Never fails, everytime i watch your youtube lessons, that little lightbulb in my head comes on and its another aha moment. You've got a real gift, my friend. Thank you for doing these videos.
Hay Jeff, I've been watching your lesson videos for the past 2 month now whenever im eating, waiting to fall asleep or even having a smoke. And it really adds alot to my practicing sessions. So i just wanted to stop today and say thank you for doing that, it's so much appreciated. Please don't stop. Cheers.
Saw this vid last year and have been using this approach for students... bandmates... even for writing new tunes! Another AWESOME idea from the mighty JS. It's all about the feel in soloing, and you've got that in abundance.
This is the best ever advice on improvising. Get the feel right and ADD notes to the phrase. Build on your ideas."It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing". It's not about the notes so much. It's about PLACING the notes you choose to play. Listen to Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis.This video is great. Thanks for sharing.
This is so good. I just tried one note plus the octave above it, shuffled them around as short and long notes, interspersed with rests, played on a single one chord (sometimes 1+5, sometimes 1, 1+5+1), on a synth steady rhythm pattern, and I found myself improvising a groovy tune. Amazing! Big thanks Jeff.
Jeff, this is such a great lesson! It speaks volumes to me, someone who's really been hitting the music theory hard lately, because you are not advocating to not learn the theory, but to simplify it. I hope I wasn't the only person who took it this way. Thank you so much Jeff. Keep them coming!
I've watched 4 videos, and I've been learning a lot from you for the last couple of hours. But, when you said what you said about D'Angelo - Voodoo album, I said "OMG, I'm subscribing". I learned groove from that album/Pino, being that I'm a bass player, and Mr. Jeff, you've got an awesome channel here. Keep making videos and don't let anyone or anything distract you from doing so. You've affected a man all the way in St. Louis, Missouri. Thank you for you!
Jeff another great help for me. Love the fact that your vids are so short and sweet but every one contains a nugget that can keep me busy for days and days! One bi-product of this 4-note one is that it forces you to play some weird interval leaps you might not be used to playing. eg As you suggested I tried for ages to just play the root and the 6th and that forces you to jump around the horn. all good practice - your vids keep learning fresh every time thanks
I've watched a lot of your videos and you have helped me considerably. You seem to always know exactly what I'm struggling with or hoping to focus on next. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I just want to let you know that I really enjoy your videos. I'm just in high school and am just starting to develop my improv ideas, and your videos have been really helpful. I'm also loving the more frequent uploads. You're a great teacher and are easy to listen to and learn from. Keep it up!
This is really wise advice. One of the people that helped me learn the saxophone, had similar advice, and your video really helped me along with playing my saxophone again. Thanks a lot Jeff!
You helped me remember ideas like phrasing, enunciation, and enjoying what I am playing. Charlie Parker is one of the people that I looked up to, and is the one that gave me the most inspiration as I was learning the sax. Many of the people that I came into contact with always suggested kind of blue from Miles Davis. I remember learning that it not how well and fast and articulated you play the notes. There are many instances where a few notes, played in the mood of the player convey just as much, if not a whole different story. And mostly, I just wanted to be really good, and sound great, just like the soloing Charlie Parker had. He had very good playing skills, and I still listen to him for inspiration. Though listening to other players who play slower had been suggested to me a lot. Thanks again Jeff! Very well job done on your videos. And not just because of what it did for just me! Music and creativity in General!!
Hi Jeff, I'm following with a lot of attention your lessons, despite I play from so many years. I've started to study saxophone by my self many years ago when there was no sign of internet, unfortunately and doing everything by myself was very hard sometime. Today the net gives so many opportunity to learn to play and channel like your demostrate that learning is never enough, especially talking about music, and even the most simple lesson like the one over here can teach something very interesting anyway. Thanks for you effort over here. :)
Yes, groove and feel is where all the fun in music is. Like you said, it doesn't have to be a lot of notes or complicated. If your listeners are tapping their toes or bobbing along with you, your are doing what you're supposed to be doing.
