Middle C playing flat/dull sounding.

[TomMapfumo]

Hi there. I have noticed more significantly that the middle C (C2?) on my tenor sounds flat/dull/thin/neutral or lacking resonance. Any ideas? All other notes sound pleasant/resonant/buzzy and when just playing through C as a passing note it is not that obvious, but a long note sounds flat & dull by comparison.

Any help or advice gratefully received.
Kind regards
Tom 🙁

 

[Pjonah]

I used to find the middle C on my Selmer Pennsylvania was thin but bright when compared to the D above it, which is no real surprise when you consider on the D all holes are closed and on C all but one is open.

I notice that when played loudly, the difference was negligable, but on ppp it was pronounced. I guess due to the sound coming from a different point in space when playing the two notes.

My first alto was a Conn, it had the original pads which had no resinators, the C-D was so pronounced that it seemed like the two notes were played on a different instrument!.

As to what can be done I'm not really sure, but what I would do is record youself playing an F scale or a passage through the bridge and see if you can hear the tonal change. I think you'll be surprised that the difference is almost umperceivable, its largely how you hear yourself not so much as others hear you.

You wouldn't get that with a Bauhaus Walstein!

Simon

 

[thomsax]

Tom,

I suppose you're in tune? A = B on tenor, and still the C comes out flat /low? Are your sax recently served/renovated? Hard to say, but it can be the left hand keys. Maybe the keyheihgts. A tech can controll that easy.

Thomas

 

[justin_chune]

Pj's explanation probably covers it. There's nothing wrong with the sax and you will get used to it. When I started out I hated the transition from C to D, and also where the automatic octave key kicks in at G-A. The whole of the upper register felt as if it were a different instrument as well. When I mentioned the stuffy, inferior notes to my teacher, he just laughed and told me that I had discovered the worst notes on the saxophone and that I would get used to them. I did get used to them and so will you. Good luck.

Jim.

 

[griff136]

Check that when you close your C, the bar key pad ( The pad above the B) is closing fully. The C and this bar key should close with equal pressure. you may also want to check that none of your palm keys or High F and F# keys, have minor leaks.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi there!

Thanks for the help. I think that the problem is just that the C just feels ever so slighter duller & less resonant than the other notes, and is OK with the side key. When I play slowly from B to C to D the C is noticeable in this regard. I have only had the Tenor for 11 weeks and have been concentrating on mouthpiece/reed issues more than sound. I appreciate that saxophones have a variable quality (as with the C sharp & D on trumpet, that a;ways play sharp. I've checked for obvious leaks, so will put it down to uncompensated for sound on normal sax. C sharp to D is quite solid sound/pitch wise.

Thanks again
Kind regards
Tom