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  • January 25, 2015 at 2:11 pm #9946
    Steve Airton
    Participant

      Hi can some one help,I have just started to try and play alto sax iv got to the stage were I have started to us the octave key I can’t get anything like the sound D,E,F,G,A,B,C and it sounds dreadful it squeaks and make all sorts of odd noises iv been on with this for over two weeks or more and that been at lest hour and even up to three hours a day and still its not right well it no where right at all its so frustrating I feel like I should give the dammed thing up iv listened to Jonny’s video over and over again iv been on you tube look at lest 100 video’s well it feels like it.So after all that moaning can you or some one HELP PLEASE or this sax I got for Christmas is going in the bin.

      January 25, 2015 at 2:43 pm #13450
      Anonymous

        something like that happened to me – in my
        case my daughter walked in the room
        and shouted at me ‘DAD YOU’VE GOT
        THE MOUTHPIECE ON UPSIDE
        DOWN’

        January 25, 2015 at 2:50 pm #13451
        john
        Keymaster

          No something doesn’t sound right. I would get it checked out. Meanwhile try this and let me know how it works:
          instead of using your octave key, just play the middle A. Then blow harder to try and hit the octave A. You do this by over blowing just a bit more but don’t use the octave key. Can you hit the high note?
          Also do this exercise with the octave key; middle A not octave key, then high A with octave key.

          January 26, 2015 at 2:39 am #13453
          Steve Airton
          Participant

            Hi Jonny thanks for the advice, iv just been and had the sax checked out its all ok. Iv done as you say played the middle A and then blow harder and I think it sounds like I am a little closer than I was. I have notes if I move the mouth peace slightly in or out I can get a little closer too the C,B,A and G, with the octave key, is this the right way to go by moving the mouth peace or should I try and keep it in one position at all times.

            Desperate Steve.

            January 26, 2015 at 7:43 am #13457
            john
            Keymaster

              Your top teeth should be set in one spot and not move in and out. you can however experiment with your oral cavity, open throat more and push air harder from deep within your diaphragm. you are possible not doing that properly and so your sax is not getting enough air from you to get those notes out… blow louder, open you throat!

              January 26, 2015 at 3:23 pm #13461
              Steve Airton
              Participant

                Thanks for the help ill keep on trying

                Steve.

                January 27, 2015 at 7:24 am #13464
                wayne vespry
                Participant

                  I have a diffrent question Hi jonny can you tell me what setup you use with your tenor saxophone?

                  January 27, 2015 at 11:12 am #13465
                  john
                  Keymaster

                    Guardala (Michael Brecker model) mouthpiece with a #3 Vandoren Java reed and a Winslow ligature.
                    cheers
                    Johnny

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