- Articulations are symbols above notes in the score, with staccato and accents being the most representative
- Staccato length should be varied according to the musical character — short for fast tempos, longer and softer for lyrical passages
- Playing staccato just as short in a slow passage as in a fast one is inappropriate for the musical character
- Accents played with the tongue alone crush the soft resonance — use air together with the tongue to preserve the sound
- By playing articulations that match the musical character, you can maximize the saxophone's expressiveness
Saxophone Articulation: The Key to Expressiveness
When you look at a musical score, you'll find many small dots and wedge-shaped symbols above the notes. These are called articulations. For saxophone players, staccato in particular is one of the more difficult articulations. Pieces range from slow and lyrical to fast-paced, and uniformly playing staccato short often doesn't match the musical character. Likewise, if you play accents by slamming the tongue hard against the reed the moment you see them, you'll crush the saxophone's lovely soft resonance. This article explains staccato technique adapted to musical character and accent technique using air in detailed Q&A format.
Q&A: Correct Articulation Technique for Saxophone
Q1: What are articulations?
A: Articulations are the symbols found above notes in the score. Small dots and wedge-shaped markings are abundant, and these are crucial elements that shape the saxophone's expressiveness. Staccato (the small dot above a note) and accents (the wedge shape above a note) are particularly important articulations for saxophone players. Staccato is actually one of the more difficult and challenging articulations for many saxophone players.
Q2: How should I play staccato?
A: It is important to vary staccato length according to the musical character. For fast tempos, cut the notes short, but for slow, lyrical passages, play longer with a softer texture. In slower pieces, each individual note lasts longer, so the staccato also becomes slightly longer accordingly. If you cut staccato just as short in a slow piece as in a fast one, it won't suit the musical character. What matters is that there is proper space between notes — even in slower passages, articulating a relaxed staccato is important. When playing scales, in a slower character the note length becomes slightly longer, but you can confirm that proper space exists between notes.
Q3: What should I be careful about with staccato in slow, lyrical passages?
A: In slow, lyrical passages, it is important to play staccato with a softer texture. If a sharp staccato is applied, it often doesn't suit the musical character. The slower the piece, the more carefully you should handle staccato. Stop cutting notes short, and instead articulate a relaxed staccato even in slower passages. While sharp staccato isn't universally bad, it often doesn't match the musical mood, so aim for a softer texture in lyrical passages.
Q4: How should I play accents?
A: For accents, it is important to use not just the tongue but also air together. If you slam the tongue hard against the reed the moment you see an accent, the saxophone's lovely soft resonance gets crushed. Many players tend to hit the tongue against the reed at full force the moment they see an accent, but this truly crushes the saxophone's soft resonance and ruins the sound. While you do tongue, of course, by using air together to create the accent, you can play accents while preserving the sound's resonance. By pressing air together with the tongue, you can play accents while maintaining the soft resonance.
Summary
Saxophone articulation is the key to expressiveness. The small dots and wedge-shaped symbols above notes in the score shape the saxophone's expressiveness. Staccato length should be varied according to the musical character — cut short for fast tempos, but play longer with a softer texture for slow passages. Cutting staccato just as short in a slow piece as in a fast one is inappropriate. Accents played with the tongue alone crush the soft resonance, so it is important to use air together to preserve the resonance while playing accents. By playing articulations that match the musical character, you can maximize the saxophone's expressiveness.
