Playing No more problem low notes...

[Hallelujahal]

This is what happens when I try and teach myself stuff, basic stuff gets ignored and then it creates a problem. I was having all sorts of probs playing low B & Bb - I thought it was a common problem, and that with practice I'd gradually get the notes sorted...not a sausage after a year of playing my alto and really struggling to get those low notes without them burbling and breaking up. After a while I kind of started to ignore those notes and only play down to low C (yep stupid isn't it?). Anyway I watched a video by Eugene Rosseau on the fundamentals of sax playing -

and at 4:54 mins in he described my exact problem (burbling low notes) and showed how the mouthpiece needed to be properly positioned on the neck of the instrument and the cork marked up. So today I tried it, and bingo out popped low B's & Bb's without any effort! I can't describe how happy I am as I was thinking that I might need to change mouthpiece, change sax, or get a tech to look at the sax etc...phew, it was my mp placement all along!
AL

 

[Jeanette]

Great news, well done 🙂

Jx

 

[richardr]

This is excellent stuff and, unusually, my broadband was working fast enough for me to watch the video! Thanks.

 

[jbtsax]

I have the greatest respect for Eugene Rousseau having watched him conduct a saxophone master class and perform live---not to mention all of his books, recordings, and mouthpieces. He is not only a virtuoso saxophonist but a master teacher as well. I am glad you found a solution to your problem.

 

[Nick Wyver]

I've seen him play too - very excellent. My brother bought me an lp of his just as I was starting playing. It made a big impression on me. It's got the Ibert Concertino, Dubois Concerto, Glazunov Concerto and Villa Lobos Fantasia. The Ibert and the final movement of the Dubois will always be out of my grasp (at the right speed anyway) but, after a break of about 20 years with not doing much classical, I'm tackling the Glazunov with a friend who's a jolly good player of the pianoforte.

 

[jbtsax]

The Glazunov is a wonderful piece. I played that along with the Ibert on my master's recital, but that was over 40 years ago. My tongue and fingers don't move that fast anymore. Good luck with your preparations. I was fortunate enough to get the Vincent Abato recording containing both pieces to study the style and phrasing.