Klarinet Archive - Posting 001256.txt from 1997/09

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Alternate Fingering for Sax
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 18:29:19 -0400

On Sun, 28 Sep 1997, Karl Krelove wrote:

> playing from the pit) plays the tune. On the third melody figure, the tune
> jumps quickly from G above the top line to F a seventh higher. I'm playing
> on an old Conn tenor with a key layout for those high notes that isn't very
> comfortable even when I have time to get to them. This jump at this tempo
> is just too much for me to grab and the thing is too exposed for me to hide
> it. Anyone have a quick and easy alternate for that jump from G to high F.

If the saxophone isn't _too_ old, it should have an auxilliary high F key.
That will be the one that is just above the key on which you normally
place the first finger of the left hand. For F, keep the 2nd finger on
the C key, and move the first finger to the auxilliary key. Since you are
going from G to high F, you also will have to lift the 3rd finger at the
same time, or you will get something approximating a high E.

Another problem is that on some earlier instruments, the auxilliary F key
is a long way from the B key, so sliding or rolling the finger isn't very
easy. But, with some practice, it should be able to be accomplished.

Check the amount that the auxilliary key opens the high F key. It should
be only about one millimeter. If it opens the key wider than that, the
note will not speak as easily. Sometimes the corks on the linkages
between these two keys have to be sanded down in order to adjust this
opening. Many repair people didn't understand this, and still don't, so
this adjustment is often misaligned.

There is a series of notes which can be played using this key. In
addition to the high F, the high E can be played as I listed above, Aux,
2, 3, 8va. On most older instruments the G# key has to be opened as well,
or the E will be flat. Then, play the auxilliary high F and open the side
Bb key. This should produce a high F#. If it doesn't speak clearly and
in tune, then experiment with the right hand fingers. There are about a
dozen fingering combinations of the right-hand keys which might produce a
good F#3 on a given saxophone. One I use quite often is: LH: aux, 2; RH:
1,2,Eb and side Bb. It is a little awkward at first, but usually produces
good results.

Playing these notes is a good introduction to the altissimo register of
the saxophone, as they require a slightly different type of embouchure
placement and pressure, throat opening, and breath support.

BTW, the Rubank Advanced Method for Saxophone, Vols. I & II, have some
good exercises for practicing the use of the auxilliary key in the section
called "Finger Exercises."

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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