Don Menza - Lesson on Tone - Cannonball Saxophones

[mgafney]

He's right about everything he's saying. But the fact that he can just mention someone he's heard play, then go and replicate that player's style AND sound so accurately, puts him on another level. To do from Coltrane and Stan Getz to Gene Ammons, then Ben Webster, and nail it each time....

[spintess]

You're my little son's hero!

[coltoncrawfordjazz]

this a great video, priceless information in fact. Please keep this on youtube always!

[Palmer99x]

this is the biggest genius out there. damn. Learned more from him in 8 minutes then i did from one of my old teachers in 5 years.

[paneercfc]

nick menzas dad

[cabe277]

I really dig that split tone he did on the high Bb while playing like Hawk... Anyone know how he did that?

[teejay5962]

@cabe277 I think you might be talking about the Bb/Texas Wobble. You finger mid-range Eb, but you lift the third finger on the left hand while using gratuitous amounts of vibrato. You hear a LOT of it in the blues.

[cabe277]

@teejay5962 yeah dude I know how to do the texas wobble. But that definitely isn't it. I'm talkin' about the split tone, like the growly, almost gargly sound he gets. He only does it for a split second at a time

[CannonballVideo]

@cabe277 Good question. The effect Don is using at 7:39, 7:52, and 7:57 while demonstrating Hawk's sound is a growl, which he produces by humming while he plays. Thanks for asking!

[yootesa1515]

Play some poison was the cure and capitive hounor! jk awesome swing, great jazz like this cat

[stackelberger]

i want me a little plastic embrochure!!!!

[DebbSaxx1]

He's a magician! Turns his horn into any player he wants to -- talented guy! Good advice, too. Thanks, Don. :)

[Bebopopotamus]

@ModmanBB You probably shouldn't "always" do anything one thing.

[TheIzzysteve]

What model is that?

[pebblefrog196]

I'm diggin that Brute Fatneck.

[koumou57]

Words of wisdom from a great player, and very nicely explained to. Thanks

[IchMagSechs]

well for a metal drummer, his sons great hahah

[GimmeLife]

Can you believe he's one hundred years old? He came to San Jose, but I froze up when he walked past me. =[

[TripleOctaveMusic]

@GimmeLife what?

[superlittlepeter]

Thanks, man!

[ysm1nz]

Yeah I'd say that saxophone works alright lol

[patrickwinslow]

"White Sonny Rollins" - That's a good one.

[DeanoTheSaxman]

There speaks a man of true wisdom, a static jaw line in the real world just doesn't work ..... it should change for the circumstances ...... thats how it works in the real world !

[richvai]

Yeah Men!! Sound is everything!! Absolutly true!!

[Shira2]

What a treat to be able to get advise from one of the great masters of improvised music!

[TripleOctaveMusic]

He is damn right

[MEGADETHTHRETH]

Get your son nick back in ]v[EGADET]-[

[koumou57]

What an amazing fellow, very nice demo. Thank you.

[fighterdude83]

this guy is my hero... probably gets more ass then any other 74 year old..

[anwachukwu]

he looks like a white sonny rollins

[saxylarry26]

@anwachukwu LOL!!!!!



[saxophoneninja]

why does he get a fat neck that isn't silver? lol just kidding, IT'S DON MENZA HE SHOULD GET WHATEVER COLOR NECK HE DESIRES!

[mastersgta1]

I was blown away by the Coleman Hawkins bit too! WOW! The Stan Getz bit is really cool too. Great explaination on sound concepts!

[FATMUSICGUY]

What if you play mostly classical saxophone? Do these rules still aply?

[loskronos]

@FATMUSICGUY

firstly - there are no "rules", secondly, from my experience, the typical "classical saxophone" requires a tighter and more stable embouchure, and in general tighter mouthpieces / harder reeds..

[GWFKing]

@FATMUSICGUY

[rubberbandsax]

This should convince everyone to try a Cannonball horn. Smooth Jazz aint the only thing you can play on a modern horn! Wow, the Coleman Hawkins bit was incredible. Oh yeah, buy a Link too.

[Aljazz67]

Great!!!!!.The King Of Tenor Sax!!! I Love sound and music of Don Menza!

[EwiekeuKlavier]

Wow... just wow...

btw thats exactly how Coleman Hawkins plays haha

[saxmaster25]

how did you get that tone quality, how long did it take??

[saxmangeoff]

Fabulous demonstration! Bravo!

[jbtsax]

For those who can't tell, Don Menza is playing on a Cannonball Vintage Tenor with the "Brute" finish. Both the Big Bell Stone Series and the Vintage Series are available with this finish. You can tell this is the Vintage by the "Lady Godiva" engraving on the bell, and the fact that there is not a stone on the front of the neck.

[GILVANDO]

Cannonball really has a sound with "strong personality". The recordings on Youtube, they should be very good.