How to Growl on Saxophone (Natural Distortion Pedal)

#bettersax #saxophone #saxophonelessons
Jay Metcalf explains how to growl on the saxophone.

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[Wondereggguy]

I’m a clarinet player and I found this video very useful, while I’m not a pro at growling I was able to growl for 3 seconds in just 10 minutes of practice. Your advice has helped a ton.

[davidskey]

I found that practicing growling just with the mouthpiece and neck was a helpful baby step to getting it down.

[akmadsen]

The growl is the result of interference from the pitch of your voice in the sax sound — i.e. the pulses you hear in the growl is the difference in frequency between the two tones (roughly speaking). So if you sing a tone close to the one you're playing, the interference pattern will become slower and more pronounced while it will get faster the further your singing pitch is away from the note you're playing. It's a lot of fun to play around with.

[arvidwelin]

the rolling the tounge is to me a much more beautiful growl and it doesen't hurt your throat. God bless Jr Walker

[ketong]

When I was learning Tequila way back in HS, I tried the growling part by "gurgling" or "gargling" while playing. It worked. However, when I try doing it for other solos where the growling was longer, I couldn't sustain it and it did hurt my throat a bit. I recently discovered the "humming" method, as described here. Need to work on it more as I noticed it needs more air than regular blowing (at least for me).

[corycaserta]

I learned to trill my tongue further back in my mouth, off/away from the reed. It gives a sharper oscillation to the sax tone and it saves your voice. It seems easier to control starts/stops, as well. Butm I like and use both options.

[robertgalardi]

once again mr saxophone Jay Metcalf teaches us something that no teacher ever taught us .at least no teacher i knew ever taught us to Growl .. don't even think they knew how, nor would they consider the Growl legitimate saxophone playing .. so i say THANKS TO Jay Metcalf because the Growl can be effective and good to have in my bag ...

[jameseason]

Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorf would simultaneously vocally harmonize with his playing. Amazing!

[kateisabella]

I’m a percussionist wtf am I doing here

[willipuga]

A good way to practice is doing it while whistling! Lots of fun

[suziepearson]

Actual LOL here at the faces you're pulling and the titles on screen - STOP THAT! OUCH! etc. Excellent way to make the point about over-doing it. I keep having a go, but always feel like I'm going to burst several blood vessels in the process!

[daveallison]

Jay, I had tried sax growling without much success based on various sources I had read, but your short video explains the technique really well, especially your advice about air flow! Thanks!

[judithbregman]

So I've been playing sax for 33 years and it took playing Peter Gunn theme to finally start to learn to growl.
Wish me luck

[santamanta]

I'm also a saxophone playing, In specific an Alto Saxophone player, I've been playing for 3 weeks and learned 52 songs and just learned eighth notes with tonguing but thank you very much for showing me how to growl this was very useful and educational

[jerrynormandin]

Ahh.. Growling. I use that on my Tenor playing "Yackety Sax" I haven't played my sax in a while, a few years ago my fingers started locking up. I found the right Doc and now the problem is gone and I'm picking up my sax again. Thanks for the Growling lesson, when I get my old Conn back I'm going to try it.

[kennatco]

I use the vocalization technique when I play my xaphoon. I also get a decent-sounding growl by allowing a little air to escape from the corners of my mouth. I learned that early on when my embouchure wasn't very strong and my lips got too tired to maintain a proper seal around the mouthpiece. Now I do it on purpose when I feel like growling.

[jimeast]

Thank you Jay, growling I really do want to learn how to do. I appreciate this tutorial. Thanks for all your great work! You really do give us a place to go to learn more about the instrument we all love and enjoy. I am still a student. Got lots going on in my life so I’m not improved a whole lot and I’m sorry to say that. But your inspiration in. Like lessons and words of support are amazing. I am thankful that I bought my alto sax, and once I learn it and master it, I will be on to getting a tenor. That’s really my dream is to play at 10 or. Sorry I’m dictating if it’s not coming out right. I am blind and have a it’s just quicker this way to dictate. Thanks everyone for your patience and again thank you Jay for better sex!

[robstevens]

Thanks for the tip about humming and making sure your airstream is steady before putting the sax in your mouth. This is the step I was missing!

[marcusallen]

I’ve been learning ‘Take Five’ as part of my practice routine. Gonna go try it with the growl 😂

[broloyee]

I play tenor saxophone and I have never been able to do this since 7th grade, Today i was able to do it thanks to you