The slur-a-lot thread

[PrincessJ]

Anyone up for discussing their techniques for multi-note slurring?
I use a combination of embouchure and half holing for the massive ones, 2.5+ whole steps or more, and embouchure alone for most whole step bends.
In playing klezmer, I use a 1.5 or 2 reed which does the job for itself. It's one of those techniques I built up to greatness over the years. I may post a sound clip or similar sometime soon to demonstrate my techniques if anyone is interested.

 

[jbtsax]

When you say embouchure do you mean just the lip tension, or does the term include what is done inside the mouth and throat as well? Some saxophonists try to use the oral cavity more to bend pitches than the embouchure with the idea that the tone quality does not suffer when bending pitches down.

 

[MartinMods]

Do post some audio samples.

 

[MrDibbs]

On clarinet I can bend certain notes by up to maybe a fifth (eg. second ledger line C above the staff) by something I do with my throat. No finger manipulation needed. I couldn't begin to describe how I do it though.