Saxophone beginners Low notes - bad instrument or bad technique?

[Longhorn6120]

I'm having problems with my low end, mostly on the Rosedale tenor.

It seems very keen to keep jumping to the high register, as if I'd hit the register key. Low C is a particular problem and usually comes out as a strangulated combination of middle and low C, but really neither, just an out-of-tune cacophony. The Trevor James alto is better, much better actually, but not perfect. I realise the Rosedale is a budget brand and the quality is likely to reflect this, but is there something I can do to help make sure the low notes come out as I want them?

I'm an absolute beginner at the sax and I know I should be taking it slow and taking lessons, but if there's any advice you can offer to help me develop a good low-note technique I'd be very grateful.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Veggie Dave]

Low notes require a good, strong air flow with a relaxed emboucher. They're probably the hardest normal notes to play on a sax. Don't worry about it too much yet - keep practising, keep relaxed and they'll come to you.

 

[kevgermany]

Agree

Could also be a leak or three. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get a technician to check it.

 

[SaxDon]

Definitely with agree with the above. Get it checked out and setup properly. Many retailers do not check/setup horns before dispatch. At least take one variable out of the equation.

 

[ProfJames]

Definitely with agree with the above. Get it checked out and setup properly. Many retailers do not check/setup horns before dispatch. At least take one variable out of the equation.

I believe that all of the QC is conducted in China before shipping so it is most definitely worth getting the Rosedale checked by a techie.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Yes get it checked. Learning how to check your instrument is as important as learning to play. Nothing wrong with a Rosedale when they're set up right.

Bear in mind that the split tone through the bell notes is an advanced technique many players use and is very hard to do, so , well done for mastering it so early in your saxophone career 😉