Take Five on Alto Sax (with a few tips at the end)

[chiewpiew]

are you using subtones?

[Arnolazos]

Sorry for my bad english.

I want say you the great help for my. Thank so muhc. I follow you, I hope I'll learn so much with you.

[magicottage]

I have been meaning to play Take Five on my Tenor. Any idea where i can get a score? Thanks!

[Englishhousemafia]

HEY WOW GREAT VIDEO I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD SEND ME THIS WITHOUT THE MUSIC PLAYING SO ITS JUST THE SAX?COULD YOU EMAIL ME ON jordanwalker2011@live.co.uk

[2Vproductions]

Good stuff

[JuleeMusic]

i love your way to play it !!! i played it too on my exam few years ago

[jmartin4955]

I like your version better than Desmonds! Try Grover washingtons version not as sexy but a nice variation. I really like your vibrato subtle and flows nicely

[Cubroncs03]

@jmartin4955 Sacrilege!

Granted, this is a great version... but Desmond's version was one of the greatest pieces of music our species has ever created.

[tslopez1]

I've played sax for 3 years and I'm going to try playing Take five~ Wish me luck! And you're awesome at playing~

[landonlee101]

GREAT JOB YOU PLAY THAT SONG VERRY GOOD!!!!!:P

[felipesio91]

Thanks man! u rock, from chile

[Zox111]

Excellent video, helps me get the subtleties. Thank you!

[Playbenny]

what a great bloke!

[cXilion]

so awesome! i love your playing!

[kindomhearts423]

i am trying to play this song right now and some one told me to swing my eight notes. is this correct?

[007grog3]

As for the side C... Making it more out of tune by going up to the C# does you no good. Since it's so short a note... It doesn't matter if it's out of tune. I recommend using the side C.

[MrNikitka97]

wow! i from Ukrain and i play sax too. i will play this song next year. i hope i will play it's very well)

[AcousticDude100]

hey, im thinking of starting to play the sax (i play guitar) and was wondering if anyone could suggest a good starter's tenor, within about £600? thanks! :)

[schabaam]

hey mathew(?)

just wanted to say thank you so much!

it's great to have peops like you, i picked up my sax again after six years and after learing 2 easier songs i thougt, why not giving take five a try and ever since you're my 'teacher' :)!

much love from germany! keep your work up!

cheers

[catandpiddle]

brilliant as always you modest man. well done.

[Mr9111950]

Hi Mathew, i've borrowed a sax 3 weeks and i'm having great fun....finding you here will be a great help as you are a good teacher,great tone,keep up the good work...thanks conn.

[spasticstrawberry]

This is great! Thank you!

How did you get the backing to the song? 

[romeo011]

Hi great sound can you explain exactly what you are hearing through the dead phones please. many thanks Tom or tom9437yahoo.co.uk

[TheMrDwebs]

Nice! I have a 62 as well and I love it! I'm also playing Take Five in my jazz combo! Awesome man!

[macapacka]

Hi, I've recently started attempting to learn the Sax. The only way I can get notes out of thing is if I blow hard,and I cant seem to get any low notes. This has been bugging me for a while now! If anyone has any tips, much appreciated.

Thanks.

[dancedanceterminator]

Really, really, really great work

[domenico8001]

hi, i leave in brazil, salvador, i like so much this song, you have this play along for send me ??? thanks so much, congratuleitions for song, is beautiful !!!

ok

[domenico8001]

hi, i leave in brazil, salvador, i like so much this song, you have this play along for send me ??? thanks so much, congratuleitions for song, is beautiful !!!

[lucaslol94]

nice impro! :)

By yourself?

[lovehamsters14]

It's called take five, not take that.

[ericrob2112]

you are humble. it sounds like hell!!  wow!!!

[snowypetrel]

The 5 thumbs down raters are hopelessly ignorant and will have big problems learning to play music if they continue to listen to their obviously unfeeling teachers. Music is feeling. Playing music is learning to express feelings eloquently, imaginatively and with alacrity which Crazydaisydoo does.

