Saxophone Players Comments
Tips, Advice, Questions and Comment
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Questions, Comments, Tips, Advice
AlanCheck out my website too! www.allreeeds.com Hi Alan Had a look and I've got to say I'm Jealous of all those photos you've got. Must have taken you ages to get all of them together. Good for you though. The more pictures of saxophones there are the better. Regards
JefferyI've been learning the alto sax for a little over a year and its going ok except that when I try to play a high D (a simple D with the otcave lever pressed) I usually get a high pierced screeching sound...I can adjust my blowing a bit and get it right but very often it is terrible first time around...no amount of pracice seems to help. any clue? Hi Jeffery Squeaking is a common problem that has several issues associated with it. It could be any of the following: - Key out of alignment
- Accidental pressing of another key
- Embouchre
- Reed
If your sax is new and it's only happening on that particular action we can probably rule out key alignment. Accidentally pressing another key is quite a common cause. You may not think you are doing it but I suggest looking in the mirror when you play to ensure that the left hand doesn't accidentally brush the shoulder keys when you press the octave key. Embouchre is the most common reason. Try taking less mouthpiece into your mouth and practice going from C to D. You can also try taking more mouthpiece in. It may also be your embouchre pressure being too tight. The reed can be an issue. You may want to step up half a reed strength. Also check the reed isn't warped or split. Trying a different reed can have an effect as well. I moved from La Voz to Vandorens when I changed to a metal mouthpiece due to squeaks. It worked for me. Also make sure the reed is well soaked The fact that you have no problem getting the note, and it only squeaks when you first use the octave key could also indicate that the initial press of the octave key is not firm enough thus resulting in a leak and a high pitched squeak. I spent a lot of time practising going from C to D and back again just to ensure a good transition. It would be good if you either know someone who plays, or have a teacher who can give you some guidance. An hour with a good teacher can correct many bad habits we don't even know we have. Good luck, I hope you manage to solve it.
Sandi Smith Clarence Clemons should be on the list. He's Bruce Springsteen's Big Man. A Legend!! Thanks for the suggestion Sandi. I have to confess to not being in the know about Clarence Clemons. 'The boss' yes. Clarence, no. I've done a bit of reading though and what I think I'll do is create another page for saxophone players. I don't think Clarence is quite in the realms of the names already on the list. However I am open to persuasion so feel free to 'big him up.'
Josephine Do you know where I can get a Selmer Star mouthpiece for alto sax, please? Hi Josephine As far as I was aware the star on a Selmer mouthpiece indicated opening size and not any particular make of mouthpiece. An example would be the 'Selmer Paris S80 C*' (C* being the opening size)You may want to try www.sax.co.uk They have a huge range of mouthpieces. I use them a lot for buying sax items as they have always been reliable for me at least. Plus, if you are struggling they have a phone line so you can call and ask any questions you may have. Best of luck.
Cathy I have read lots about sax's as I am wanting to buy one for my 8 year old. Could you give me a little information about your student sax compared to the JP model which our locals shop sell but nobody else seems to. Hi Cathy. I used to have a yamaha yas275 which is the base model for yamaha altos. A solid sax and always a good buy. Holds it's resale value well so if your 8 year old gets bored of playing you will probably get around half to 2 thirds of the cost back. The jp you are referring to is I suspect a John Packer. They do retail cheaper than a yamaha but I know little else about them. Given they are not that well known you may struggle on resale. I currently have a SMS Academy sax which plays fine (slightly flat on middle c#) You can read an honest review of this sax at shwoodwind.co.uk. This is a chinese sax and cheap at around £200, it also comes with a money back guarantee. So you should be able to have it tested out by a teacher or sax player to ensure it plays in tune all the way up the scale. Given your child is 8 I would stick with an alto. Regards
Kakaki Thanks for the information on plastic sax.any latest information?. Hi Kakaki Nothing else as yet. I've just sent them an email to request more info so if I hear anything I'll let you know by updating the site. Interesting to note the website is now accessible so something must be happening. *** Update - I got a standard reply from vibrato sax stating it should be available in about 4 months. Now considering I asked them several questions and the best they could do was send a standard reply I'm not impressed and none to hopeful that what they produce will be any good. I hope to be corrected. ***
Craig As a first-time visitor, I've noticed two things already that I'd like to point out. 1. Your "Mouthpiece" link doesn't work 2. It seems every one of your uses of "embouchure" accidentally omits the second u (probably a copy/paste error). Anyway, thanks very much for what seems to be a very helpful site. Hi Craig Thanks for the comments. I've fixed the link now. With regard to the use of Tu and Du for the embouchre and tonguing, yes this was an oversite. Thanks for your input. I'm revamping the site over the next few months so it is now on an ever growing list of includes to be done.
Annie Hi, I like listening to saxophones but I don't know where to find any songs. You have some but I want to hear more. Can you tell me where to go? Hello Annie, I suggest you have a look at the list of
famous saxophone players
we've listed and then go to utube and search them. It should give you a good list of songs to choose from. Maybe it will even encourage you to start playing! Or maybe you already do? Thanks. I want to but my dad says I'll get bored. Nag him! Dad, can I have a sax? Dad, can I have a sax? Dad, can I have a sax? etc. etc. Then come back to saxophone players comments and let me know how you got on.
