As usual, been listening to live performances of the great Eddie Harris. Came across this live performance of 'Listen Here' and wondered what playing technique Eddie used at 0:22 in this video? Does anyone know the name of the technique used and how to achieve it?
Wow.....that's a crazy sound! It almost sounds like he's singing into the horn, rather than making the reed squeal. I don't think I saw his fingers moving either. Whatever it is it sounds cool!
I've heard him do that on a few different recordings. I have no idea how he does it. He is using the varitone (?) electric pickup so maybe it's a special effect to do with the electronics. Hopefully someone here will know.
I always loved his playing; saw him live on several occasions, after he quit using the electronics (although he used it to great effect).
p.s. Just saw Pete's post above. Is that what it is Pete? An electric ligature?
While searching youtube again I stumbled across this video of The Phil Collins Big Band, at 5:38 he plays the same technique on the sax, am i right? Don't think he's using an electric ligature there.
I imagine the Selmer Varitone system is quite rare and not easily to get hold of, I'm a big fan of Eddie Harris. I assume the price tag would be fairly large too!
Don't think so. That requires the mouth being open. Sound from the tube goes into the mouth and the mouth cavity shapes the sound picked up by a mic. Ever tried playing the sax with your mouth open ???
Eddie is using the Maestro Soundsystem for Woodwinds in this video, not the Varitone. The sound at 0:22 is simple singing into the mouthpiece. He does this to great effect on many tracks, sometimes even singing whole lyrics.
Wow! thanks for these replies, been educated very much so! I listened to the recording of 'Listen Here' on 'The Electrifying Eddie Harris' and twice it sounds like he almosts screams down the horn, makes sense now.
In addition to the Varitone and other electronics he used, and simply singing into his horn,
Eddie Harris was also gifted with incredible vocal skills, somewhat like a Tuvan throat singer. He could do amazing things with his voice and vocal chords. Listen to what he does with his voice on "Ambidextrous". Amazing:
It could also be simply an overtone altissimo. Just finger a bell tone and lip it up. I never heard an adult male voice that could make that whistling sound, but I have heard many sax players vocalize while playing. I mean, where you can hear it, along with notes or between notes and not growling. Anyway, I played the vid before reading any comments. My immediate reaction was bending an overtone (full sax) altissimo note. Lots of players did this in the past to make a 'wolf whistle' when a girl walked past the bandstand. Of course, today the witch would call the police instead of smiling and moving on.
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