Introduction Hello All...

[lamsie]

Just a little introduction email.

I bought my very first alto sax this week. I have played the flute since I was 7 (some 20 odd years ago) but always really wanted to try the saxophone.

I can cope with the fingering all ok as its the same as the flute but I am struggling to get a good sound - having never played a reed instrument before - I seem to get a lot of squeeks when I am least expecting it!

But I will keep practising .......

 

[griff136]

good luck and welcome!

 

[ken]

Hello from Spain Lamsie,

Good luck with your nex sax. What make is it?

At 7:14:50 PM 25/04/06, Lamsie wrote:

I seem to get a lot of squeeks when I am least expecting it!

Normal at first.

But I will keep practising .......

That will eventually cure the problems, more so with the addition of a good tutor.

Ken.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi Lamsie and a very big welcome from Sunny Southampton

 

[lamsie]

Good luck with your nex sax. What make is it?

It was made specifically for a company called Gear4music. It was at the lower end of the price bracket but I didn't want to spend a fortune until I have mastered the art!!!

 

[ken]

At 8:24:12 PM 25/04/06, Lamsie wrote:

It was made specifically for a company called Gear4music. It was at the lower end of the price bracket but I didn't want to spend a fortune until I have mastered the art!!!

Makes sense. I remember reading good things about those somewhere (probably Pete again)... how do you find it? set-up ok?

 

[Pete Thomas]

I heard about these from Steve Howard I think, my friend got one for her 9 year old son and it is an extemely good instrument considering the price.

 

[lamsie]

Thanks for all your welcomes.

Having only had the sax for 2 days everything seems fine. I am only playing it with the reed that came with it as I am not sure what one I should buy ... any advice???

Ater playing the flute for so long a sax sure does seem heavy!!

 

[Pete Thomas]

Everyone likes different reeds. I like Rico jazz select, Rico Plastocovers and Alexander superials, but I'm happy with most makes. I like medium soft, some people like them harder. You may want something a bit softer to start with.

I would recommend you invest in a mouthpiece, although the Gear4music should be a fine instrument, the mouthpiece that comes with it is not that brilliant. For a beginner you can't go wrong with a Yamaha 4C.

 

[Bobby G]

I've heard that the gear4music horns are good for the money but may benefit from a setup, which could be part of your squeaky problem Lamsie. Also second Pete's remarks re mouthpiece and reeds - I like the Rico Jazz Select no 2 medium, but the Van Doren jaZZ are good too

 

[Pete Thomas]

True, the one my friend got had a good tweaking from Steve Howard, my local tech. Any new horn though, even (or especially) Selmers. will benefit from a going over, either due to bumpy rides in transit or just plain quailty control not as good as used to be.

 

[ken]

One of the bit's of gear I soon bought was a flexi leak light. I test with it about once a month or so and have found some problems with it. Also made up a high bright LED light that is even better for individual pads.

 

[Pete Thomas]

That's good because IMO a leak light only shows major leaks.

For may smaller ones nothing beats a cigarette paer between the pad and tonehole on at least 4 sides.

 

[Bobby G]

Yup, fag papers are a good thing, the thinner the better. Rizla Blue, or Silver if you can find them are good. I have cured a few leaks like this.

I have a question about leak-fixing, though - to cure the leak, I just gently bend the cup/arm until the fag-paper test is even all round, but am I causing a long-term problem with a short-term fix, or is this the way Steve Howard would do it anyway? Albeit with better tools no doubt. So far, every leak I have fixed (usually on the lower cups) seems to have stayed fixed.

Cheers, Bob (inveterate fiddler)

 

[ken]

At 10:34:46 PM 28/04/06, Pete wrote:
That's good because IMO a leak light only shows major leaks.

For may smaller ones nothing beats a cigarette paer between the pad and tonehole on at least 4 sides.

Funny how it's 'different strokes...' I will admit that I bung up the bell and neck openings and use it in a dark room so there's no other light (and you do need to look very carefully), but I've found a couple that the cig paper missed. The LED version is even better.

 

[rs2sensen]

I'm a bit late, but welcome! I've been thinking of taking up flute at some point...it seems like most woodwinds end up playing Sax/Clarinet/Flute. I'm currently teaching two flute players sax (and maybe 1 drummer soon), so it's all good.

 

[lamsie]

Thanks for all your help guys - I bought the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and that has made a difference (still not cured all squeaks though!).
How would you find somewhere to take the sax for someone to look over? Living in a small town in Northern Ireland has its disadvantages sometimes!!

What exactlt do you do with the cig papers then - just check that the pad is closing uniformly over the entire hole? Excuse my ignorance!

 

[Pete Thomas]

What exactlt do you do with the cig papers then - just check that the pad is closing uniformly over the entire hole? Excuse my ignorance!

Yes. You shouldn't have to apply any significant pressure to grip the paper uniformly. if you have a leak all around it could just mean that one of the corks is too thin somewhere, if it's on just one side the problem is usually more serious. Might be pad out of alignment or else the key cup bent.

Over to griff for expert advice....

 

[lamsie]

Very impressed with the speed of your reply Pete !!!

 

[Bobby G]

It might be best to have a look at Steve Howard's site shwoodwind.co.uk (don't know how to do that link thingy), but the gist of it is to put a cig paper, or strip of, between the closed cup and the tone hole and pull it out.
Do this at various points around the tone hole. Resistance should be uniform all the way round, but if there is a point around the tone hole where there is less, or no, resistance, that is where you have a leak. I have cured a few on the bell keys (usually seems to affect these or the G# key, but that might just be me), but you may need to remove a guard to get the cig paper in all the way round.
When everything is airtight, you should get a nice solid 'thunk' when you close all the keys. I love that sound, I get endless enjoyment when I am just fondling the sax.
Failing all that, contact the shoop where you bought it, they may Be able to put you in touch with a repairer. Good luck, Bob