Playing the saxophone Alto player just got a tenor

[Mix O Lydian]

I have just purchased a second hand tenor. It is a Trevor James Revolution, about 25 years old, barely played. It is going to a technician on Monday because the long Bb doesn't work, due to a tiny pad missing, and the octave mechanism just needs a tweak. He might find other things that need adjusting.

So, I am struggling to play this tenor, this is what I have tried so far....

The TJ mouthpiece it came with and a 1.5 cane reed. I could not get a sound out of it!
The TJ mouthpiece it came with and Select 2 cane reed. Nope - stuffy, parpy, just horrible.
Yamaha 6C mouthpiece and Select Jazz 2 cane reed - marginally better but still not great
Yamaha 6C mouthpiece and Legere Signature size 2.25 much better, but still stuffy, no projection, still can't get the lowest notes out smoothly (D to Bb)

So what should I try next? Up the reed again to a Legere 2.5? Go for a wider tip opening on the mouthpiece?

Or is it me - my embouchure? Air support?

PS: (On alto I use an Otto Link Tone Edge 6 and Yamaha 6c with Legere size 2 and 2.25 reeds)

PPS: I prefer synthetic reeds.

 

[Jimmymack]

I think you need to get it fixed before you do anything else. The problems you know about are enough to cause the problems you are having. After a visit to the tech all of that should go away.

 

[jonf]

Don't do anything until the tech's checked it out, particularly since you've already identified some issues which could cause those symptoms. A Yamaha 6c with a Select Jazz should sound fine, so make sure it's not the sax that's a problem before spending money on something which may not address the root cause.

As an aside, I am a big fan of Legere Signature reeds on tenor, in my case on a SYOS, but should work well on a Yamaha.

 

[jonf]

PS. Congrats on getting a tenor - once you've sorted the initial teeething probs, it'll be great.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hi @Mix O Lydian,
♮
As an exclusively (amatuer) tenor sax player who has occasionally dabbled in playing (borrowed) alt, sop and bari saxes, ,my main advice is 'Don't Panic!.

On any sax, it takes a while before you (with trial and error and experience) find the best tenor mpc/reed combination that best suits you.. The breath control, throat/mouth shape, embouchure and 'voicing' are (IMHO) different on tenor s in contrast to sax.

(More experienced multi sax players, please correct me!

I would encourage to take your tenor setup - along with your 'alt sax setup' - along to a reputable sax, shop They should be be able to advise -and enable - you in trying out 'tenor setups'.

 

[mizmar]

He might find other things that need adjusting.

Probably.
Like folks have said, leave it until you know it's in playing order.

 

[Mix O Lydian]

Thank you everyone. The tech is looking at it on Monday. Yes, it seems wise to hold off on any more reed/mouthpiece purchases until then.

 

[Dr G]

I have just purchased a second hand tenor. It is a Trevor James Revolution, about 25 years old, barely played. It is going to a technician on Monday because the long Bb doesn't work, due to a tiny pad missing, and the octave mechanism just needs a tweak. He might find other things that need adjusting.

So, I am struggling to play this tenor, this is what I have tried so far....

The TJ mouthpiece it came with and a 1.5 cane reed. I could not get a sound out of it!
The TJ mouthpiece it came with and Select 2 cane reed. Nope - stuffy, parpy, just horrible.
Yamaha 6C mouthpiece and Select Jazz 2 cane reed - marginally better but still not great
Yamaha 6C mouthpiece and Legere Signature size 2.25 much better, but still stuffy, no projection, still can't get the lowest notes out smoothly (D to Bb)

So what should I try next? Up the reed again to a Legere 2.5? Go for a wider tip opening on the mouthpiece?

Those mouthpieces have small tip openings. Trying to play a soft reed on a small tip opening is often very sensitive to embouchure and air.

Or is it me - my embouchure? Air support?

Tenor will benefit from a much looser embouchure than you use on alto. If you air support is weak on alto, it is weaker still on tenor. Try playing just the mouthpiece. You should be able to hear a strong and vibrant sound when you get it right.

PPS: I prefer synthetic reeds.

I prefer cane.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Broken saxophones are hard to play or impossible to play.

Same with any mechanical device. If it's broke it won't work.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

^^^^
Sometimes that's true, but, once a bronc is broke, you've got a great riding horse friend for life. 😜
Our kids/grandkids backyard, is where a horse and cattle ranch starts.
Carrots for kisses. 😘

 

[Pete Effamy]

Did you try mouthpiece on crook to rule out sax issues and just get a healthy tone? At least you’d know.

