My first guess is that the neck of your saxophone was rotated too much.

Possible there is a problem with the saxophone as well. But more likely to be a mistake setting up the positioning of the neck. If the octave mechanism is triggered, it will be much harder to play low notes.

-Neal

Sounds like you have a C melody. It’s a little smaller than a tenor and a little bigger than an alto?

-Neal

Hey just wondering how to get some songs for the c melody? Or if I just have to do it by ear.

-Austin

Any music written for piano, flute, guitar (any ‘C’ instrument). You can also transpose tenor saxophone music down a whole step.

It’s actually going to be easier to find music in C in general. But most music ‘for saxophone’ will not be written in that key since it’s not a common saxophone.

-Neal

“I need to know how to play on chromatic scales, blue scales etc”

-Adele

I made a book/class about scales for saxophone.

The chromatic scale can start on any note and ascends/descends chromatically. You can even look at a sax fingering chart to play it.

Pentatonic and Blues Scale – Tenor Sax and Alto Sax

The scales you don’t mention are the major scales. But you did say that you knew five of them.

Understanding how the modes work will make the major scales more useful for you.

Check out the class I made to get deeper into scales.

Was talking to Keeon the other day.

Keeon Taylor
Hi Neal, what are some ways to practice tone with just the mouthpiece?

Neal Battaglia
why can’t you use the saxophone?

Keeon Taylor
On my commute to work when I’m driving

Neal Battaglia
not something I have done
have you heard of people doing that?

Keeon Taylor
yea, I can’t remember the guys name but saw it on youtube and a friend mentioned it to me
Some even play scales with just the mouthpiece

(At this point, I thought I might know the video he was talking about)

Neal Battaglia
have you tried?

Keeon Taylor
yea , so I’m looking for other things to do besides the long tones

Neal Battaglia
English guy on youtube?

Keeon Taylor
Not sure but I heard about the technique before and saw a few people doing it…he might be English

Neal Battaglia
do you have much time to practice with the sax?

Keeon Taylor
30 minutes each day

Neal Battaglia

Keeon Taylor
Yes, that’s the guy!

How to produce a good sound?

I played 3 years during may elementary year and one year in high school back in 80’s. I’m now 52 years old and I’m been playing for 3 years off and on.

Practices 6 days for 1 to 2 hours

-Valentino

Do you find that your sound is improving? Not necessarily day to day, but let’s say compared to a month ago.

-Neal

How can get better high/low notes?

On day 1, sounded “like a cow”

Playing four years, practices once a week.

Rudy-D

Response:

The default response again.

Practice more than one day a week. Otherwise it’s very difficult to get better.

Is there a short route to improvising? ie just use Pentatonics of that scale? Or, just use the Blues or Pentatonic Blues scale of that scale/key?

Saxophone Improvisation Class

Knows “Nearly all” major scales.

“After playing for about 10 yrs, I still can’t pull notes below ‘low’D”

I have a Jamie Abersold book on majors and minors but really use it as I can’t read well enough

Lawrie van Niekerk (South Africa)

Have you checked out my lessons/class on improvisation?

How can I learn scales?

I can play amazing grace trying to learn pink panther

On day 1, Like a sick goose

Playing tenor sax 4 years

-Richard (NY)

My response:

I put together this class on scales,

https://saxstation.com/saxophone-scales-book-class-2

Is there a problem with the instrument and not the player?

I’m still having problems on bottom hand, Saxophone just squeaks. I’ve already changed the reed as well.

Playing alto sax, Only about a month now.

-Samuel (UK)

My response:

Nine times out of ten it’s probably the player and not the horn.

This might not be the answer you want to hear, but it’s often the truth.

If you had been playing twenty years and had the same problem and you didn’t have the problem before, I would say it would be a different situation.

Sometimes it’s a problem with the instrument, but given that you just started, it’s more likely that you’re not doing something correctly. You could have someone who knows how to play test your horn to see.

My guess would be that your reed is not adjusted properly. Let me know if you’re interested in purchasing lessons/classes.

-Neal

Followup: