Playing Is it me or my saxophone?

[Mix O Lydian]

I have been playing alto for a year. I've had regular lessons during that time, up until around March this year. I practice around 1 or 2 hours most days minimum.

I'm struggling with the way my sax sounds. I play a Trevor James "The Horn" alto. With a Rico B3 mouthpiece and Legere no2 reed. (Also have Rico B5 and B7 MP).
Imagine the difference between a warm sweet latte and an iced latte. I want to sound like a warm latte, but am still getting iced latte, a bit cold and jarring.
(Even when confirmed in tune by the TE Tuner and music teacher).
I feel the sound is too sharp and cold.
What should I do? I am working through Tone Without Tears, and do the Klose exercises as well.
When people say "student sax', upgrade sax, professional sac. Is there really a difference in sound?

 

[Digger2054]

It's always difficult to describe sound, as everyone's interpretation is different.

Interestingly I was playing a Rico Graftonite on my tenor, my teacher thought it was too bright, I was going to try the larger chamber version, but it's out of production. Ended up with a V16 L, and a link which has reined it in.

Perhaps your mouthpiece is just a bit bright,
I would imagine a new mouthpiece will be cheaper than a new horn.

Meyers seem quite popular suggestions for Alto, Select Jazz, I'm playing a selmer S80 C*. Ask your teacher if they're similar to mine they'll likely have a selection of pieces on hand to try and see what direction you want to go in.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Try putting less mouthpiece in your mouth, if nothing else it will give you more control.

 

[wakyct]

I feel the sound is too sharp and cold.

Two questions I guess, what was your teacher's opinion, and are you recording yourself?

 

[Saxlicker]

Keep listening.
Keep playing.
Keep reading.
Keep strengthening your embouchure and air support.
Keep experimenting and learning.
It will be a combination of these things that will earn you a warm Latte over time, ahead of what ever gear you are using.
That said, there will be some gear that lends a hand.

For now, how well can you control your volume? can you blow single notes from the bottom of your lungs as a quiet, fat, soft tone and control it getting louder and louder keeping a full sound? Then softer and quieter again?

This is the simplest way I can describe testing your control over your tone. But it won't just test it. It will help develop it if you are concentrating on stability and evenness too.

 

[Pete Effamy]

Is there a difference if you play on cane reeds? I’m with Pete - less mouthpiece in the mouth.

What happens if you push into the sides of the mouthpiece with the sides of your mouth? Does it free the sound at all?

 

[mizmar]

I have the same thing with alto (I prefer tenor). There's a YouTube teacher I like, who only plays Alto, plays quite mellow to my mind and, initially I felt I was very bright in comparison...

But he gave me a target (see "keep listening" above) against which I could strive while adjusting voicing, amount of MP etc. so, maybe as a start, find a target player and spend time adjusting...?

 

[Mix O Lydian]

Try putting less mouthpiece in your mouth, if nothing else it will give you more control.

I will definitely try that. Thank you!

 

[Mix O Lydian]

Two questions I guess, what was your teacher's opinion, and are you recording yourself?

My music teacher says my sound is fine and will develop over time. She says I'm not out of tune. When I record myself I can't bear to listen, to be it just sounds sharp 😱

 

[mizmar]

... And another thought,

playing alto for a year.

I don't suppose you've tackled over tones yet?
I found that getting in control of over tones really helped in developing more control over tone throughout the range.

 

[Mix O Lydian]

Is there a difference if you play on cane reeds? I’m with Pete - less mouthpiece in the mouth.

What happens if you push into the sides of the mouthpiece with the sides of your mouth? Does it free the sound at all?

If I make a "fish face" embouchure and relax and lower my jaw it sounds slightly less (icy) I feel. But I'm going to try the less mouthpiece in the mouth thing in combination with fish face.
No difference with cane reds once they are broken in.
Perhaps I may also be over blowing?

 

[Mix O Lydian]

... And another thought,

I don't suppose you've tackled over tones yet?
I found that getting in control of over tones really helped in developing more control over tone throughout the range.

I am working throughTone Without Tears. I'm still at the very beginning. If overtones involves changing the octave without using octave key, then I haven't done that regularly. Perhaps I should though.

