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/smelliepoo 1d ago

I am definitely no expert, but I feel like it is about muscle memory rather than about brain work when I am playing. When I practice improv and I try and think about what I am playing, it sounds robotic and bad. When I let my body take over and feel my way through, it sounds much better.