my new sax just arrived-- and I found an instructor

darrell · Jun 10, 2007

Guys,

just wanted to say that my new tenor sax arrived today, and it sounds great! All of the afore-mentioned issues with the 8ve key, it simply doesn't exist here.

( I still will have that beginner alto sax looked at. I'm still curious why the high E doesn't work properly.

I have found a Japanese instructor too. He doesn't speak a lick of english, but we are able to communicate with my limited Japanese speaking.

After playing a few scales for him, he showed me a few exercises to work on until next time:

one is a G- Bb - D - Bb. This seems like a good finger workout, to get used to the transition with the octave key and the Bb key.

the other is A - A# - B- C to use the side key.

Is there any preference for which way one would play the A#/Bb ? Why would one use one method of the other. The tones of the two methods don't sound that different from one another.

d

Linky Lee · Jun 10, 2007

using the side key is the 'standard' method.
I come from a flute playing background so I used the long Bb, both 1st fingers originally.
The intonation is normally slightly different, the long Bb being sharper, so I use that If I'm playing in B minor but it's not necessary.

The two are interchangeable, and most people have their preferences. You can also use the little Bb key in between the B and A keys.

You normally use a different one depending which note you've come from and what you are going too. Use whatever is the easiest for your fingers in context of the music.

Congrats on the new instrument and a teacher! I told you there would be one!

Bobby G · Jun 10, 2007

If I remember, there has been discussion in other threads about which of the 3 Bb fingerings is appropriate; from personal experience, it all boils down to whatever is most suitable or comfortable (and gives the smoothest transition) dependent on what scale, phrase, or lick you are playing. I seem to use the Bb button key quite a bit, long Bb is probably the one I use least.

Cheers, Bob

Pete Thomas · Jun 11, 2007

On my to do list is a page about which fingerings work well in what contexts. Obviously its also good to work this out for yourself - but some examples:

Scale of Bb - I usethe side Bb almost exclusivley, but triad arpeggio of Bb I use the bis (little button) Bb

Scale of F# - Again side Bb, but for triad arppegio of F# I use the long Bb.

philthd · Jun 11, 2007

i dont think the bis key ever sounds good as an A#
or if you play it before or after a b cos on a lot of horns it isnt quite a semitone

spike · Jun 11, 2007

Don't understand phil, - it should sound the same, the only difference between the so called bis fingering and the side Bb is the position of the open hole.

philthd · Jun 11, 2007

is that true?
am i just noting a problem with my own head?
gonna have to paranoically inspect and measure my horn to set my mind at ease

Rogerb · Jun 11, 2007

Yes, I believe they *should* all sound the same!

What is the 'long Bb'? Is that both forefingers ?

philthd · Jun 11, 2007

yeah, 1--1-- - as if you were a flautist

Linky Lee · Jun 11, 2007

I haven't found a saxophone where all three Bb's are the same.

the side Bb is normally correct with long Bb being slightly flat and the Bis somewhere in between.

I used the long Bb for quite a while and you can get used to them enough for it not to make a differences in 99% of cases. It could get a bit awkward in some up tempo Parker or something though.

Flautists have the luxury of an auto Bb on the thumb, which allows you to play every B as a Bb or B depending on how much you've rolled your thumb. All the other notes come out fine though I find either top F or F# doesn't (can't remember which) so I never use it anyway.