Beginner Low end tenor

[jeremyjuicewah]

Since I dropped my alto I couldnt get lower than C so am not very dextorous with B and Bb. Now I have the tenor and Bmaj would be a usefull scale, as would B min pent. But am I right that the changes B to C# to Eb, and even B to Bb are very unfriendly indeed and the change can only be tongued? I have a huge problem getting anything like a smooth change here. Its like I have just picked the instrument up for the first time. To cap it these are the notes that I find hard to sound on it anyway. Anyone know any cheats for this?
All the best you blowhards
Mike

 

[ArtyLady]

Just lots of practice - worked for me.....

 

[jeremyjuicewah]

Yep, there probably is only one answer to the same old question, but I live in hope. Ta
Mike

 

[Andante cantabile]

If you are serious about overcoming this problem, try exercises 1 to 20 on pages 67 to 71 of this

[URL="http://cafesaxophone.com/showthread.php?2372-Saxophone-The-Universal-Method-download&highlight=universal+method[/URL]

Similar material is of course available elsewhere.

 

[griff136]

I would also make sure that its not just you and get the sax checked over take it to your repairer and get a leak light down ther sax tis will quickly let you know if there is a leak.

Three places where even the tiniest of leaks can cause problems ( and they're not the only places either but most common) on the bell notes are:

1. The regulating screws on the arm that protrudes from the pad above the F pad ( this arm generally has 2 screws one for regulating the bis key and the other for keeping the G# closed when you are playing any of the left hand pinky table keys ( Bb/B/C#/G#)

One way to check that this is closing the G# is to play a D and then keeping the fingers down for D , press the G# paddle and see/hear if there is a change in clarity of the note - if there is then the regulating screw needs tightening down - be careful because if you over adjust the regulation screw then it will keep the key above the F slightly open and create a leak.

2. The other place to look is the low Eb/D# key if there's a leak here then not only will the bell notes burble but the Low C will and the D can be stuffy too - you can check this yourself by playing a D or low C and then wedging the low Eb key shut play again to hear if theres a difference in sound.

3. finally there's the Low C - a leak here will afftect C down to B/b - do the same with the Eb key eg wedge it shut with a cork to see if its ok.

Like I said get it checked for leaks by a tech if you can.
all of the above assume that low C# to Low Bb are sealing properly.

 

[jeremyjuicewah]

Hi Beckmesser. The link does not seem to be active but point taken. I had a lesson yesterday and got told to practice. More I think about it EVERYTHING is practice. Not so long ago I was saying the exact same thing about the three levers for the left hand. I think I was feeling sorry for myself when I started this one. It seemed that all week all my saxes were playing hard to play and when that happens you do get close to despair. I have got scales and arpeggios to cover this lot. Thanks anyway.

Thanks for that info Griff. I will make those checks when I get out of work today but I am pretty sure that is me and not the sax. Its just come from Woodwind Exchange and played by a pro it subtones beautifully down to the low Bb. I am new to the tenor and I find not only air flow needs work but the stretch of the fingers, though nothing like beyond me, does cause the occasional slip.
All the best
Mike

 

[Nick Wyver]

played by a pro it subtones beautifully down to the low Bb.

Huh? Subtoning can cover a multitude of sins. Can it play pp down to Bb without subtoning.

 

[jeremyjuicewah]

Yeah, have to say that it does the whole range happily. Its just me.

 

[Lerome]

Hi Beckmesser. The link does not seem to be active but point taken.

The link had a typing error. It should be http://cafesaxophone.com/showthread...al-Method-download&highlight=universal+method