+Jeff Schneider well, I am able to get the notes out, all the way up to a D above the palm key d, but it causes physical pain and discomfort in my mouth and lower lip because I can't get the notes out without biting. and they don't sound as great as the rest of my range. is there anyway (besides long tones on these notes which I've been trying forever) to get these notes out easier, and to sound better?
+supersalsa If I could interject. One thing to work on is overtones which will train your tongue to change position as it will have to when playing altissimo. Also, blow cold air into your hand and use that tongue shape when blowing for altissimo. Fast cold air!
Hey Jeff, I've discovered your RUclips channel a few weeks ago and I must say, as the others mentioned here, you provide excellent and very valuable hints on key elements that I've already incorporated in my daily routines, merci beaucoup ! also, let me add that you are very good at providing lessons that are easy to understand, which is not the case for other RUclips teachers, I appreciated your sessions very much, keep it up, and hope you'll get better soon ! Last thing : for a 'live' session using Periscope, I'd love to participate so let us know when !
Jeff I am just starting on the saxophone. thank you for all your videos. you mentioned about using periscope as a a way of reaching a lot of us on social media. Check out live stream and see what you think. It might be what you are looking for. Oh.. you get mad props for your love o D'angelo :)
Voodoo is the truf! If you see this: check out Prince's "Musicology" from 2004, I think. The whole thing kicks ass, but the track "On The Couch" is basically Prince giving D'Angelo a nod for giving Prince a nod lol
I think your idea about the broadcast thing is a good idea. Thanks for the videos and keep up the good work! If you don't mind me asking, how can I learn to identify 2-5-1 progressions?
Really great, thanks. Emphasises the point that rhythm comes first in jazz, then melody. Something I'm struggling with is the beats 2 and 4 thing. Any tips about that? How do I bring out those beats? Chris
+Chris Elston Slllooooooowwww down the tempo. Everything will be easier at a slower tempo. More time to think. Start by tapping on 2 and 4 without playing and just counting 1 2 3 4. Then introduce some notes on your instrument. Maybe just quarter notes. Keep counting in your head...1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4. Make the rhythms more complex until you can play melodies like twinkle twinkle little start to billies bounce!
+Jeff Schneider Thanks! I'll try that today. Incidentally, I've noticed that the simplest things done right (one note per bar, even) can sound incredibly good. It's bit like learning a foreign language: if you try to make your sentence constructions too complex you get all tangled up but if you keep it simple you get your message across easily. I think Jerry Bergonzi's instructional videos illustrate this perfectly - your readers might like to check him out.
Hey Ethan, first off, try sucking out the spit. Sounds gross, but it's the quickest way to get rid of that spitty sound. If the problem persists, a new reed may help. If you're still outta luck, I'll have to take a listen to hear what's really going on. Keep me posted.
I'd suggest taking the mouth piece further out of your mouth and curling your bottom lip over your bottom teeth (it sounds like you're not making a good seal on your mouth piece), I had the same problem for ages and my tutor suggested having only a little bit of it in my mouth and the lip thing helps with control
Yea I already roll my bottom lip over my bottom teeth and when i went to a master class they told me I need to take in more mouthpiece (which i still haven't gotten used to yet)
It's never a problem when we're playing loud charts in jazz but when I'm playing in concert band it's so hard to play a soft dynamic while not having a "spitty" sound. I think it might be the instrument because whenever i suck the spit out of my instrument, other people seem to get a lot spit out of their instruments than me. Even their sound when sucking it out seems like its getting more spit out. May just be an instrument issue which will go away in a year because im going into high school. Cant wait for it i dont know if youve heard of tarpon springs but im in their middle school band.
Ethan Auringer just asked a similar question. I'll post my response here: first off, try sucking out the spit. Sounds gross, but it's the quickest way to get rid of that spitty sound. If the problem persists, a new reed may help. If you're still outta luck, I'll have to take a listen to hear what's really going on. Keep me posted.
