Re-learning the Saxophone

[freestyleboard37]

I use to play the alto saxophone. I played it for 3 years in a band but have not played in many years. I recently decided to relearn the saxophone and then start advancing from there.
I bought a used saxophone and got a beginner's mouthpiece with 2 1/2 reeds for my re-learning process before I move up to more advanced playing.
I am able to make the correct tone in just the mouthpiece/neck. Last week I was able to play from a low G to a high C. But after about 15 minutes of playing my range deteriorated so that I can play A to D with any consistency. Now that feels the norm range for me.
I remembered all of the notes and their fingering after playing a little while, however my limited range is causing me discomfort.
Because it is a used saxophone I am wondering if I should get it checked out, however I don't want to spend the money if I don't have to (college student with no money).
What tips would you recommend to increase my range?
Why would my range have deteriorated after the first couple days?
What should I look for before taking my sax to be inspected?

 

[blues_growler]

Meow.


By this time tomorrow you'll be buried under helpful advice. Good luck with re-learning the saxophone.

 

[tengu01]

Here comes the first shovel of dirt: Long, slow tones. Get your embouchure used to the idea of having a saxophone to deal with.

There will be lots more advice coming, so I will keep mine short and restricted to that one gem.

Welcome back to the sax 😉

 

[Bobby G]

If you haven't played for years then obviously you need to strengthen your embouchure - you're probably finding it tires quite quickly, and the first notes to suffer are the lowest and highest few. It might also help to use a softer reed, say a 2 until you've been playing for a while.

Yes, it might be worth getting your sax checked over, some repairers will do a quick test for leaks using a leak light at no cost, and any minor tweaks and adjustments shouldn't be expensive.

Seconding tengu's comment, welcome back to the saxophone, and welcome to the Breakfast Room 🙂

 

[jonf]

I took a few years off after the birth of our first child - she was terified of the sax for a while (likes it now, and even at the age of six can get a note out of alto tenor baritone and C mel).

Anyways, scales, long notes, breathing practice and all that stuff. But also make sure you get a book of music of tunes you really like, and really get into playing music again. If you do enjoy it, you'll just want to play every day, and it'll all come flooding back. It'll probably make your mouth hurt a bit, but that'll go off.

You can probably get someone to give your sax a quick check over for nothing, either a friendly local shop or an experienced player. Where are you? Someone on this board will doubtless know some generous soul who can give your sax a look over in your area.

JonF

 

[freestyleboard37]

I live in Columbia, SC.

I'll keep practicing and report back.

 

[freestyleboard37]

OK much improvement today, even was able to started practicing learning some songs.

I am having trouble hitting low notes, if I recall lower notes gave me trouble in the past. High notes not so much. What tips would you suggest for lower notes?
Scale down and try holding it a while?

 

[tengu01]

Low notes - Long tones.
1. Start on the lowest note you are comfortable with and play it for 4, then semitone down for 4, return to your comfort zone and then a semitone lower, for example if your comfort note is E, then E for a 4 count, Eb for a 4 count. E for 4, D for 4 etc.

2. Push the air through your horn, and not into the mouthpiece e.g. if you're trying to fog up a window through the bell of your horn.

My 2 cents. Let us know whether any of it is useful.

Cheers

 

[phil_edwards]

tengu01 wrote:
....
2. Push the air through your horn, and not into the mouthpiece e.g. if you're trying to fog up a window through the bell of your horn.

Yep, good one to work on, particularly when you're on long-tones as you've got time to consider all aspects of your playing - posture, tone, embouchure etc.

When you're trying to play something melodic your mind switches to 'reading and fingering practice' and you lose concentration on some of the fundamentals.

Another way to think of it is to imagine you're blowing up a balloon on the bell of the sax - focus on the air column getting out of the bell, not going in the mouthpiece.

regards, Phil

 

[freestyleboard37]

OK I've got it so that I can play low notes by scaling down. However when I try starting on, say a low D, I feel as if I have no control nor consistency. I have no trouble with Eb.