 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: oboeidaho
Date: 2008-11-26 15:06
I have a show next month for oboe/eh/clar/tsax (White Xmas) - there are some really fast changes from the tenor, which I have not played since HS (LONG time). I've been practicing with the strap that came with the horn and at this minute I can barely move because my back/rt shoulder is killing me.
The strap that came with the horn is probably the worst ever - kind of a glorified string with a hook. I was thinking of getting a Neotech Super Harness Strap as listed on the WWBW catalog - they are about $30 and go behind your back. I worry about the hook though, it looks big and has a clasp, have any of you doublers used one of these (or can you recommend another?) where you have to change horns fast? My dying back will be eternally grateful...
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Author: mikeW
Date: 2008-11-26 16:07
Rather than getting a harness, you could get a wider strap. This may distribute the weight better than the narrow strap. I certainly prefer a hook over a clasp because of instrument changes. Do you play EH from a strap? If so, that's your biggest concern as you can always leave the sax on the strap when making a fast change to clarinet or oboe.
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Author: oboeidaho
Date: 2008-11-26 18:39
I generally don't use a strap for EH, especially in the pit because of the changes. I am just really afraid of getting something that "isn't enough" for my poor old body - I'm not used to a big saxophone anymore! And this has been debilitating to the point that I could barely move for 2 days - and that is Aleve'd to the max. I am SO glad I didn't have this practice session two days ago, when I had to play Amahl (on the oboe, of course) - there is no way I could have even drove myself to rehearsal let alone play anything.
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Author: mikeW
Date: 2008-11-26 20:32
Wow. That sounds really serious.
Another possibility would be to try to find a stand that you could actually play the tenor from rather than support any of the weight with your body. The problem with playing from a stand is that you have to contort your head/neck somewhat to address the mouthpiece, which can also cause problems. I don't play tenor from a stand, but I do usually play bari from a stand. It's a three-legged stand and I find that tipping the stand up on 2 legs gives me some extra flexibility (side-to-side, anyway) in how I address the horn.
Most stands are pretty low to the ground and are probably not suitable for use while playing. I think there's a brand called "Sax Rax" that makes taller stands. Perhaps they make something that you could use, or modify to use, while playing.
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2008-11-27 05:58
Is the EH the problem, or the tenor?
If it's the EH, a peg for that will help a lot.
If it's the tenor, get yourself a better neckstrap.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2008-11-28 01:31
You definitely need a better neckstrap; no question about that. If I were in your position, I wouldn't mess around: get the best. Even if it does cost a bit more, it will be worth it, especially if you might be doing more tenor work in the future.
Definitely get a harness-style strap. I recommend the BG brand; it's what I use for bari sax. I've used both the hook and clasp models without problems.
If that doesn't work, you had better stand down from this show while you can still do so gracefully. For that much pain, it's not worth it.
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Author: oboeidaho
Date: 2008-11-28 20:55
Thanks for the advice about a BG harness strap.
I will only use the strap for the tenor, not the EH (or ob/clar, which some people do).
Also I did a bit of "research" and found these threads on the Sax on the Web forum. Any further advice? Thanks!
http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=10123
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=4898
Post Edited (2008-11-28 21:20)
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-02-14 11:06
THE most comfortable saxophone strap I've found is the Cebulla strap. It's my understanding that it was designed by a saxophonist who is also a yoga teacher. It features two thick pads that have an open space between them. When my Cebulla strap arrived the first thing I did was a compairative test between the Cebulla and the strap I had been using for the past 8 years...a Crescent. My neck felt great with the Cebulla. Whereas, when I switched to the old strap my neck immediately started to ache.
If you need something more serious than a Cebulla, then try a harness.
PS, the Cebulla strap can be ordered from Musicmedic.com. It's the only place in the US I've found that has the strap. It's made in Germany.
Post Edited (2009-02-14 11:08)
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Author: Jeremy
Date: 2009-11-27 01:49
I don't use a neckstrap for anything. They constrict my throat and don't help balance the horn so that I have free motion in my hands. Plus, they're kinda painful after a while.
I use a harness (which is actually handmade by my mentor) but you can alter some of the ones you buy from music suppliers. For the purposes of doubling, you need to remove the bottom part of the clip...the part that moves. This way, the horn is easily removable for fast switches. You can also experiment with holding the horn in your lap until there is better time for putting it in the stand.
~J
Instruments: Flute, Oboe, EH, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophones
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2010-01-12 13:28
there wont be room for a sax rax stand. rayhyman is still the best tenor or alto strap made
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2010-01-12 23:40
My Ray Hyman tenor sax strap is just a hook without a clasp. That would make it easier.
But to be honest, I don't think it makes a difference if you have a hook or a clasp. If you have a clasp, you can get used to unclasping the sax just by practicing. Try doing the switches in your practice sessions. Sooner or later your fingers will develop the sense of how to do unclasp/hook quickly.
Yeah, I wouldn't recommend s tenor sax stand. It takes up a ton of room in the pit and, more importantly, it doesn't allow you to quickly or easily move the instrument out of the way so you can change to the next horn.
It sounds to me like your main problem is finding a comfortable neck strap. For me, the Neotech fills that bill. Just the neck strap, not the harness. It makes the sax feel a ton lighter. It does have a clasp, but you know what? You can break the clasp off and be left with just the hook. I had the clasp on my alto Neotech break off by accident, and I haven't missed it yet. And it makes for easy doubling switches.
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