Author:
Sara Rhodes
Date Of Creation:
14 February 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Want to learn how to play jazz saxophone? Want to hone your skills or surprise others? This article is for you.
Steps
1 First things first, if you have basic playing skills, remember that you do not need to purchase a jazz mouthpiece; Selmer C * S80 is great for jazz. All the greats, Charlie Parker, Coltrane, Kennonball, Brecker, etc., used the classic mouthpiece. Do not get fooled by the stories of musicians who will tell you that jazz can only be played with a jazz mouthpiece. Jazz comes from the soul, not from the instrument. 
2 While the mouthpiece is not decisive, jazz reeds are highly recommended. Rico Select Jazz reeds are relatively cheap and Vandoren produces four types of reeds specifically for jazz. Many sites allow you to buy a certain type of cane. Look for a while until you find what you like best. The sound should be good and the response light. 
3 Change your mindset before playing jazz, especially if you've done classical music before. This is a completely different way of playing, with less control, more unpredictable and soulful. It is like working at a machine that is done well. 
4 Learn the swing technique. Start playing the scales differently. Use articulation to create your sound. 
5 Also master the seven frets. These are Ionian (major), Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian (minor), and Locrian (ascending). 
6 Listen. Hearing is very important for the development of the jazz style. Listen to greats like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball, Adderly, and develop the style you want. 
7 Join a jazz band. There is nothing better than learning to play jazz, being in a group, living it all from your own experience. 
8 Take private lessons. Take lessons from professionals to prevent bad music habits that are deposited in the subconscious.
Tips
- Keep in mind that all saxophones are different, you have to get used to it using all the possibilities of your saxophone, be it alto, tenor, baritone, etc. Each type of saxophone has its advantages and disadvantages, you must be ready to take advantage while downplaying the disadvantages.
- Improvisation is a big part of jazz playing. If you've done classical music before, then improvisation is the first thing you should learn. Listen to the Great Beings, learn how they improvise, compare different styles of improvisation. Start improvising with frets. Also, try to find music books that contain jazz standards or etudes (jazz instructional pieces). Your local music store will likely have a couple of books with the aforementioned content. If there is no music store near you, or there are no such books in your store, search the Internet and you will find tons of websites that offer these books. Most of the books will contain CDs with backing tracks that you can play to.
- Shoot jazz pieces and try to reproduce them exactly as on the recording.
Warnings
- Make sure you know what style you want. Purchasing a metal mouthpiece will give you a different sound than a hard rubber mouthpiece.
- Don't worry too much about the instrument. How you play determines the sound much more than your mouthpiece, reeds, etc.
What do you need
- Saxophone
- Good records
