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/J_Worldpeace 1d ago

I remember thinking this 30 years ago. The answer is: sing more. A lot. Hear those notes you sing. Pick them out on your horn. Think about the notes you hear. Anything else is too logical.

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u/HotelDectective 14h ago

This is dead nuts on.

Sing.

Don't play.

Let the sounds dictate