Comments on: Sax: stratospheric sax gliss (Dean Hilson)

By: Harry

Harry — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:41:31 +0000

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.

By: Chuck Bentley

Chuck Bentley — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 04:21:37 +0000

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

By: Leo

Leo — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:39:29 +0000

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

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:44:35 +0000

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

By: Sammy Pearce

Sammy Pearce — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:45:21 +0000

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.

By: Brendan Tibbs

Brendan Tibbs — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:55:24 +0000

Great lesson Dean, this is the net at it’s best!

By: DickH

DickH — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:33:33 +0000

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!

By: Brendan

Brendan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:21:20 +0000

Thanks Dean. Your lesson got me trying a new technique. It works really well! This is a great site too. Hot Stuff!

By: Leo

Leo — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:26:34 +0000

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.

By: mrG

mrG — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:27:02 +0000

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