Playing Cannot hold low notes

[rob192]

just joined and straight away I'm on the take, I'm a "mature" beginner, have jupiter tenor sax - i can pick out a few tunes by ear etc... my prob is i cannot get the soft sax tone and the lower register squeaks uncontrollably... i've tried altering my embouchure to what i think is ok (prob totally wrong) but still can't hold the low notes - any thoughts? i did think it may be the sax (just wishfull thinking i guess!)
many many thanks.......

 

[Pee Dee]

just joined and straight away I'm on the take, I'm a "mature" beginner, have jupiter tenor sax - i can pick out a few tunes by ear etc... my prob is i cannot get the soft sax tone and the lower register squeaks uncontrollably... i've tried altering my emboucher to what i think is ok (prob totally wrong) but still can't hold the low notes - any thoughts? i did think it may be the sax (just wishfull thinking i guess!)
many many thanks.......

Oh no, here we go again. Stand by for the worms to come leaping out of the can🙂))
Twice round the magic roundabout, that should cure it!:welldone

 

[half diminished]

just joined and straight away I'm on the take, I'm a "mature" beginner, have jupiter tenor sax - i can pick out a few tunes by ear etc... my prob is i cannot get the soft sax tone and the lower register squeaks uncontrollably... i've tried altering my emboucher to what i think is ok (prob totally wrong) but still can't hold the low notes - any thoughts? i did think it may be the sax (just wishfull thinking i guess!)
many many thanks.......

Same old same old. The saxophone is one of the easiest woodwind instruments to get a few notes out of but one of the hardest to produce that tone we all strive to achieve.

As my teacher always tells me "it takes years to master the sound. just keep practicing your breathing and those long notes".

A few questions:

• Are you provivding support from the diaphragm?
• What is your mouthpiece (make, tip opening, lay etc)?
• What reeds do you use? (make, strength)
• What sax do you have, how old is it, when was it last serviced?

 

[Mamos]

Hi Rob

It is a dilemma we all face especially in the begining

How long have you been playing and do you have a teacher?

Is you instrument new or old

If it is old (over a year) or you don't know if it has had a service recently I would get someone to have a look at it, even if it is an experienced player but better a repair shop.

This will put your mind at rest and allow you to concentrate on improving your tone

Than as said above, quality practice. Breathing exercises and long tones

good luck

mamos

 

[Mikec]

Good advice above. It took me over two years to reliably get the low notes, and I still miss them occasionally. They require not only the right relaxed embouchure, but also the right throat configuration, I think. You need to yawn with your throat, in effect. Some people find this easy, some don't. Practice, practice, practice!

 

[rob192]

Help!!

many thanks for your responses - i guess the cans open!
good tips here -
i have Jupiter JTS787 aprox 10 years old, serviced,
using goose 2&1/2 reeds - std mouth piece USA stamped on side ( I really know my stuff)
certainly trying to breathe from diaphram
i will try the yawn tip as well
i do feel much better hearing this is perfectly normal for beginners - i will keep on practicing - i did have a teacher for a couple of lessons but i didn't get on well with him, he was more into piano and himself that the sax, i will try to find another.
many many thanks

Rob

 

[half diminished]

many thanks for your responses - i guess the cans open!
good tips here -
i have Jupiter JTS787 aprox 10 years old, serviced,
using goose 2&1/2 reeds - std mouth piece USA stamped on side ( I really know my stuff)
certainly trying to breathe from diaphram
i will try the yawn tip as well
i do feel much better hearing this is perfectly normal for beginners - i will keep on practicing - i did have a teacher for a couple of lessons but i didn't get on well with him, he was more into piano and himself that the sax, i will try to find another.
many many thanks

Rob

2.5 seems quite hard for a real beginner - how much of a beginner are you?

 

[Taz]

I agree with Half Diminished, 2.5 does sound a bit strong. Try moving to a 2 or even a 1.5 at least until your long tones sound pure and steady. As you probably know, the middle registers on the sax are the easiest to play, getting harder as you move either up or down the sax. A good way to practice is to start on the easier notes in the middle and then work to the progressively harder ones as your practice session lengthens. Try to work to about 20 minutes at first. Remember to hold your long tone as steadily as you can and really concentrate on your tone at the same time. If you can face a corner, or a patio door, (they both help to reflect your sound back at you) while you practice this will help you to hear yourself.
Good luck and most of all have fun ;}

 

[rob192]

many thanks, had the sax a few years, started to learn but put it away and really only started again a couple of weeks ago... i will try some softer reeds - good avice - thanks.

 

[Pee Dee]

I had trouble with the low notes, below bottom D for nearly 2 years, so I just left them out, didn't want to sound like foghorn anyway! Then I changed to another mouthpiece with a bigger tip opening I couldn't handle previously, and bingo! Low notes coming easier now, just got to get the high ones sorted🙁 So I guess it's just time and practice and patience, and searching for music without any low notes🙂))