how "wet" is "wet"?

darrell · Jul 2, 2007

Ok guys. I'm working my scales as promised... I'm even working on my first song (Little Brown Jug-- Glen Miller; what a delight!!

However, I notice that my sax gets quite a bit of "moisture" inside after only 15 minutes of playing. I can feel the little drops on my top fingers (B and Bb key) as they drip down inside.

I don't mind too much-- until it really starts to mess with the sound. I have to stop-- dry out the sax, and continue-- It seems to play much better "dry". Problem fixed.

So.. How wet "should" it be? I know there should be "some" moisture, but what is too much?

I don't mind some things I'm playing with getting wet, just not the saxophone 🙂

Pete Thomas · Jul 2, 2007

No need to worry abouit moisture inside, it's condensation rather than spit.

When it leaks out of the B key it can be annoying, very often this goes away. If it does happen you should wipe off after playing as it won't help the action of the instrument as it may get on springs and into rods etc.

I don't know of any definite fixes though.

Pjonah · Jul 2, 2007

As a beginner, you'll find that you be spitting and filling the instrument with condensate from your breath.

As you progress you find that the spitting will subside and only condensate builds. Try playing the instrument in a warm place this can help.

I find that playing a gig in a hot night club virtually no condensate builds up.

My tenor was worse than alto, as the main tube of the tenor angle back and like you say the middle fingers of the left hand end up drenched......nice.

It will improve with time, just tip the instrument up or use a pull through to empty it.

Simon 😉

nick_cook · Jul 2, 2007

Ah - I'm glad it's not just me!!!!

🙂

frankb · Jul 2, 2007

Nick Cook wrote:
Ah - I'm glad it's not just me!!!!

Definitely not just you!

I'm thinking of nicking a graduate measure out of my darkroom and working it out in ml per hour! :erm:

old_git · Jul 2, 2007

Some time ago, for a laugh asked Griff if he could improve my horn by fitting resonators to the octave pads. He said he'd been working on a baritone that had a water valve fitted complete with resonator.
Think about the bright side, you need the loo less often.

Bobby G · Jul 2, 2007

Another wet tenor player signing in! And it's always the middle fingers of the left hand. Thank goodness it is only condensation :x Alto is nothing like as bad.

Sometimes I find if the sound from the mouthpiece is a bit spitty a couple of sharp sucks of breath will clean it up, if you see what I mean.

Cheers, Bob

mfox · Jul 2, 2007

i can offer you a half pint of spit snakebite from the spit valve of my bari after an evenings playing..any takers, first round on me?

Bobby G · Jul 3, 2007

mfox wrote:
i can offer you a half pint of spit snakebite from the spit valve of my bari after an evenings playing..any takers, first round on me?

Now this is getting dangerously close to the antics of wannabes on The Word, who would regularly drink each other's wee or worse :x Where is Terry Christian anyway?

I'll swap you your snakebite for some black coffee spit (no sugar).

Cheers, Bob