Question:

I am borrowing a sax temporarily while I determine what brand of sax works best for me.

(Wants) To be confident enough to play at an “open mic” night in the town I live in and continue playing as a new hobby

Any suggestions?

(played 4 yrs , 30 yrs ago)

-Ronda

My response:

Here’s a post I wrote a little while back about saxophone brands.

Given your situation, the recommendation I would make offhand would be to get a Yamaha. They should probably be something you at least try. They make good horns and are fairly affordable.

You can also check out Selmer, Yanagasawa, Cannonball, and Keilwerth.

It depends somewhat on your budget.

Since you played a bit before, you can probably try them out and see what you like better. Could also help to take someone along to try them who has been playing longer than you/plays currently.

Vintage horns can sound good, but they often require a lot more repair. Probably not what I would recommend. It’s a possibility if you find one in great condition though and are willing to take it in for repairs if necessary.

Question:

“….I’m practicing my saxophone right now,, I’m sounding better

But I have a Question:

When you play does your tongue have to touch the reed when you play ???

Thanks That’s what I heard from my teacher.”

-Josselin

My response:

Your tongue articulates the notes, it separates the notes. So it’s off for the note, on the reed between notes if they’re supposed to be tongued.

There are different ways of tonguing, more of a ‘tah’ or ‘dah’ depending on the articulation you want. Takes some time and practice to develop control of articulation.

In the first couple of weeks when I played clarinet before starting to play saxophone as well, I actually used separate breaths to articulate the notes. Have seen a few students do the same thing.

For me, my band teacher noticed quickly and essentially told me to knock it off (since that was a very ineffective way to play), to start tonguing to articulate. That’s how you want to articulate on the saxophone- by tonguing. Much more control, though it takes some work to get that control.

Articulating using separate breaths is kind of like using a closed fist to dribble a basketball. Kind of works but very much lacks control and precision.

 

Question:

If my selmer alto super action 80 squeaks a lot, is there anything I can do about it?

-David

My response:

Squeaking is more likely to be caused the reed or mouthpiece. Or the alignment of the reed on the mouthpiece.

A quick test to find out whether it was the saxophone or reed/mouthpiece would be to try a different reed/mouthpiece and see whether it’s the saxophone that causes the squeaking or not.

Another thing to think about doing is seeing if another sax player, with their own mouthpiece, has the same problem on your horn.

Question:

Hello Neal the question is why doesn’t a new reed work for me when going to change to a new reed..,

When I play I put to much force & it sounds very airy & I get light headed.

I’m a beginner, I have only played for 9 months. I play the Alto Sax & I play at Church& I really love it any tips & how I can get jazzy too??? I

By the way I love checking your website. I hope im being specific! Thanks for helping Neal.

-Josselin

 

My response:

Saxophone reeds, even the same brand with the same number, can be pretty inconsistent in how they play.

One reed might be a good bit harder to play, more like you would expect a higher number reed to be like.

It sounds like you’re trying to play on reeds that are too hard for you.

If most of the reeds with that brand and number seem too hard, you will want to switch to a lower number reed.

But even then, some reeds will be softer, others will be harder.

To sound jazzy, you should listen to more jazz saxophonists and practice more. Learning how to play what they play by ear would be the best thing.

Question:

Thank you for your web site, it is very helpful.

I’d like to know the easiest way to play the Bbm scale faster. Is the Bb  note better to be played  by using the little b key with the left hand next to C or the lateral push buttom that is played with the right hand?

Thank you,

Miguel

(has been playing six months)

 

My Response:

You probably want to use the side Bb in that case.

The bis Bb wouldn’t necessarily be faster when going from Bb to C.

If you went from bis Bb to D though, it would be faster.

In certain situations  the different fingerings have an advantage. My default choice is side Bb though because it seems to sound the best (best tone).

-Neal

Question:

Why my new alto saxophone is not in tune?

My response:

So you open up a new saxophone, never played before. No scratches, metal is shining.

But…. it doesn’t play in tune?

Why does that happen?

Playing in tune happens because of both the position of the mouthpiece on the cork and your development on the instrument.

The position of the mouthpiece on the cork is the simplest thing to change the intonation with.

Adjustments

Pushing it in will make the saxophone ‘tube length’ so to say shorter and more sharp.

Pulling it out will make the saxophone more flat.

Is that all that’s needed?

No.

The entire saxophone will not magically become in tune if you adjust the mouthpiece position.

It could make one note in tune and that’s a start, but being able to play the entire saxophone in tune requires practice and knowing your instrument. That takes some time.

Having a good saxophone will make it more likely to play in tune more easily.

But a beginning saxophone player could play the best saxophone in the world out of tune.

And a professional saxophone player can play a sax that’s in pretty bad shape or not too great in the first place, perfectly in tune.