 The Fingering Forum
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Author: musichick
Date: 2003-07-29 01:17
why oh why did I agree to play the tenor in marching band?!?!? arg. But anyway, my question, now that im done complaining, is how much do I tighten the screws on the sax mouthpiece thing? an explaination of how to minimize the squeeks would be much appreciated...
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Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2003-07-29 03:01
tighten the screw tight. don't strain yourself to make sure it's so tight you have imprints from your ligature in your reed. tighten the screw until you can't tighten anymore with a loose grip, then go slightly more so it is firm. you don't want your reed to move on you while your playing.
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Author: weirdo
Date: 2003-07-29 03:55
musichick, what instrument do u play for concert band? I'm a clarinet player who decided to switch to tenor for marching band, and i LOVE it. Let me know and maybe we can chat sometime.
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Author: Gnomon
Date: 2003-07-29 07:09
Tighten the screws just enough so that the reed doesn't move. If they are any tighter, they will stop the reed from vibrating and reduce your volume.
The only way to get rid of squeaks is to practice. This will strengthen the muscles in your face and stop the squeaks.
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Author: mls
Date: 2003-07-29 22:27
I noticed from past posts that you play flute, and I played flute too before picking up tenor sax for jazz this year. When I first got the sax, I thought I'd temporarily suffered from insanity, because it was just so hard (and heavy)! I searched the forum and read books about it, because I'm not taking lessons, and now I love it!
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Author: musichick
Date: 2003-07-30 19:02
Thanks everyone, I definitly wasnt tightening it enough. Yes, I play flute in concert band. My marching band director was desperate for saxes, and hes an awesome guy, so I couldnt say no when he asked me to play tenor. Its not that the thing is that heavy, its more that I cant hold it! With only the one thumb piece, its really hard to hold while marching, and as a result all the weight goes onto my neck. Anyone else have that issue?
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Author: Katt
Date: 2003-08-12 01:43
I play alto in marching band...mine is probably a good few pounds lighter but yes it does strain your neck alot. Im actually in marching band as we speak. It takes time for you to just learn to loose all feeling in your neck and deal with the weight. And for a first year it might be smart to wear a band aid on your thumb cause its easy to produce sorces there from the thumb piece since your not use to it. You will learn to love the sax...Well I hope. I actually picked up sax a few years ago...orginally Im a violin player and compared to 10 years of playing violin...in three years Iv surpassed my playing ability with the sax compared to my violin. I just love the thing to death. I wish you the best of luck!
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Author: TigerTenor
Date: 2003-08-17 15:40
I started on tenor and I have to say I am so glad to welcome a new player into the fold!
As far as carrying, it <i>is<\i> heavy and most of that weight will end up on your neck. The thumb thing is there to hold it up as well so don't be afraid to push the sax away from your body so that it is perpendicular to the ground. That will help distribute the weight more evenly between your thumb and your neck. Also, the tendency is to slouch forward due to the weight on your neck. Don't do it! Stand up straight and you will build your muscles up more quickly. The band-aid on the thumb is an excellent idea. And don't dispair. Tenors are big instruments but they are not impossibly big and you will get a feel for the weight and how best to carry it quickly.
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Author: BlackSaxaphone/FluteSavior
Date: 2003-09-24 23:22
Tighten till you can't turn anymore and that usually helps.
P.S I wonder why I chose one of the heaviest instruments to march with too. I wish I had stuck with flute or Alto
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Author: Bryan
Date: 2003-10-07 03:04
I don't get it, why would a flute player choose a heavy instrument? I started off w/ the sax, and for some reason, it seems like everyone switches 2 it....
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