Soloing & "flaming out"

Achieving a Strong Tone on Saxophone

When playing the saxophone, aim for a strong, solid tone. In youngblood music, we often refrain from using a lot of vibrato.

The Importance of Straight Tone

• A noticeable trend among many saxophone players is that they tend to hide behind vibrato during solos.
• When you're soloing, it's important to use a straight tone. This can add a lot of strength to your performance.

Exploring Creative Techniques

In addition to traditional playing, consider:

• Exploring methods similar to those used by guitarists, such as finger tapping.
• There's no limitation to being restricted to saxophone players for inspiration. As Nat mentioned in his video, creativity can come from various sources.

Practice and Experimentation

• Spend time experimenting in the practice room.
• Try to find unique sounds that aren't just typical notes:
  • Use overtones.
  • Wiggle your fingers on a note to discover different effects.
• Techniques you've honed can produce unusual sounds, reminiscent of bagpipes.

Engaging the Audience

Playing in a group offers an opportunity to make a strong statement during your solo:

• Begin with a bold introduction.
• Quoting familiar songs (often older hip hop or funk from the 70s, 80s, 90s) can engage the audience and keep them involved.

Shifting Your Mindset

• Approach your performance not merely as a jazz concert but as an experience for the audience.
• Remember that the crowd enjoys dancing, sweating, and the feeling of communal enjoyment, not necessarily sitting quietly in a jazz club.

Balancing Jazz with Audience Appeal

• While you can certainly incorporate jazz elements, it's beneficial to think outwardly, considering what the audience wants.
• Maintain a balance between jazz techniques and engaging performance strategies to keep the energy high.

Conclusion

In bands like this, it's okay to break out and flame out during your solos. While jazz and bebop are wonderful tools to have in your arsenal, sometimes the best approach is to get creative and embrace the excitement of live performance.