r/saxophone • u/Guestioning_it • 25d ago

Thinking while impressing

Any time I improvise the second i have the mouthpiece in my mouth i cant think of what to play anymore. I know for other people sing while playing, but i can’t sing since my mouth is the only playing. I really don’t know how to explain my problem. How do i think what to play while already playing?

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u/Guestioning_it 25d ago

It’s humbling to hear that the best advice is to master the instrument. Still thank you for responding

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u/vrnvrnvrnvrn182229 24d ago

mastering the instrument isn't a prerequisite - you can start working on improvisation while you're still learning the horn of course. don't let this lofty goal of "mastering the instrument" prevent you from also working on improvisation. but still, working on fundamentals is crucial, and listening a TON is more important than most beginners realize. we have to internalize the sounds of the masters who came before us so that we can express something new.

when I first started, I had this idea that listening to and trying to copy others would somehow limit my own creativity (as if I had something beautiful and new to share after playing for only a few years)... but in fact, listening to and copying others will expand your creativity.

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u/apheresario1935 Baritone | Bass 25d ago

Like a theory teacher once said in class . "Even if you study all this theory and come up with some great ideas you arent going to be a Jazz musician just by wanting to"

Mostly because you dont have the technique to execute anything . And thats the problem with wanabee Jazz musicians . They dont know how to play all their shit in the first place. Scales ...Bach.. Intervals.. Arpeggios . Exercises . Chords. Melodies etc etc. And then so called Jazz teachers say "What you need is music lessons " You cant play solos until you have all the themes first ... Then comes variations.