 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: patrickryan04
Date: 2008-09-18 11:15
Hello,
I have been playing the clarinet for about 10 years now and have fiddled around with the sax from time to time but I have never taken it seriously.
Well, I find myself in a situation where I'm playing a very demanding alto part with a nonnete that a collegue of mine has composed and I am having some troubles with my tone in softer dynamics and cetain areas of the sax.
I'm playing on a Meyer medium facing with a # 3 Vandoren Blue box reed.
My tone sounds fairly nice when playing at a MF-FF, however, when I attempt to play at a MP-PP my tone is buzzy and I'm having a hard to getting the notes to speak at the desired volume and they aren't responding well.
I find that my C#-- Bb are the worst, I think it's because I have less of the Horn to push air through. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I switch reeds? On clarinet I play a fairly closed MP a Clark Fobes Cicero closed facing with #4 blue box reeds.
Thanks for any info!
1st Armored Division Band
Clarinetist
Dixie Band
Woodwind Quintet
Post Edited (2008-09-18 11:16)
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2008-09-18 14:12
First, welcome to the world of doubling, and playing my favorite of my collection, the alto saxophone. Assuming your Meyer is a 5M, which is what I use, I found the #3 Vandoren Blue box reeds to be just a bit too hard. I tried 2-1/2's and while they were OK, I was still searching. So I went to Vandoren Java #3's, which play a bit freer than the blue box (at least for me), and give me the sound I'm looking for. I'm staying with the JAVA 3's for now.
You could also try a closer mouthpiece. I have a Selmer S80 C* when a more classical saxophone sound is needed. The JAVA 3's work well on it too.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
Post Edited (2008-09-18 14:59)
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Author: patrickryan04
Date: 2008-09-18 18:05
Ron, first off, thanks for the advice. I think the sound my colleague is looking for is more along the lines of a big jazzy sound for most of the piece but also a classical sound for some of it?? I'm no expert on saxophone tone, however, I have been listening to more alto recordings lately. His piece is a nonnete written with a similar style to miles davis' birth to cool album. I hope that helps.
1st Armored Division Band
Clarinetist
Dixie Band
Woodwind Quintet
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2008-09-19 01:37
I would stick with the Meyer, and try either the JAVA 3's (my first choice) or blue box 2-1/2's. I would also like to hear if this worked for you.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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Author: patrickryan04
Date: 2008-09-19 09:16
Sure thing Ron, I will pull a box of Java 3's out of our supply closet today!
BTW I have just been recruited to fill in for our sx quartet on soprano. Our lead sax went on leave and won't be around for our tour so looks like I'm the guy! I believe the mp we have for the sop is a reg yahmaha should nd we only have vandoren blue box 2 1/2, 3's and 3 1/2.
Should I order a new MP or new reeds?
1st Armored Division Band
Clarinetist
Dixie Band
Woodwind Quintet
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Author: rcnelson
Date: 2008-09-19 16:51
Don't know what the Yamaha piece is like. I use blue box 2 1/2's on a Selmer S80 G on soprano, which I'm sure is more open than this Yamaha. Try at least 3's, maybe 3-1/2's.
If you have never played soprano before, spend some serious time on long tones with a tuner, as it can be a fussy horn.
Ron
Selmer Mark VI tenor (1957), Selmer Mark VII alto (1975)
Buescher True Tone soprano (1924), Selmer CL210 Bb Clarinet, Gemeinhardt 3SHB Flute, Pearl PFP105 Piccolo
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