Programming the Yamaha YDS-120 and YDS-150 to Play the Cannonball Trill

Executive Summary

I wrote this guide to provide step-by-step instructions for programming the Yamaha YDS-120 and YDS-150 digital saxophones to perform the dazzling musical effect known as the Cannonball trill. Popularized by saxophone virtuoso Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, The Cannonball trill isn't enabled by default on Yamaha digital saxophones. By connecting to the YDS Controller app and configuring custom fingerings for the top trill key across two octaves, players can consistently replicate this soulful and gritty articulation to enhance their live performances.

Keywords: Yamaha YDS-120, Yamaha YDS-150, Cannonball trill, digital saxophone, YDS Controller app, jazz articulation, saxophone custom fingerings

History and Technique

The Cannonball trill is a signature saxophone technique popularized by legendary jazz alto saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. Characterized by a rapid, soulful alternation between notes, it relies on alternate or false fingerings to produce a distinctively gritty timbral effect. Adderley favored this approach over a standard classical trill to inject intense emotion, bluesy flavor, and driving rhythm directly into his solos.

While correctly achieving the unique sound of the Cannonball trill requires precise acoustic manipulation on a traditional horn, you can easily replicate it on a digital Yamaha saxophone. The Cannonball trill is a powerful musical tool, yet the Yamaha YDS-120 and YDS-150 are not set up to play it by default. This guide will walk you through the exact steps to configure your digital saxophone so you that can perform the Cannonball trill effortlessly during your YDS-120/150 practice sessions.

On an acoustic saxophone, the playable range for this technique can vary slightly depending on the instrument's make, voice, and model. However, the Cannonball trill is most commonly executed on the notes A4 through D5, as well as their upper octave counterparts, A5 through D6.

• A4 = top 2 left hand fingers down with no octave key
• D5 = D palm key with no octave key
• A5 = top 2 left hand fingers down plus the octave key
• D6 = D palm key plus the octave key

Connecting Your Instrument

To begin, connect your instrument to the YDS Controller mobile app. You can establish this connection in one of two ways:

• Bluetooth: Available for the YDS-150 only.
• OTG Cable: Compatible with both the YDS-120 and YDS-150.

Programming the Fingerings

The Cannonball trill effect is achieved by mapping specific base notes to higher target notes when the top trill key is pressed. Open the fingering settings in the YDS Controller app and apply the following parameters. 

Lower Octave (The Saxophone's A4 to A5)

Configure the top trill key to jump to the corresponding target note when holding the base notes listed below. As a reference, A4 will trill up to a C5, Bb4 to Db5, and so on:

• A4  -> C5
•  Bb4 -> Db5
• B4  -> D5
• C5  -> Eb5
• C#5 -> E5
• D5 (palm key D5 without the octave key applied, as opposed to the D that is 6 fingers down plus the octave key) -> E5
  
  

Upper Octave (The Saxophone's A5 to A6)
Configure the top trill key to jump to the corresponding target note when holding the base notes listed below. As a reference, A5 will trill up to a C6, Bb5 to Db6, and so on: 

• A5  -> C6
• Bb5 -> Db6
• B5  -> D6
• C6  -> Eb6
• C#6 -> E6
• D6 (palm key D6 with the octave key applied) -> E6

Once you save these settings, your digital saxophone will be fully equipped and ready to perform the soulful Cannonball trill.

ASCII Tree Sumary of this Article:

YDS_Cannonball_Trill
├── Executive_Summary
│   ├── Goal: Replicate the Cannonball trill on digital saxophones
│   └── Method: Configure custom top trill key fingerings via app
├── Keywords
│   ├── Yamaha YDS-120
│   ├── Yamaha YDS-150
│   ├── Cannonball trill
│   ├── digital saxophone
│   ├── YDS Controller app
│   ├── jazz articulation
│   └── saxophone custom fingerings
├── History_and_Technique
│   ├── Originator: Julian_Cannonball_Adderley
│   ├── Characteristic: Rapid, soulful, slightly gritty alternation
│   ├── Application: Bypass default Yamaha limitations
│   └── General_Range_and_Fingerings
│       ├── Lower Range: A4 to D5
│       │   ├── A4: Top 2 left hand fingers down, no octave key
│       │   └── D5: D palm key, no octave key
│       └── Upper Range: A5 to D6
│           ├── A5: Top 2 left hand fingers down plus octave key
│           └── D6: D palm key plus octave key
├── Connecting_Your_Instrument
│   ├── App: YDS Controller
│   ├── Bluetooth: YDS-150 only
│   └── OTG Cable: YDS-120 and YDS-150
└── Programming_the_Fingerings
    ├── Lower_Octave (A4 to A5)
    │   ├── A4 to C5
    │   ├── Bb4 to Db5
    │   ├── B4 to D5
    │   ├── C5 to Eb5
    │   ├── C#5 to E5
    │   └── D5 (palm key, no octave) to E5
    └── Upper_Octave (A5 to A6)
        ├── A5 to C6
        ├── Bb5 to Db6
        ├── B5 to D6
        ├── C6 to Eb6
        ├── C#6 to E6
        └── D6 (palm key with octave) to E6