G sharp key has no effect?

[Sax4Jesus]

Hey, all I'm having fun making Christmas music on sax and I came across a problem playing a G#. The key to make a G "a" sharp has no effect what so ever. Do I need repairs? I know this is kind of vague. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't an easy solution to this before I take it to repair!

 

[GCinCT]

It's probably sticking. It's a very common issue. Check that the key cup lifts when you press the G# spatula. You can gently pull it up if it's sticking. You may need to clean the pad.

 

[Sax4Jesus]

it was sticking! Praise you! Thank You!

 

[GCinCT]

it was sticking! Praise you! Thank You!

I have made it a habit each time before I begin playing to check if my G# or low C# keys are sticking. They do very often. That way I’m not caught by surprise in the midst of an exercise or tune.

 

[Sax4Jesus]

wisely noted. Thank you!

 

[Tenor Viol]

Sticking G# is par for the course when playing a sax

 

[nigeld]

The way I avoid a sticking G# is to wedge the bottom C# key open after I have been playing the saxophone. This opens the G# as well.

 

[Sax4Jesus]

What does "par for the course" mean? Is it said a lot in England? You can tell I'm in the USA

 

[GCinCT]

"Par for the course" is also pretty common here in the States. It's from golf. It means something is the norm, to be expected.

 

[Sax4Jesus]

ah, gotcha. Thanks

 

[jbtsax]

Another cause of the G# key pad not lifting when the G# touch is pressed is that the spring has come unattached to the spring cradle or the spring has been broken or has fallen out. On some saxes this is a bit hard to see with other keys in the way.

 

[Colin the Bear]

G# and C# are different to all the other keys in as much as they are opened by one spring and closed by another spring. All the others are closed or opened by finger power. The delicate balance of the springs can easily be overpowered by the pad sticking to the tone hole.

It's good practice tonot only check G# and C# before playing but also to check all the normally closed pads too. Palm keys, side keys, trill keys etc. They can dry with a slight leak and make you think you've got a duff reed. A tiny leak at the top giving you big problems at the bottom.

 

[Sax4Jesus]

Cool, thank you! From one Colin to another

 

[Colin the Bear]

desperately searching for a bear on a cross imoji

 

[Tenor Viol]

Yes, @GCinCT is correct @Sax4Jesus it's a golfing term which means the 'standard score' but generally used to mean 'the usual / standard situation'

 

[Colin the Bear]

View: https://youtu.be/2Wj4Ah-xsMM

 

[Targa]

Yes, @GCinCT is correct @Sax4Jesus it's a golfing term which means the 'standard score' but generally used to mean 'the usual / standard situation'

I thought that was SNAFU.

 

[Tenor Viol]

I thought that was SNAFU.

Also applies

 

[JazzMatt]

I thought that was SNAFU.

Arf!

 

[Nick Cook]

I too regularly check the G# key to ensure it's working ok.