[bigbandswinger]

Extremely Helpful, thanks very much :)

[giosim75]

Best performance of  the web!

S.

[pato210994]

very good, 15 years old been playing for a month and abit now, just been given take 5 by my teacher, hopefully be as good as this soon !

[Xarras94]

I just started play take 5 and it is awesome. :)

[UrbanMedia99]

great video. really help me learn the song however i think you hav made a mistake by putting take that in the title were i believe it is take five. LOL!!

[catandpiddle]

great matt! and keep ALL videos up please.

[glowplug007]

closest to the original I have heard on youtube

[xxLielxx]

okay, thanks a lot for the comments!:D

so when I do the solo it's in e-flat I think, right?

and (I heard of the dorian scale, but I don';t know exactly what it is) does the dorian scale fit by every scale? because my teacher told me to improvise in e-flat (if I'm correct) and said nothing about the dorian scale (maybe because it's too difficult?) but I don't mind, I want to learn it:D

Thanks a lot, I will follow your advice!

[crazydaisydoo]

The dorian scale is just a major scale with a flattened third and seventh, look on wikipedia, very useful for playing over min7 chords which happen a lot in jazz. Your teacher is right, you can stay in Eb for this tune (except the bridge), just noodle around on the the notes in the scale, but avoid the "4th" note, sounds horrible.....!

[crazydaisydoo]

BTW, Dorian scales are just major scales played on a different starting note, so they are easy!

[xxLielxx]

btw, very nice done!!!

[xxLielxx]

hello,

I'm 15 years old and live in Holland.

I also play take five now with 3 people from my music class (I play saxophone)

the beginning goes wel, but now I have to play a solo (improvise) and that is really hard. Please help me (tips or something like that), I don't know what to do!

Greetings

[crazydaisydoo]

Hi, that is a very big question. Firstly.... listen and try to copy other solos by ear only... that is a very good way. Make sure you know your major and dorian minor scales so you can play fluidly over most chords. Learn the blues scale.... very good to start with..... but the most important one is to listen and copy!!!! That is how jazz originally worked, just by using the ears...

[KJG123456]

I am trying to learn this If I can master the bridge I am sure I could play anything The slos is you are right about taking it slow to start but it is still a task

[minischa1906]

bin begeistert kommt satt über meine boxen aber am schluß die erklärungstipps helfen mir nicht wirklich wollte nur das lied und finde nirgends so schönen sound wie das stück

[TheRexhepi]

Thank you...Faleminderit.:-),great job

[tmurphy941]

Thanks for a very generous and helpful sharing session.

[ILoveYouAndThat4eva]

i play saxophon - it´s sometimes very complicate to play this song!

[zbalder14]

is that paul desmond i hear.... lol

[DenDenBond007]

i am working at this song but it takes a long time to play it V ERY good!..

[jigsawbloodbath]

i play sax. can i ask u some things about playing?

[mayrji]

A smooth and nicely shaped moody interpritation. An on omage.

[equesfuscus]

That is a beautiful job. Thank you!

[micmicchan88]

I am also using YAS-62, can you share what mouthpieces and reed that you are using!

I am only a junior 1 years.... many to learn!

[papasmurfdog666]

i also have yas-62 i love it how bout you

[skrmaster]

DMAN BOIIIIII U AWESOME!! very nicee!

[bosseyedbill]

i thought that was a really good piece of down to earth info with out all the fancy crap,, tell me more

[sydsins]

u need dto poot a version so i can play that

[tatacass]

Adorei.,linda e original a sua interpetaçao

[tatacass]

Apresentaçao linda e original,

[TheDDNMshow]

is that a jazz mouthpiece

[dodgychipper]

agreed. really lovely tone. cool man!

[barquirion]

master i play guitar i bought a sax i was trying it and i couldn't make it sound i wonder why...i put the mouth piece in the wrong side xD and now i see this and you say is not perfect? i would say it is =)

[ToddyTube]

Do you know where I can et the Eb sheet music for this ?

[robyn256]

Lovely tone to your playing, really enjoyed it.

