Overtones

[ronaldodn]

Someone can explain to me what is OverTones ???

Tks

Ronaldo

[alsdiego]

Ronaldo,

Here's a very non-technical explanation - perhaps someone else with technical expertise can explain it more precisely.

Any musical note has a core tone. Think of the sound of a tuning fork or electronic tuner. Overtones are the various intervals (harmonics) of that core tone which give an instrument its unique sound. If there were no overtones, a trumpet would sound just like an alto sax :D :D

When sax players work on their embouchure, they are trying to get good intonation (in tune) throughout the range of the instrument, but they are also trying to get a pleasing sound. The sound is a mixture of the core tone and various harmonic overtones. For example, the "Paul Desmond" sound has a strong core component and relatively light overtones. In contrast, the "Charlie Parker" sound emphasizes overtones, which makes it sound "brighter" or "harsher", depending on your point of view. The embouchure has a huge effect on the relationship between the core tone and the overtones. That is why you won't sound like Paul Desmond even if you use his exact mouthpiece, reed and horn combination. You'll sound like you, with perhaps a hint of Paul Desmond! This is why so many students tend to sound like their teachers. Without thinking about it, they keep adjusting their embouchure, oral cavity, etc. until they sound like the teacher.

Hope this helps.

Al

[colibri]

Another meaning for "overtone" is the exercise that makes your cat run away.

[alsdiego]

Colibri,

Funny you should mention cats... I have a black cat named Bebop... when I first returned to the alto after a 35 year layoff, Bebop would run and hide under the bed... he was horrified (as were the neighbors). But now, some 8 months and much practice later, Bebop has become quite hip... when I start, he jumps on the bed, lays down, and digs the sounds... sometimes he even falls asleep... I'd like to think it's the improvement, but I suspect he's just adapted to it.

Al

[ronaldodn]

Someone can give me a name of a great book about overtones ( Explanation and Exercises ) ??


Tks

Ronaldo

[Razzy]

Check out "Top Tones" by Sigurd Rascher. Though this book is more about altissimo, altissimo can only be learned once the overtone studies are worked through, which this book also talks about.

I'll also vouch for the sounds-like-their-teacher philosophy on students: I'm a living, walking (playing?) example. We have much different equipment, but his is the live sound I hear the most closeup and personal, and the one I'm also most fond of, interestingly. It's nice to have an experienced professional as a teacher, his tone is bright and smooth just how I like it. I find, also, that live sounds influence a player much moreso than any recorded saxophonist can. Especially chamber concerts such as saxophone quartet.

[alsdiego]

Razzy,

Very interesting comment about teachers. While I came from a different (jazz) background, my teacher had an enormous influence on me, and even today, years after his passing, I still think about him. He was Charlie Leeds, an alto/tenor/clarinet player who had played in Louis Prima's big band (before the days of Sam Butera and the Witnesses :D), and in Woody Herman's Third Herd. Charlie's tone was so clear, so beautiful, it could make you cry. He could make a crappy student horn literally soar. Needless to say, that had a huge influence on me. Even today, when I would rather sound a bit more "hip" like Cannonball, I can't get rid of that sound. Very interesting.... However, all is not lost... that sound (on ballads) is a chick magnet :D

Al

[alsdiego]

And on fast bebop tunes, it sounds like Guy Lombardo's lead alto player on speed :oops:

[BayviewSax]

Funny how much the first really important teacher influences you. I still find myself aping Richard Gardzina 15 years after the fact. You sort of expect it when you're studying with them, but it's kind of frightening when I play a line and realize I just ripped him off. Mind you, he's a good source! 8)