- There are two types of saxophone staccato: one that completely cuts the sound using the tongue, and one that leaves a resonant tail using abdominal support
- Many saxophone players tend to only use the staccato that leaves a resonant tail, and struggle with consecutive staccato passages
- Even when tonguing, you must always keep the air flowing — speeding this up enables consecutive staccato
- Performing consecutive staccato with the complete-cut method and the final note with the resonant-tail method produces a clean result
Saxophone Staccato: Understanding the Two Types of Technique
There are broadly two types of staccato technique for the saxophone. A staccato that completely cuts the sound using the tongue, and a staccato that leaves a resonant tail using abdominal support. These two types of staccato each have different expressive effects, and by using them appropriately, you can significantly enhance your saxophone expressiveness. However, many saxophone players tend to only use the staccato that leaves a resonant tail, and struggle with consecutive staccato passages and fast-tempo playing in practice. To master saxophone staccato, it is important to understand the differences between the two types and learn to use each one according to its strengths.
Bad Example: Only Using the Resonant-Tail Staccato
When it comes to saxophone staccato, only using the staccato that leaves a resonant tail through abdominal support causes difficulties with consecutive staccato passages and fast-tempo playing. When you want to play crisp, detached notes rapidly, the resonant-tail staccato alone cannot handle it, and your range of expression becomes limited. Especially in passages with consecutive staccato, the resonant-tail staccato causes notes to overlap, making it impossible to achieve crisp playing. To use saxophone staccato effectively, you also need to master the staccato that completely cuts the sound.
Good Example: Using Both Types of Staccato
When it comes to saxophone staccato, using both types of staccato broadens your expressive range and enables you to handle various musical situations. The staccato that completely cuts the sound using the tongue is suited for consecutive staccato passages and fast-tempo playing, and enables crisp, articulate playing. On the other hand, the staccato that leaves a resonant tail using abdominal support is suited for ending phrases, the very last note of a consecutive staccato passage, and staccato notes where a rest follows or the note value is slightly longer, and can create a bouncy, lively character. To use saxophone staccato effectively, performing consecutive staccato with the complete-cut method and the very last note with the resonant-tail method allows you to play very cleanly.
Practice Steps
To effectively master saxophone staccato, it is important to follow a step-by-step practice approach. By understanding the differences between the two types of staccato and learning to use each one according to its strengths, you can significantly enhance your saxophone expressiveness. By using the complete-cut staccato and the resonant-tail staccato in the appropriate situations, you will be able to handle various musical situations. When practicing saxophone staccato, a step-by-step approach of first mastering each technique individually and then developing the skill to switch between them is most effective. By progressing systematically from fundamentals to application, you can reliably acquire the technique.
Step 1: Mastering the Complete-Cut Staccato
First, it is important to master the staccato that completely cuts the sound using the tongue. This staccato is suited for consecutive staccato passages and fast-tempo playing, and enables crisp, articulate playing. The key point is that you must always keep the air flowing even while the tongue is on the reed. If you let the air drop out at this point, the articulation will inevitably be delayed. To play saxophone staccato effectively, you must always maintain airflow while the tongue is engaged. By speeding this up, you achieve consecutive staccato. When practicing saxophone staccato, start at a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed to master the technique reliably.
Step 2: Understanding and Applying the Resonant-Tail Staccato
Next, it is important to understand the characteristics of the staccato that leaves a resonant tail using abdominal support and apply it in appropriate situations. This staccato works the same way as ending notes at the end of a phrase when playing a piece, and compared to the complete-cut staccato, it can create a bouncy, lively character. To use saxophone staccato effectively, for the very last note of a consecutive staccato passage or staccato notes where a rest follows or the note value is slightly longer, you can create this kind of staccato character. When practicing saxophone staccato, using the resonant-tail staccato at the end of phrases and on the last note of consecutive staccato passages will broaden your expressive range.
Step 3: Using Both Types of Staccato
Finally, it is important to use both types of staccato. To use saxophone staccato effectively, performing consecutive staccato with the complete-cut method and the very last note with the resonant-tail method allows you to play very cleanly. Using the complete-cut staccato during consecutive staccato passages and switching to the resonant-tail staccato only for the last note enables you to achieve both crisp playing and a bouncy, lively character. When practicing saxophone staccato, practicing how to switch between the two types within actual pieces will help you develop practical technique.
- Master the staccato that completely cuts the sound using the tongue (always keep the air flowing even while tonguing)
- Understand the characteristics of the resonant-tail staccato using abdominal support, and apply it at the end of phrases and on the last note of consecutive staccato passages
- Perform consecutive staccato with the complete-cut method, and the very last note with the resonant-tail method
- Start at a slow tempo and gradually increase the speed to master the technique reliably
- Practice switching between the two types of staccato within actual pieces
Summary: Enhance Your Expressiveness by Using Two Types of Saxophone Staccato
There are broadly two types of staccato technique for the saxophone. A staccato that completely cuts the sound using the tongue, and a staccato that leaves a resonant tail using abdominal support. Many saxophone players tend to only use the staccato that leaves a resonant tail, but for consecutive staccato passages and fast-tempo playing, the complete-cut staccato is indispensable. To use saxophone staccato effectively, it is important to understand the differences between the two types and learn to use each one according to its strengths.
The complete-cut staccato is suited for consecutive staccato passages and fast-tempo playing, and enables crisp, articulate playing. The key point is that you must always keep the air flowing even while the tongue is on the reed, and by speeding this up, you achieve consecutive staccato. On the other hand, the resonant-tail staccato is suited for the end of phrases and the last note of consecutive staccato passages, and can create a bouncy, lively character. To use saxophone staccato effectively, performing consecutive staccato with the complete-cut method and the very last note with the resonant-tail method allows you to play very cleanly. By following these practice steps, you will be able to effectively master saxophone staccato and significantly enhance your expressiveness.
