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Re: Stuffy Sound?

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-09-14 18:37

Generally "stuffiness" says to me that there is a leak. Leaks can be caused by many things. Perhaps the change in weather caused some expansion or contraction that caused some binding somewhere that in turn causes a pad to not come down all the way.

First thing I check when I pick up a horn though is the "A" Key clearance under the "G#" Key. Make sure there is just a little play here. If not, just back off the adjustment screw there until there is. If these two keys are on top of one another with no clearance, often times the "A" Key pad can expand, causing the "G#" Key to raise off the tone hole slightly.

Now just to get a general sense if there are any leaks at all, you want to perform a "suction test." You do this one joint at a time; take the top joint and cover the holes with the respective fingers; place the heel of your right hand over the bottom opening; now place your lips upon the top opening as if you were going to play it like a trumpet, but instead just suck the air out of the joint. It should hold for a few moments, or ideally until you pull it off your lips with an accompanying "pop" of air rushing back into the joint. If the joint does not allow for this negative pressure - you have a leak and the resulting stuffiness.

Do the same for the bottom joint (you'll have to use a pinky to hold down the "B/E" key as well).

..................Paul Aviles

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