I think you explain everything very understandable , also your sound is really incredible and each video is totally informative , a big thank you for such a brilliant context I hope my english is not so very bad and incomprehensible . : D
Can it be that thou hast thou ancestors from a German -speaking country , on the basis of the surname which in Germany a professional describes the clothes of the cutter . Thanks for the answers to the last comment. :)
Hi Jeff. Again, amazing video. I have one question here: why have you used the D flat for this? The third on the Bb scale is concert D. I just started with music theory and the saxophone, so sorry if it's a lame question. Thanks and keep up the amazing work!
Never fails, everytime i watch your youtube lessons, that little lightbulb in my head comes on and its another aha moment. You've got a real gift, my friend. Thank you for doing these videos.
I appreciate that, Mark. Thanks!
Hay Jeff, I've been watching your lesson videos for the past 2 month now whenever im eating, waiting to fall asleep or even having a smoke. And it really adds alot to my practicing sessions. So i just wanted to stop today and say thank you for doing that, it's so much appreciated. Please don't stop.
Cheers.
So glad you're enjoying the videos. Thanks for watching, Waleed!
Saw this vid last year and have been using this approach for students... bandmates... even for writing new tunes! Another AWESOME idea from the mighty JS. It's all about the feel in soloing, and you've got that in abundance.
Thank you Professor !! The best teacher in the whole RUclips. Best regards.
This is the best ever advice on improvising. Get the feel right and ADD notes to the phrase. Build on your ideas."It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing". It's not about the notes so much. It's about PLACING the notes you choose to play. Listen to Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis.This video is great. Thanks for sharing.
D'Angelo's Voodoo album is a classic!!! Definitely a favorite of mine!
For sure!
This is so good. I just tried one note plus the octave above it, shuffled them around as short and long notes, interspersed with rests, played on a single one chord (sometimes 1+5, sometimes 1, 1+5+1), on a synth steady rhythm pattern, and I found myself improvising a groovy tune. Amazing! Big thanks Jeff.
So glad it's working for you! Keep it up!
I greatly appreciate your keyboard and sax talents, and willingness to share. Keep it coming.
Jeff, this is such a great lesson! It speaks volumes to me, someone who's really been hitting the music theory hard lately, because you are not advocating to not learn the theory, but to simplify it. I hope I wasn't the only person who took it this way. Thank you so much Jeff. Keep them coming!
I've watched 4 videos, and I've been learning a lot from you for the last couple of hours. But, when you said what you said about D'Angelo - Voodoo album, I said "OMG, I'm subscribing". I learned groove from that album/Pino, being that I'm a bass player, and Mr. Jeff, you've got an awesome channel here. Keep making videos and don't let anyone or anything distract you from doing so. You've affected a man all the way in St. Louis, Missouri. Thank you for you!
Jeff another great help for me. Love the fact that your vids are so short and sweet but every one contains a nugget that can keep me busy for days and days! One bi-product of this 4-note one is that it forces you to play some weird interval leaps you might not be used to playing. eg As you suggested I tried for ages to just play the root and the 6th and that forces you to jump around the horn. all good practice - your vids keep learning fresh every time thanks
Thanks, Nick! Happy to hear I'm keeping your practice sessions interesting!
That record was a fucking masterpiece. Thanks for calling it out! D'Angelo doesn't get the credit he deserves.
I've watched a lot of your videos and you have helped me considerably. You seem to always know exactly what I'm struggling with or hoping to focus on next. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
+Pasha Maher So happy to hear that, Pasha. Thanks for the comment and best of luck with your music!
I just want to let you know that I really enjoy your videos. I'm just in high school and am just starting to develop my improv ideas, and your videos have been really helpful. I'm also loving the more frequent uploads. You're a great teacher and are easy to listen to and learn from. Keep it up!
+Keaton I'm so happy to hear that. Thanks for the comment, and thanks for watching! Best of luck with your improv.
You’re a good man, Jeff. Always appreciate the practice techniques.
This is really wise advice. One of the people that helped me learn the saxophone, had similar advice, and your video really helped me along with playing my saxophone again. Thanks a lot Jeff!
