alternate alternate fingering

jeremyjuicewah · Jan 10, 2015

Hi. Belated happy etc. I had to look this key up, but find my old Martin alto does not have a "spatula" key. Is there an alternate fingering for palm key E and Eb without it?

Cheers all
Mike

jeremyjuicewah · Jan 10, 2015

Further to above, the piece is Lily Was Here, which is going quite well, but the palm keys are a pain. Funny thing too, I have bitten clean through double mpc patch twice since I started practicing this. Never bitten through a single one before, so maybe my palm bones are connected to my jaw bones and that is why I have such trouble.

If anyone has any cheats for this piece I would love to hear about them. I am very anxious not to make an ar*e of myself over it.

Nick Wyver · Jan 10, 2015

What's a spatula key?

Targa · Jan 10, 2015

Nick Wyver said:
What's a spatula key?

Seems to be a term for the 'pinky' keys.

Nick Wyver · Jan 10, 2015

How does that help with palm key notes?

jeremyjuicewah · Jan 10, 2015

It is the key above the 1 key. Spatula, 1, bis, 2, 3. I am without the spatula. Like I said, I had to look it up.

Nick Wyver · Jan 10, 2015

Ah! The alt top F key. I suspected you might have meant that but I wanted to be sure.

Anyway, the answer is no. Work on the palm keys. You can simulate the action of that key by playing a A and holding down the top F key for a high F or playing a G with it to get a top E. You can play harmonics on the low notes as well but all of these ideas are far worse than actually getting to grips with the palm keys. As ever, practice is the key.

jeremyjuicewah · Jan 10, 2015

Thank you. I am not too bad on the palm keys but tend to run up and down. I always knew it was the lazy way, too bad I didn't pick up on that. This piece requires C# to E and G# to E clean and clear. I can manage, was looking for another way. I must learn to control the rest of myself. Its like the death grip, when you find yourself squeezing the thing like its a crocodile trying to get you. I actually find myself twisting my body to accomplish this. Will get it under control.
Cheers
Mike

Colin the Bear · Jan 10, 2015

Problems with the side and palm keys can be exacerbated by taking the weight of the sax on your hands. Position the sax on the sling so you can play a C# no hands. Add the side and palm keys with just enough pressure to open them. Showboating looks good in the video. Save it for miming. 😉

jeremyjuicewah · Jan 10, 2015

That is exactly what is happening. I will address it in that way. Assure all its not showboating, its extrememly uncomfortable. I have always been uncomfortable with the palm keys, that will be why I tend to run up them in semi tones. I cannot explain without the sax on, but that is what happens.

Targa · Jan 10, 2015

Nick Wyver said:
How does that help with palm key notes?

Doesn't.

Colin the Bear · Jan 10, 2015

It's surprising how much movement we put into our playing in the name of expression. Watch yourself in the mirror. I think Paul Desmond with a jacket that tight you can't move your arms lol

jeremyjuicewah · Jan 10, 2015

To be honest, I cannot stand the sight of myself in a mirror now. Hotels are worst. Unfamiliar mirrors take you by surprise. At home, you can avoid them and the gross troll who always seems to be leering out of them.