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Very stuffy G/D - the rest fine

Author: dubrosa22
Date: 2012-08-21 23:57

Since I began playing my Yamaha 4 months ago I've regularly found the chalumeau G and clarion D very stuffy and resistant. Regardless of whether I play it in isolation or in a phrase.

The notes immediately above and below are fine. G#/D# are strong, clear and full. And easy to blow. Likewise down to E, F# and F. No issues across the break and up to clarion C where I generally reach my limit. Only the G/D sound and feel like there's a hankerchief stuffed in the bell.

I initially put it down to a slight leak somewhere exaggerated by my sax embouchure.
Quickly reed strength and mpc facing improved things to the point where it was only quite rarely heard/felt but it's there all the same.

The best result is when I play Mitchell Lurie 3s. If try some ML 3.5s the G/D gets stuffier. Grand Concert 3s very stuffy. Rico 3.5s very very stuffy. ML 2.5s a little stuffy. Rico Royal 2.5 fine.

I've never experienced such middle-of-the-road notes to be so sensitive to reeds. The high range and very lowest definitely, of course. Clearly my playing favours softer reeds - which bothers me not.

So is it my beginner airstream pressure being shown up by reed strength/variation? Or do I have a leak somewhere? Surely if it is a leak it would affect more than just one (two) note?

I plan on visiting my tech soon but I'd like to have an idea whether it's me or the horn - I suspect a little bit of both.

I should have a teacher to discuss this with I know but since my baby was born I had to go it alone unfortunately with both sax and clarinet.

Thanks,
V

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