Problem with harmonics

[Fraser Jarvis]

Hi, last night at band practice whilst skanking between middle D & E i seemed to be getting several overtones or harmonics sounding whilst playing the D but not on the E, when i play the middle D normally it doesn't happen so i guess not a problem with the sax, but there again it could be as it doesn't happen on the Barone, anybody experienced this? what could be happening?

Thanks.

 

[Two Voices]

It could happen as you vary your airstream slightly.

 

[ArtyLady]

Have you tried just very lightly placing your tongue on the reed to start the new note?

 

[Nick Wyver]

Sounds normal. Just a bit more control needed.

 

[thomsax]

And the get more control you can practise playing the horn parts without the octavekey. You get a cool and a more "spread sound" as well. Sounds almost like two saxes instead of one!

I guess the band you ar playing in is a loud band and you had to push a little bit harder? That happened to me.

Thomas

 

[jbtsax]

Can someone tell me what "skanking" on a saxophone means?

 

[Two Voices]

Can someone tell me what "skanking" on a saxophone means?

I always thought "Skanking" was a style of dancing that goes along with ska music.

 

[BigMartin]

I always thought "Skanking" was a style of dancing that goes along with ska music.

Me, too. It would be hard to skank properly and play the sax at the same time. Maybe that's the problem.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

Can someone tell me what "skanking" on a saxophone means?

Some people call it playing the stabs, some call it skanking, ie playing staccato notes on the offbeat of the rhythm or the "and" if your reading music, really what Ska and Reggae is all about.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

I guess the band you ar playing in is a loud band and you had to push a little bit harder?

The loudest, the other band we share the studio with has some pretty decent equipment lying around but our stuff is ridiculous, not shure the exact power output but something in the region of several thousand watts i would guess, so yes i do have to concentrate even with my monitor right up and i do tend to blow a bit more than normal.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

skanking between middle D & E i seemed to be getting several overtones or harmonics sounding whilst playing the D but not on the E, when i play the middle D normally it doesn't happen

OK, Have since learned how to sort this problem out, can do it two ways, and as Laura says below tonguing, but not normal tonguing, but tonguing kind of from the underneath of the reed if you like, or alternatively and what works better for me is to play the middle D but with the addition of the palm D as well, but remember to get off the palm D as you move to the next note otherwise all hell breaks loose!

 

[gladsaxisme]

Can someone tell me what "skanking" on a saxophone means?

Two people's separated by a common language HA HA

I always thought skanking it meant giving it some wellie

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

Just thought I'd update this in case any Skankers out there were pulling their hair out over that middle D !

 

[jbtsax]

Just thought I'd update this in case any Skankers out there were pulling their hair out over that middle D !

Thanks. That clears it up.

 

[jbtsax]

Two people's separated by a common language HA HA

I always thought skanking it meant giving it some wellie

Thanks. That clears it right up.

 

[gladsaxisme]

Thanks. That clears it right up.

I wish you'd explain it to me then because I haven't got a clue what it's all about

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

OK, Just for John and JB, here's Drew skanking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgqFbBgiizk&feature=player_detailpage hope this clears the confusion!

 

[kevgermany]

jbtsax, see posts #9 and #11 for the first.

for the second, 'giving it some wellie' means push/more/louder/faster depending on context - like 'step on the gas' in the US.

Wellie is an abbreviation for wellington boot aka gumboot in some countries. i.e. rubber boots. Not sure what you call them in the US.

 

[Fraser Jarvis]

rubber boots. Not sure what you call them in the US.

Goloshers!