You helped me remember ideas like phrasing, enunciation, and enjoying what I am playing. Charlie Parker is one of the people that I looked up to, and is the one that gave me the most inspiration as I was learning the sax. Many of the people that I came into contact with always suggested kind of blue from Miles Davis. I remember learning that it not how well and fast and articulated you play the notes. There are many instances where a few notes, played in the mood of the player convey just as much, if not a whole different story. And mostly, I just wanted to be really good, and sound great, just like the soloing Charlie Parker had. He had very good playing skills, and I still listen to him for inspiration. Though listening to other players who play slower had been suggested to me a lot. Thanks again Jeff! Very well job done on your videos. And not just because of what it did for just me! Music and creativity in General!!
Jeff,
The periscope/office hour idea is great. Looking forward to it.
This lesson was solid.
Jim.
Great Lesson Jeff. The periscope idea is great too!
Thanks, David. Definitely gotta the periscope or facebook live thing happening.
Love your lessions Jeff. Subscribed.
I'm a bassist. Watched just a bit and definitely subbed!
Thanks so much! Bassists are more than welcome!
i am a bassist as well, watched a couple of these vids over the last few days and have also subbed
I have been a professional musician for years now and I still do this type of practice. I can t get enough of it
It s super fun and essential.
Hi Jeff, I'm following with a lot of attention your lessons, despite I play from so many years. I've started to study saxophone by my self many years ago when there was no sign of internet, unfortunately and doing everything by myself was very hard sometime. Today the net gives so many opportunity to learn to play and channel like your demostrate that learning is never enough, especially talking about music, and even the most simple lesson like the one over here can teach something very interesting anyway. Thanks for you effort over here. :)
Jeff, this is a brilliant way to introduce building lines in a blues or otherwise.
Yes, groove and feel is where all the fun in music is. Like you said, it doesn't have to be a lot of notes or complicated. If your listeners are tapping their toes or bobbing along with you, your are doing what you're supposed to be doing.
EXACTLY! Thanks for the comment, Stan.
Love your videos Jeff. You are a really incredible saxophonist. This is Pamela Williams, "The Saxtress"
you dont even know how inspiring -this -you are to me!!! bless you man!
So simple, so cool... pretty much right away. Why hasn't anyone else shown me this method before???
Would definitely be interested in a live stream q&a type deal.
+HallucinogenicNarwha Will make it happen. Most likely on Saturday the 23rd.
Fantastico Jeff i miei complimenti per le tue lezioni...
that intro tho
+Tyler Morgan #ripsfordays
I would really love a lesson from you Jeff. I am a junior in high school and would really love to work on tone, altissimo, and some other jazz stuff.
Thanks Martin! Feel free to email me at JeffSchneiderMusic@gmail.com to set something up.
Great exercise, less is more. Thanks a lot for your videos! By the way, your sound is really killing me, great!
+mikeaehm Thanks!
great video as usual. I would like to reiterate my interest in you making a video on altissimo. thanks a ton jeff, you're the best
+supersalsa Thanks! What about altissimo would you like to learn?
+Jeff Schneider well, I am able to get the notes out, all the way up to a D above the palm key d, but it causes physical pain and discomfort in my mouth and lower lip because I can't get the notes out without biting. and they don't sound as great as the rest of my range. is there anyway (besides long tones on these notes which I've been trying forever) to get these notes out easier, and to sound better?
+supersalsa If I could interject. One thing to work on is overtones which will train your tongue to change position as it will have to when playing altissimo. Also, blow cold air into your hand and use that tongue shape when blowing for altissimo. Fast cold air!
Been trying scales like mad getting nowhere but this has got me going a bit,great
Really love your videos Jeff, so much inspiration for teaching! Thank you!
Thanks for the comment, Sami. I really appreciate it!
Hey Jeff, I've discovered your RUclips channel a few weeks ago and I must say, as the others mentioned here, you provide excellent and very valuable hints on key elements that I've already incorporated in my daily routines, merci beaucoup ! also, let me add that you are very good at providing lessons that are easy to understand, which is not the case for other RUclips teachers, I appreciated your sessions very much, keep it up, and hope you'll get better soon ! Last thing : for a 'live' session using Periscope, I'd love to participate so let us know when !
