Jazz Articulation: Advice and Exercises to Sound Like a Pro Saxophonist

with Vandoren Artist-Clinician Donnie Norton

Date Posted: December 02, 2023

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In this instructional saxophone video, Vandoren Artist-Clinician Dr. Donnie Norton discusses jazz articulation. Topics include an articulation overview, up-beat tonguing, muted tonguing and more. Watch and play along with this video to sound like a pro!


1:25 Articulation mimics the voice
3:26 Breath to Sound Exercise
6:10 Scooping
7:44 Tonguing Lines
10:31 Muted Tonguing
12:07 Exercise
12:52 Putting it Altogether

More about Donnie

Donnie Norton is a saxophonist and woodwind performer based in Portland, OR. He has extensive performance experience in a variety of styles that include jazz, classical, world music, and musical theater. In addition to performing, his musical interests include jazz history and pedagogical methods for jazz and saxophone performance, and he has presented research at conferences of the Jazz Education Network and the North American Saxophone Alliance.

Don is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Portland, where he serves as Director of Jazz Studies and teaches saxophone and academic courses in music and fine arts. He holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, the New England Conservatory of Music, and Northern Illinois University.

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