Sliding notes - glisando

[telkim]

I've heard Josha Redman sliding notes from somewhere around E up to C very smoothly, just like they do on a trombone. How does he do that?

Thanks for the explanation in advance.

[Lambik]

I've personally never heard of the lad (don't know much 'bout sax players, actually) but the way I 'd do it, is by using quarter tones. See what Google gives you on a search for "saxophone""quarter tones".

Another possibility is to gently use your jaw to drop nearly half a tone smoothly. And as you nearly hit the following tone, change the fingering. In this way, it's fairly easy to get that low A on an alto sax.

I however am by no means an expert, but I did try the above techniques myself (with success and failure).

Hopes this answers your question :)

[usda]

Redman, in 'Hit the Road Jack" does that slide thing to perfection.

I attributed it to having a super expensive Selmer....that will, on occassion, play itself.

Other wise the slids sound as if he is depressing the keys bearly enough and moving effortlessly up the stack. I can't do it with my old Bundy...Stan Getz too is able to move effortlessly among, the notes, but maybe they just know what they are doing.

[BlueNote]

Practice SLOWLY moving your fingers off the pads, one at a time, similar to how a clarinetist would do a "smear" (glissando). I can do it very smoothly from F to C pretty easily, but took me months to get it to where I have it now. Those are the only notes I can do pretty good on. Going down is another thing.

It really doesn't take any lipping of any kind to do it...at least for my method.

[TooSaxy]

In this way, it's fairly easy to get that low A on an alto sax.



I can play low A by covering the bell of my alto with my knee! lol

[MB-913]

Do you tongue (attack) the reed when doing Sliding?

I usually only tongue the first note because this is my understanding for "Slide". Also, if it's very fast, impossible for me to tongue.

[Captain Beeflat]

Bluenote.
Would that be with an alto or a tenor? This technique is considered much more difficult on tenor for reasons I fail to understand, but find to be true....... :?

[saxchado]

This technique is considered much more difficult on tenor for reasons I fail to understand

It's a Physics thing... has to do with the acoustics and the overtone series...I'd rather not go into it, but do take comfort in knowing that it's an actual phenomenon, not just a personal shortcoming.

[Captain Beeflat]

Whew! That's a relief. I have enough personal shortcomings anyway :lol: