Alto: Over the break, from C# to D

[6441]

Most of my problems with note production and squeaks happen when I play a D or D# (+octave key) coming from C# below on the alto. What I'm trying to do now is play those notes over and over. From the high E on, it's smooth sailing. The biggest problem is C# to D, or most notes in the low octave to D and to a lesser extent, D#. If I start the note on the D+octave, it's better, but still not as good as other notes. I've also tried different reeds (synthetic and cane) to see if that matters, but it doesn't seem to.

 

[Tenor Viol]

The middle D (all fingers down + 8ve key) is notoriously 'stuffy' because you go from everything open (C#) go everything closed (D). Try a short chromatic run B C C# D D# E ascending and descending, for say a count of 4 on each.

 

[saxyjt]

Have you had your horn checked yet?

The stuffiness will be worse if there are leaks.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I second the proposal to have your horn checked, a leak in with LH or RH stack (or even at the neck tenon) can cause such things.

But there could also be a technique issue: if when fingering D your right hand comes down a split second before your left hand it can cause the harmonic (aka squeak) to sound. The cure is to consciously bring your left hand down very slightly before the right. it should gradually become muscle memory and not be so much before the right that it sounds like it.

 

[6441]

@saxyjt Yes, I'm waiting for the tech to come back from vacation! I @Pete Thomas will definitely check that carefully (it's night now, so can't).

 

[Pete Thomas]

@saxyjt @Pete Thomas will definitely check that carefully (it's night now, so can't).

It occurs to me it's possible a subconscious thing for right handers to react with RH just that minuscule microsecond early. Of course, if you are left handed it blows that theory

 

[Colin the Bear]

Maybe try blowing D2 without the octave key to get a taste of it. Oral cavity and tongue position need to change.

 

[Veggie Dave]

Also, play a few notes and end on the C# and then stop. Don't not move! Look at your fingers - are they still touching every key? If not, you may be raising your fingers too high when you play a C# in the middle of a run/phrase.

 

[6441]

All great suggestions. Ok, morning comes: It does feel like "delaying" the octave key just a millisecond has fixed it. I must have been hitting it too fast. I can hit the D2 9 times out of 10, instead of having to start a new D2. I have to say, as a beginner, that I've always found a contrast in sound between C#1 and D2 a major challenge. It may take a year or more, I'm guessing to get it right. @Colin the Bear as it happens, I was messing with that idea. In fact a lot of times, the D2 sounded better in a scalar run without the octave key.

ANyway, I have the path, I think, thanks to your comments, all.

 

[Colin the Bear]

@Veggie Dave makes a good point. High dancing fingers can cause problems, leaving and relocating on the pearls. Fingers 123 on each hand should stay on the pearls except when playing side and palm keys. Play in front of a mirror. You'll be amazed at what's happening. The reflected sound can be a revelation too.

 

[Arhimas]

All great suggestions. Ok, morning comes: It does feel like "delaying" the octave key just a millisecond has fixed it. I must have been hitting it too fast. I can hit the D2 9 times out of 10, instead of having to start a new D2. I have to say, as a beginner, that I've always found a contrast in sound between C#1 and D2 a major challenge. It may take a year or more, I'm guessing to get it right. @Colin the Bear as it happens, I was messing with that idea. In fact a lot of times, the D2 sounded better in a scalar run without the octave key.

ANyway, I have the path, I think, thanks to your comments, all.

And how did you delayed octave key?

 

[6441]

And how did you delayed octave key?

As this was two years ago, a few months into what is now my illustrious career as a saxophonist, I don't remember what the trouble was, but I would sum it up as a coordination issue. The 'delay' was just the time the octave key is pressed relative to the other fingers. I suppose as Pete said above, as a right hander, I was anticipating with the stronger right hand.
I worked it out, but there's also an alternate fingering that helps is certain situations:
Playing the C# to D with
C# : octave key + LH3 and RH 123 (any combination of RH1,2,3 will give a clean C# on my alto)
D : octave key + LH123 leaving RH123 is smooth.

 

[ellinas]

I'd add to the suggestion for coordination, breath support ... These two notes have very different resistance... I remember spending hours doing long tones of walking pairs of notes to fix them and try to make them sound with a similar timbre.

Like A2-D2, G2#-D2, G2-D2 etc... And from down up E-D2,F-D2 etc...

Try to focus in breath support.... And finger coordination... Slowly at first then faster...

It made wonders to my sound.... I tried to make C2# D2 Eb2 etc... Sound really similar...

When the notes are far away you are forced to do the correct voicing and stop biting.... Excellent exercise....

It was part of my my zen ... routine .... And brought me very close to my instrument ...

It was an exercise that improved vastly my tone in the whole range...

 

[Colin the Bear]

The octave key is not always necessary. It's just there to help. Practicing without it will make appropriate voicing more accurate and playing much easier.

 

[jbtsax]

A tip I remember reading is when going from C to D or C# to D "lead" with the 3rd finger of the left hand.