Vibrato
Notated with a verbal instruction,
sometimes with a wavy line.
This is normally used as an exaggerated effect, and in saxophone
playing has a historical connotation.
Vibrato:
Vibrato speeds:
Glissando
A slide in pitch between notes. Works
best in the upper register. Avoid in the lower register.
The key pads make half-holing difficult or impossible.
Glissando:
Low register
Upper register
Harmonic
Produced
by fingering a fundamental low note, then picking out
the partials.
There is no need to notate harmonics on the sax, since
they are integral to the instrument, forming the super-high
register.
Harmonic register:
Tremolo or "Shake"
Tremolos on saxophone
A trill between two notes more than a tone apart. Check fingerings
carefully!
About shakes:
Trills
Trills on saxophone
A rapid alternation between two pitches. The notation above, read
in treble clef, shows a minor trill followed by a major trill,
indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given,
players will choose trill type based on musical context. The
wavy lines indicating duration of trill are also optional.
All
trills are possible on the saxophone, but those above A6 are very
difficult because of complicated fingerings.