Saxophone beginners High G key?

[MellowD]

Sorry for the misdirection... I should have remembered you were straight Mel 😉

However, I now have to go look see if I have a High G (says on the website it does) - apparently its next to the High F sharp key? If I knew where that was I might have a chance of knowing whether I have a High G key too!

So - I have been through to the ....... wait for it ...... music room/study ... fully armed with my Teal "Art of Saxophone Playing" open at page 67 showing the drawing of the Nomenclature of Keys ......... and scared the bejeebies out of myself.

Lower end of Sax - therefore Right Hand -

Tenor and Alto - I have one extra (non-inlaid) key above the Side F sharp and to the left (as you look at the drawing) of Side Bb, Side C and E keys

Soprano - in the same spot, the one large additional key is replaced by two smaller keys

So, to my profound ignorance, I have the following queries:

a) what additional key(s) do I actually have that Mr Teal isn't acknowledging at the time of writing his book?

b) how would I apply use of said keys (appropriate finger combinations etc.)?

c) is there a fingering chart in existence which indicates the use of these keys?

I now exert the plaintive cry as heard in Lady Penelope overtones - HEYYYELP!!! pretty please

 

[MLoosemore]

Well done Mel, cat amongst pigeons time

If the experts can apply themselves to resolving the issue for you perhaps a detailed explanation of all keys/position/usage on all flavours of horn is in order...???

 

[MellowD]

Well done Mel, cat amongst pigeons time

If the experts can apply themselves to resolving the issue for you perhaps a detailed explanation of all keys/position/usage on all flavours of horn is in order...???

LOL Is that your way of saying I'm not alone in this?

And hopefully you will have something through your letterbox from me today. Finally got to post office on Saturday.

 

[MLoosemore]

Yep.... confused???? and not just an age thing...

By way of mixing threads, how about this still just taken from the Candy Dulfer vid..... LOOK a spare key? 🙂

Oh and will keep a weather eye on the letter box thanks.

By way of diversion, this post has taken me to 50 and so I am now a 'proper' MEMBER.... no longer new

 

[MellowD]

Yep.... confused???? and not just an age thing...

By way of mixing threads, how about this still just taken from the Candy Dulfer vid..... LOOK a spare key? 🙂View attachment 2081

Oh and will keep a weather eye on the letter box thanks.

Mr Teal refers to that as Key X - and according to the finger chart it is used on notes that I am scared to reach yet! Bother - I saw those notes on a piece of music I decided I was wiser to sit out and just read dots yesterday - so that means I have to get there soon!!

 

[Colin the Bear]

That looks like it's the front F key. An alternative way of fingering F3. Some are a plain metal key.


The key above the side F/F# trill key is the F#3 key. Added to F3 to lift it to F#3. The one above it is the G3 key.

F#3 is new to me with this years purchase and I'm only just getting used to using it. I've never had a G3

 

[MellowD]

That looks like it's the front F key. An alternative way of fingering F3. Some are a plain metal key.


The key above the side F/F# trill key is the F#3 key. Added to F3 to lift it to F#3. The one above it is the G3 key.

F#3 is new to me with this years purchase and I'm only just getting used to using it. I've never had a G3

I'm so sorry Colin - that looks simple and yet went over my head this morning. Is there any way to simplify it further so that I can understand - and I do appreciate that my simplify that may mean more words! Grovel Grovel Grovel!

 

[Profusia]

I'm so sorry Colin - that looks simple and yet went over my head this morning. Is there any way to simplify it further so that I can understand - and I do appreciate that my simplify that may mean more words! Grovel Grovel Grovel!

The "spare" key above the B key (L1) is the Front F which opens the same top F tone hole as the F palm key.

The little side key (Right Hand) which is oval on my original curved soprano pic (and appears black in the pic) but is often more boomerang shaped on those Altos and Tenors that have it is the top F# key. I think I'm right in saying (but someone please correct me if I'm wrong) that you would play top F# by using this in conjuction with the Octave Key, all 3 palm keys, and (and I don't know the name for this key) the top side key (the highest of the column of 3 right hand rectangular keys) which turns a top Eb into a top E for example.

Having the keys is one thing, hitting the notes on a sop is thus far proving to be another, for me at least!

This seemed simple when I started writing but I'm now thinking someone else could explain it much better than me!

 

[kevgermany]

...the top side key (the highest of the column of 3 right hand rectangular keys) which turns a top Eb into a top E for example.

