Klarinet Archive - Posting 001056.txt from 1999/07

From: Clarguy3@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] re: Sax warble
Date: Tue, 27 Jul 1999 02:17:11 -0400

In a message dated 7/26/99 7:06:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
rbushidioglot@-----.net writes:

>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
Often the bore size is a little large right at the bend point (where the C
and C# emit). This happens especially often when the instrument has had to
be unsoldered and a dent has been worked out. The solution is to have some
obstruction in the bell--I've used a wine cork that I've made an indent it
and glued to the upper part of the bend so it doesn't rot in the
condensation. Works like a charm.
And congratulations, Dan.
Chuck

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