My Third Lesson

[nick_cook]

Had my third lesson last night. Although my own practising at home seemed to be going alright, I didn't do very well yesterday.

The teacher said I was still putting too much mouthpiece in my mouth and also my bottom lip wasn't over my teeth properly. She also got me to try and play a bit more quietly (my wife will be most pleased!!!), and introduced the octave key. So all these changes meant the pieces I'd been learning didn't come out as well as I'd hoped. I did a bit more practising when I got home, but it still wasn't good - I'll try again tonight.

The teacher was very good though - said I was doing really well, and even suggested I could go for the grade 1 Jazz sax exam in the autumn!! I've been looking up the syllabus though!!! I think I'd be ok learning the 3 pieces and the scales and arpeggios, but I'm not sure about the aural test and the quick study!!! Entry doesn't have to be in 'til the end of September, so I'll see how I'm doing then!!!

 

[Rogerb]

Hmmmm...... there are quite a few knowledgeable people who say that it's almost impossible to take too *much* mpc, and that most people would benefit from taking *more* !

Getting your bottom lip nearer the base of the reed allows it(the reed) to vibrate more freely.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Rogerb wrote:
Hmmmm...... there are quite a few knowledgeable people who say that it's almost impossible to take too *much* mpc, and that most people would benefit from taking *more* !

A good point, but I think there's more than one side to this argument. I believe there is just the right amount of mouthpiecec to take in, some beginners don't take enough in and some take too much.

I would disagree with anyone who says it's almost impossible to take too much mouthpiece into the mouth.

 

[Chris98]

Hi Nick,




I have just looked at my mouthpiece, on it I have one of those thin mouthpiece patches and there is a slight indentation where my teeth rest, it is clear that I change the amount I take in as the indentation is about 6mm long! I guess the dent is also evidence I bite down a little, so my teacher was right! :whistle:

All the best,

Chris

 

[Rogerb]

Well, Pete, and I'm sure your teachers, know more about this than I....... so listen to them for preference.

As Pete says, there's a point which is 'just right', for you.... you & your teacher just haveta find it!

 

[sharon]

The teacher said I was still putting too much mouthpiece in my mouth and also my bottom lip wasn't over my teeth properly. She also got me to try and play a bit more quietly (my wife will be most pleased!!!), and introduced the octave key. So all these changes meant the pieces I'd been learning didn't come out as well as I'd hoped. I did a bit more practising when I got home, but it still wasn't good - I'll try again tonight.

Hi NIck good holiday I hope.

Your teacher is probably right but it will feel weird to start off with and your playing will go back a bit because your brain is concentrating on something else. Same thing happened to me when I started tongueing (when I should have been doing it to start with 🙁 )

I just couldn't do it and then tried with more mouthpiece and it was easier but it took a while for my playing to catch up because I was concentrating on that rather than the notes but suddenly I could do it without thinking about it, and everything sort of came together and it was ok.

Sharon