Externe Column: The Secret of the Saxophone Solo

Misschien niet helemaal waarheidsgetrouw, maar semi-autobiografiën zijn helemaal hip.
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Improvising at songs I have never heard before: that’s what my online musical trade-mark has become. But it didn’t use to be a skill I was inherently good at. As a matter of fact, I used to suck at a particular type of saxophone exercise, the so-called “echo exercises”. During these exercises, the player has to repeat the short melodies that are played by a CD, with a book that visually provides a selection of notes which are possibly being played. Successfully completing these exercises is a key element for improvisation, because you acquire the feeling of playing the notes you hear and that you actually want to play. Well, even at the lowest pace I could barely reenact the simple melodies with only a couple of possible notes.

As embarrassed as I was to fail so heavily in front of my saxophone teacher, I started to play along with popular radio songs and tried to mimic the rhythm and melody of the singer’s voice. At least I could now fail at home; in private. I was surprised how quickly I progressed without my teacher’s presence. Especially by taking into account my lack of native ability for the echo exercises.

Although I could still use a lot of practice, I am now able to discover the key of a song within no-time and I am getting better at realizing the melodic ideas I hear inside my head. This resulted in a bunch of Snamco Sax Edits on Youtube, but it’s also of great use during the Ultra Magic Balloons practices on Mondays. Some people are gifted with the perfect pitch and can tell you straight away what key songs are in. I just need a minute with my fingers on the saxophone (or piano) and get an internal representation of the scale with notes that are in tune.

Knowing the suitable notes is only a part of the job, though. Especially on the saxophone; besides inspiration for the actual melodies you play, you really make it or break it by your embouchure. However, knowing you won’t play out-of-tune notes will boost the result both directly and indirectly. Directly because you simply don’t sound like a skimpy screaming pig. Indirectly, because you’ll start playing more confidently and relaxed, which is such a big deal to your saxophone’s sound. Getting this so-called timbre right can be an immense pain in the ass, but that’s a different story. However, for the musical journey of acquainting the ideal timbre, the same principle applies: practice makes perfect.