Off Centre Crook

[losaavedra]

Just a quickie ... I'm finding it easier to get (non-squeeky) notes out of my alto if, when I assemble it, I rotate the crook 18 degrees clockwise on the body. As I'm a beginner is this something I should stop doing now (i.e. it's a bad practise) or is it 'ok' to set up this way?

 

[jadoube]

Do you mean off centre as measured by the octave key/bar, the thumb rest, hook, or...?

I find the sax balances better if I align the crook relative to the hook, which means its offset a little relative to either of the other two.

John

 

[spike]

Hi Mike, I'm guessing it depends on the extent of your midriff investment, if the sax hangs from the sling rather than being pushed out a little support from the right hand, a slight clockwise rotation of the crook will be necessary - as long as it doesn't impair the functioning of the octave mechanism you should be okay, having said that you may find it beneficial in the long run to force yourself to push that right hand out a bit to support the horn more which automatically creates a more straight ahead position. Of course Lester Young played at right angles and Albie Donelly has been known to play it upside down.
welcome the lounge - gruss from a sunny german hillside - spike

 

[losaavedra]

Hi John: I could've sworn the hook and thumb support were central to the body and bell opening ... until your reply prompted me to look!! Anyway my clockwise twist is a teeny bit beyond the hook but not nearly as far as the thumb support. In other words if I look down on the sax the crook is moved 18 degrees clockwise towards where the bell is pointing.
Hi Spike: OK I have a rather large midriff investment, well spotted! On the sling the sax bell wants to point to the left all the time and the slight crook twist (for me) solves the problem of not being central on the mouthpiece which led to a lot of squeeks particularly on the lowest notes. I think I'll bear in mind that I should try and straighten things up a bit as bad habits can be difficult to drop later.
Thanks to you both ... now it time for me to do the daily practice.
A little later: Ah ... practice went better today ... first time I've used the harness instead of the neck strap too ... that's a darn sight more comfortable!

 

[Linky Lee]

I always set up my crook so that it points out at the same angle as the hook as this should always be towards the centre of you due to gravity.
Then you can use your hand to make any small adjustments you want from there. Quite a few people play the sax out the side of their mouth or offset.

 

[Bobby G]

Mine's off at an angle - I started with it dead centre, found the balancing point of the horn, then adjusted the crook accordingly. As long as everything's airtight, the octave mech works ok and you're comfortable then it's fine, I'd say.

Albie Donelly, Spike! Haven't heard that name for a while, is he still about?