Tech/maintenance Re: My Saxophone Is Unable to Produce a Sound.

[Smoky Progg]

Greetings People -


I do not know what happened to it; after leaving the airport, and after reaching home I discovered that the saxophone could not produce any notes. I do not know if the problem is due to my playing - because it has been four days since my last practice session - or if getting it repaired will be necessary. Support would be greatly appreciated; thank you so much. Lastly; I apologize for the quality of the recording. Please turn down the volume when listening to the recording. This is the recording.


Warm regards,

Person on the Internet.

 

[Merryfisher]

Did your saxophone go through airport baggage handling?

 

[Smoky Progg]

Did your saxophone go through airport baggage handling?

No, but I did find the problem... A pad fell out.

 

[Smoky Progg]

Presently I am getting it repaired.

 

[mizmar]

Missing pad or bent key is a great way to quit a sax. Bent key or key out of wack because a screw or rod has worked loose.
IMHO it's worth while knowing how to give the instrument a visual / wriggly finger check.

 

[Dr G]

Missing pad or bent key is a great way to quit a sax. Bent key or key out of wack because a screw or rod has worked loose.
IMHO it's worth while knowing how to give the instrument a visual / wriggly finger check.

Amen to "Get to know your horn".

If something doesn't work right, slow down enough to play the horn from top to bottom while listening to each note. When you hear something wrong, look at the keys involved. The saxophone is a pretty basic piece of plumbing - something opens or shuts and the seal either works or it doesn't. Leaks can and will creep up on you over time to it's good to learn how they affect the response of the horn.

Talk to your repair person while the sad pad is fixed. Ask them to drop a leak light down the horn to show you whether other pads are properly performing.

Enjoy exploring your horn.

 

[Targa]

I’d say take the trouble to make sure you know how all the linkages interact while the sax is fully working so that if it goes wrong you don’t have to think is that supposed to be like that.
It was through doing that I found that mine had a part which seemed to be redundant and asking on here found that it was.

 

[Colin the Bear]

It's just a tube with holes. Each hole is a semitone. The holes are too big and far apart for just fingers so they have flaps.

Starting from this simple premise a chromatic scale opens the holes in order.

Now, playing it and fixing it, that's a whole different ball game.

 

[JayeNM]

glad you got it to a tech

 

[PigSquealer]

No, but I did find the problem... A pad fell out.

Welcome to the Café.
What key did the pad fall out of ? Brand of sax ? This issue is usually related to the lack of adequate adhesive. Common on some makes. Do avoid leaving your horn in a hot car / trunk or any sunny hot areas. Lacking adhesive it doesn’t take much heat to loosen what’s there.

 

[Smoky Progg]

I am so sorry, I cannot respond to everyone; I did get them to check alignment, and do a whole inspection... The tech played it and said it sounded good, and yeah. ALSO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE SUPPORT IT MEANS A LOT, I really appreciate it.

 

[PigSquealer]

I did get them to check alignment, and do a whole inspection...

Not sure what an alignment is ? Glad you had a technician look it over.

 

[Dr G]

Not sure what an alignment is ? Glad you had a technician look it over.

I’m guessing it was a leak check.

 

[Smoky Progg]

I’m guessing it was a leak check.

I think so, I may have misheard.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I’m guessing it was a leak check.

And/or regulation.

 

[PigSquealer]

I think so, I may have misheard.

No problem. As a beginner you’re probably not familiar with all the terminology. This takes time but you’ll learn.
Lots of information here on site.

Saxophones - Saxophone Glossary

A better glossary of the most common terms used by saxophone players in regard to instruments and playing. Now you'll know what everyone's talking about.

cafesaxophone.com

Here’s a handy picture to have for future reference.

 

[Tuppertn]

Actually, all of my saxophones are unable to produce a sound.


They stay very, very quiet until I blow into the small, pointy end.

 

[Targa]

Actually, all of my saxophones are unable to produce a sound.


They stay very, very quiet until I blow into the small, pointy end.

That’s what you think, they probably talk about you behind your back; planning on how to make you sound like a fool at the most embarrassing moment.

 

[Tuppertn]

That’s what you think, they probably talk about you behind your back; planning on how to make you sound like a fool at the most embarrassing moment.

Well, that would explain a lot. They must have multiple contingencies.