Klarinet Archive - Posting 001054.txt from 1999/07

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] re: Sax warble
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 1999 02:17:09 -0400

Note Staff Unlimited wrote:

> David Blumberg schrieb:
>
> > Daniel Paprocki" <danbascl@-----.net> Subject: [kl] sax problems Here's a
> > change of topic.
> > Since almost all clarinetists play sax and the sax lists out there are dead
> > or near death, I thought I'd present this problem. I'm about to purchase a
> > used (like new) Selmer VII (yes you heard right the dreaded VII) alto sax.
> > I love the sound, it tunes well, my hands (large) fit well, and the price
> > is very good. It has one problem - the low C#, C, and B (not Bb) sometimes
> > develop a slow warble in the sound. This comes and goes depending on reed
> > and who knows what. I've been playing sax for a long time, have a great
> > mouthpiece (Rousseau 4r) and reeds (Oliveri 3). I've played other saxes in
> > the last couple years (Yamaha 52, Keilworth, Selmer VI) and haven't had
> > that problem. I've had it checked for leaks with my repair person and it's
> > tight. My next step is to have the pads doped. I have done the trick of
> > dropping the end plug in the bell and that does solve the problem but
> > sometimes makes the C# stuffy. Why is this happening and how do I fix this? --
> >
> > Daniel A. Paprocki Instructor of Clarinet & Saxophone Angelo State
> > University San Angelo, Texas
> >
> > -------------------------
> >
> > Hey Dan, congrats for getting the TX. gig! Try also changing the position
> > of the Mouthpiece on the Sax - make sure that the sax is in tune with
> > itself by playing open C#, and then playing long middle C# by fingering low
> > C#, but with the octave key depressed. The 2 C#'s should be equal in pitch.
> > If not, adjust you mouthpiece until they are. Now hopefully your sax will
> > be in tune with itself, and others, both are important :) Hopefully the
> > position on the neck for it to be in tune with itself does not put the
> > pitch down to 439, or 443.
> > If not, "get it tuned at the factory" ;) kidding about that.
> >
> > David Blumberg
> > playit@-----.com
> > Have you heard? http://www.mytempo.com
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------
> >
>
> David,
>
> To my experience, most saxes have a sharper long C# than short C#. To
> get them to
> agree, I would have to push way in (say, A@-----. Do you have different
> experience? I know that moving the mouthpiece *can* eliminate the
> problem with the
> warble but the problem should be fixed at the source or you always have
> to
> intonate according to your problem.
>
> David
> David Glenn
> notestaff@-----.de
>
>

I agree with Mr. David Glenn.

Second register D is very sharp on most saxophones. Likewise, D# is slightly less
sharp but still quite sharp and E is somewhat sharp. The "long" C# is an ultra
sharp alternate fingering with limited applications. It also requires a great deal
of lipping down. Why would it be worth while to match the tuning of open C# to a
seldom used and a not well in tune long fingering for the same pitch?

Driving the mouthpiece on far enough to have open C# of equal pitch would be much
too far and would, additionally, put the palm key notes through the roof. Not to
mention, average pitch would probably be about 447.

Any rational and logical explanation put forth by Mr. David Blumberg will be
seriously considered.

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