 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2008-04-11 02:09
I have a middle school student who has trouble reaching the low Bb key on the left pinky. Does anyone know of an extensions, add-ons, etc, or of anything I could craft myself that would allow for not so far a reach?
CA
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-04-11 05:51
A friend of mine build up the key with epoxy and it's now much more comfortable for him to play it.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2008-04-11 11:33
Chris,
I started on alto saxophone when I was 8, had private teachers, and was able to finger low Bb without any trouble. Of course, people's finger lengths are different. I'd first suggest to carefully study exactly how your student is playing and specifically playing low Bb. Perhaps there is a way that he can improve his left pinky fingering. Maybe it needs to be strengthened. Just a guess.
I cannot think of extensions or add-ons to the left hand key table. If it was me, I would take the horn and the student to a good saxophone repair tech in the area to see what he can think of. I have a tech who is quite clever. One potential problem with a do-it-yourself is it may spoil the horn's market value....if that's an issue.
Roger
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-04-11 13:25
I'd suggest trying different makes of altos [of the comparable quality/complexity of the left little finger "plateau"] to find one to adequately "fit" your student's hands. The major improvements made by Selmer on their 1950's [+] B A's and Mark 6's became the standard after ?expiration?/licensing ? of their patents, and prob. some "copiers" didnt do it well, assuming that "your" alto is a student model. In my experience [have a M6 alto and tenor] the only Baritone sax I found to fit my smaller hands was , yes, the Selmer !! Costly but V G . Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2008-04-12 05:23
It'd be interesting know what the sax is and who the maker is. There are some bad pinkie tables out there. Is there a chance the student will grow out of the problem in a short amount of time? Definitely ask a qualified instructor. BTW, the band teacher could be a primarily brass player so do your homework.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: D
Date: 2008-04-12 05:54
I also vote for the try other models option.
My TJ Horn is the most uncomfortable beast ever, really really bad key layout. My friend has one made about two years later that is so different it might as well be from another planet, keys are in a totally different alignment. Wish I could afford to change mine for another, but there are complications with finances and the fact that my parents bought it for me ages ago when I passed some exams with better grades than they expected, and they are not keen on me getting shot of the thing. Funny creatures, parents.
Anyway, if student has friends with different makes and different years, or there is a music shop with a good stock nearby, then it is certainly worth trying a load out to see if the reach is better.
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Author: William
Date: 2008-04-12 14:43
Personally, as a former middle school band director (30 yrs), I wouldn't worry too much about the low Bb key as it is not used for most elementary band material--only their lesson books. As the student grows, the little finger dexterity will improve and the reach will become less of an issue, even if the saxophone is an older model. Newer models do have much more friendly little finger key--and palm key--mechanics, but it should be possible for an 8th grade student of average size to reach low Bb on any alto, tenor or bari sax. Bottom line, the expense of adapting the alto by adding new keys or a custom extension device will not pay off in actual band room use. In fact, Bb is seldom written even at the highschool level of literature. Let your student skip that note for now and wait until the hand size and dexterity develops with age.
Even as an adult who plays alto, tenor & bari saxes in many different groups--some good, some "ok"--I seldom see a low Bb written.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-04-12 15:19
I agree with the advice to try different models. I have very small hands and have discovered I really can't play the early 20th century Bueschers, for instance, because of exactly what you describe: can't land squarely on the Bb. I also have some trouble stretching to other notes on those old Buescher saxes. I've never played on modern saxophones and I'm an amateur, not a pro, but just from looking at new saxes in stores and at festivals, I can see the keywork varies quite a lot--maybe even moreso now than in the Bad Old Days.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2008-04-12 19:08
Williams's advice is spot-on and puts the thread into perspective.
Lelia, your message hurts my heart. Sorry to be so dramatic. I'm a big fan of vintage Bueschers. Around 6 years ago I made a decision that all of my saxophone work will be exclusively on 30's Bueschers. Why? It's the SOUND. Classic Bueschers have a quality of sound that I have not found in a modern horn. For me, the special sound of a Buescher is much more important than having modern keywork.
I just noticed that you have a Maryland IP address. Right? This is perfect! Take your Buescher to Eric Beach at the Chuck Levin's (Washington Music Center) repair shop. Chuck's is in Weaton, MD. Tell Eric that I sent you and see if he might be able to figure out a way for the left hand table to work better for your hands. If anyone can do this it's Eric. Eric is fantastic with vintage (and modern) saxophones. He's the only repair tech in the area I'll trust with my treasured 1934 Buescher New Aristocrat tenor.
PS, another line of thought that you might consider is if a Buescher alto (I'm making an assumption that it's an alto) is problematic for your hands consider a late 20's Buescher soprano saxophone. Around 6 years ago I had a 1928 Buescher soprano that had a gorgeous dark, thick sound and spot-on intonation. A soprano saxophone played with a dark, classical sound is a treasure. If this is something that interests you drop me an email and I'll recommend several vintage saxophone sellers I've done business with who are honest and offer quality vintage saxophones.
Good luck!
Roger
Post Edited (2008-04-12 20:29)
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Author: Fred
Date: 2008-04-13 21:02
I wear a mens medium glove if that tells you anything about overall hand size, and have unusually small pinkie fingers on top of that. I have given up Yamaha's, Yanagisawas, Martins, and even Mk VI's and Super 20's in favor of my vintage (pre-Selmer) Buescher Aristocrat alto. It has by far the easiest Bb reach of any of them.
It even convinced me to add a '29 Soprano and a Big B tenor - all equally a joy to play with limited pinkie reach.
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