One note beginner

johnnyorange · Sep 27, 2006

Hello! After looking around this interesting site and forum I thought I'd ask my first stupid question if you don't mind.

I bought a tenor saxophone yesterday and was chuffed that I managed my first note almost straight away. I pulled out the 'Tune A Day' book and decided to familiarise myself with the instrument for a week or two so I don't look like a complete idiot in front of a tutor.

Trouble is, no matter what finger combinations I use, I can only create one note which is essentially the same as when I don't use any of the keys at all. I guess I'm missing something fairly obvious (some sort of packaging that I need to remove, maybe?)

Hopefully this has raised a smile with more seasoned players who have a suggestion or two. All ideas will be gratefully received! Thanks in advance...

Saxlicker · Sep 27, 2006

Hmmm....curious :whistle:

Is the pad on top of the neck closed?
This is usually opened only when you push the (octave) lever above the thumb rest on the back with the left hand thumb.
I have known people use it without meaning too initially.
I have also known the mechanism to be bent out of shape by some beginners without them realising it. (don't panic its an easy fix but as you are a beginner, don't try it yourself)

So check that the neck (crook) is assembled properly into the body allowing the (octave) lever to keep the pad on top closed.

You can give it a basic test, ....Look at your book and learn to finger the note 'A'...Don't blow...Just finger 'A' Now push the octave lever in and out while watching the pad rise and fall. It should open and close. You are checking that its closing properly.
Hopefully its OK so we'll move on

Is the sax new?
If it is and you are sure that there is no packing left anywhere that is causing an obstruction and the neck assembly is good try the recapping the next couple of tips that I'm sure will be in your tune a day book. If the sax is not new, what do you know about it in terms of its condition? I mean do you know it plays OK? (I'm sure this is all just formality and that it works well)

You checked all for packings?...good? lets move on
1) Make sure the (moist) reed is assembled to mouthpiece correctly.

2) Make sure that you understand your embouchure. The bottom lip just curled over your teeth and your top front teeth restly gently on the mouthpiece to grip without biting it.

3) The open position (no fingers) is C sharp. (This should be the note you are getting from your description) Position your hands over each mother of pearl button as per the book but don't close the pads. WATCH OUT FOR THE FIRST FINGER ON THE LEFT HAND. There is a note above it that should be ignored at this point and is probably not a mother of pearl button but a metal 'spatula' design.(Front high F) Look closely at the book.

4) Practise closing your second finger of the left hand down without moving any others.........sax in mouth.

5) When you are comfortable with this, blow the note you can get without any keys closed and then close this finger and hold it closed.
You should hear the pitch get lower. If so you changed your C sharp to the next note down which is a C 🙂

6) If this was a success and you get confident with it, the next step would be to be able to play a C straight away. If you can do this, swap your second finger for the first finger. The same thing happens. You should hear the pitch lower. If so then you have played a B 😱

7) Try playing C sharp ....C.......B and then reversing your fingering so you go back up again.
There thats a giant step huh?
Good luck!

oliver_bentley · Sep 27, 2006

If its new there may be shipping corks under all/some of the pads, which would prevent the pads from moving, and so producing other pitches.
Look at the pads and see if there are any wedge shaped pieces of cork between the pads and the sax (they're put there to stop the key work moving in transit/storgage). if so then remove them. Oli

johnnyorange · Sep 27, 2006

Thanks for all the info gents. Seeing as I live in a terraced house I'll give them a go tomorrow so the neighbour doesn't come knocking.

johnnyorange · Sep 28, 2006

Well what do you know? The neighbour goes out, I have a go at a reasonable volume, and we have lift-off! I guess playing quietly is an acquired skill.

Three notes all in one go thanks to lesson one. Now where's that Madness album... 8)

Hmm - that might take a little effort, but I'm a happy man. It's safely packed away now. My neighbour's a good bloke but my cack-handed version of 'Au Clair de la Lune' would change that!

Thanks for your help gents. There might be some handy hints for the future there.

Saxlicker · Sep 28, 2006

Welldone JohnnyO!!! 😉

The book you have will take you further now.

Just a little 'titbit' to help you along with madness...

Feel the note lengths as you play them for this one.. but its a bit of a bad habit so you'll get no more 😉 But as all these notes are in the 1st key you'll probably learn (key of C) no harm done! Just don't be lazy.

Hey you dont watch that watch this, this is the heavy heavy monster sound......
One step beyond....

D,F,A.....
G,F,-G,F,- D........
(1st phrase)

Bobby G · Sep 28, 2006

I was gonna suggest that one too! And in that key! It was the first tune I ever knocked out...

"Summertime" was next, that's not too hard and a good one for employing embryonic pitch-bending techniques. If that's not jumping ahead too much

Cheers, Bob

jaxx · Feb 3, 2007

thanks for the Madness tip Saxlicker

Linky Lee · Feb 3, 2007

It's a wickedly catchy sax riff and solo.

One I spent a lot of time copying the style and the those little inflections that make it so good. - Learn how to play happy birthday, as soon as someone has a birthday they'll assume you know it and want to hear it!