Saxophone beginners Playing the upper octave

[MartinL]

Thanks for all the new replies.


ps, someone asked what horn I had? It's a Trevor James Classic.

Me Too...


I hope its all going OK for you..

 

[kevgermany]

... - in fact I sometimes have the opposite problem now, when I come from a higher note down to a lower one, I occasionally find myself playing the lower one in the upper register, even though I'm not holding the octave key!

This is caused by a too tight embouchure. Just relax a little and it'll be there.

 

[JasonC]

Hello Buzby,

It seems like your going through pretty much exactly what I'm going through at the moment!

The conclusion that I have come to so far is that my embouchure and breathing is the main culprit of dodgy notes etc, although I am looking into upgrading my mouthpiece (and may be ligature) from the very basic one that came with it to something a little more well known. My teacher (and others on here) recommended me not to replace the mouthpiece at one stage but since my teacher had a go on my sax he has now changed his mind! he also tried my sax with one of his mouthpieces to check it wasn't a problem with the sax itself but his mouthpiece played perfect, it also sounded fantastic! but he told me not to get a high end mouthpiece, especially a metal one.

Good luck with your sax and just keep practising!

 

[MartinL]

Now I couldn't get a good note on mine tonight, checking and adjusting the reed numerous times, all looked OK but eventually tried a new reed, Fine again...