Introduction Higher notes ie D,E,F

[paul_grant]

Hi New to This site and sax playing. (6 Months)
I have a teacher whom I visit once a week for a one hour lesson.
Doing really well until we got to high "D". Can only hit this note on occasions and it very much depends on which read i'm using.
When I try high E the read seems to close and I get nothing coming out.
Alto Sax. with Yamaha 4C mouthpiece. Vandorran 1.5 reads.
I have also tried La Vos med soft and rico jazz but to no avail.
Can anyone help as my teacher seems to be stuck as well.
Paul

 

[spike]

hi paul welcome,
sounds like you're putting too much pressure on the reed and closing it up, 1.5 is a bit soft on a 4c after 6 months, it also helps to stick with one mpc and reed set-up. Playing long notes is certainly the way to build up control and retain it for that matter. I'd say relax, strap a Nr. 2 on there and just take your time, practice regularly, it doesn't need to be a lot, regularly is the keyword, and work your way slowly up to the higher notes. I must add - long distance diagnosis is not easy.

 

[paul_grant]

At 12:26:52 PM 17/06/06, spike wrote:
hi paul welcome,
sounds like you're putting too much pressure on the reed and closing it up, 1.5 is a bit soft on a 4c after 6 months, it also helps to stick with one mpc and reed set-up. Playing long notes is certainly the way to build up control and retain it for that matter. I'd say relax, strap a Nr. 2 on there and just take your time, practice regularly, it doesn't need to be a lot, regularly is the keyword, and work your way slowly up to the higher notes. I must add - long distance diagnosis is not easy.

Hi Spike thanks for the tips. I have tried Nr 2 but don't seem to be able to get the pitch. Maybe its the mouthpiece that doesn't' suit?
Most of the time I get the note you would get if you hold the side lever in without the octave key.

 

[spike]

If that's the case Paul, get your horn checked, could be that the octave key mechanism is sticking somewhere, it's possible to play without the octave key but it'll certainly get more difficult the higher up you go.

 

[paul_grant]

At 12:45:09 PM 17/06/06, spike wrote:
If that's the case Paul, get your horn checked, could be that the octave key mechanism is sticking somewhere, it's possible to play without the octave key but it'll certainly get more difficult the higher up you go.

Hi spike, Teacher puts her crook and mouthpiece in my horn and plays the higher notes no problem. When I try this with her Horn I get the same results as with my own instrument. This makes me think it is a problem with my reeds and or the mouthpiece.
Also tried me blowing with the teacher pressind the keys. so I wasn't aware when she was pressing the high d keys. Still had a problem.

 

[spike]

Hmmn, At the moment I'm as stuck as your teacher, and can neither see nor hear what you're doing. Your last post tends to indicate that it's not mechanical, maybe someone else here has got an idea.

Paul, you've been playing for six months - maybe you could tell us what you've been practising, how often you practice and when did your teacher bring the upper register "D" into the program? There must be rhyme and reason in there somewhere. I'd probably put you on a dose of harmonic excercises three times a day to build your control, but your teach should know best.

 

[paul_grant]

At 5:26:22 PM 17/06/06, spike wrote:
Hmmn, At the moment I'm as stuck as your teacher, and can neither see nor hear what you're doing. Your last post tends to indicate that it's not mechanical, maybe someone else here has got an idea.

Paul, you've been playing for six months - maybe you could tell us what you've been practising, how often you practice and when did your teacher bring the upper register "D" into the program? There must be rhyme and reason in there somewhere. I'd probably put you on a dose of harmonic excercises three times a day to build your control, but your teach should know best.

I have been practicing scales, etc. also playing tunes which include the new notes I have been taught. I practice every day for approx. one hour. My teacher introduced the upper register "D" three weeks ago after teaching me all notes below this one.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts to help it is much appreciated
Paul

 

[spike]

I'm outa here for today - just now, - however, try playing from an upper register G to your high D in fairly quick succession, G,D,G,D,G,D,G,D, or even G,A,G,D,G,A,G,D and see if the D will come, and if it does hold it til the eagle grins. If the problem is you, then it may well work because the D is the first harmonic of that G and it might well help going from G to D.

 

[Pete Thomas]

1.5 reeds will make this quite difficult, so like the others I suggest 2 or 2.5. Try a few reeds, if you just tried one #2 it may have been a duff one.

You ust work at long notes and pitch support on the notes leading up, i.e B, C and C#.

Good luck.

 

[paul_grant]

At 09:37:31 AM 18/06/06, Pete wrote:
1.5 reeds will make this quite difficult, so like the others I suggest 2 or 2.5. Try a few reeds, if you just tried one #2 it may have been a duff one.

You ust work at long notes and pitch support on the notes leading up, i.e B, C and C#.

Good luck.

Thanks Pete I have tried Vandoran #2 and seem to be getting the hang of it. Have to say this site is awsome
Paul

 

[tengu01]

Hey there Paul,

welcome and good luck with the high notes

 

[paul_grant]

Thanks to all for the help. each day sees a little improvement

 

[jazzer]

I think I'm the only one that things a size 2 reed is extremely too soft for a 4C >.< >.< >.< I feel like a dummy now hahahaha.

 

[saxismyaxe]

Hey Paul,
I didn't get to say hi earlier so here it is, and welcome too! How could I miss a fine Scottish name like Grant? (I'm largely Scottish descent myself 😉 )

 

[paul_grant]

Hi guys!
Thought I would update you on how I am progressing since my last posting on 28/06. Up till today I was still struggling with these notes, though I could get them sometimes I still could not get them at will.
However when I got home from my lesson this evening I had another go using a Vandoran Java Nr 2.5 which my teacher very kindly gave me.
This proved to be hard going for the first 5min. Then all of a sudden I was able to get the notes more often than not.
When I thought about what I was doing different I discovered that if I applied more support with my bottom lip I could achieve the notes every time.
After about twenty minutes of playing the high registers my lip felt as if someone had punched me in the mouth.
During past discussions with my teacher she did tell me to support the reed more when going for the high notes but I guess I didn't appreciate exactly what she was trying to say.

I tried the nr 2 vandoran again and still managed to get the notes so it looks like I'm on my way.
Will my lip ever recover?
Paul

 

[tengu01]

Hey ther Paul,

Good luck with the lip. It's one of those 'time-and-practice' things. Long notes and trying not to bite in order to sound the high notes.

Support with the lower lip - good.
Supporting the lower lip by squeezing your teeth into them - not so good.

I have to admit, my lips would often be toast after a gig or a shift to harder reeds, but it will get better with time

😉