We all know that practicing sound on the saxophone is very important. It's what identifies us as musicians, it's what speaks to the audience before we've completed a phrase or rhythm. A single note from a famous player is often enough to identify them. It's how we absorb music on a basic level. If we are uncomfortable with the sound of someone we are listening to, it's hard to identify musically with them.
Another reason sound is so important, is to do with the type of performances we find ourselves in. One day we may be playing acoustic, without amplification, the next in an auditorium of hundreds. A small club, an outdoor festival, a church, the list is endless. Add to that the different types of amplification equipment and microphones available to us, it's unlikely that two performance scenarios are the same.
Playing in diverse conditions is a big challenge. It's rare that we are totally comfortable with the set up that we have. Musicians are endlessly commenting on the "sound" of a particular gig, how it was good, bad or indifferent.
In order to be more comfortable with all this, it's very important to be able to build from the bottom up. Your individual sound has to be rock solid or you will not cope. On those days where everything goes right, all will usually be well, but how about when it doesn't? Most of us are not fortunate enough to travel with an engineer and the same equipment, so it's vital that we are able to adapt to all kinds of situations, and this is only possible if we are comfortable with our own sound first.
There are always going to be days when even that is a challenge, but working on our own sound helps to minimize these possibilities. It takes some of the variables out, and allows you to adapt much easier to difficult situations.
Another reason sound is so important, is to do with the type of performances we find ourselves in. One day we may be playing acoustic, without amplification, the next in an auditorium of hundreds. A small club, an outdoor festival, a church, the list is endless. Add to that the different types of amplification equipment and microphones available to us, it's unlikely that two performance scenarios are the same.
Playing in diverse conditions is a big challenge. It's rare that we are totally comfortable with the set up that we have. Musicians are endlessly commenting on the "sound" of a particular gig, how it was good, bad or indifferent.
In order to be more comfortable with all this, it's very important to be able to build from the bottom up. Your individual sound has to be rock solid or you will not cope. On those days where everything goes right, all will usually be well, but how about when it doesn't? Most of us are not fortunate enough to travel with an engineer and the same equipment, so it's vital that we are able to adapt to all kinds of situations, and this is only possible if we are comfortable with our own sound first.
There are always going to be days when even that is a challenge, but working on our own sound helps to minimize these possibilities. It takes some of the variables out, and allows you to adapt much easier to difficult situations.
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