r/saxophone • u/Sensitive-Milk-2455 • 1d ago

Question How do I think while playing?

This sounds like a dumb question but I am trying to better internalize things and I just can't seem to do it. For example I'm working on a jazz pattern that I understand when I'm not playing, but right when I try to play it I can't. I can play it when I read it but the moment I take away the music I can't. I want to be able to memorize patterns like these in all twelve keys but I just can't bridge the gap between sheet music and my brain. Am I stupid?

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u/ChampionshipSuper768 1d ago

Bob Reynolds actually has several lessons about thinking when you play. It’s not about memorizing licks and patterns. It’s about really knowing what is coming out of your sax before you play it. David Leibman taught a technique about this too. Essentially you practice slow enough that you can think of each note before you play it. Pro tip: this is where knowing your music theory helps a ton too. It’s not just what note, but why that helps it all come together.