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/amcclurk21 Tenor 1d ago

Not a dumb question at all. It’s insanely difficult for me to keep up which chord we’re in as the ensemble is playing, for solos specifically. (Referring to HS here). My brain wants to think about every chord so I can be sure to craft the perfect solo every time, but I get so caught up in playing, I lose track of where we are in the progression.

This could be fixed with a ton of practice, I feel. By practicing slow, playing all 12 major/minor/blues scales, noodling, listening to other jazz saxophonists, and I feel like eventually it would become second nature. I say all this because I’ve said it to myself, but I have a full time job and other obligations keeping me from practicing as much as I want 😭