Crooking Nora!

[tris]

Here is a quick question for those more experienced players. I have followed what I believe to be conventional wisdom and put my crook on my sax so that the ring on the upper part of the octave mechanism was central with respects to the octave key stem.

I read somewhere a couple of days ago that the correct methodology is to align the centre of the crook with the strap eye.

I tried this and results amazed me. Total freedom in my right hand with amazing finger independence. I am inclined to stick with the latter method. But I was wondering whether it would be a sensible thing to do?

 

[mfox]

it's what ever feels most comfortably friend..
on my tenor( which is my main horn) i put the crook on aligned with the brace which attaches bell to body loosly. i then get into position and ajust as needs be..it can make a big difference what you are wearing , if your playing out doors with a coat on you may have to alter it.. and sitting down is another consideration...

 

[Bobby G]

If it feels good, do it tris! I line mine up centrally, then give it a little twist about..... that much... to the left (clockwise) depending, as mfox says, on what I am wearing or whether I am standing or sitting.

Apologies for bigging myself up as a 'more experienced player' 8)

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pete Thomas]

Never thought abought it, I just adjust to what feels comfortable. But either of these theories could be correct. interesting question...

 

[Bobby G]

Does anyone who owns his Book know if Mr. Teal has an opinion on the matter.

I've seen pictures of (I think) Lester Young who seems to play with everything lined up in a most peculiar way, which says to me just go with what feels comfortable.

Cheers, Bob

 

[lee_]

Well, obviously, you have only a certain amount of possible movement before the octave mechanism stops working effectively.

Otherwise, I vote for what feel the best. I sometimes shift back and forth a little during long gigs. Don't know why. Probably because I change the way I'm standing, as my feet and legs get pretty tired by the 3rd or 4th set.

 

[peter_fitton]

Before I bought Pete's DVD I bought this terrible DVD called Play Alto Sax Today, or something like that. Appalling, just 25 mins long and part of that was telling you how to open and close the sax case!!

Anyway, the American guy who presented this DVD said that the crook had to line up perfectly with the bell. In other words that if you looked at the sax straight on everything would be in an exact straight line.

I tried this and it made the sax virtually unplayable as it was forever pulling to the right as I tried to play it and it was hard work just to keep the thing in my mouth.

Maybe saxes made for the US market are balanced differently or something???

Thankfully, Pete's DVD set me straight on that one with regard to lining the crook up with the octave mechanism bar.

I notice that sax.co.uk reckon that you should line it up with the strap ring though, which would mean quite a large adjustment on both my saxes. Based on what you say, Tris, I think I'll give it a go.

 

[Bobby G]

I'm running an experiment as I type this, trying out the crook in various places.

Lined up centrally to to octave key stem is ok, plays fairly comfortably. Letting the body fall to its natural position then adjusting the crook actually lines it up with the strap eye and playing is very comfortable. Lining up the crook with the centre-line of the bell and body tube works fine, as long as your embouchure and air support are good while blowing through your right ear.

All experiments carried out under laboratory conditions (my dining room) using a Yamaha alto sax. These horns have a good octave ring that allows neck adjustment through an arc of about 60 degrees.

Scientifically yours, Bob

 

[tris]

I am sticking with the strap loop alignment!I am sticking with the strap loop alignment!

This is one of the reasons I believe I should get some lessons, small details like this can make a huge difference. On the other hand, I feel I am doing well enough on my own... but on the other hand it would be investing money in my career.

 

[Linky Lee]

I always have my crook set to however it feels comfortable. For me this is lined up with the strap eye.

It seems on the Hanson this gives a greater angle of 'twist' than on the Martin or on my Selmer tenor. Yet all are set up the same and all feel as comfortable.

The Hanson has a big twist in it, but I think it looks kind of cool.

When sitting down I don't put quite as much twist in it.

The thing is, everyone I play with has their saxophone 'straight ahead' maybe because the only saxophonists I play with a classical musicians. Maybe they feel the need to be prim and proper.

 

[Greywolf]

I move the crook around all the time depending on how I'm standing, what feels comfortable. The important thing is that the mouthpiece is in your mouth correctly, so you may have to swivel the crook and mouthpiece.

If I'm sitting down to play (which I really don't like) then everything changes again.

As to Lester's style which was quite idiosynchratic there are two theories. One is that it was a showy style he developed in his younger days, playing in his father's band, or that it was to prevent him hitting the heads of musicians sitting in front of him in cramped playing conditions.

Take your choice.