Tiktok Sensation Evan Jacobson on How to Add Saxy Flair to Any Song

Jazz may not seem like a genre that lends itself to the blip-like time constraints of TikTok, but Evan Jacobson has found a way to make it so. The musical maestro found algorithmic success on the app with his mesmerizing command of the saxophone and, perhaps in equal measure, for his singular charm. Jacobson manages to make each post, in which he layers jazz riffs over well-loved pop and hip-hop classics, feel like a one-on-one FaceTime with each of the tens of thousands of people watching them. Below, Jacobson shows us how to add saxy flair to any song. —MEGAN HULLANDER

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STEP 1

“Know your history. People don’t realize that the roots of many modern music genres from hip-hop to R&B to rock are deeply embedded in the tradition of jazz. The rhythms and harmonies of jazz are everywhere in modern music, but they’re subtle. When listening to a song, think about how we got here. Does the groove resemble anything you’ve heard from a 50s jazz record, for example? You may find that there are a lot more similarities than you would expect. Once you recognize how jazz could have influenced the song you’re listening to, it becomes much more natural to add jazzy elements where they fit.”

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STEP 2

“Listen on repeat. Anyone can play notes over a song, but anyone with an ear for music can tell if that person isn’t connected to the original material. Adding new elements to an already finished work of art takes a subtle and delicate approach that requires a deep, internalized connection with the source material. For me, this means listening to the original song on repeat until I hear a melody or harmony in my ear that I can translate to the instrument.”

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STEP 3

“Start playing some basic ideas. Most won’t be very good, and some will resonate, but don’t get too attached or stay on one idea for too long. Keep playing until you come up with an idea that fits into the existing song nicely, but adds a contrasting vibe that not even you knew it needed.”

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STEP 4

“Don’t overcomplicate things. This is an easy and dangerous trap to fall into. Again, you’re dealing with a piece of music that someone decided was finished and that you have now decided needs something else. To avoid destroying the integrity of the song and perhaps offending the original artist, take a less-is-more approach. Playing something that’s technically simple, tasteful, and memorable is actually much harder and will connect with people more than playing the most flashy lick in your bag.”

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STEP 5

“Improvise. Now that you are connected with the song and trying to extract the jazz from it, it’s time to let your character shine through. Jazz is an improvised language and a solo is an opportunity to express yourself using that language, so play what you feel. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the endless possibilities that improvising presents, but remember to stay true to the song which has been engrained into your ears since Step 3, and refer to Step 4 when you feel things getting overwhelming..”

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STEP 6

“Breathe. The notes you choose not to play are just as important as the notes you do play. The most legendary jazz improvisers were known not just for their virtuosity on their instruments, but for their use of space and rests which leave listeners hanging on the last note of a phrase, anticipating the next one. Give yourself time to begin and end your ideas. There is no right and wrong way to play jazz music, but people will always gravitate towards music that feels authentic, and I think jazz allows each musician to be their most authentic self.”