 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: NikkiAnn
Date: 2002-07-03 05:12
Hi everyone,
I'm a clarinet player normally but I'm going to play alto sax also for a community play.... anyways,,.. I've been having trouble getting out the lower octave (making the individual notes sound crisp and separated ..especially the lower i go). What should I focus on since my embouchure is traditionally clarinet....i try to loosen up ...and it's especially hard since I'll be switching back and forth constantly....any suggestions ? It's mainly anything lower than the C below the staff... Thanks
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-07-03 12:12
N.A.,
Getting the low "C" out for a first timer is doing well. It is my thought that there may be some leaks in the lower pads. You ought to be able to get the low B and Bb if you can get the C. Now as far as articulation goes, you have a longer instrument with a larger reed. It takes a little more response time and you have to exaggerate a little more. I suggest that you "borrow" some of your regular clarinet tonguing excercises and execute them on the sax. You should be able to clean things up with practice, and hey, it's a community play. Their thankful that they have someone on the part. Do your best and enjoy.
jbutler
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-07-03 14:20
And, if worst comes to worst, play the notes up an octave. Most of the time, nobody will even notice.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: A.C.
Date: 2002-07-03 17:42
Have you tried forming your embouchure like you would if you were saying "vaaah"? It seems to work for me. I am also new to the saxophone. It's amazing how close it is to the clarinet!
Hope that helps and good luck! ~A.C.~
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Author: A.C.
Date: 2002-07-03 17:42
Have you tried forming your embouchure like you would if you were saying "vaaah"? It seems to work for me. I am also new to the saxophone. It's amazing how close it is to the clarinet!
Hope that helps and good luck! ~A.C.~
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-03 20:29
Since everyone except J B has mentioned embouchure as cause of low note problems, let me suggest this. Most [if not all] saxes have an Articulated G# activated by any keys of the left hand little finger plateau. To have this [ potentially raised] pad fully closed for low note playing, usually requires a small piece of [strategicaly located] cork on the "closing-finger" actuated by the lower [3 pad] "stack" closure. This is critical to playing the bottom notes, C would sound but C#,B,and Bb would not if that G# pad lifts at all. Check it out if you feel competent, prob. take it to a sax repairer,its a minor repair but most important. Of course check on the closure and seating of all of the large pads, including the Eb in particular [on the back] . When a sax case is stored on its back, rather than flat, any water etc remaining in the sax will run down to this pad and may cause this pad to "corrode" and leak, thus needing replacement [and proper storage!!]. Luck, Don
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-07-04 11:18
Just practise the bloody thing. The low notes will come if you play enough. I play both clarinet and saxophones especially tenor for a living. The low notes on a sax are always touchy and need the most work. Likewise the throat tones and third register are the most difficult to keep going on the clarinet. Drop the jaw, put plenty of mouthpiece in your mouth and think low vowel sounds such as too, tuu and taw. Dont be afraid to tongue quite heavily in the low register.
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