Subtone on Saxophone

My music teacher keeps telling me I have subtone, but I have no idea what that means! From his description it sounds like a good thing if I can control it, and it helps play smoother lower register. Can someone answer the following questions please?

1) What is subtone - what will it help me do and make me do worse at.

2) How do you stop doing/having it, and when should you stop it?

Thanks! (I play tenor saxophone if that makes a difference)

Subtone on saxophones (and in general) is: round, fluffy, soft, warm, airy...

It's a technique, not usually a player's sole sound, but part of their arsenal of sounds.... if you know what I mean.

Dig into cats like Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Lester Young.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=_SD3KMqkvW4

Listen to the ends of his phrases....sounds like he's leaking, but it's heavy!!

As far as stopping it..... that's a question for your saxophone teacher. More air? More...focused air? Tighter embouchure? Harder reed? :dunno: Also, don't abandon it entirely, it's a useful tool...but do try and expand your sonic palette.

I like Robin's descriptors for subtone, especially "fluffy." It's a good technique to know (usually used at whim in jazz and not at all in classical playing unless it's asked for specifically), and there might be a problem if you do it all the time because you typically want the reed to vibrate as much as possible. Subtone results from partially damping the reed with your tongue while blowing, but I think you can get a similar sound on low notes by decreasing your breath support. So, first make sure nothing is hindering vibration of the reed when you play, then find out if you're using "proper" breath support (try here:

Thanks guys! I understand what it is now, now I just need to train myself to not do it. Apparently I do it all the time except in the upper register, just before altissimo range from C# up. The "partially damping the reed" might be the cause, I do that almost all the time. I'm getting a new mouthpiece soon actually, any suggestions?

Aside from what I suggested earlier, practice long tones :) Make sure your tongue is out of the way and pulled back just behind or under the tip of the reed.