How do you play legato on a saxophone?

Playing legato on a saxophone means playing a series of notes smoothly and connected without any interruption. Here are the steps to play legato on a saxophone:

  1. Choose a sequence of notes: Choose a sequence of notes that you want to play legato. Start with just a few notes, and gradually increase the number of notes as you become more comfortable with the technique.

  2. Use the correct fingerings: Make sure you use the correct fingerings for each note in the sequence. Practice playing each note individually until you can play them cleanly and with good tone.

  3. Use a smooth and even airflow: To play legato, you need to use a smooth and even airflow. Don't pause or interrupt the airflow between notes.

  4. Use a gentle tongue: Use a gentle tongue to start each note, but don't cut off the airflow completely. Think of the tongue as a gate that opens and closes the airflow quickly and smoothly.

  5. Practice slowly: Legato playing requires a lot of control and technique, so start practicing slowly and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable with the sequence of notes.

  6. Listen to your tone: Pay attention to your tone when playing legato. Make sure each note sounds connected and smooth, without any interruption.

Remember to keep your fingers close to the keys and use a light touch to play legato. Practice this technique regularly, and soon you'll be able to play long, smooth lines of notes that sound beautiful and expressive on the saxophone.

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