Low notes in high register

[Beaugnier]

Since a couple of months I play a lot more. Not only concert band anymore, but also big band. But now (sometimes) my high notes will come out as low notes. More tension gives me the right register again. But I just want to achieve a looser embouchure. What must change. I play a Selmer SAII alto, Otto Link tone edge 6* with Vandoren Java 3.
Octave mechanism seems ok.

 

[Keep Blowing]

Since a couple of months I play a lot more. Not only concert band anymore, but also big band. But now (sometimes) my high notes will come out as low notes. More tension gives me the right register again. But I just want to achieve a looser embouchure. What must change. I play a Selmer SAII alto, Otto Link tone edge 6* with Vandoren Java 3.
Octave mechanism seems ok.

Are you sure it's nothing mechanical with your horn?

 

[Vetinari]

Which notes play low?

 

[jbtsax]

This begs the question: when is an embouchure too loose? The test in the Art of Saxophone Playing indicates when you play low A and with the free hand momentarily bump the octave key open: 1) if the note goes to high A and stays for a while, the embouchure is too tight 2) if the note goes to a high A that is flat and flabby the embouchure is too loose, 3) if the embouchure goes to a nice sounding high A and immediately comes back down, the embouchure is the correct tension.

One thing you might try is to use faster air for the higher notes. That can help the reed to vibrate at a higher frequency. You may find you need to find a compromise where the embouchure is just tight enough to produce the high tones but no tighter. Let us know what you discover as you work on this issue.

 

[Beaugnier]

Are you sure it's nothing mechanical with your horn?

No, the horn is ok. Test-played by a pro.

 

[Beaugnier]

Which notes play low?

G, C, D, D# (others probably as well)

 

[Beaugnier]

This begs the question: when is an embouchure too loose? The test in the Art of Saxophone Playing indicates when you play low A and with the free hand momentarily bump the octave key open: 1) if the note goes to high A and stays for a while, the embouchure is too tight 2) if the note goes to a high A that is flat and flabby the embouchure is too loose, 3) if the embouchure goes to a nice sounding high A and immediately comes back down, the embouchure is the correct tension.

One thing you might try is to use faster air for the higher notes. That can help the reed to vibrate at a higher frequency. You may find you need to find a compromise where the embouchure is just tight enough to produce the high tones but no tighter. Let us know what you discover as you work on this issue.

Thanks! I'll test this and let you know!

 

[Vetinari]

No, the horn is ok. Test-played by a pro.

I had an old tenor that got damaged when moving house. I took it to my teacher/tech and he played it, no problem.
We tried a leak light and found 4 very small leaks.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Embouchure tension should stay the same for high, low and everything in between. The oral cavity changes. Smaller for high. Larger for low. Tongue position is key. Don't aim at a looser embouchure. Aim for one that works producing a good tone.

You may have out grown your set up and a harder reed may help with high notes.

 

[valjeanmeister]

You may have out grown your set up and a harder reed may help with high notes.

I think you're onto something. Same thing happened to me when I first played a solo in front of people. All the nerves translated into blowing too hard, or biting, not sure but I was getting lower register notes with the octave key. Once I released the pressure it was all good. A harder reed fixed it permanently (for now 🙂)