[jmartin4955]

You are a master! Not to make your head swell but I got chills hearing you! Have you heard Grover Washington Jr.'s version? What do you think?

[InBy9OutBy5]

Hi Crazy, I am one of your fans. How long have you been playing saxophone ?

[TheWalrusWasPaul01]

Good question, I'm also loking for a good backing track, this is one! Where did you get it and where can I get it? :)

[chelsearulz88]

Where did you get the backing?

[elnegoy]

wow, you are a great sax player, where can i have the notes for this song?? tnk, i play the alto too, bye bye

[PrimeDefection]

Hey, he put a link in the description for it.

[Altonativesax]

This guys a not only a solid musician he's a nice guy. Not many share as much some not at all. Good job Crazy!

[vudumasta]

I actually like your take on the A sections better than the original! I felt like it was a little jumpy on the bridge -- it didn't seem to quite fit with the the feel on the A section. But then, for two hours of practice, that was really great! You really nailed Desmond's tone!

[apteur]

hi ! nice solo!!! i very like it !!!! i also plannig on buying one but a 62 II would you recommand that saxophone?

[LadyDalisha2008]

EInfach nur geil besser als das Orginale auf youtube =)

[TheSilverere]

bravo! =)

[gonzalioz]

2:10 - 2:26 is superbe

[Kingser03]

Same kind of sax I have :-D

But the video seemed kind of slow idk maybe its just me but it seems slower than the original.

[drumstyx6464]

where'd you get this backing track?

[cantatricemuta]

ti amo

[icehawk1223]

what kind of mic are you using? are you running the backing track from a computer and recording yourself to the computer? or is that the cams mic?

[LiamWakefield]

I've just found this video. Not watched it all yet, but really appreciate that you're taking time to pass on how to play songs like this. I started alto 1 year ago and had to transcribe the song and learn it by myself, so it's good to see how others approach the same material. Thanks again.

[smartasdan]

Look into buying a thing called a "Real Book." They have a whole bunch of jazz songs for whatever instrument you want; just get the key you're in and start playing.

[ModernSaxDotCom]

very nice, sounds like you spent a lot of time learning it.....................slight timing issues, but we all have that!

[seymour5575]

i wish you would do this with every song you do,and show finger placement,i would be great of you to pass on as much of your knowledge to us,cheers.

[giodog2000]

I love what you do ...how long have you been playing the sax?

[Coronas135]

What kind of saxophone is that?

[crazydaisydoo]

an alto, yamaha yas-62

[LegoFreak457]

@Coronas135 an alto saxophone duh lol

[Coronas135]

Nice job

[SAXOPHONE0139]

wow dude your awesome!!!!!!!!!! wow

[benka666]

this is an incredibly smooth tone / sound you developped.I wish i could figure out the tonguing and embouchure skills needed to play like that :-)

I am a beginning on alto and i am very frustrated with the breathing/ reed position/vibrato / embouchure etc etc ... other than that i used to think the fingering is ez learning sax will b a piece of cake. then i realize ok now all i need is 5 years to get a decent sound

[giodog2000]

Be patient...it'll eventually all sink in. Don't frustrate just enjoy the sounds you are making. How long have you been playing?

[musico28]

So Profecional!

[tarmenmin]

That sounds amazing! Really good:D

[michellekim116]

hi, i play this song in jazz band, and i dont get how to play certain rhythms, like on 0:18, the confusing triplet rhythm. can you explain how to do it?

[stupidsax]

its just s grace note

[Mycow8u]

In Jazz band the director always urges me to play louder, but I thought Jazz was a laid back style of music. Does that just depend on the piece?

[crazydaisydoo]

That is a very good question. If you listen to good players they have one thing in common, a good volume, even when playing "softly". It is a bit like acting on stage, it is about projection, even during whispered asides. This volume comes with having lots of good breath support, practice long tones. You should try and play as confidently as you can, it is good for your tone. Sometimes band directors just want you to play confidently "through" the note to give it more body and tone.

