Have you ever wondered how to produce the beautiful ornamentations or “gamakas” in Carnatic music on the saxophone? After many requests, I’m glad to share this video introducing some of the core concepts and practical tips that will help you understand the basics and begin practicing them! This includes multiple types of gamakas and blending notes on saxophone. There is quite a bit covered in this video, so feel free to pause and practice or rewind and rewatch the parts you need.

This video was recorded with an inexpensive usb mic with no post processing or reverb to allow the sound to be simple and direct.

Bhairavi raga intro 0:00 Intro about gamakas on the saxophone 0:34

Encircling and downward gamakas with demo in Hamsadhwani ragam (It has 5 notes up and down) 2:17
A note on sruthi (pitch) on the saxophone 4:36
Advanced gamakas like oscillating (kampitam) and blending with demo 5:26
Instrument condition and reed strength 8:26
Gamaka speed and proportion in Carnatic music 10:26
Recommended practice approach 12:00
Advanced blending on the saxophone 12:20
The potential scope of gamakas on saxophone and Prasant’s Guru Sri Kadri Gopalnath’s immense contribution 14:05
Recap of what and how to practice with demos and variations 15:08
The future potential of the saxophone in Carnatic music 16:27
Brief Todi raga conclusion 17:46

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