Klarinet Archive - Posting 000168.txt from 2002/06

From: notestaff@-----.de (David Glenn)
Subj: Re: [kl] S*x Questions
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 16:42:42 -0400

Kevin Fay wrote:

> My alto saxophone is a Buffet "Expression" - a model I never heard of before
> I bought it. I have also never seen another one. Becuase it has a rather
> large bell and adjustable palm keys, however, my guess is that it was built
> after Boosey & Hawkes acquired Keilwerth, and is based on that tooling. I
> have two problems with it - one real, and one for fun.
>
> The real problem is that it 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.
>
> My first thought was simply that it was my fault - that my saxophone
> embouchure wasn't up to snuff. Turns out, however, that I don't have it on
> my older student-line alto or my friend's Selmer Mark VI.
>
> My second thought was that there's a leaky pad. This can't be, though,
> becuase all of the holes are open for the high F, and the lower notes speak
> just fine. Is this a design problem I have to live with? Any ideas?
>
> Second problem - for alto saxophones generally, but esp. this one. I find
> that the perfect position for which to hold the beastie while standing
> cannot be replicated while sitting - my right leg is squarely in the way.
> Because I am unwilling to amputate said appendage to advance my saxophone
> playing, 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?
>
> Kevin Fay
> kevinfay@-----.com
>

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kevin,

Forgot to say that I'm assuming you probably played the other saxes with
other
mouthpieces. Another think which sometimes makes a surprising difference is
the
position of the mouthpiece. Try pushing it further in with lots of cork
grease.
If it's new, the cork will still be resistant.

Also forgot about the position. Correct is to the side. That's why all the
low
keys are on the other side on a modern sax. (Older saxes have lower tone
holes
on both sides) Don't forget to twist the mouthpiece to the same angle as
your
head (instead of cocking your head to the side like you often see)

Best regards,
David

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