Octave key (is mine working?)

[jim]

Hi, just got my first sax, 2nd hand on e-bay, so not sure if i have a problem! when i push the "G" key down 3rd on my left hand it closes the octave valve on the crook! is this meant to happen? i am on the first part of Petes great DVD and going for the "D" note.
thanks for any help
Jim

 

[spike]

In a word Jim - "Yes" -

If you watch closely when closing the G you'll notice that another key will (should) open close to the high E. Today's saxes normally have two octave vents, ideally it needs one for every note, but that would be an engineering nightmare. - Welcome to the fascinating world of saxophone mechanics.

gruss - spike

 

[jim]

Hi Spike.
Thanks for the info, just had a closer look and noticed a small key buried under the rods opening. i've only had the sax a week and am trying to work out just what everything is connected to, it's an amazing piece of engineering.
cheers
Jim

 

[jonf]

Welcome to the world of saxes. Another biker, I see. Double welcome. What sax do you play, and what bike do you ride? You can see my saxes below, daily rider is a BMW R850GS 🙂

 

[phil_edwards]

Totally off-topic, but as the original questions been answered here we go... (anyway JonF took us off the topic it so it's his fault 😉 )

Tell us about your bike Jim. My current project is rebuilding a '79 CB650. Keeps me out of mischief.

regards, Phil

 

[Pjonah]

I used to think you could tell alot about someone by the type of bike they rode! I wonder if the same is true of saxes?

My current stead is a VFR750FP in metalic pre-vomit Gilbert Vert or just green. I had recently off-loaded my project bike on ebay a '79 Yamaha XS750 triple, the HGV of the motorcycle world.

My brother in law had a CB550 four which I worked on for a while, but having just replaced the exhaust ?650 (ouch!)on the VFR I'm hoping my spanners are going to stay in the toolbox for a while!

Saxophones are so much cheaper! Who am I kidding?

I'm taking up cross stitch next.....

Simon

 

[jim]

Hi all.
Just sold my GSXR 750 Streetfighter, way to fast for me, but handled and stopped like a dream. Now plodding around on an old
xj750 shaftie, at least i feel in control again! Now trying to learn how to control my sax!

Bought my sax of e-bay, a Elkhart series 2 alto. was going to go the hire route, but this came along at a silly price, was listed wrong and i was the only bidder ?75. Just bought a Yamaha 5c mouthpiece and boy what a difference in sound, using Rico 1.5 reeds.

How long before my mouth stops Buzzing? practicing 2 x half hour a day.

Jim

 

[old_git]

PJ,
What can you tell about my character from my bikes, other than what a twit?
Ariel Leader, tweaked Velocette alloy barrelled MSS with most of the bits that pinked on five star, then a series of trial bikes, solo and chair, three company bikes to go with the company car, Kwacker 250 twin, 400 four and Honda XBR, followed by my own XBR and MZ 250. Now down to walking, bus pass, banjo, guitar, three melodeons, MIDI, three flutes, one Hanson ST-8S and a fl?gelhorn.
Is there no hope doctor?

 

[bobk]

OG - Illusions dashed!!!

Greetings Young Sir.
Bin the litre sports bike, get yourself a Hawg with a dead man's clutch. Then ride, play one handed and smoke your bong all at the same time.
Now that's adrenalin.

although actually the the business about Velos with most of the bits that pinked on 5-star makes up for it. Tuning the point of unusability - great! I once had a Ducati 250 single with a long-overlap cam that overlapped so long it would end up with stuck valves on a weekly basis.

My hope is that all this talk of tuning and valves might fool people into thinking this has something to do with saxophones...

cheers,

Bob

 

[Rogerb]

I didn't know saxophones had valves...are they desmodromic? 😉

 

[phil_edwards]

.and gas-flowed? see, this topic is all sax related in a very roundabout fashion.

Phil

 

[bobk]

Rogerb wrote:
I didn't know saxophones had valves...are they desmodromic? 😉

Don't Keilwerths have desmo G#s???

(sorry this is all getting a bit obscure, but I'm sure all three of you are still enjoying it)

 

[Col9]

Jim wrote:

How long before my mouth stops Buzzing? practicing 2 x half hour a day.

Jim

Hi again Jim, My lips still buzz/tingle if I have a cup of tea the next morning after playing for 2 hours in the band. (playing who am I kidding )

See ya
Col.