How do you tune a sax ?

[elmer]

I know the position of the mouth piece on the cork is how, but what in relation to.

Alto is Eb so what on a piano ?

Tenor Bb and so on ........

 

[philippe]

I know the position of the mouth piece on the cork is how, but what in relation to.

Alto is Eb so what on a piano ?

Tenor Bb and so on ........

Usually you tune to Concert A and/or Bb.
On the alto A is played 'F#', Bb 'G' (the alto sounds a minor third above the note you finger)

On the tenor A is played 'B', Bb 'C' (the tenor sounds a major second below the note you finger)

You push the mouthpiece in if you're flat, out if you're sharp. You also use several octaves (e.g. low Bb and middle Bb).

[Actually it's not a major third/major second since you're actually playing an octave or two below what you're fingering... but you can think of it that way for transposing quickly]

 

[rs2sensen]

My transposition chart:
http://www.rsensen.com/transpositionchart.jpg

This will tell you what pitch on one instrument is on another. Like Philippe, I tune to Concert A (F# on alto, B on tenor)

 

[elmer]

Thanks Guys ... 🙂

I'll decifer this when the wines worn off ... lol

😉

 

[Pete Thomas]

Don't tune to a guitar, unless the guitar was first tuned properly.

Some guitarists (if there is no keyboard) will just tune the guitar to itself (ie all strings tuned to any one string at the pitch it's at when they take it out of the case).

Yes you can push or pull your mouthpiece to make one note in tune with a note on that guitar, but that may not be at the accepted pitch of A=440. Problem is that the more off that acceppted pitch, the more the saxophone will be "out of tune with itself" as it works best with the mouthpiece in its ideal position on the cork.

So even if your A is in tune with the guitar, if it is above or below 440, then the other notes on the saxophone are likeley to be out of tune. (Or more out of tune than usual!)

 

[elmer]

Thanks all for the answers.

I have a Yamaha electric piano to tune to, so I guess this will be better than the guitar Pete?

Alto plays A to the pianos F#

And Tenor plays A to the pianos B

Thanks Philippe for this.

😉

 

[philippe]

Alto plays A to the pianos F#

And Tenor plays A to the pianos B

Thanks Philippe for this.

😉

Other way round! A on tenor is Concert G, A on alto is Concert C.

It takes a little practice, but well worth the mental juggling.

 

[ken]

Hi Elmer,

If you download the program mentioned here:-

http://www.breakfastroom.co.uk/index.cgi?fid=13&topic_id=1142875593

It gives an easy visualisation of any note played on sax compared to a piano (concert pitch). It also shows the Sax fingering, piano keyboard position, musical staff notation, note name and gives an audio tone of the note.

Plus other things like scales.

Ken

 

[elmer]

Cheers Ken ... I've got Sax Tutor and never thought of looking for the answer to my question on it

And Thank Philippe for putting me straight ...... (too much wine for me I guess) :laugh:

 

[saxsectionleader]

in band we tune to a concert F for some reason....never have figured that out.....

 

[ken]

This is curiousity... yet again from something I have read somewhere:-

Do players sometimes put a wine bottle cork (or some such) in the bell to correct or affect tuning!!!???

 

[rs2sensen]

It would certainly effect tuning. I've heard of C-Melody players (Tenor sax tuned to C) who play with strings down the middle of the instrument to dramatically adjust key. Personally, tuning shouldn't be an issue on a quality, modern instrument. If there is a problem with tuning, it's typically either A. a generally bad note on the horn, or B. the fault of the musician. Now, do all of us get our high F#s in tune (above the staff), no, but we still try 🙂 Putting anything in your horn will change the tuning for all notes, and therefore isn't something I'd be interested in. Just my opinion though.

 

[ken]

I wasn't wanting to actually do it rs2sensen 🙂 I just wondered why.

I haven't got room for a cork in the bell... It's already got a bottle of beer in there 😉

 

[Melissa]

Never drink and play, Ken 😉
it's potentially dangerous

 

[rs2sensen]

Yeah, also wouldn't reccomend beer before playing, makes all the keys sticky and flavors the reeds (a plus, sometimes!). Us musicians, we can't do anything before playing! No drinking, eating, breathing...oh wait, not the last one!

 

[aquatic]

i reckon it could be an excelent way to sterilise my reeds,, soak them in malt whisky for an hour or so before i play. im sure this could only improve the flavour, and im not actaully against sucking them almost dry before i play, 🙂

back on topic though, the yamaha st5 has a tune function, you select the instruments key, then blow a note, it tells you the note and how far out of tune it is. idiot proof, i can use it.