Dean explains how to slide effortlessly into the altissimo register of the sax in one long continuously ascending note.
Click > HERE < to download a pdf of the lesson
Listen to Dean’s music here
Wed, Oct 22, 2008
Dean explains how to slide effortlessly into the altissimo register of the sax in one long continuously ascending note.
Click > HERE < to download a pdf of the lesson
Listen to Dean’s music here
29. October 2008 at 6:47 am
Thanks Dean
I watched it a few times. Then I tried the technique and it WORKS! I am now the proud owner of my very own stratospheric sax gliss as seen on .tv
18. December 2008 at 1:18 pm
Thanks Dean – fantastic stuff!
Gives me a clue how Mark Russo achieved that amazing gliss with the Yellow Jackets on “Revelation”.
25. February 2009 at 10:27 am
these tutorials are GREAT … but why do they stop in 2008? Ok, yeah, I suppose it was a lot of work and maybe there wasn’t any response … or any response THEN, but hey, sometimes the Internet takes a while to warm to a great idea.
and this is a great idea. practical, pragmatic lessons in fringe special things that go beyond the dreary mundane stuff and add a little spice and sizzle. The gliss advice is bang-on and it works, and the 6th-exercise is shear bloody brilliance.
this stuff is important, it’s worth doing. do a google on Venezuela and “el sisteme” to see just how important it can be to inspire new players to keep slogging along at it. and how perfect is it to give those new players some extra wow-factor. you and I know, it’s essential, you have to have those crazy licks and pyrotechnic bags of tricks when you’re starting out, it’s what you use at the jams to show that you have a voice; the finnesse and raw skill can come later
25. February 2009 at 12:26 pm
Glad you appreciate the tutorials. They will continue and haven’t stopped in 2008, Paul’s was posted in January this year. It all takes time and currently I only have the time to do something once a month, that may change if I can get some backing. I will post something next month that may be an aid to improvisation. Stay tuned.
30. October 2009 at 5:21 pm
Thanks Dean. Your lesson got me trying a new technique. It works really well! This is a great site too. Hot Stuff!
4. December 2009 at 8:33 pm
Just found this site from watching YouTube and catching Dean’s glissando lesson there. He suggested coming here. WOW! I’ll be here every day, several times a day, from now on.
I’m a “returning” tenor sax student – living in California. Started in 1964 at 21 y.o. with my very own Mk Vi ($215 at the time), stopped after 4 months to resume school, worked for a while, and resumed taking lessons July, 2009. Yes, July, 2009. So, I’m now a 66 y.o. student with a “massive” 9 mos. sax training experience, & am havin’ a ball with the same Selmer C* silver Jazz MP, same horn (Mk VI, #847xx), and it’s playing beautifully since I let a pro overhaul and repair it last May. What a kick!
1. January 2010 at 11:55 pm
Great lesson Dean, this is the net at it’s best!
26. January 2010 at 8:45 pm
Really great tips and ideas presented in a clear and precise way. As if I didn’t have enough things to work on already!
Thanks to all involved.
1. February 2010 at 7:44 am
Hi, thanks for the lessons, it’s great. I guess it’s all just exercising that will do the trick? I have been trying for several weeks now but I cant get a predictional note whenever I try the harmonics. Allthough I can produce harmonics and even harmonics with a graeat sound I cannot get them under control. If I, for instance, want to play a top G the result is still a surprise. Any idea how I can practise a better control?
Thanks
Robert D Holland
1. February 2010 at 4:39 pm
Mastering harmonics is something that happens over time, just be patient. Its one of those things that happens over a longer time frame. Just practise the harmonics a little on a very regular basis and eventually you will be able to play them as desired at will. I hope this helps. Leo
7. April 2010 at 2:21 pm
I thought the video was fantastic! I’ve been using harmonics for quite a while but its been hit or miss. I think the fingering you showed will allow me, in time, to get much better control. I can see that I’m going to need a lot of practice and patience. Thanks again for a great tutorial video.
Chuck Bentley
9. July 2010 at 7:41 am
Dear Mr. Hilson:
After all this time, I just happened to stumble to Digital Pill, and there
you were demonstrating something I could never find how to do. Fortunatly,
I practice overtones from the Racsher Book and have become somewhat com-
fortable playing altissimo
Although your demonstration is quite clear, I may have a problem I hope you
can give me insight. I play a Selmer Series II Low A bari sax, I’ve only
been able to play the first note beginning the overtone. The sax just
won’t produce the rest of the notes to complete the gliss. I use a Rico
Graphite B7, I find to play very well – except. I also have a metal
Guy Hawkins #7, but would have to change cork for fit. Any suggestions
would be appreciated. Thanks so much for your free offerings.