Great "call and response" formatting example from 3:50 on.
Great Lesson!
Jeff I am just starting on the saxophone. thank you for all your videos. you mentioned about using periscope as a a way of reaching a lot of us on social media. Check out live stream and see what you think. It might be what you are looking for.
Oh.. you get mad props for your love o D'angelo :)
Nice video, and great tips! The periscope is a great idea!
Thank you, Gustav! Going to start doing Google Hangouts!
Hey... great record! Question, I will probably research this b4 you get back to me but... concert Bb on my tenor is C? I was lost after that
Solid words, brother. Solid system too.
This actually helped a lot lol You should do a video on your mouthpiece set up and why you like it :)
+Jaeden Duarte I will! Thanks, Jaeden.
"Hey" :) Love Voodoo. Your Neo soul piano tutorials was got me subscribed.
Great lesson man! thanks for the channel.
I play trombone but I still learn tons about improv! Keep it up!
+Luke Chesley Thanks, Luke! Go trombone!
Great Lesson Jeff Feel Better!!!!
That's actually a very valid idea and lesson
Congrars with 100k subs!
Always perfect
Thank you, Alireza!
Great jeff amazing
This is a real fantastic advice - thank you!
I like the idea of the live thing! I’m just getting into that and I think that would be super cool
Hey, could ever give us a run down of your set up? Like, your sax, space where you practice?
You should do an in depth one on using the tritone sub as a soloist!
+THW NinjaScopez Tritone sub video coming soon, I promise!
Voodoo is the truf!
If you see this: check out Prince's "Musicology" from 2004, I think. The whole thing kicks ass, but the track "On The Couch" is basically Prince giving D'Angelo a nod for giving Prince a nod lol
Cool video! A teacher had also told me!
Another beautiful artists for grooves... Herbie Hancock. His records NEVER get old.
We do we go from there ?
Pretty fun Practicing these four notes in all 12 key I’m doing
how did that office hour thing go? do you still do it? I am interested, just got my first sax since high school band class lol
Did you ever do the periscope thing ??
that lick in the beginning though... :'0
Nehemiah Stewart The beginning of a kendrick song ¶:)
Get well soon and stay healthy !
+Tobbe Bergman Thanks, Tobbe!
Dope, thanks Jeff!
I think your idea about the broadcast thing is a good idea. Thanks for the videos and keep up the good work! If you don't mind me asking, how can I learn to identify 2-5-1 progressions?
+ElectricBeat Periscope session coming 4/23! I'll do a 2 5 1 video lesson soon. Hard to explain in the comments.
Is this your composition at the end of your video?
hello Jeff are you using the tong or the jaw's movement ?
Did you add another octave at 2 notes
Really great, thanks. Emphasises the point that rhythm comes first in jazz, then melody. Something I'm struggling with is the beats 2 and 4 thing. Any tips about that? How do I bring out those beats?
Chris
+Chris Elston Slllooooooowwww down the tempo. Everything will be easier at a slower tempo. More time to think. Start by tapping on 2 and 4 without playing and just counting 1 2 3 4. Then introduce some notes on your instrument. Maybe just quarter notes. Keep counting in your head...1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4. Make the rhythms more complex until you can play melodies like twinkle twinkle little start to billies bounce!
+Jeff Schneider Thanks! I'll try that today. Incidentally, I've noticed that the simplest things done right (one note per bar, even) can sound incredibly good. It's bit like learning a foreign language: if you try to make your sentence constructions too complex you get all tangled up but if you keep it simple you get your message across easily. I think Jerry Bergonzi's instructional videos illustrate this perfectly - your readers might like to check him out.
Now getting people to hear the metronome beats as Two and Four can be a lesson in itself
You're Amazing, Thank you.
Great advise
drummer learning from this too, subbed!
Thanks, Joe! Much appreciated.
amaaazing!!! greeetings master
+David Saldia Torres Thanks, David. Good meeting you!