If there’s any possibility that you’re embouchure on alto is tighter than ideal, it will show far more on tenor as said above.

Are you putting a little more mouthpiece in your mouth to equal what you use on alto ?

 

[Ivan]

When I bought a Selmer tenor new, having had a similar model alto that played well, I found the tenor a pig to play

I concluded, in my youthful ignorance, that I was not a natural tenor player

Fast forward a couple of decades of work and family; I went back to playing and I took the tenor to a tech. Brice ironed out all of the issues, some of which will have been there even at the point of sale. Thereafter the tenor has been a joy

 

[Pete Effamy]

I concluded, in my youthful ignorance, that I was not a natural tenor player

I concluded that for decades (of me, not you). Only recently have I become comfortable on it (and comfortable with the noise that comes out of it).

I think most people have issues with starting big and going smaller, or vice versa.

 

[Mix O Lydian]

Did you try mouthpiece on crook to rule out sax issues and just get a healthy tone? At least you’d know.

If there’s any possibility that you’re embouchure on alto is tighter than ideal, it will show far more on tenor as said above.

Are you putting a little more mouthpiece in your mouth to equal what you use on alto ?

No I had not tried that, playing the mouthpiece on the crook, but I will later.
Embouchure is fine on the alto. I use a lip out embouchure, and on tenor it seems natural for me to want to loosen my embouchure a little and take in more mouthpiece. I expect some adjustment issues in my playing.
But having played it a bit yesterday, I am starting to suspect a mechanical issue. I think it might be that the little screw on G# that controls the lower notes needs a tweak. And I am not going to attempt to do that myself!
My ex-music teacher is coming round for a cuppa on Friday and she is going to give the tenor a try.

 

[Mix O Lydian]

When I bought a Selmer tenor new, having had a similar model alto that played well, I found the tenor a pig to play

I concluded, in my youthful ignorance, that I was not a natural tenor player

Fast forward a couple of decades of work and family; I went back to playing and I took the tenor to a tech. Brice ironed out all of the issues, some of which will have been there even at the point of sale. Thereafter the tenor has been a joy

That's encouraging. From what I know of its backstory, this sax has barely been played and probably stuffed in an attic or cupboard for most of it's 25 years. It was bought from new by the original owner as a retirement hobby, but they did not play it. It is in near mint condition, cosmetically. The second owner bought it last year from a music shop, but she didn't take to it either. And then I bought and collected the sax from her two weeks ago.
I think this tenor (Stanley, is his name) has abandonment issues and just needs a bit of TLC 😉

 

[Pete Effamy]

Alto to tenor seem to be spoken of as being more problematic than say, tenor to sop. Seems to be true in that few well-known sax players specialise on both. Most are tenor / sop; or alto. I know some do - before some wise guy chimes in, but most don’t. Perhaps they’re close to one another, but different enough to cause problems, rather than just different - like alto / Bari.

 

[Pete Effamy]

I think this tenor (Stanley, is his name) has abandonment issues and just needs a bit of TLC 😉

Having resided under a bed for years it will definitely have issues, not just mental ones.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Every saxophone player should own a leak light.

 

[Mix O Lydian]

Every saxophone player should own a leak light.

I have a bendy neck light for doing hobbies, that fits down the sax. I did put it down there and stood in front of a mirror to check for leaks, but there are none - except when fingering long Bb, where on closer inspection, I see there is a teeny pad* missing on the lower key, that would enable the Bb key to stay down further up the sax, if that makes sense.....
*Pedants, I know that it might not be called a pad, I am obviously no sax tech 😎

 

[Pete Effamy]

I have a bendy neck light for doing hobbies, that fits down the sax. I did put it down there and stood in front of a mirror to check for leaks, but there are none - except when fingering long Bb, where on closer inspection, I see there is a teeny pad* missing on the lower key, that would enable the Bb key to stay down further up the sax, if that makes sense.....
*Pedants, I know that it might not be called a pad, I am obviously no sax tech 😎

Lydia, get someone to show you the few adjustment screws on sax - like the long Bb 1st / 2nd finger RH (on the rod / arm); low C# closing screw; G# etc. it’s easy stuff and can save your bacon sometime. There are others too..