recording yourself. Give it a shot! You probably won't like what you hear, but it will definitely help get you better.

 

[AddictedToSax]

Oh, but it’s so painful.

 

[germanwatches]

Recorded audio would painful. A video would be dangerous because I don't look like Melisa Asli Pamuk.

 

[1saxman]

Yes, but it is so necessary. There's no doubt - it is the way to advance the fastest, especially regarding your effectiveness as a live player. Not only about your playing, but how well you are being heard, your intonation, etc. You think they are hearing what you are doing but many times the recording, particularly if taken off of the PA system or at a remote location in the room, will show that nuances of what you're doing are not making it past the bell of your horn. In this way you learn to simplify some things and stress other things. You learn better microphone technique if you're not using a clip-on and perhaps see the need for a better one if you are.

 

[adamk]

Also if you use a stand alone mic you are learning to work it for future tunes recorded and live play.

 

[swperry1]

Super humbling...I’ve been super fortunate to have scored a few recording jobs in this time of no gigs to keep me afloat. My body of recorded work is seriously lacking compared to how often I perform live. It’s been revealing to hear myself and also have my own finger on the dump button instead of being in a studio situation where someone’s paying for the time and unlimited takes just can’t happen. I’m playing more because of more “free” time, but definitely focussed less on “practice” because my routines are usually geared heavily toward what’s on my calendar in the coming weeks...

 

[germanwatches]

OK. Where do we post these recordings?

 

[Merlin]

OK. Where do we post these recordings?

If you're posting audio, Soundcloud is a popular choice. YouTube is the popular choice for video.

 

[lostcircuits]

OK. Where do we post these recordings?

Hey, it is for you to hate yourself, not to make enemies

 

[germanwatches]

Hey, it is for you to hate yourself, not to make enemies

That's funny ****. Love it!

 

[hakukani]

Recorded audio would painful. A video would be dangerous because I don't look like Melisa Asli Pamuk.

Videos make me look fat.
I agree recording is a good idea.

 

[germanwatches]

Videos make me look fat.
I agree recording is a good idea.

It's not the sexy body that concerns me. It's those nasty facial expressions. When I play, I don't have that cool and natural James Bond look. I resemble Dave Liebman.

 

[AddictedToSax]

I was being a bit sarcastic. I agree with saxman that you hear things you don't hear when you are playing. I do record myself now and then and it has brought to my attention that my fingering is sloppy sometimes. I've worked on that a lot and it has helped me to sound more professional. On one of the thousands of YouTube videos one guy was talking about how we tend to cover up our sloppy fingering by tonguing notes. It was because of recording that I realized I was doing that. Now I'm working on scales and articulation a lot, at least I was before my daughter and her husband had to stay here for a while. It makes a difference.

Recording also gives you a bit of a jolt to hear a scoop or a slur you thought sounded pretty cool but when you hear it played back it sounds hokey and amateurish. It's those nuances saxman is talking about. There really isn't any reason not to record yourself and play it back in these days of smartphones. No need to video it. The audio recording does just fine.

 

[J-Moen]

I was being a bit sarcastic. I agree with saxman that you hear things you don't hear when you are playing. I do record myself now and them and it has brought to my attention that my fingering is sloppy sometimes. It also gives you a bit of a jolt to hear a scoop or a slur you thought sounded pretty cool but when you hear it played back it sounds hokey and amateurish. It's those nuances saxman is talking about. There really isn't any reason not to record yourself and play it back in these days of smartphones. No need to video it. The audio recording does just fine.

Video has its own purpose as well. Show some fingers flying all over the place (like me). Could help you to increase speed and action on the keys watching and trying to fix your finger placement. I record audio for almost everything, but am trying to find a good way to set up video recording.

 

[Brendan]

OK. Where do we post these recordings?

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/forumdisplay.php?68-SOTW-Member-Recordings & Reviews

:mrgreen:

 

[Just Joe]

Who knows, you might also hear back something that you like and encourages you. That's ok too!

I have recorded a few snippets as of late trying my best to stay in my music store's customers' vision. I cringe every single time I listen/view back. I still manage to hit the send button knowing that it's an honest reflection, warts and all.

 

[GT]

Videos make me look fat.
I agree recording is a good idea.

That's not bad, Hak...live and in person makes me look fat!

 

[dexdex]

The TOTM helped me A LOT, back around 2012-2014, when I participated on a regular basis. From month to month, I switched between all 4 saxes, sometimes doing some overlaying.
What did I learn ?
_ Don't be too demanding with yourself.
_ New tunes, some I didn't like. Well you don't need to record yourself for that, but it kind of motivates you to go through the whole process.
_ How to place a microphone to get the best sound. Well placed cheap gear can do a great job.
_ Intonation once playing. Digital tuners, long tones, etc.. are useful. But how do you pitch in real music ?
_ Articulation. I used to "bend" too much for my own taste, but wasn't aware. Recording tells you the truth.
_ Phrasing. Getting rid of too many ornaments, trills and other baroque stuff, same as above.
_ Phrasing II. Do my phrases have a beginning and an end, like when I speak ?
_ Phrasing III. Triplets. Nothing wrong with them. I just don't like the slow ones (quavers) while soloing. Trap them !
_ Certainly more ....
Some things came-up through your feedback, some others were just between me and myself.
Do I play better ? Couldn't be absolutely sure; I know I don't play enough to really improve.
But I'm more aware of what is going on, and this builds some kind of confidence.

 

[dexdex]

It's not the sexy body that concerns me. It's those nasty facial expressions. When I play, I don't have that cool and natural James Bond look. I resemble Dave Liebman.

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Do you sound like him ?

 

[Bjroosevelt]

I think recording oneself should become a mandatory part basic training for all musicians......as we are all currently aspiring to Zoom concerts (as it is apparently the only way), if you don't learn how to record yourself, with a metronome/track ticking in your ear, I'm not sure how you will ever perform in a concert again.

.....a bit tongue and cheek....but I gotta tell you, those people who are comfortable recording themselves, listening, and improving, and re-recording are the ones having the most fun right now, and the ones with the most exposure in their communities.