To start with, no two sounds have the same exact balance of individual overtones. So what do these overtones have to do with me? From there, the middle Bb is what’s known as the “first overtone” or the “first partial.” The second overtone with be the F on the top line of the staff, the high Bb would be the second overtone, and so on and so forth up the entire series as illustrated above. So in the example above, the low Bb is what’s known as the “fundamental” – as that’s the note we’re actually fingering. Every single note in the playable range of the saxophone has this series of overtones above it, whether you’re playing a low Bb or a high E with the palm keys. ![]() Of course, towards the end of the series you get to notes that are not possible for 99.9, if not 100% of all saxophone players to play.Īgain, when you play that low Bb, you’re simultaneously hearing the entire series of notes shown above, but they’re actually more felt than heard, since the majority of the sound you hear is from the fundamental, or bottom note in the series, whichever note that might be. Other terminology for the sound of a middle Bb played with the low Bb fingering is the “First Partial” or “ First Harmonic.” See for Yourself Below is the entire series of overtones (aka “partials” or “harmonics”) that we can play while fingering that low Bb. ![]() The point of the exercise is to demonstrate that the middle Bb is the first overtone of that low Bb. This is basically the same sound you’d get if you attempted to play the low Bb but missed the note due to not enough diaphragm support. What you should be hearing is still that middle Bb, but with a harsher and more abrasive tone quality. Keeping your embouchure the same as it would be for that middle Bb, play that middle Bb BUT keep your fingers in position to play the low Bb.Next, position your fingers to play a low Bb.To illustrate what I’m talking about, try this as a simple exercise: And while these other pitches are sounding relatively quietly in comparison to that low Bb, they affect the sound of the saxophone massively. In other words, if you’re playing a low Bb, there are actually other notes quietly sounding at the same time as that low Bb. What in the World Are These Overtone Thingies?Īn overtone is any frequency higher than the fundamental frequency of a sound. Many sax players new to the instrument may have heard the term “overtones” thrown about without really knowing what the term means and why they should know anything about it. The fact is, knowledge of overtones as well as the practice of overtone exercises on your horn is simply a must if you’re planning on becoming a great saxophone player.
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