Saxophones Help with notes

[S150436]

I am trying to get a clean transition from high E -> low F without it squeaking, fading in or what seems a slow reaction.

I am playing a set of notes (high F -> high E -> low F), and with or without using the octave key, I still can’t seem to get a nice clean quick change down.

1.5 reed with Yamaha 4C mouthpiece.

Is it Technique? Will a thicker reed help?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Nick Wyver]

It’s technique. Or practice, if you like. Saxophones do not like changing down. You have to carefully persuade them. A thicker reed probably won’t help.

 

[Colin the Bear]

2 octave jump is a challenge.

Finger timing needs to be precise. Embouchure and oral cavity need to know where they're going.

Are you using front or side keys for the high E F?

Don't think about doing it, just do it.

 

[S150436]

Thank you for your replies and suggestions.

 

[S150436]

2 octave jump is a challenge.

Finger timing needs to be precise. Embouchure and oral cavity need to know where they're going.

Are you using front or side keys for the high E F?

Don't think about doing it, just do it.

Glad I’m not the only one that thinks it s a challenge, but never thought about using the side keys for the same result - probably will be a more cleaner transition.

I thought all things needed to line up for it to work.

I am currently using the front keys.
I have a Yamaha YAS26.

 

[S150436]

It’s technique. Or practice, if you like. Saxophones do not like changing down. You have to carefully persuade them. A thicker reed probably won’t help.

Yeah, I’ve been finding that also, they love to go up a lot more that going down.

Sounds like more technique as you noted, which I was thinking was the case but had to through it out there.

Thank you.

 

[Zasterz]

2 octave jump is a challenge.

Finger timing needs to be precise. Embouchure and oral cavity need to know where they're going.

Are you using front or side keys for the high E F?

Don't think about doing it, just do it.

I don’t know why but I can’t see half of this post using my default browser dark mode on my phone. It appears like this on my end:

 

[S150436]

I don’t know why but I can’t see half of this post using my default browser dark mode on my phone. It appears like this on my end:
View attachment 33396

2 octave jump is a challenge.

Finger timing needs to be precise. Embouchure and oral cavity need to know where they're going.

Are you using front or side keys for the high E F?

Don't think about doing it, just do it

 

[S150436]

Glad I’m not the only one that thinks it s a challenge, but never thought about using the side keys for the same result - probably will be a more cleaner transition.

I thought all things needed to line up for it to work.

I am currently using the front keys.
I have a Yamaha YAS26.

Second to that, is there an alternate side key fingering I’m not aware of for high F and E?, or am I just blind?

 

[Zasterz]

2 octave jump is a challenge.

Finger timing needs to be precise. Embouchure and oral cavity need to know where they're going.

Are you using front or side keys for the high E F?

Don't think about doing it, just do it

Oh I know, I could see it in the quoted text. Just wondering why it happened.

 

[mizmar]

Don't know if it'd help in this situation; but, for difficult to reach notes, I find it helpful to hear the destination tone from a tone generator. Sometimes, even a small sequence. Load up the ears then play what you just heard.

 

[Pete Effamy]

Don't know if it'd help in this situation; but, for difficult to reach notes, I find it helpful to hear the destination tone from a tone generator. Sometimes, even a small sequence. Load up the ears then play what you just heard.

Certainly a good idea. But mainly it’s about muscle memory. I’m not sure what the best technicians on here will say, but personally I’d have to (very) lightly articulate the lower note in a massive jump down like this. If your articulation is good, you won’t hear it.

Practice by slurring down from increasingly bigger intervals. Only move on to the next interval when you’re happy with the previous one.

 

[S150436]

Certainly a good idea. But mainly it’s about muscle memory. I’m not sure what the best technicians on here will say, but personally I’d have to (very) lightly articulate the lower note in a massive jump down like this. If your articulation is good, you won’t hear it.

Practice by slurring down from increasingly bigger intervals. Only move on to the next interval when you’re happy with the previous one.

Liking this idea and thank you - as again another technique I didn’t think of. I’ll be trying this out for sure.

 

[S150436]

Don't know if it'd help in this situation; but, for difficult to reach notes, I find it helpful to hear the destination tone from a tone generator. Sometimes, even a small sequence. Load up the ears then play what you just heard.

I will try this as I get what you mean, and you’re probably right, as it makes perfect sense.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Semi tone runs can be useful to make obvious the changes in air and oral cavity. Up and down.

Should have put palm and side keys.

 

[lydian]

Second to that, is there an alternate side key fingering I’m not aware of for high F and E?, or am I just blind?

There are lots of alternate fingerings, some more in tune than others. But if I were playing this, I'd use the standard palm key fingerings.

Second Octave - Alternate Fingering Chart for Saxophone - The Woodwind Fingering Guide

The elephant in the room here is the 1.5 reed on a 4C. That's essentially tissue paper and really only appropriate if you're an absolute beginner (in which case you shouldn't be playing high F yet), or if you have some sort of physical limitation due to health or age. An experienced player is going to get the best overall response from something around a 3.5 (+/- .5) on a 4C. Many here will disagree with me, but that's the reality, like it or not.

 

[Pete Effamy]

best overall response from something around a 3.5 (+/- .5) on a 4C. Many here will disagree with me, but that's the reality,

Agree re the 1.5, certainly once played for a little while, but 3.5 is way over-egging.
On a soprano sax, the 4C is equal to an S80 C*, on which I play a BSS 2. I could play a 2.5. A 3 would give me problems and probably a headache, and a 3.5 I might not be able to play.

 

[lydian]

Agree re the 1.5, certainly once played for a little while, but 3.5 is way over-egging.
On a soprano sax, the 4C is equal to an S80 C*, on which I play a BSS 2. I could play a 2.5. A 3 would give me problems and probably a headache, and a 3.5 I might not be able to play.

On soprano, I play Rico 2.5 on the equivalent of a Yamaha 13C (if it existed) or Selmer J. On a 2, I wouldn't be able to play the palm key notes at all. But I suspect the OP is on alto or tenor, in which case, a 1.5 would immediately close up on a 4C unless you had no embouchure at all and an extremely weak air stream. I don't think the OP is doing himself any favors playing on such a soft reed.

 

[Pete Effamy]

On soprano, I play Rico 2.5 on the equivalent of a Yamaha 13C (if it existed) or Selmer J. On a 2, I wouldn't be able to play the palm key notes at all. But I suspect the OP is on alto or tenor, in which case, a 1.5 would immediately close up on a 4C unless you had no embouchure at all and an extremely weak air stream. I don't think the OP is doing himself any favors playing on such a soft reed.

I agree. But 3.5 is pretty extreme.
Palm notes on my soprano on #2 reed no problem.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I used a Rico Royal 5 on a baritone S80 C*. Equivalent Vandoren 4. Refaced after a drop down to a 3.5. Very easy blow.