Saxophone beginners G with octave key

Royston · Feb 25, 2016

Hi
Just picked up the Tenor after not touching it for a while. Usual horn TJ raw alto.
Can play up and down the keys but as soon as I hit G with the octave key an unholy/unrecognisable sound emanates.
Is it just lack of practice with the tenor or something else I'm missing.
Any advice appreciated.
Regards
Roy

Nick Wyver · Feb 25, 2016

Royston said:
Is it just lack of practice with the tenor

Yes.

It's a common problem with playing tenor. Keep at it, you'll get over it.

jbtsax · Feb 25, 2016

You may want to check the adjustment of the neck (crook) octave mechanism by fingering G, and hitting the thumb key on and off and watching the neck (crook) octave pad. It should not bounce or open, but remain still. If you see it move, let us know and I can talk you through a simple adjustment.

If the neck key is not opening when you finger G with the octave key, it is probably a "voicing" issue. The second overtone from G1 is D3 (palm D). When you finger G with the back of the tongue high in the mouth, it will often try to sound a high D---especially on tenor. What I have my students do is to sing the G on an "AHH" and play with that shape inside the mouth. When G is solid, I have them voice "EEE" with the G fingering and produce the D on purpose. Then they practice going back and forth using "EE - AHH - EE - AHH" (watch for a donkey joke in the next post).
The concept behind this is to be able to control the G by being able to voice either note at will.

trimmy · Feb 25, 2016

Or get your alto back out >:)

kevgermany · Feb 26, 2016

Lot's of good advice here. A couple of things I've noticed...

Mouthpiece position can make it worse, so set mouthpiece position using a tuner.

The note needs more air support than the others near it.

Some mouthpiece/sax combinations are more susceptible than others. Reeds may also be a factor.

Royston · Feb 26, 2016

kevgermany said:
Lot's of good advice here. A couple of things I've noticed...

Mouthpiece position can make it worse, so set mouthpiece position using a tuner.

The note needs more air support than the others near it.

Some mouthpiece/sax combinations are more susceptible than others. Reeds may also be a factor.

Thanks guys.
Will give suggestions a try over the weekend except Trimmy's which everyone ignores anyway :banana:

trimmy · Feb 26, 2016

Royston said:
except Trimmy's which everyone ignores anyway

I was going to buy you a pint on Sunday, you're only getting a glass now 😛

Royston · Feb 26, 2016

trimmy said:
I was going to buy you a pint on Sunday, you're only getting a glass now 😛

You could fill it twice though

Sunray · Feb 26, 2016

jbtsax said:
You may want to check

---------- 8< ---------- Polite Snip ---------- 8< ----------

What I have my students do is to sing the G on an "AHH" and play with that shape inside the mouth. When G is solid, I have them voice "EEE" with the G fingering and produce the D on purpose. Then they practice going back and forth using "EE - AHH - EE - AHH" (watch for a donkey joke in the next post).
The concept behind this is to be able to control the G by being able to voice either note at will.