Klarinet Archive - Posting 000153.txt from 2002/06

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Sax Questions
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 12:00:12 -0400

Kevin Fay wrote that an alto sax
>doesn't much like to play above a high D - at
>least with my Rascher mouthpiece, the tone turns into sort of a little
>grunt. This isn't a problem for scales or runs, but is found while trying
>to articulate. I can force the note out by adjusting my embouchure and
>voicing it as if altissimo, but that's too much work much of the time. The
>high C is a bit stuffy, too.

I assume you're talking about the side lever notes, not the whole upper
register from on-staff D on up. If it's the whole upper register, please hie
thee to a technician!

Let's also assume you're right that the pads are all good (though the side
key pads are usually the first to go, along with the octave keys). Simplest
thing first: Is it possible that you're warming up and then laying the sax
down on its side while you rummage among the music scores or do something
else? Saxophones get wet inside quickly. Moisture can't drain out the bell
the way it does on a clarinet. Laying the sax on its side after it gets wet
drains water into those side key tone holes. The solution to that problem is
to get a sax stand and never lay the sax down during a session. Don't even
lay it across your lap during long rests while you're playing. But since you
mention that the open F also sounds bad, and that the high C isn't terrific,
I'll bet the problem is on the upper octave key mechanism on the neck, or the
lever that connects to it from the body.

Unlike clarinets with their single register key, saxophones have a double
octave key. The lower key opens only for notes up to the G that sits on top
of the staff. The neck key only opens when you play A above the staff, and
higher. How are the A, the B and the B-flat? If they're flat, or stuffy,
then it's even more likely that the problem could be the neck key failing to
open high enough; or the key may open sluggishly or sometimes fail to open
because it's binding. The problem could be:

neck key bent down
bent neck ring
bent lever that raises the neck ring
cork too thick on the lever that raises the neck ring
cork too thick on connection between upper and lower octave key
bent post(s) on the octave key's guide slot on the neck

The octave key adjustment is a rather delicate one. If the trouble is a bent
key or lever, I recommend taking to a professional technician, unless you're
sure you know exactly how far (and in which direction) to bend the metal.
Experimentally bending it back and forth will cause metal fatigue that will
eventually weaken the key or even break it.

That's a long, thin key and getting it bent is a common problem. One cause
is putting the neck onto the sax in such a way that the fingers grasp over
the neck key and press it down. Another cause is a case with a compartment
where the neck has room to move around in transit, or worse yet, where the
neck shares the compartment with mouthpiece, reed holder, swab and other
stuff either rattling around or packed in too tightly. Both those causes can
also lead to another common but more serious problem, a bent neck. After
learning the hard way, I now protect a sax neck by storing it in a thick
flannel wine bottle bag (the type that has no metal parts and closes with
ribbon or soft string). If the neck bag must share a compartment with
doodads, then before putting the neck in the bag, I wrap the neck in some
extra flannel for padding. I buy wine bottle bags at yard sales for $1 or so
each. I also use a mouthpiece cap and, if there's no fitted mouthpiece
compartment, I keep the capped mouthpiece in its own padded bag.

You write that while sitting,
>I must therefore put the bell between my legs or off
>to the right side. While both positions are serviceable,
>I find both less comfortable.
>
>So - a survey, just for grins. Which way do you go?

I hold the sax to my right side, because with the sax to the front, I have to
sit to the front of the chair, a position that puts too much stress on my
lower back. The right-side position works even with my old, "split-bell"
models, because the left-side bell keys have wire cages over them to prevent
the leg from blocking the key opening.

Hope this helps, and happy doubling!
Lelia

P. S. -- I have not blocked e-mail from anyone except a few spammers, but
I've just learned that apparently AOL has been blocking all my mail sent from
Yahoo.com, for at least several weeks, without notifying me. I have no idea
why. AOL has answered my complaints only with computer-generated
non-responses. I do see Yahoo.com messages on the klarinet list, because I
get it in Digest form; but my apologies if any clarinetters have tried to
reach me privately and received a blocked mail message. It isn't coming from
me. Please let me know if you can do so from another address. If you want
to complain to your server and to AOL, via <support@-----.net>, please feel
free to forward this PS from me!

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