Difficulty playing notes above high "D"

[freddysilk]

When I'm at home practicing, I usually play quiet so I don't disturb the neighbors and I can play high D-E-F with the side keys. However, when I go to music class and try to play those notes - they won't play.
The instructor tells me to "bite harder" which I do but nothing comes out. I just hear the buzz and air without the tone.

Is there something I'm doing wrong?

By the way, I'm playing on Alto Sax using a #2 reed.

 

[jadoube]

Hmm, when I had an apparantly similar problem with those notes in class my teacher told me to relax because I was biting too hard :?

Can you tell what it is you do when it works at home, and tell what is different at class? I was tensing up in the lesson - hence being told to relax. Are you relaxing too much hence being told to bite more? Just a guess.

A more experienced player will give a better answer.

John

 

[mfox]

if its a difference between being able to play the high ones quiet and not loud, then what i would look at first is how far you stick the MP into your mouth. your probably not got it in far enough. secondly i would thing about the reed closing up on the MP.
thirdly check the height of your horn, check your not blowing up into the MP, and not blowing down..
don't tighten up to much, don't force it. these notes should be as easy to play as any other note on the instrument.

my experience it probably subconscious nerves, and being too tentative with your blowing..

hope you get it sorted..

 

[freddysilk]

After reading your post below I noticed a few of the things you mentioned is probably holding me back. In music class I tend to let the sax hang in which I probably blow upward in the mouthpiece. I also notice that when play those high notes I can feel the reed closing. I'm not sure if the reeds are too soft or if the mouthpiece is too closed, or both.

I experimented with a Meyer 7 and it was easier to play than the 6 but for some reason I can't get Rico reeds to work with it. I guess I have to keep experimenting.

Thanks for the advice.

mfox wrote:
if its a difference between being able to play the high ones quiet and not loud, then what i would look at first is how far you stick the MP into your mouth. your probably not got it in far enough. secondly i would thing about the reed closing up on the MP.
thirdly check the height of your horn, check your not blowing up into the MP, and not blowing down..
don't tighten up to much, don't force it. these notes should be as easy to play as any other note on the instrument.

my experience it probably subconscious nerves, and being too tentative with your blowing..

hope you get it sorted..

 

[mfox]

what strength ricos & type?
but i guess thats the cause.. also dont blow up..

 

[Rogerb]

mfox wrote:
.. also dont blow up..

No, don't... very messy 😉

 

[Rogerb]

I think you can tell if you are over-tightening, by just releasing the octave key while playing the high note... if the pitch stays the same, you probably are! 🙂

I've had to practise doing that a lot in order to alleviate the problem.

 

[freddysilk]

Usually I would play legato to get to the High F but if I was to play staccato or just play a High F, nothing would come out but air. I'm starting to change my embouchure a little and it would come out but with a little difficulty. I'm start to believe the embouchure may be part of the problem. I've also changed reeds and was able to hit the High F without a problem but if my mouth isn't positioned perfectly then it won't come out.

Jadoube wrote:
Hmm, when I had an apparantly similar problem with those notes in class my teacher told me to relax because I was biting too hard :?

Can you tell what it is you do when it works at home, and tell what is different at class? I was tensing up in the lesson - hence being told to relax. Are you relaxing too much hence being told to bite more? Just a guess.

A more experienced player will give a better answer.

John