Hello . I coudn't catch the name of the piece 'Angel of...' can you sent it ton me. Thank you.
periscope sounds cool!
Helpful video ..periscope session would be great!
Going to start doing Google Hangouts soon. Thanks, Bruce!
i love this. thank you
Thanks, Richard!
what do you mean by sixth?
thanks man
Do you play a C-Sax?!
I play the tenor and want to have more dynamic contrast but every time I play quiet you can hear the spit and it's annoying. Any suggestions?
Hey Ethan, first off, try sucking out the spit. Sounds gross, but it's the quickest way to get rid of that spitty sound. If the problem persists, a new reed may help. If you're still outta luck, I'll have to take a listen to hear what's really going on. Keep me posted.
+Jeff Schneider yea I suck the spit out a lot but spit doesn't come out of my instrument as much as it does in other peoples instruments it's weird
I'd suggest taking the mouth piece further out of your mouth and curling your bottom lip over your bottom teeth (it sounds like you're not making a good seal on your mouth piece), I had the same problem for ages and my tutor suggested having only a little bit of it in my mouth and the lip thing helps with control
Yea I already roll my bottom lip over my bottom teeth and when i went to a master class they told me I need to take in more mouthpiece (which i still haven't gotten used to yet)
It's never a problem when we're playing loud charts in jazz but when I'm playing in concert band it's so hard to play a soft dynamic while not having a "spitty" sound. I think it might be the instrument because whenever i suck the spit out of my instrument, other people seem to get a lot spit out of their instruments than me. Even their sound when sucking it out seems like its getting more spit out. May just be an instrument issue which will go away in a year because im going into high school. Cant wait for it i dont know if youve heard of tarpon springs but im in their middle school band.
what´s that theme in the end?
solid
Do the Periscope Bro!!!!
please
cool
+Alex Rossi Ineed!
Sometimes when I play my alto it sounds like I'm spitting into it. Anything i can do to prevent that
Ethan Auringer just asked a similar question. I'll post my response here: first off, try sucking out the spit. Sounds gross, but it's the quickest way to get rid of that spitty sound. If the problem persists, a new reed may help. If you're still outta luck, I'll have to take a listen to hear what's really going on. Keep me posted.
That sounds like a great idea ! Your video image though, got me thinking you were gonna dab for reals
Hi Jeff! I tried to contact you via fb messanger, Did it get lost?
could you make a video on your way to learn standards?
Great video, schwangin fo sho
+DrewThomasSaxophone Just did, posting later today!
Very cooooooooooool...
+Mark Anthony Thankssssss :)
Hey Jeff:
GREAT teacher, if you can, would you consider a little more exhibits on screen for us beginners if you could. Thanks, Mark
rhythm and dynamic and a Story....
Exactly!
Oh yes. That b3 is so important and the 6th rocks...
+Irish Muso Indeed!
Hey
I throw in one more and almost don't need anything else: the 9th.
D'Angelo's Voodoo has a bit of a fat freddys' drop vibe to it... I learned something and found more good music!
Me: I'm really digging what he has to say, I'm going to apply this to my own grooves.
Me at 2:37: JEFF ARE YOU OKAY
I'm from Germany and find your videos really great, I play myself for eight years Saxophone . 👍🏻😃🎷
+Mattis Seelbach Thanks, Mattis. So glad you like the videos!
I think you explain everything very understandable , also your sound is really incredible and each video is totally informative , a big thank you for such a brilliant context I hope my english is not so very bad and incomprehensible . : D
Can it be that thou hast thou ancestors from a German -speaking country , on the basis of the surname which in Germany a professional describes the clothes of the cutter . Thanks for the answers to the last comment. :)
+Mattis Seelbach I understand 100%
+Mattis Seelbach Yes! I am indeed part German!
Hi Jeff. Again, amazing video. I have one question here: why have you used the D flat for this? The third on the Bb scale is concert D. I just started with music theory and the saxophone, so sorry if it's a lame question.
Thanks and keep up the amazing work!
Alan Niemies It's the flat 3