One of my very talented teachers has been working on me for three weeks to improve my sound by the use of a more forceful airflow or supported as he calls it. To me it just sounds like he really likes it when I play louder and not so much when I play softer. He notes a surging of sound as I play at any volume and stops me almost every time I play.
It's gotten to be such a thing with him that he wants me to quit playing any instrument for 45 days and just do breathing exercises. If I understood or could hear what he's talking about I'd consider it, but I can't hear what he's talking about and after more than three hours of us talking I still can't get my head around the concept.
Here is a sample of my playing where I'm on soprano sax so you can actually hear me apart from my quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udy4n8ggWys
Now I understand more than a little about airflow as that is in my opinion the number one problem for over 90% of beginner to intermediate musicians. But I was never singled out as one of those folks before.
I also know that as you blow softer, you tend to naturally blow a little more sharp than when you are playing loudly. I also followed with interest a recent discussion (can't remember where it was) on the sine waves associated with the saxophone which was IIRC even at soft and uneven at loud. There was also talk about loud playing creating more overtones which can be pleasing.
My other teachers don't hear what this one instructor hears. I am getting so frustrated that I'm going to give it another week and then ask this instructor to concentrate on my other shortcomings like rhythm and sight reading. I'd be interested in any observations from this group.
It's gotten to be such a thing with him that he wants me to quit playing any instrument for 45 days and just do breathing exercises. If I understood or could hear what he's talking about I'd consider it, but I can't hear what he's talking about and after more than three hours of us talking I still can't get my head around the concept.
Here is a sample of my playing where I'm on soprano sax so you can actually hear me apart from my quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udy4n8ggWys
Now I understand more than a little about airflow as that is in my opinion the number one problem for over 90% of beginner to intermediate musicians. But I was never singled out as one of those folks before.
I also know that as you blow softer, you tend to naturally blow a little more sharp than when you are playing loudly. I also followed with interest a recent discussion (can't remember where it was) on the sine waves associated with the saxophone which was IIRC even at soft and uneven at loud. There was also talk about loud playing creating more overtones which can be pleasing.
My other teachers don't hear what this one instructor hears. I am getting so frustrated that I'm going to give it another week and then ask this instructor to concentrate on my other shortcomings like rhythm and sight reading. I'd be interested in any observations from this group.