Saxophone beginners G and G2 sound awful, is it me or the instrument?

[Stephen Howard]

I love Stephen Howard because I learn something new every time he delivers a post.

Cheers!
Works both ways. Each time I post on a technical matter it makes me think about how the problem has been explained in the past, and whether there's a better way to get the essential details across. It also means having to think about all the possible causes and the circumstances that led up to them.

This particular thread has given me an idea...the details of which I'll keep close to my chest for the time being 🙂

 

[Pete Effamy]

Yes, it's definitely a proper G# that is sounding, not a sharp G. There is something going on with the lower octave G though too, it comes out strangely. This could be that your embouchure moved for that note (it certainly isn't a G# like the upper octave), but there is also a delay on the next note, A. This could be that you tightened up the embouchure to the point of closing the tip, but then released enough for the note to sound. Some people have a problem with moving their jaw when tonguing. It would be easier for you to diagnose this (and sort any other problem) by slurring the scale - the less elements you have going on the easier it is to control the instrument.

 

[Pete Effamy]

BTW, @Stephen Howard has a great book on saxophone maintenance. The Haynes Saxophone Manual The section on regulation may relevant here.

I concur. It’s a fabulous book. The writing clarity and style is great and the pictures are excellent.

 

[Esca]

Yes, it's definitely a proper G# that is sounding, not a sharp G. There is something going on with the lower octave G though too, it comes out strangely. This could be that your embouchure moved for that note (it certainly isn't a G# like the upper octave), but there is also a delay on the next note, A. This could be that you tightened up the embouchure to the point of closing the tip, but then released enough for the note to sound. Some people have a problem with moving their jaw when tonguing. It would be easier for you to diagnose this (and sort any other problem) by slurring the scale - the less elements you have going on the easier it is to control the instrument.

Doesn't matter if I slur the scale or separate the notes, the G comes out weird regardless. It's significantly heavier, breath-wise, to play than any of the other notes. It kinda feels like the sound gets "stuck".

 

[Pete Effamy]

Doesn't matter if I slur the scale or separate the notes, the G comes out weird regardless. It's significantly heavier, breath-wise, to play than any of the other notes. It kinda feels like the sound gets "stuck".

The lower G? It’s odd that the upper G comes out as a clean G# but the lower one doesn’t.

 

[JayeNM]

Doesn't matter if I slur the scale or separate the notes, the G comes out weird regardless. It's significantly heavier, breath-wise, to play than any of the other notes. It kinda feels like the sound gets "stuck".

So what you are basically saying is - using the same airlfow and embouchure up and down, when you get to the G the note doesn't respond cleanly/well. You have to shift your blowing to get it to speak.

That is likely a sign of a leak somewhere.