Saxophone beginners Mouthpiece twisted on neck

[ktmdom]

Hi everyone,

This is just a question about how the mouthpiece should be attached to the neck. When sitting and the sax is to one side (right side) of my legs. I'll usually twist the mouthpiece on the neck, is this correct or should the mouthpiece be straight on the neck at all times.

Thanks for any help

Dom

 

[Colin the Bear]

Wherever is comfortable. There is a little adjustment in the crook position too.

Lester Young used to play like a flute sometimes

 

[Justin Chune]

You are doing it right.

 

[ktmdom]

Ha Ha,

Thanks for the reply, I just didn't wan't to get into any bad habits. As I used to play with the sax directly in front.

 

[jbtsax]

I like to turn the mouthpiece so that the reed is parallel with the mouth with the head held upright. Some folks turn their head to the side which I think can create tension. My favorite position playing alto is to have it in front on my lap. The hand and arm positions seem more relaxed to me rather than having the right hand off to the side. Of course that is much more difficult with tenor, at least for me it is.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I like to let it hang on the sling and play it where it lies. No weight on the hands. Except when show boating.

Coincidentally there is a seminar coming up on the subject of health aspects for musicians. Posture related problems etc. Too late for some of us

 

[davidsol]

A quick follow on from this, does it make a difference to sounds if the neck is not perpendicular to the bell, i.e. twisted to the side ? I've only been learning a few months and at one time found it more comfortable to twist the neck to the left but after a while I found I was getting more octaves on the low notes than usual. When I turn the neck back to perpendicular, I got less octaves. I would have thought that twisting the neck wouldn't make any difference as the air goes down the sax in the same way. It might well be that my low notes improved because of better technique. Any thoughts welcome.

 

[BigMartin]

I would have thought that twisting the neck wouldn't make any difference as the air goes down the sax in the same way. It might well be that my low notes improved because of better technique. Any thoughts welcome.

If you move it too far it can affect the linkage with the neck octave pip, which sounds like the problem you were getting. Otherwise it makes no difference (it's a circular cross-section tube after all.

 

[davidsol]

If you move it too far it can affect the linkage with the neck octave pip, which sounds like the problem you were getting. Otherwise it makes no difference (it's a circular cross-section tube after all.

Thanks BigMartin, no problem with the linkage, in fact the pip was right in the middle when I twisted to the left, when perpendicular, it's quite a way over to the left, must be me (everything that goes wrong is !), I'll go back to twisting as it's more comfortable.

 

[BigMartin]

Thanks BigMartin, no problem with the linkage, in fact the pip was right in the middle when I twisted to the left, when perpendicular, it's quite a way over to the left, must be me (everything that goes wrong is !), I'll go back to twisting as it's more comfortable.

Ah, but it affects the distance between the little rod that sitcks up (sorry, can't think of the technical term) and the loop on the neck. If they touch when you're not pressing anything, it will lift the pip a bit and cause a leak. The other thing is that when you twist the neck your fingers are in a different position realtive to the body of the sax, so you may not be closing the keys as well as you normally would.

 

[davidsol]

Ah, but it affects the distance between the little rod that sitcks up (sorry, can't think of the technical term) and the loop on the neck. If they touch when you're not pressing anything, it will lift the pip a bit and cause a leak. The other thing is that when you twist the neck your fingers are in a different position realtive to the body of the sax, so you may not be closing the keys as well as you normally would.

Thanks again, I'll have a closer look, I don't think it's a fingering question as I still grip far too much, trying to learn to relax along with everything else.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Usually the best position for the crook is to have the octave rod in the centre. Some horns have the bell to one side. Some have it straight. It's not relevant to crook position.

If the octave lever is in line with the support strip under the crook it's about right. There is a little lee way designed into the mechanism to accommodate the players need. With an under slung octave mechanism the rod will miss if it's moved too far and the neck pip will remain closed. With a regular mechanism it will hold open the neck pip.

To help with gripping, let the saxophone hang on the sling and adjust everything so that you can blow a C# no hands. Play the saxophone there. Fingers moving over the keys like a piano.

 

[MandyH]

I like to turn the mouthpiece so that the reed is parallel with the mouth with the head held upright. Some folks turn their head to the side which I think can create tension. My favorite position playing alto is to have it in front on my lap. The hand and arm positions seem more relaxed to me rather than having the right hand off to the side. Of course that is much more difficult with tenor, at least for me it is.

I find playing alto seated really challenging. I have a short body (relative to my height, and resting the alto on the chair between my legs means the mouthpiece is level with my nose!
I have to perch on the very edge of the seat and let the alto hang lower.
Tenor and Bari always hang to the right.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I am reminded of a story about a gentleman's tailor and headaches.

It took me quite a while to play baritone sat down. Why not hang the alto to one side?

 

[davidsol]

Thanks Colin & Mandy, I had a look last night and it does look as though the octave key moves a little when I twist the neck, I'll have a serious look this weekend when I have some more time, my practice time is a bit limited so as not to disturb the neighbours too much when they're watching telly in the evening. I think my (minor) problem is that the hook is off centre (or the bell is too one side) and as I sit to practice, it's not ideal but I can manage. I find hanging to one side is less comfortable, I already have neck and shoulder problems so I'm better off playing straight. I must say the the harness I have helps a great deal. Colin, thanks also for the advice about the fingers.

 

[MandyH]

I am reminded of a story about a gentleman's tailor and headaches.

It took me quite a while to play baritone sat down. Why not hang the alto to one side?

It doesnt feel right.
Normally I play standing up, and the alto rests in the join between my legs and torso at the front (sort of where a jeans front pocket is, but nearer the front than the side), the tenor and bari rest to the right when I am standing.
So when I sit, the alto cannot be in the right place, I have to either have it down the right or between my legs. Somehow between my legs feels more comfortable, but....

 

[Colin the Bear]

Comfortable can be just what you're used to.

 

[davidsol]

Colin, I've just had a look at your video, very, very nice playing and singing and a classy band overall, just the kind of thing I aspire to playing one day.