 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Jennifer
Date: 2001-08-11 14:06
I just started to play tenor sax in June, 2001.I love playing, and I also play flute. Theres a problem. I cant get low notes, like a g, or an f, unless I play a c, or a b first. This annoys me, because songs that start with notes like a, f, or g, I have to play a starting note. Does this happen to anyone else?Does anyone have an idea on how I can fix it? If so, email me!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-08-11 21:30
Your embouchure may be too tight or the horn may be out of adjustment. Try taking some lessons for a while. The instructor can tell you if it is the horn or you and guide you in fixing the problem.
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Author: K. Christopher
Date: 2001-08-18 22:31
Also you may want to check the condition of the horn. When switched from oboe to alto sax I started having problems with the low notes because the pads on the horn were worn out. And also just like Dee said, you may need to work on your embouchure. Practice just on the mouthpiece and when you feel comfortable with that, try it with the mouthpiece on the tenor sax. I hope this helps and have fun.
K. Christopher
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Author: Patricia
Date: 2001-08-29 21:26
I can relate to what you are saying! I have a brand new Tenor sax and I play Bb clarinet and I am trying to learn Tenor sax and I have the same problem you have, trying to get the low notes! I find that from playing the clarinet you need a looser embouchure to get the low notes on the sax then what you do on a clarinet! I also find it is quite a stretch for my little finger to get those side keys!
Good Luck! I really enjoy my Tenor sax especially to play Big Band songs from the 30's & 40's
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-09-09 01:36
I played Bb and Bass Clarinet years ago. Started playing alto sax about 3 weeks ago - in early August 2001. At first couldn't get low notes because of a pad that wasn't closing. A simple adjustment.
Then, could get low notes by playing down to them. When trying to start on lowest 3 or 4 notes sometimes get it, sometimes don't. Worst note seems to not speak at pitch but at octave, overblowing easily when trying to start - the too tight embouchure problem.
I practiced starting a note about 6th above lowest note and playing down, then trying to start on the low note. Noticed a definite lag on those lower notes as the longer column of air gets in motion - and that is the key...You are trying to set in motion a relatively large volume of air - once you get it moving with a higher note, you have inertia on your side. What's needed is to try to feel the increasing size of the column of air as you play down from the lowest notes that you can start successfully. You have to develop a feel for what it is like to get that large column of air moving quickly - also try playing on different resistance reeds to keep a good perspective on what your embouchure feels like.
Try playing some excersices like tounged cccc,bbbb,aaaa,gggg,ffff -pause- gggg and the like - to try to get the feel of how to set that large volume of air in motion. I feel like there is a focal point at my embouchure
where I try to feel the correct volume of air behind it to push across the reed-tip aperture.
There is a bit of delay - in the less than 75 milli-seconds range on those lower notes - physically impossible for there not to be - the same as the attack of a low piano note - more mass has to be excited to a steady state of vibration - that is, speak.
Hope his helps.
Peter
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Author: panchito
Date: 2001-10-06 16:51
i just started playing a tenor a couple of months ago all u need to do is use alot of hot ait u know opon your jaw if that doesnt worktake your teeth off but keep your lips tight and use hot air ir that doesnt work use hot air and push your lower jaw foward if that doesnt work theres somthing wrong with your insterment well any way u should try a low note exercize start from a and go down to a low c stop take a breath and start from c and go all the way back to a
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Author: Katie
Date: 2001-11-02 00:36
Hey I just started playing the tenor Sax two weeks ago. I played the Bb clarinet. I love my saxaphone. What you need to do is have someone you know help you practice. I have problems playing my d low I always play it in on octive higher then it should be. What I do to fix it is move your lower lip in and out changing the tune sometimes it works and sometimes not. See I have problems tounging my notes with a clarinet you toung all notes accept slurred notes and thats mostly what sax music is slurred so I'm working on that. I hope every thing works out. To tell you the best easyest song there is is Louie louie!!! i can play that after 1 week and lean on me that is good songs well I hope this helps bye!~
~Katie~
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Author: Pat
Date: 2002-01-29 17:43
One problem you may have is that your reed is warped and you are not getting a proper seal. Once you have attached your reed to your mouthpiece, place your hand over the open end that would attach to the neck and suck on the other end. If you hear air leaking into the piece then you have a problem. It's either a warped reed or a bad ligature. Also, try "Larry Teal's" The Saxphonist's Workbook. Learn to play the mechanisms both upper and lower.
Your sax may also have leaky pads.
Hope this helps.
Pat
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Author: Curt
Date: 2002-04-10 01:01
might want to check the horn for air leaks if its a student model. there's always something wrong with student models! ;P
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Author: Marybeth Yard
Date: 2004-02-22 01:06
I just started in January 2004, i can't get my low notes out. it is like every note that i play is high by the way i played alto sax before this. this gets annoying after a while. anyways every note comes out high except a,b,c,d and that is it !!!!!
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Author: Dalton Ile
Date: 2005-11-04 20:30
do u guys have any songs u can send me to play i am like the best player in my band
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