really newb questions.

[froob]

Well hello, first let me introduce myself as i am new to these forums.

I am Kit, 27 for aberdeen in sunny sunny scotland. Ive been playing for a roughly 2 months. My sister is my teacher, its what she does for a living. She is a grade 8 in piano and clarinet i think. She has played with her pit band for a few shows using the sax. Shes teaching me. Ive been looking around for help and advice for a specific issue im having. I can hit the high notes and low notes(sharps just naturals). Except when it comes to high D. I just cant get it. I either get a high squeel, a 2 tone with low d ish effect, or a really airy D which sounds awfull compared to the crisp other notes.

Any advice on this would be really appeciated.

Thank you in advance.
Kit

 

[jonf]

Hi Kit

Good to hear from someone in Aberdeen - my inlaws are from Ballater/Tarland, about 50 miles inland from the granite city, so I get to see it quite a bit. Nice part of the world.

First thing I'd suggest you do is give the sax to your sister and check out how she sounds on high D. If it's OK at least you've ruled out a problem with the sax.

Next thing is, unfortunately, dogged persistance with the practice. One thing I found, though, first learning the clarinet about thirty years ago. I had exactly the same problem, I just couldn't hit some of the high notes, and I found I could manage it a bit more easily by playing a scale legato up to the offending (or offensive) note. That enabled me to work on it and eventually I got to be able to hit all the high ones without bother.

The other thing to maybe consider is a slightly harder reed, as this will make the high notes a bit easier. The only problem with this is that it can make the low ones more difficult. Don't be tempted to go for a very hard reed, though - I don't buy the macho thing about playing reeds as stiff as a scaffolding board.

Good luck with it, and stick with it. One thing's for sure - it will some, even if it takes a while.

Cheers

Jon

 

[Pjonah]

I second that advice JonF.

I think we all have issues during the early years with certain notes, I used to struggle with anything below low d, then I discovered it was the sax!

After the Conn was set up I could play the notes as simply as that, but what it did do is develop a skill for feeling/nurturing a process of note construction.

I found before the instrument was sorted it was difficult to start a passage with any of these notes, but with practice could just about manage it. After the instrument was sorted it was a breeze but I could tell if a note was going to be difficult and I knew what adjustments I needed to make in my embouchure, tonguing or air column.

Simon

 

[sharon]

Hi Kit - welcome to the forum.

I've only been playing six months and I have a problem with High D which seems random, but I assume it will get better with practice. I think most new players seem to have trouble with the very high and very low notes. If it's not the sax, I wouldn't worry just keep practicing.


Sharon

 

[Rogerb]

Do you mean High D with the palm key, or Middle D using six fingers + the octave key?)

I've found both difficult...Middle D just seems to be a 'stuffy' note on most saxes, especially compared with the 'clear' C below it, and when one gets up to the palm keys, they are *all* a bit tricky for a beginner!

Long notes help, as always! 😉

 

[froob]

thank you for the advice people. its really appreciated. Its middle D with the octive key, sorry. I didnt realise there was higher.

Also, just to add, the sax got a look over by a sax tech when i bought it.

 

[Linky Lee]

Maybe you have bent the octave mechanism when putting the sax together and this is meaning the octave key on the sax body isn't opening properly.

Give it to your Sister/Repairman if she isn't so confident for a check over.

is the D below ok? If not, your sax could have a leak.

 

[justin_chune]

Hi Kit, and welcome. Middle D is a real shock for all of us. Follow jonf's advice and practice scales and play past it. It will get better. When I started I was none too impressed with the G and G# above middle D either. I mentioned this to my teacher and he told me that I had just discovered the worst notes on the instrument. You'll get used to them.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi and welcome to the Breakfast Room from sunny Southampton, I can't add anything to the good advice so far, hope it all makes sense.