 The Fingering Forum
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-08 16:23
Hi there, I found this forum via Google, so I'm not sure if it's the correct place to ask the questions I have, but here goes...
I have just started playing Alto Sax (2 days) and am currently self taught.
I'm also learning to read music at the same time, so I'm an absolute beginner.
When I play some standard notes, such as F, E and D I sometimes manage to get the 8ve note instead of the standard note.
Is there a technique that I need to use to achieve the right note?
More to the point can someone let me know what I'm doing wrong so that I can avoid it.
Also are there any methods of practising fingering between notes?
I find it quite hard to play notes across the 8ve, and would appreciate some tips on learning to get used to it.
Any other tips on bad habbits to avoid would also be appreciated, as once you get into the routine of a bad habbit, it's normally quite hard to break.
Regards
Q (No, not from Star Trek or James Bond)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-08 17:30
Just to add...
I get the feeling that a slight shape change of my mouth in accordance to each note I play produces a better played note.
Which I am told is something to do with embouchure, quite what that is I'm not certain.
Is this true that I will need to adjust the shape of my mouth to each pitch, or am I faultering elsewhere?
Are scales the best solution to bad note playing?
Once again, if anyone has some exercises that they used to teach fluid fingering between notes I'd appreciate some tips.
Regards
Q
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2004-05-08 19:18
the bulk of what you said sounds like embouchure problems. try a little technique i've used before, put your thumb on your bottom lip, nail down. and your top teeth on the fleshy part of the thumb.not make a nice seal around the thumb. witout moving your newly formed embouchure, remove the thumb and replace it with the mouthpiece. now it should look something like an 'O' shape. remmeber ot keep your bottom lip firm, not coushy, this leads to airy notes and you'll have a tough time hitting notes high and low. to practise fingerings, get yourself a fingering chart, or just use the one on this site. a method book can help to for some good exercises. low notes on a saxophone are difficult notes to hit. you need to lower your jaw to hit these notes, you can do this for a while, but eventually you'll be able to hit these notes with barely any movement at all. some notes are out of tune, as a D is usualy sharp on altos. embourchure changes cna be needed, but usally once you change your embouchure, all other notes will need to be changed as well. scales are needed to learn notes, and to practise nice long tones. long tones help lung capacity, and to help your embouchure develope to make a nice rich sound. also if you practise long tones in the higher ranges, your embouchure will develope and you can reach higher notes, and to better make the higher notes in tune. lessons can help. a professional sax player could teach you many techniques and things he/she has learned over the years of playing. hope this helps.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-09 01:23
Thx 4 the tips, it certainly helps with a few issues I have.
But the fingering problem I guess is just a practise issue.
I tend to get muddled easily when fingering between note across the 8ve. For instance a quick slur of E2-D2-C1-D2 is something I find quite hard to do.
I was just wondering if there were any common execises that trained the fingering of any particular series of notes (if you understand what I mean)
Or is the best exercise purely practising playing music?
Thx for your tips, I really appreciate it.
Regards
Q
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-09 01:43
Apologies, showing my amateurishness with which notes I gave as an example.
(After looking at the finger chart) I meant E5-D5-E5 etc...
I find switching between the finger combinations rather tricky, but I assume it's all just down to practise.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2004-05-09 04:07
yes, just practise will get that going. one thing you can do is practise slowly, then slowly increase the speed in which you change notes. after a while you'll be able to do the slur quickly. you can do this for any other series of notes, do them slowly then increase the speed. your fingers will learn where to go quickly. hope this helps.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-09 12:21
Thx Theboy_2.
You've been very helpful.
Greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards
Q
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-09 15:27
Whilst I have a number of issues answered in this thread (Thanks to Theboy_2), I thought I'd continue to raise issues I have that could be answered easily by a more experienced player...
Sometimes I hear notes gurgling with what I can only assume is saliva.
Is it better to try and play with a dry mouth?
Or would that take some of the richness out of the notes played?
Regards
Q
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2004-05-09 16:40
no, a dry mouth i worse then saliva in your mouth. the saliva keeps the reed moist, and that lets the reed vibrate better. if the reed is dry, it can't vibrate as quickly, and you'll more then likely get a squeek. nice warm tone comes from the moist reed, when you play don't let the saliva at the tip, let it be further back in the mouth. if you notice a lot of saliva in your mouth, get rid of it. because if you have a lot, then the air stream will push it into the mouthpiece, and you get that nasty watery sound which isn't pleasant. hope this helps.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-10 12:52
Once again, you've been very helpful.
Thankyou Theboy_2
Regards
Q
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: alto sax girl 05
Date: 2004-05-13 17:06
YOUJ SHOULD GET INVOLVED WITH BAND BECAUSE IT IS A FUN AND RELAXING CLASS. IF YOU HAVE A BAD DAY YOU GET TO GO TO BAND AND RELAX
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Q
Date: 2004-05-16 21:30
Would love to do that hun, but I'm not in school anymore :D
I'm 24 and don't know a single other person that plays an instrument or is able to offer some tips.
I'm simply making up for a lost childhood of not learning something.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ALto Sax Matt
Date: 2004-06-15 21:04
an important thing when playing any woodwind - lower your bottom lip off the reed slightly when playing lower notes, this allows more vibration and it is easier to play lower notes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
