Sunday 20 September 2009

Roaring

One of the most significant techniques that makes the good player sound sophisticated and professional is roaring. To listen to, roaring sounds like the saxophone's sound has been distorted - there is a gritty nastiness to the sound which makes it sound raw and passionate.

How you do it.
Roaring is kinda simple and yet hard. You make the roaring effect by singing into the instrument at the same time you play. You can sing any note as long as it is not the same note as you are playing. (If you do that there is no audible effect.) The best way to learn to roar is to sing a note - a comfortable one - and keep singing as you put the mouthpiece in and play. Persevere - you'll get there!

Other implications
Roaring is an important technique to acquire and perfect, particularly if you want to play Rock 'n' Roll or Pop but there are other spin offs. The ability to change your throat position so that you can use your voice simultaneously is an indication that you have learnt to do things with your throat in a controlled way which is the way forward towards ever greater control.