 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Music
Date: 2002-08-17 05:02
What would be the best way to teach achieve a vibrato on the alto saxophone? Should I be trying to achieve vibrato through my jaw(jaw vibrato) or..should I be striving for more of a diaphragm vibrato like the flute? Also...I was attempting to use a metronome and starting at say quarter note equal 60 and putting 5 "vibratos" per quarter. and then increasing the tempo/decreasing the width of my vibrato. Is this the best way to go about achieving a good vibrato or is there a better method and is there a book of exercises to aid in my learning of vibrato?
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Author: EmuSqueak
Date: 2002-08-28 16:22
Using a metronome is good for diaphragm (breath) vibrato. This works well with very quiet notes, if you can control it well.
As a single reed specisalist I don't often use breath vibrato and find the control over pitch using jaw vibrato much more satisfactory (but that is my opinion!)
When teaching my pupils, I get them to remove their mouthpiece, as you can manupulate the sound rather more. If you would prefer something a little quieter and less squeaky, just use the mouthpiece and crook.
Someone once said to me you should be able to play tunes on your mouth piece just by moving your jaw, and this is the basic technique for creating jaw vibrato! (Try it, happy birthday or something!) You should be able to play 5 or six notes on your mouthpiece.
OK, what you must not do is move the mouthpiece around to try and alter the sound. Also, do not move your head or neck up and down. The only part that should move is your bottom jaw.
1. With your mouthpiece, blow a medium loud well supported note.
2. Keeping the mouthpiece still, begin to lower your jaw. You must sustain the air pressure, so this will require you to 'push' a little more with your diaphragm.
3. The pitch of the note should drop. It should not cut off at any point. If it does, you need to use you diapragm muscles more. You should feel your rib cage pushing out slightly at the sides and your tummy muscles pushing up - like when you blow out a candle or laugh.
4. Keep the note going, and return your jaw to normal position. The pitch of the note will return to normal. Stop playing.
Jaw vibrato is a smaller form of this, and obviously faster. However, this technique will also develop your breath and intonation control. This technique is also used to bend notes and part of the glissando technique. It is possible to make the note go sharp by tightening your embouchure, and 'smiling', but you don't really use this action in vibrato.
Once you can keep a note going like this, try moving your bottom jaw a little faster (the movement should still be gentle, not sudden). Then try this on the complete intrument, play a middle note, A or G. B, C and C# are a little easier to manipulate the sound on if you have no success with A and G. The higher notes a good for a strong vibrato, you will need to support the very top notes well to maintain a good vibrato. You should find a comfortable sound and know how much or little vibrato you want. You will find it a little less pronounced than breath vibrato, and so may have to do more to project it to an audience.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any trouble.
Em
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