How do i make my Alto sax sound jazzy like the people on the streets that play for money?

Question

i am a pretty experienced sax player i think 5 years now, but i have not discovered how to make my sax sound different i used different mouthpieces and reeds, but nothing, any suggestions?

Answer 1

Ask them, haha

Answer 2

try a mute, that will give it that nasally sound that youre looking for probably

Answer 3

saxophone mutes cost a fortune and look dumb

SOFTER reeds, tighter ligature is the only advice i can give you.

you just need to keep experimenting.

Answer 4

A metal mouthpiece helps- makes the tone project- but good ones are pretty expensive.

Answer 5

Changing all of your equipment, like your mouthpiece and your reeds, will help a little, but you'll most likely need to change your embouchure to get a different sound.  Try taking in more of your lower lip (putting more into your mouth while you play) or even try a double embouchure, which means putting your top lip between your teeth and the mouthpiece, or pulling the corners of your mouth back a little (usually two things you shouldn't do with classical music, but jazz is a little more open to experimentation).