Beginner Easier to play if reed slightly squint?

[rotate]

Normally when I put the reed in it is *slightly* squint: the distance between the mouthpiece end (looking down on the underside of the mouthpiece from above) and the reed is slightly greater to the right. Perhaps it is something about the shape of the ligature or something.

So just now - so it is probably rubbish - put this right; the little bit of black mouthpiece above the reed is uniform across.

Find this difficult to get a noise out of.

So just asking: Is this a truth universally acknowledged among saxophonists, or should a completely symmetrical reed positioning be striven for? Great thanks any help.

 

[half diminished]

Those more experienced will comment. However I suspect that the reed should always be positioned correctly and this doesn't sound right to me. The saxophone is a very easy instrument to play badly and you should be wary of anything that makes it easy to play that will later come back to haunt you. I'd suggest you get some help from an experienced player or teacher.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

Normally when I put the reed in it is *slightly* squint: the distance between the mouthpiece end (looking down on the underside of the mouthpiece from above) and the reed is slightly greater to the right.

Yes this is quite common with mouthpieces such as the Otto link or Lawton that use a single screw ligature, what happens is when you tighten the screw it tends to twist the reed over to the right a bit you just have to be aware of it and hold the reed in position whilst tightening.

 

[johnboy]

You should hold the reed aligned correctly, while tightening the lig. A slight deviation shouldn't make it difficult to play though.

John.

 

[rotate]

Right, thanks, so conclude it is normal to have the reed completely symmetrical. Just wanted to check that.

Using a Rico Royal Graftonite B3 mouthpiece with a Rico ligature - two screws on top. This set up, at least to me, fights to move the base of the reed slightly to the left looked at from above. Anyway I'll try to counteract this. Great thanks.

 

[johnboy]

Sorry, but I,m wondering why you have the lig upside down?

John.

 

[rotate]

Sorry, but I,m wondering why you have the lig upside down?

John.

In which case I'd be even stupier than seems entirely proportionate.

Hotly deny ligature upside down. The screws are on top - i.e. under the nose when playing. On top there is a circular hole which encloses the manufacturer's name and underneath there are four dimples which the manufacturer boasts hold the reed particularly well. The teacher gave me nine out of ten for putting on the reed. So I feel vindicated.

 

[johnboy]

Sorry, I usually call the top, where the makers name is.
I'm confused, but then at my advanced years, what can I expect!
The lig type/name might help?
I'll shut up now, and let someone else explain it to me.

Toddles off to his rocking chair.

John.

 

[VirusKiller]

I bought a Rovner lig in anticipation of getting a PPT and it can, apparently, be used in six different positions for six "exciting" sounds ;}

 

[rotate]

Sorry, I usually call the top, where the makers name is.
I'm confused, but then at my advanced years, what can I expect!
The lig type/name might help?
I'll shut up now, and let someone else explain it to me.

Toddles off to his rocking chair.

John.

I'm destabilised now. Tried to search a picture of the moutpiece with the ligature on but could not. Here is a picture of the ligature: http://store.daddario.com/category/146107/Rico_Ligature it looks the same at least. Am using it with the screws on top of the moutpiece, under the player's nose. Surely this must be correct: with the 4 pressure dimples being underneath pressing on the reed.

 

[kevgermany]

I'm destabilised now. Tried to search a picture of the moutpiece with the ligature on but could not. Am using it with the screws on top of the moutpiece, under the player's nose. Surely this must be correct: with the 4 pressure dimples being underneath pressing on the reed.

Generally a 2 screw lig is used with the screws/gap on the reed. Yours seems to be slightly different to the norm, being designed to have the screws away from the reed, which is causing the confusion. Either that, or Johnboy is getting ready to join OG in the zimmer frame races....

I've also noticed a tendancy for ligs to move the reed as you tighten them. I usually tighten gently, adjust and then tighten a bit more, usually by the time I get to do the last tighten, the reed has stopped moving. Agree with the others - the reed should be exactly aligned, and for me, if it's not, I get lots of problems with squeaks...

 

[rotate]

I've also noticed a tendancy for ligs to move the reed as you tighten them. I usually tighten gently, adjust and then tighten a bit more, usually by the time I get to do the last tighten, the reed has stopped moving. Agree with the others - the reed should be exactly aligned, and for me, if it's not, I get lots of problems with squeaks...

Just been trying that, did it a bit anyway, and found that if the reed was manually pushed to the right, further to the right than it should be - tightening the ligature seems to displace it to the left - then tightening the ligature would move it to the right position. It seems obvious but you have to think of it. So problem appears to be solved.

 

[johnboy]

You are absolutely correct!!!!!

In this instance I am totaly and inconsolably wrong. I most humbly apologize (slightly over the top).

Normally they don't have the dimples, and most users use them with screws underneath.

John.

 

[kevgermany]

You are absolutely correct!!!!!

In this instance I am totaly and inconsolably wrong. I most humbly apologize (slightly over the top).

Normally they don't have the dimples, and most users use them with screws underneath.

John.

Time for the zimmer frame race, then...

 

[johnboy]

Time for the zimmer frame race, then...

Just as soon as I get mine back from Red Bull. It's undergoing Aerodynamic Mass Adjustment!

Hey rotate "You got dimples near your jaw".

John.

 

[rotate]

Hey rotate "You got dimples near your jaw".

Much like Sean Connery perhaps. 3 down.