My bottom notes sound rotten!

[Bobby G]

My YAS62 has recently and suddenly developed a tendency to sound rotten below low D - muffled with occasional rasps. It's ok if I bring the octave key into play, then the tone is even top to bottom in the upper register.

I've leak-tested all the lower tone holes using the fag-paper test, and everything is ok, and checked that the adjustment screws to related pads are set ok, all fine there. The mouthpiece and reed are fine on my Dolnet, so..... what's the problem?

Finally, when I close all the tone holes from top to bottom I get that satisfying descending 'clunk' or 'plop' which indicates that everything is sealing as it should.

Is it me?

Cheers, Bob

 

[Tenor Sax]

Hi Bob,

It may not be but I had a similar sounding problem.

After spending a few weeks playing more challenging music using the side keys and higher register. When it came to playing my favourites in the lower range with D,Bb. Despite efforts to ease off the embouchure it still remained a little on the tight side. Also worth checking your not relaxing your bridge on the right hand and touching those side key.

 

[griff136]

sounds like you may have a leak Bob,

first check that the lowEb key pad is sealing get a wine cork and wedge the key shut - then play a D and below and see if this makes a difference.
second - check that the F# pad - the pad above the F key is closing - check this with a cigarette paper by closing the F key and letting the connecting arm close the pad.

thirdly -check that your crook octave key - more specifically the"loop" at the bottom of the key arm- is not in contact with the lever that protrudes from the top of the body where the neck fits in.


The "leak" - if indeed it is one - could be a really weak spring or that is not strong enough to hold they key shut when air is blown through the intstrument.

get a freind to push down on each key in turn - from high F all the way down to the bottom while you play a Low C - I very much doubt that the leak will be below D - and see if you can find a leak that way

let us know how you get on.

 

[Bobby G]

Full marks to Griff! I had some too-weak springs higher up, I suspect at least one of the pads that is normally closed was blowing open very slightly, enough to cause problems on the low notes. This would be why the fag-paper test didn't show any leaks, I suppose.

I then went through the whole horn tightening all the springs a little, the result is the whole horn in now playing with a renewed snap and vigour, even at very low volumes all the notes are coming out fine - not only the low end, but also the top end palm key notes are a lot easier and better-sounding, Oh well, y'learn 🙂

I know Ben Webster claimed part of his sound was due to playing on an intentionally-leaky horn, but it doesn't work for me!

Cheers, Bob

 

[phil_edwards]

Bobby G wrote:
....I know Ben Webster claimed part of his sound was due to playing on an intentionally-leaky horn, but it doesn't work for me!

Cheers, Bob

Well, it does actually. It's just that his 'leaks' sounded good and yours don't

😉

Phil