 The Fingering Forum
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Author: mls
Date: 2004-03-27 00:37
I'm having trouble with the low notes like D or C just below the barline. I can get to them if I slur down from G or F or anything else, but I can't play just that note alone, and I have to do that a lot in a piece we just got in jazz band. Does anybody have any tips for getting those low notes out? Thanks!
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Author: john connor
Date: 2004-03-29 19:33
I have exactly the same problem. I think it's an embouchoure problem. I have a really nice '62 Mark VI and I've had it tested and double tested by experts and I still have difficulty and sometimes get a bubbly sound on low notes (D most often - more even than C). Exactly as you said, not slurring down but hitting them first. Eventually we worked out I was a beginner and should play a beginner's mouthpiece! I wasn't doing that. So now I have a vandoren piece with a tiny lay and a very soft reed. I have no problem now. I will work my way back up to a set up with more body. I was trying to run before I could walk, I think. However, not all horns produced the problem, which made me think for a long time that it was the horn. The difference, we also worked out, was in the resistance of some horns. Naturally I could blow those which were 'free blowing' with little resistance a lot easier. These horns don't always have the nicest tone though. I think maybe you should try a smaller lay, softer reed. Sorry to suggest this if you've been playing ages and are not, as I am, a relative beginner.
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Author: Luke
Date: 2004-03-31 05:03
look at the way how i did.
i practiced first to slur it down as low as you can.
then find the lowest note where you can play just the note alone.(example:play low E)
when you get comfortable with just playing the note, then start sluring down from the note.(from E and slur it down.)
then you might/might not be able to just play Eb alone. then repeat the process above.
if you can't keep practice with E, then try to play Eb alone again, and see if that works.
I could play low C alone in three days of practicing tenor sax(though i knew how to play clarinet)
this method worked for me...
just try and see if it works for you too?
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