 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-04-26 23:37
I have to hurry up and get things in order because our musical is next weekend (May 6, 7, and 8), so please help me with this if you can.
I was originally using an Intermediate Selmer Tenor Sax with an Otto Link 7* mpc and Vandoren size 3 reeds, but due to sounding awful on it and thinking there were leaks and other problems, I have now obtained a brand new Alpine Tenor Sax, which came with a student mpc. I tried using the student mpc (i think it's a student, it's not really marked) with the Alpine and it was so free-blowing and easy to get a nice, clear sound out. However, whenever I applied the slightest pressure whatsoever, it squeaked (very high pitched too, ouch). I figured "Ok, I'm playing like a clarinet again." but it seemed that no matter what I did that if the sax wasn't playing beautiful, it would squeak, almost uncontrollably and very very often. It squeaked most often whenver I would change from something below middle C to something above middle C (applying the 'octave' key). I then tried to use the Otto Link 7* with the sax. I noticed it was much more like when I used the other sax, leading me to believe that this mouthpiece selection is more so the problem than the saxophone itself. It was much harder to produce a sound and the upper register especially was fuzzy, out of tune, and unclear. So I want to use the student mpc but it keeps squeaking.
Does anyone know why this mpc keeps squeaking so much? Could I be using too soft of a reed? Or could the mpc not be that great? Should I get perhaps a Otto Link 5* or something a little less wide/open than the 7*? Is that the problem? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.
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Author: hartt
Date: 2005-04-27 00:04
you need to go to the sax forum. that site is specific to sax players and they have discussion, ask a question, search, etc.
if you care to post a question, you'll need to register first (free)
www.saxforum.com
regards
dennis
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-04-27 00:12
At this late stage, Bigno16, my hunch is that you'd be way ahead to consult a local sax technician than go through a trial and error/success routine through a bulletin board.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-04-27 01:16
I know there's a sax forum and I posted there too but I was hoping to get some advice from the doublers because I need to get a mouthpiece/reed that will make it easier for me to play (some medium kind?), especially when I need to switch back and forth between tenor and clarinet during the musical.
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Author: Contra
Date: 2005-04-27 02:16
The only thing I know of to make the transition between tenor and clarinet easier is practicing switching between them.
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Author: gregsquared
Date: 2005-04-27 02:25
Why don't you go to your local music store and start trying different combinations of mouthpieces and reeds? Sounds like the Link is too open and the Alpine mpc is too closed. You should try a Meyer 5 or maybe 6, or a Selmer C*. These are good pieces for a relative beginner on the saxophone. I'd also have a tech take a look at your horn. If it's playing really out of tune and the sound is really fuzzy upstairs, it could be out of adjustment and leaking somewhere. Just because it's a new horn doesn't mean they put it together right at the factory. Especially since it's a Chinese-made student horn. Good luck, gregsquared.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-04-27 12:58
Are you using the same reeds that you used with the Link on the new mouthpiece? If so, that could be a reason you're squeeking. Reeds conform to a mouthpiece. When they are used on another mouthpiece you can get some really strange and unpleasant results. Therefore, I'd first suggest that you try using new reeds on the new mouthpiece and see how this set up works for you.
Another possible reason for squeeking is that the stock mouthpiece that came with the new tenor most likely has a smaller tip opening than your Link 7*. If your embouchure is used to the Link, then you may need to use a stiffer reed and simply spend practice time in getting used to the new mouthpiece.
Finally, check on how much of the mouthpiece you're taking into your mouth. If you're taking in only a small amount, that can also account for why you're squeeking -- in particular, in using a mouthpiece with a smaller tip opening than what you're used to. Look at the mouthpiece (with reed and ligature on) from the side. Look for the point where the reed breaks away from the facing curve on the mouthpiece. That is the ideal spot to place your lower lip on the reed.
Hope this helps!
Roger
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