[Mycow8u]

Thanks that helps a lot :)

[namcomim]

I've spent such a nice time hearing from you. Receive all my congratulations. MARC - namur belgium

[crazydaisydoo]

Thanks, much appreciated

[XdarkdomainX]

where did u get that music ive been looking for it for a while

[chengda85]

hi I played the saxophone for a few years but mostly classical. I have a good tone and stuff but I know nuts about music theory LOL. I have completely no idea how to improvise(jazz or otherwise). can you tell me how to get started? I heard its something to do with scales and chords but I have no clear idea.

[crazydaisydoo]

Check out Pete Thomas's site, he has some really good tips. Don't get obsessed with scales or chords, just learn how to play by ear, it is the best method!

[talon34]

im a tenor sax player, and from playing from august, im not thzt bad. I still have trouble soloing, but one of my questions, is that when ever you sustain your note, it does a sort of... ahhhh pulse? I really want to learn that, so when im playing ballads, or slower songs, i can use that. Can you help me out?

[crazydaisydoo]

That is subtone, with a slow vibrato. If your google "pete thomas subtone" he has a great page all about the technique. It involves make your bottom lip slightly fatter and sticking it out very slightly further. The vibrato just comes with practice, and copying other players. It will come, but it takes a while. Good luck!

[talon34]

Thankyou soo much, this will help in the future =)

[PeeWeesmall]

dave bruebeck rocks

[musicmaniacs1113]

hey where can I find solo at?

[snillocmail]

haha. it says take that at the begininning. on purpose?

but whatever, it sounds awesome!

[crazydaisydoo]

Well spotted :-), a bit of a slip of the keys. I think I had just got my wife their new CD. Not quite the same is it!

[Makos20]

do you have the sheet music for that?  I need it.

[borteek]

Thankyou Matt, this really helped!

[dwardom7k]

Hello. If I'm correct, this transcription is the same one I have, in C Minor.

I'd like to know where you got your accompaniment track.

I'd appreciate it greatly.

[zagaboot8o8]

same!!

[mmscharff1]

@dwardom7k

did you ever find the accompaniment track?

[YaredEthiopian]

Awesome tips at the end. Blasted trills. But very much obliged. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[naynananano]

Hi Matthew - nice to see new posts from you. And great to hear your comments at the end - lots of us find these enormously helpful. I'm planning to work on Take 5 soon but think a bit beyond me yet. Still battling with getting some good sounds improvising and memorising tunes too... but enjoying trying. Keep posting! Always a joy to listen, I envy your progress! Hope to be as good as you one day. Nayna

[flyhalf2]

As ever, wonderful again Matt. I am delighted that you have listened to your fans and put comments in your video again ;-). All I need now are similar comments on your Tenor set up...please :-)

And keep posting in 'The Breakfast Room' please (I have a different username there).

I have dots for Take Five on Tenor in the key of F (i.e. only Bb) Not sure how complete it is as it is in 'The Complete Saxophone Player'

I look forward to your Christmas special.

[living4himnow]

I think you could be described as "Prolific". Thanks for all of the tips. I'm learning about "feeling, timing and emphasis" as keys to playing well. Also, learning to play slow to play faster.

I hired a teacher after 6 months of self instruction - what a difference when you don't have a musical background.

Keep the great videos coming. Look forward to hearing CDD on CD someday.

~ Mike

[YaniT991]

Let us know if anyone "could telw" the c#. Wheel get a possie to rub the blighters out! I've always wondered what alto you use and was found it interesting that you picked a YAS62 silver. I very nearly got a YTS62 silver instead of the Yani T991.

I continue to enjoy, and value highly, your posts. Please continue!!

[YaniT991]

One of the pieces that I'd like to one day master. Seein as I'm a biased tenor-player who likes a dollop of honey, coul you do a nice warm version on your 901? Pretty please with, dare I say it, honey on top.....

[crazydaisydoo]

Hi YaniT991, have you seen the head written out for tenor OMG.... it has like 6 sharps. I'll give it a go, it will be good for my soul :-)

[anderdsvsi]

crazydaisydoo,

You're fantastic. I'm from Brazil, so excuse my English primary.

