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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Saxlicker" data-source="post: 615645" data-attributes="member: 73">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 onIs 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 on1) 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 <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%2064%2064%22%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20font-size%3D%2254%22%3E%F0%9F%99%82%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="22" height="22" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /> 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  <img src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%2064%2064%22%3E%3Ctext%20x%3D%2250%25%22%20y%3D%2250%25%22%20text-anchor%3D%22middle%22%20dominant-baseline%3D%22central%22%20font-size%3D%2254%22%3E%F0%9F%98%B1%3C%2Ftext%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="22" height="22" alt=":o" title="Eek!    :o"  data-smilie="9"data-shortname=":o" /> 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!</blockquote>