Side E

 

[MLoosemore]

I am overwhelmed by professionals.... My approach at the moment is

a. Does the key appear on the fingering chart
b. Do I need a different note?
c. Try it and see what note comes out.
d. If I don't like it leave it until another day

If any of these work then I am happy

 

[MellowD]

I am overwhelmed by professionals.... My approach at the moment is

a. Does the key appear on the fingering chart
b. Do I need a different note?
c. Try it and see what note comes out.
d. If I don't like it leave it until another day

If any of these work then I am happy

Haven't found them on the fingering charts I have - either of the two extra's! I have two keys which apparently will be of no use to me!!

 

[MellowD]

At the risk of driving you all nuts with my ignorance and naivity ......

These are the additional keys on my BW Bronze Straight Soprano

And here, for your enjoyment, is the extra key on the Alto and Tenor

I have to admit, all that is happening to me today is additional confusion in abundance

 

[Colin the Bear]

Hey Mel

I'm not a teacher and have never had a lesson so maybe my explanations aren't as simple as I like to think and are confusing you. Push the buttons and see what opens.

The complicated mechanism of the saxophone belies its simple operation. Extra keys have been added to make playing easier and to increase its range. Having an alternative fingering gives you options to pick a simpler route through a piece of music.

This doesn't mean you have to use them. I can't remember the last time I used the front F key but some players use it regularly.

I find the F# key on alto and tenor useful but on soprano it sounds too high and I rarely visit and don't miss not having a High G.

There's no need to sweat your learning curve. Consolidate what you know to a point where you're comfortable and easy with it and add alternative fingerings and extra notes as you come across them or need them.

Adding them one at a time when you're ready or curious won't overload you.

After 30 years of playing I'm still finding out new stuff. I'm happy in the knowledge that I'll never know it all.

Playing is a journey best enjoyed at your own pace. There is no destination only new horizons.

 

[Profusia]

At the risk of driving you all nuts with my ignorance and naivity ......

These are the additional keys on my BW Bronze Straight Soprano View attachment 2082


And here, for your enjoyment, is the extra key on the Alto and Tenor View attachment 2083

I have to admit, all that is happening to me today is additional confusion in abundance

As Colin says, press the keys and you should see tone holes open way up at the neck.

Top key is probably the High G and should be the highest tone hole.
Middle key is probably the High F#.

Question is, having not had the sop very long, can you hit those notes? You're ahead of me if you can!

 

[MellowD]

As Colin says, press the keys and you should see tone holes open way up at the neck.

Top key is probably the High G and should be the highest tone hole.
Middle key is probably the High F#.

Question is, having not had the sop very long, can you hit those notes? You're ahead of me if you can!

So if the two non-inlaid additional keys at High F sharp and High G - whats the inlaid button just below them? I thought that was the High F sharp as per normal?

And no I possibly won't have a chance of hitting those notes just yet, though I never would use these keys ever if I don't find out what they are and how to use them? 🙂

 

[MLoosemore]

...though I never would use these keys ever if I don't find out what they are and how to use them? 🙂

Oh go on live a little... 'Just put your lips together and blow' while pressing on the unidentified keys... who knows what might happen

:bigapplause:

 

[Profusia]

So if the two non-inlaid additional keys at High F sharp and High G - whats the inlaid button just below them? I thought that was the High F sharp as per normal?

I'm assuming that's the side F/F# trill key. Meaning normal low F/F#. I never use that one myself - at least not so far.

And no I possibly won't have a chance of hitting those notes just yet, though I never would use these keys ever if I don't find out what they are and how to use them? 🙂

Oooh Mel you're not neglecting your chromatic scales up and down the full range of your instrument are you? ;}

 

[selkie]

Well after that blow I'm even more confused and the cat is a quivering blob of fur after my attemps to hit the notes¬

 

[aldevis]

Well after that blow I'm even more confused and the cat is a quivering blob of fur after my attemps to hit the notes¬

For the pleasure of cats, dogs, husbands and other animals, here is one way of enjoying your first F#3:
C3 looooooooooong Front F3 looooooooooooong.
C3, F3.... C3 F3 F#3.... C3 F3 F#3....
F3, F#3...
F3, F#3 G3 loooooong

If you don't have the G3 key it might work simply rising the second finger, keeping the front F and the F#3 key

 

[MellowD]

Oooh Mel you're not neglecting your chromatic scales up and down the full range of your instrument are you? ;}

LOL not neglecting - just simply haven't gotten that far yet - 2 octaves though so now gonna work on getting up the next level.

I DID only start in August remember!! 🙂 So my rapid progress is down to the help I've had for all of you guys and my 15yr old Tenor companion at training band. Unfortunately my tutor is ill so I won't see her again until new year.
Plenty to keep me occupied though. Won't be wasted (time I mean, not referring to alcohol)