 

[mizmar]

I am working throughTone Without Tears. I'm still at the very beginning. If overtones involves changing the octave without using octave key, then I haven't done that regularly. Perhaps I should though.

We'll Pete is best equipped to say if he feels to order is things is important.
Seems to me, a year is not long to expect to be in control of your tone! And, in regard of the question in the thread title... Probably not the horn.

 

[skeller047]

I would consider changing your mouthpiece to a Yamaha 5C. I have played the Graftonites and the only good thing about them is that they are inexepensive. So are the Yamahas, but they actually sound OK. (not great either, but for a 1 year player perfectly fine.)

You might also try cane reeds, in my opinion they work better than synthetics. I know other people don’t share that opinion, but it’s worth a try. D’Addario Select Jazz or perhaps the Rico Royals or plain Ricos.

 

[Dr G]

My music teacher says my sound is fine and will develop over time. She says I'm not out of tune. When I record myself I can't bear to listen, to be it just sounds sharp 😱

Your teacher is the one best able to evaluate your sound. We cannot hear or see you. Do you really want a diagnosis based on that?

If I make a "fish face" embouchure and relax and lower my jaw it sounds slightly less (icy) I feel. But I'm going to try the less mouthpiece in the mouth thing in combination with fish face.
No difference with cane reds once they are broken in.
Perhaps I may also be over blowing?

“Overblowing” was something I was going to ask about.

Trust yourself and your teacher. It takes time to develop a good tone. And all along that time, you are likely setting ever higher goals. Enjoy the path.

 

[LostCircuits]

I'm with @skeller047, get a decent mouthpiece instead of the Graftonite, I can't stand their tone. Yes they are loud but I'd put them into the "paint peeler" department.

A Yamaha 5C, any used Brillhart Ebolin, Tonalin, a Runyon 88, or a Meyer 6M (preferably used, the new ones aren't that good anymore) with a decent reed (Rigotti, Eastman Venuto if you can find them, Marca Superieure, Alexander, Vandoren ZZ or whatever is locally available) will be a total game changer.

Just beware, you will be trading consistency (based on your reed) for learning how to adjust your reed and getting a bunch of bad ones but also a bunch of really good ones. But the consistency you are trading in is the consistently cold and jarring so don't worry too much about it.

Another thing to do is to listen to players whose tone you really love, listening to the phrasing and intonation is often more important than the setup but here is something to aspire to, if you like the "warm latte" of Gary Foster:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptxqRP5M6oA

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcJYeC6cwAM&list=RDEMeGR9xGFd9fZXVMkIcDfDVA&start_radio=1

 

[mizmar]

Your teacher is the one best able to evaluate your sound

I've had regular lessons during that time, up until around March this year

 

[Mix O Lydian]

My music teacher says my sound is fine and will develop over time. She says I'm not out of tune. When I record myself I can't bear to listen, to be it just sounds sharp 😱

Keep listening.
Keep playing.
Keep reading.
Keep strengthening your embouchure and air support.
Keep experimenting and learning.
It will be a combination of these things that will earn you a warm Latte over time, ahead of what ever gear you are using.
That said, there will be some gear that lends a hand.

For now, how well can you control your volume? can you blow single notes from the bottom of your lungs as a quiet, fat, soft tone and control it getting louder and louder keeping a full sound? Then softer and quieter again?

This is the simplest way I can describe testing your control over your tone. But it won't just test it. It will help develop it if you are concentrating on stability and evenness too.

Thank you. I will do more of that. If I'm honest my practice and lessons have been more focused on learning music, rhythm etc. there's not been much focus on what I can do to develop my tone. I was told it would develop over time, but I feel there must be something I can do.

 

[Digger2054]

Another thing to do is to listen to players whose tone you really love

This^ it helps to know what sound you're aiming for. If you do look into changing mouthpieces, if you can give a player you like the sound of it should be possible suggest a suitable piece.

I was told it would develop over time, but I feel there must be something I can do.

Correct, but at the same time if you're not happy with your sound, you're not as enthusiastic about playing practicing.

Where abouts are you located?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes they are loud but I'd put them into the "paint peeler" department.

I thought the B3 came in different chamber/baffle shapes?

Certainly the mouthpiece can make a huge difference if it is designed to have bright baffle and/or chamber so I’d look into this.

I also agree that it is unlikely to be an issue with the horn itself.