Tech/maintenance On more (of many) requests for advice on a 'squeaky' upper G# note

[MikeMorrell]

I know from other threads that the upper register G#/A♭ is notoriously difficult to play. Due the sax construction. I have searched on the cafe for tips but (possibly due to my search criteria), I've not yet found any thread that really helps me.

My tenor sax has always played well, Any minor problems were quickly fixed (usually free) by my 'go to' sax repairer.

But a couple of months ago (for the first time ever in 15+ years!, I suddenly noticed that my G#/A♭ key was 'squeaking' when played from an interval of more than one or two notes. So I basically couldn't (reliably) play an upper register G#/A♭.

So I took my tenor sax along to my 'go to' sax repairer to have it checked out, In her opinion, this key played fine and she recommended that I just 'adjust my embouchure'.

I have (with some improvements) but it doesn't solve the problem.

It still seems strange to me that though - as far as I know- I haven't adjusted my 'embouchure' in many years, this upper register G#/A♭ problem suddenly appeared a couple of month ago.

Any suggestions on how to to resolve this G#/A♭ issue?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[turf3]

Are you talking about G# just above the staff, or the altissimo note an octave above that? I have never heard of, or experienced, difficulty in playing G# just above the staff.

I would prescribe an intensive course of long tones, over the full range of the horn, each note from pppp to ffff back to pppp, played with INTENTION and ATTENTION, preferably outdoors far away from reflective surfaces, and striving to maintain consistent pitch and tone quality over the full pitch and dynamic range.

It is my opinion that it's darn near impossible to persevere in this exercise unless you are using a proper embouchure , voicing, and airstream.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Check the octave mechanism is switching between body and neck.
Check Bis is closing with A key.

Just because a certain note is squeaking or being unreliable it doesn't follow that the key for that note is the problem.

A to G is where the octave switch occurs. Hold octave key and finger A. Add and remove third finger G. Check for lack of or slow response from the octave mechanism.

Finger A and with the other hand press Bis. Any movement will reveal a leak. It's more accurate to check this with a leak light.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I’m not aware of it being notoriously difficult, can you link to the threads that mention this? I have only known one issue that a student had and it was a sort slightly warbly sound. She got a better/different mouthpiece and it was sorted.

This doesn’t seem to be the issue though if it has only just started.

 

[MikeMorrell]

I’m not aware of it being notoriously difficult, can you link to the threads that mention this? I have only known one issue that a student had and it was a sort slightly warbly sound. She got a better/different mouthpiece and it was sorted.

This doesn’t seem to be the issue though if it has only just started.

I just searched on internet for difficulties playing upper register G#. I found quite few questions on playing G# (and even more on playing G) in the upper register on Tenor.

These are links to 2 related threads on the cafe:
- Playing the saxophone - Upper G/G# Resonating

- Playing the saxophone - Why is G# a difficult note?

 

[thomsax]

Do interval-/equality excercises. Try to hear the tone you are going to hit. Play without using the octave key as well.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Thanks for all the helpful replies! From what I recall, my sax repairer just quickly checked that both octave keys were working, sealing and switching correctly. But she may have checked for any other leaks too. Thanks @Colin the Bear, I'll check the A and Bis.

Other than that, more practice! Especially on 'jumping' to the upper register G# note from other notes in the upper register.

PS. I had a problem with the G# key 'sticking'. But since using a tip to 'dry the pad' using a thin piece of paper, the problem disappeared.

 

[atwl77]

I used to have issues with the upper G and G# -- at first the warbling, which was due to lack of breath support, and then on tenor, it often wanted to jump up to something that sounded like D or D#.

To fix the jumping up issue, my warm-up/practice routine always involves interval slurring from a higher note down to the offending note, e.g. A to G, A# to G, B to G, C to G, C# to G, and so on.

Nowadays, I no longer have any issues with the note jumping up, but I still keep doing those interval exercises to help improve the sound/intonation. For example, currently I still cannot smoothly slur down to G/G# from the front F fingering for E, I always have to take a brief pause to adjust my voicing, then the note sounds properly. Hopefully this will improve as time goes by.

 

[Colin the Bear]

There's a small chance that mouthpiece position is in the mix.

The strange thing with saxophone is that when starting out the emphasis is not to squeak. Later we learn to squeak on purpose and call it altissimo.

 

[MikeMorrell]

There's a small chance that mouthpiece position is in the mix.

The strange thing with saxophone is that when starting out the emphasis is not to squeak. Later we learn to squeak on purpose and call it altissimo.

Squeaking (altissimo): .

TBH, I have wondered whether my mpc/neck position just might be a contributing factor. I'll experiment.