How to Play Careless Whisper on Alto and Tenor Saxophone
If you’re an Alto or Tenor Sax player looking for a fun, classic piece to learn, you should try “Careless Whisper” by George Michael.
"Careless Whisper" is a classic pop song written by George Michael that has been covered by artists all over the world.
It's a great song to learn how to play because of its sexy sax solo!
With a few tips and practice, you'll be playing this classic like the Sexy Sax Man!
Although it has been covered by many saxophone players since its release in 1984, the original instrumental track with George Michael is still just as powerful and captivating today as it was then.
Let’s take a look at how you can play this timeless tune on your alto or tenor sax.
Playing the Solo
The solo melody line of “Careless Whisper” is fairly straightforward and not too difficult to learn.
I think it may even be easier than learning the part that George Michael sings.
Watching the video that I made above can easily help you learn how to play the solo in this song without saxophone sheet music.
This will work for either alto sax or tenor sax, however on tenor sax you would need to transpose if you wanted to play in the same key of the original recording of Careless Whisper by George Michael.
You will also need to know how to play grace notes (an ornamentation or embellishment on a note that gives it extra flavor and character).
Reading Sheet Music
The first step in learning how to play "Careless Whisper" by George Michael on alto sax or tenor sax is to understand how to read sheet music.
The notes are written out on the staff—the five lines with four spaces between them—and each line or space represents a different pitch.
You can easily find sheet music online, but it's important to make sure that the key signature matches whether you play alto sax or tenor sax.
I went through the trouble of finding downloadable sheet music for the alto and tenor saxophone.
Alto Sax Sheet Music
Tenor Sax Sheet Music
Fingerings and Posture
Once you've found the right sheet music for your alto or tenor sax, it's time to start practicing!
Make sure that you have a comfortable posture when playing; keeping your back straight and your arms relaxed will help you produce the best sound possible.
Additionally, it's important to pay attention to fingerings: each note requires specific fingerings in order for it to sound correct.
You can find fingering charts online or ask your teacher if you need help understanding which keys should be pressed down in order to play each note correctly.
Improving Your Tone Quality
To get the most out of this song, make sure you focus on improving your tone quality while playing it.
A big part of achieving good tone quality is fully filling your lungs with air before playing your alto or tenor sax.
Make sure you sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed so that your breathing is unrestricted—this will help ensure that all parts of your body are working together harmoniously when producing sound from your instrument.
Additionally, use different articulations such as slurring and tonguing in order to bring out different colors in each phrase or section—this will help make your performance match closely with the original recording!
Playing Techniques for Alto or Tenor Sax
In order to play “Careless Whisper” correctly on alto or tenor sax, there are several techniques that must be mastered first.
One important technique is vibrato, which is when a player shakes their finger off the key of their instrument while playing a note in order to create a more expressive sound.
Another important technique is tonguing, which involves pronouncing each note with short bursts of air as if speaking through your instrument.
Finally, legato playing is also essential; this involves playing each note smoothly and without any distinctive breaks between them.
Once these techniques have been mastered, learning how to play “Careless Whisper” should come naturally! Just like Sexy Sax Man!
Practice Makes Perfect
The last step in learning how to play "Careless Whisper" on alto saxophone is practice!
Start by playing slowly and making sure that every note sounds clear and accurate before gradually increasing speed.
With time and dedication, there’s no doubt that “Careless Whisper” will soon become one of your favorite songs to perform!
Conclusion:
Learning how to play "Careless Whisper" by George Michael on alto saxophone and tenor sax isn't difficult but it does require practice and dedication.
With the right resources—such my tutorial video for alto sax and tenor sax, having access to quality sheet music, and mastering important playing techniques—you can soon be playing George Michael's hit song perfectly!
So don't hesitate; start practicing today!
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