Dripping Sax.

[compound]

Having a bit of trouble with lot's of moisture gathering in the Bow, and more annoyingly coming out of the left hand key tone hole's, which make's the key's very slippy. I have found this to be the case in cold weather going into a warm enviroment, but just recently in warm weather as well. This has happened with every sax i've had. Any idea's.
Rob.

 

[814jazzer]

All wind players (worth their salt!) are slobber machines.
That's why brass instruments (and bari saxes) have spit valves.
And that's why I just tip my horn over to drip on the floor —*hoping I miss any feet in the vacinity.

You're fine. Keep doin' whachu doin'.

best,
~Rick

 

[compound]

Hi Rick,
Thank's buddy, that's a relief, thought there was something wrong with me. But it's still annoying.
Cheer's Rob.

 

[gladsaxisme]

Hi Rob

I would think that a cold sax is always going to have this sort of problem of condensation when warm damp breath is blown through it,I know you are saying that it is still doing it even though it's warmer now but is your sax kept in a cool place when not in use, I would think that if so, it will take a while to warm up and so reduce the problem.Then there might be the problem of your own metabolism and your general liquid intake may make a difference,and if you tend to be very hot bodied,I would think that it will all make a difference to the mosture in the air you are exhaling,and also the general humidity on the day

I tend to have varying amounts of condensation when I play,and thats on a sax that is left out on a stand all the time so is at room temp,some times I get a ring of moisture round where the mpc fits on to the neck which causes a burble when playing,and sometimes there is a small pool in the bow and other times like you it comes out through the tone holes I think it's probably the usual thing with instruments that get blown...john

 

[stefank]

Of course when you play the flute you can sometimes drip on the person next to you, thus helping to raise the level of bonhomie, cameraderie etc within the ensemble.

 

[izzy_tenor_sax]

Don't worry, its not just you. My saxophone drips out of the top F/E/D keys and often out of some of the holes lower down the instrument. It does get annoying, and I noticed a couple of weeks ago that it's worse in hot weather. I have a small piece of fabric that I think is meant to be used for putting under the pads to collect water (sorry don't know its name!) and I take this into lessons and band rehearsals with me to use between pieces. It stops too much water dripping out at once!

 

[compound]

Cheer's izzy,
I just wish they made something you could buy to stop it, but i think that's wishful thinking, thank's anyway.
Rob.

 

[TomMapfumo]

It may also be useful to buy a decent pull through to dry your sax off after a play. That sort of stuff can build up inside and may possibly corrode. I use BG chamois pull-throughs -which seem to work well, and need washing/drying every so often (easy job!).

As a brass player I always play with a folded teacloth below my music stand.
Kind regards
Tom😎

 

[compound]

Thank's Tom,
I will give that a try, though year's ago i used to use one, can't remember if it helped or not.But I'II give it another go.
Cheer's Rob.

 

[izzy_tenor_sax]

As a brass player I always play with a folded teacloth below my music stand.
Kind regards
Tom😎

Yes, my brother uses a teacloth for his french horn.