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Re: lower register-alto sax

Author: William
Date: 2003-04-03 14:57

The concept of "smoking a cigar" is good because you have to have an almost double lip embouchure to produce these low tones--C, B & Bb--with any consistancy. Another "concept" that seemed to help my beginning students was to blow "warm air" when attempting to play these tones. Overblowing (hot air) will cause a harmonic (octave) skip even though the register key is left untouched. "Warm air" will be "gentel" air that will allow those difficult notes to sound. The embouchure must also be relaxed, as in double lip. We clarinetists, when first learning to play the sax, tend to use far too much "bite" because that is what we are used to. Sax requires a more relaxed set of "chops" but noentheless, firm and controlled. But try the blowing warm air--like warming the palm of your hand--approch to breath support for these low notes. Should work. If not, then buy a box of cigars--NO, just kidding!!!

Also, the saxophone must be leak free. And the reed must be in optimum condition--no chips, cracks, etc. Softer, rather than harder, is also recommended for reed strength.

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