Morning all, or evening wherever you may be. I have my absolute newbie coat on this morning and need advice.
Tuning.
As most of you know I am playing a TJ custom built raw alto. I have now been promoted to the swing band and I have a problem.
I am constantly being told that I am too flat. Okay I tune in with my electronic tuner (snark) and it gives me a more or less accurate reading.I am then informed that I am too sharp.
I have tried every position on the cork with my mouthpiece (Meyer 6) (Benz 2.5 reed) a very comfortable but expensive reed and alternated with a same strength Rico.
I know there are other TJ Raws in this forum and wondered if same had a similar problem.
Self analysis.
Been playing nine months. Is it just sheer lack of experience ?
Mouthpiece. Should I experiment with other makes ?
Instrument. Is it the make up of the saxophone as it is raw brass, where as every other sax in the group is lacquered ?
My teacher tells me that my tone is okay and my tuning nothing to worry about. Obviously I can not say to the other players " It is you who are out of tune not me." as they all have several years experience.
Self confession. I do sound marginally different and have to reign in volume wise.
Advice given by other band members. I need to relax and loosen off my embouchure. I am biting too hard, however I have been using the same mouthpiece pad for the last four months and there is hardly a mark on it.
It might be an age problem at 75 and a half my musculature is not as buoyant as it was twenty years ago.
Perhaps I should give up sax and learn bass guitar.
Any advice other than get yourself a new zimmer frame and a pair of comfortable slippers gratefully received.
Best regards. N
Tuning.
As most of you know I am playing a TJ custom built raw alto. I have now been promoted to the swing band and I have a problem.
I am constantly being told that I am too flat. Okay I tune in with my electronic tuner (snark) and it gives me a more or less accurate reading.I am then informed that I am too sharp.
I have tried every position on the cork with my mouthpiece (Meyer 6) (Benz 2.5 reed) a very comfortable but expensive reed and alternated with a same strength Rico.
I know there are other TJ Raws in this forum and wondered if same had a similar problem.
Self analysis.
Been playing nine months. Is it just sheer lack of experience ?
Mouthpiece. Should I experiment with other makes ?
Instrument. Is it the make up of the saxophone as it is raw brass, where as every other sax in the group is lacquered ?
My teacher tells me that my tone is okay and my tuning nothing to worry about. Obviously I can not say to the other players " It is you who are out of tune not me." as they all have several years experience.
Self confession. I do sound marginally different and have to reign in volume wise.
Advice given by other band members. I need to relax and loosen off my embouchure. I am biting too hard, however I have been using the same mouthpiece pad for the last four months and there is hardly a mark on it.
It might be an age problem at 75 and a half my musculature is not as buoyant as it was twenty years ago.
Perhaps I should give up sax and learn bass guitar.
Any advice other than get yourself a new zimmer frame and a pair of comfortable slippers gratefully received.
Best regards. N