What combination of reed mouthpiece and you use? The audio was very low, did not you understand.

Keep well, you inspire me every day!

Abs

Anderson

[crazydaisydoo]

No problem. Your English is better than my Portugese. It is Gregory 420M, but I said it is not worth trying to find one, I get a similar tone from a Selmer S80 C*

Thanks for the kind words

[McMingDynasty]

can you post the link to the transcription that you said? have you tried vandoren zz's, they're awesome!

[crazydaisydoo]

check your message!

[LynFredrick]

continued.... Ray Pizzi (friend of Henry Mancinni and me) is the one who does the Cagney and Lacey theme on sax. He is my mentor and has taught me many wonderful things about sax, not just how to play it. It involves long notes but you will be amazed at the result after just 2 weeks. Especially when it comes to playing something fast. Who'dve thought long notes could make you play fast?

I'll email them to you.

Lyn x

[crazydaisydoo]

thanks lyn, I was showing my 10 year old how to play a 12 bar blues on bass guitar today, and I really had to think about it, despite playing it instinctively, you are right, I learnt a lot just showing her that :-)

[LynFredrick]

Hey Matt! CDD the teacher. You are so human you'd make an awesome teacher! Great fun hearing your explanations. Very down to earth and honest. You still didnt answer my question about doing some funk? Nice rendition of a classic sax piece. Glad the drum solo isn't going on for half an hour!! You are so right about the Yamaha's. I have a custom YAS 62 and I love it to bits.

Last week at college next week. Your ears will be burning cos we're having a sax workshop and a craisydaisydo morning!

Lyn

[crazydaisydoo]

Hi Lyn, not so sure about teaching, no patience.. Did I offend you with my suggestion of the c sharp :-)? On the funk front, I have a new playalong primed and ready....Thanks for the kind words, and expose your kids to some proper playing (like you) rather than this tosh! (I dont even play the right notes :-))

[LynFredrick]

To get to your standard requires patience and dedication and whilst you teach you learn, so I would highly recommend it as you ahve all those qualities. Not offended by the C# trick at all but your side c just needs adjusting to be in tune. I can advise if you dont know how but hey your a man and men have screw drivers, right? I'll send you some intonation exercise that actually set up your instruments tunning if you like? Its very clever how it works. Got them from Ray Pizzi.

[ulrichhoebler]

What a treat to hear you on alto again! Recording "Take Five" is always a great risk because we all hear Paul Desmond in our heads.But again you have done a great job - the solo is wonderful! I think "Freddielovesax" has said it all...

I also love the explanations you have added. Thank you very much for that, too. You really love what you do and you want other people to participate. You have a good teacher's passion!

Who knows - will there be a Christmas special this year??

Cheers, Uli

[crazydaisydoo]

Thanks Uli, I can do a better solo, the timing goes out a bit on this one, but it is a tricky song to record, very hard to know when to come back in for the last chorus, so I ended up soloing over that too, hard work. I'll try again soon. Yes, I am thinking of doing a very straight christmas tune (no santa hat!)

[darrel122]

great job, you really pulled off the classic "desmond" sound. your soloing was great, i especially like how you range in your dynamic level, it again adds to the "desmond" sound

[crazydaisydoo]

Thanks darrel, I haven't picked up the alto for a few months, so I need to work on my tone a little, I think I could do the middle 8 better, sounds a little pinched and thin.

[catandpiddle]

keep up the excellent work matthew! if you have time, take a look at leviticus's version in the subway. just google; take five subway.

well done.

[crazydaisydoo]

Cheers C+P , I like that version, I have watched it a few times. I thought about doing this on sop, but it is a really nasty key!!

[Xulld00]

Great vid thanks!

[crazydaisydoo]

Cheers!

[Freddielovesax]

No one can top Paul Desmond's solo on the Time Out album, but your solo is better than any "alternate take" that I've heard him,or anyone else, play. Please Keep Posting More Great Videos!!!

[Freddielovesax]

5 STARS

[crazydaisydoo]

grateful, especially from such a nice player!