Frank I lost all my bottom teeth a while a go. I want to play sax but I am concerned a lack of teeth will affect this. Apparently you need to rest your bottom lip on your bottom teeth. Should I not bother or do you think I have a chance? Hey Frank. Not a problem I've experienced myself! I believe that Stan Getz may have lacked a few teeth and I don't think anyone would say that it caused him any problems. Thinking about it I can't see why it would be an issue. Just rest the lip on your gum. Infact it may even be an advantage! You'll be able to wrap more lip over getting more contact with the reed. Could give you a great subtone. Regardless of teeth I personally wouldn't let it stop me trying. Good luck
Michael I can't get bottom b. What do I need to do? Practice! Try dropping your lower jaw to increase the cavity size in your mouth. Take a little more mouthpiece into your mouth by rolling your lip down the reed. I found that playing loudly helped greatly when trying to get bottom b. This is backed up by plenty of air support from your diaphragm. The neighbours weren't too impressed but you can't stand in the way of progress!
Jaime I've got a YAS275 and a Yamaha mouthpiece that I play for 6 months now but I don't like the sound. How do I change the sound? Well. Firstly I will say that it takes time to develop a sound/tone so a bit of patience may be in order. Otherwise, if you really feel the need then try different reed strengths and makes. Alternatively you can try different mouthpieces although this can prove to be a very expensive option. Don't change the sax. Theres nothing wrong with a YAS275.
Gus How do I get free songs to play? Simple. You can't. Gus, everyone who writes a song has the right to royalties from the sale. I can't print any songs without express permission and paying a royalty fee. How would you feel if you came up with a great tune and everyone was playing it but you got nothing. I suggest you come up with some of your own or be prepared to pay.
Andrew London My keys are sticking. Why? What can I do to stop it? Hi Andrew. Is London your name or is that where you are from? Sticking keys are caused by saliva. Have you been cleaning your sax after use? Get a pull through and a lint free cloth and clean it! You may want to get some cigarette papers. Place one between the tone hole, press the key lightly and pull the paper out slowly. You can do the same with the lint free cloth. In future you are going to have to make sure you clean the sax after use. It may also require a service if you've had it a while.
G How do I get a breathy tone? You can get a breathy/subtone by adjusting your embouhre. Loosen off the corners of your mouth slightly. I find that it's almost like having a poor embouchre and letting some air leak out of the sides of your mouth. I also find it easier when I take less mouthpiece into my mouth. You would also want to make sure more of your bottm lip is in contact with the reed. You should be able to achieve subtone on lower notes but it becomes much harder to achieve the higher up the scale you go.
Angela Hi, I've bent a key! Help! Is it going to be expensive? How did you do that? Cost? I've never bent a key before so I can't comment except to say that if you've bent a key you may also have knocked it out of alignment. I suggest you take the sax in for a service where they should happily fix it for you. Expect to pay £100 plus but if you love your sax then it's probably worth it.
Saxybird Hey, I like the site, when are you going to put some more stuff on it? Thanks Saxybird. I'm trying to get some time so I can add and improve the content. Trouble is I also need to learn some html so you'll have to be patient. I would like to think in about a year it should be a pretty comprehensive site and i'm always open to suggestion so make a comment if you want something and I'll see what I can do.
Jonathan S How do I get that screeching sound? I'll assume you mean a growl. This is achieved by humming whilst you blow. It takes a bit of practice but do it once and you'll be growling for ever! Some people talk about humming a higher or lower pitch than the note you are playing. Personally I've never found ths to be the case. Just hum a note whilst forming your embouchre, then put the mouthpiece to your mouth and do the same thing. It's not a particuarly difficult thing to achieve and pretty soon you should be able to hum on demand. The lower the note you are playing the harder it gets to make a decent sound.
J I've had a comment from a youngster, aged 11. Sadly I can't post the comment as I would be breaking my own privacy policy but I can respond. J, I wish you all the best in your journey. I'm sure if you keep focus and keep practicing you will definitely achieve what you want to. Good luck and keep going.
Malcolm Can you please suggest a metal ligature to fit a Guardala Studio Tenor mouthpiece? I have tried Francois Louis but it's still too big. Thanks. Hi Malcolm. Had the same problem with my DG. Had to settle for a Rovner Ligature at the time. I did some looking and found the following mouthpiece options. BG Metal Revelation Jazz Ligature, FF Padded Tensing Ring Ligature, Selmer Silver Plated Ligature and François Louis "The Ultimate" Ligature. I suspect the last one is what you have at the moment.
Julius HI,I like listening to sax.performance,I want to learn but i have no sax. How do i get one free? Hi Julius. To be honest, I don't think you will get one free. Most people who buy one and don't like it will sell it on. Even if you did get one free I would doubt if it were any good. Is there no way you could get a part time job solely for the purpose of buying a sax? Save a little each week, no matter how small. I would think that is your best option.
adeNOTE Making an effect with a note using the fingering instead of the embouchre or tongue. I only use it when on 'A'. It involves playing the note 'A' (either lower or higher register) and then alternately closing and opening the three right fingers. It gives a kind of double density to the note. When used at an appropriate place in a song, it could be wonderful! I tried it and it sounded to me like I was flattening the note. Try this one. Play a low C and whilst playing lift the index finger of the right hand. It's multiphonics. and it's call the ugly sound.
David Hi, I am quite new to playing the saxophone (Alto). After about 15 minutes though my lower lips almost become jelly like and I cannot blow without leaking air and making the notes sound aweful. Any tips? The only cure for this one David is time and practice. It's quite normal for this to happen. Your mouth muscles are not used to forming the embouchre so they weaken the longer you play. If you are playing a number 2 reed or above you may want to drop down a size to something a bit less rigid. Otherwise, play for 15 mins or so and rest for a couple of hours.
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