rust or red rot on saxophone bell

hi
1/ got my sax out today and noticed two small areas of rust in side the bell what should i do about it?
2/ keep thinking about am i using the right keys on my sax boosey & hawkes the b,a,c keys on mine there are five keys four large and one small key two big keys then one small key then one more big key what are these keys i know as above but which should i be using for Bb and what do you think.
3/ i think i might be drowning (just joking ) will i dry up as i get better i seem to be getting very wet is this normal
many thanks
pip
 
Phew!

In answer to question 1 - the probable answer is don't do anything! You'll probably make it worse! You could try some clean cool water on a cotton cloth / handkerchief and give it a gentle wipe, but otherwise, I wouldn't do anything yourself. It will not be affecting the sound of the sax.
Do you dry your sax after you've played? - use a pull-through appropriate to your sax ( they come in different sizes). If you can, leave the sax out for a while to air dry as well before putting it away in its case.

In answer to question 2 - I think we might need a photo. I am looking at my Alto here, and trying to work out which 5 keys you mean. If I have guessed correctly, then they are (in order from the top) the front F key, used in combination with the C key and the octave key to make top F; the B key, used to play B; the Bbis key, used in combination with the B key to play Bflat; the A key, used with the B key to make A or used alone to make C; the G key, used with the B and A keys to make G.

For Bflat, I almost always use the B and A keys in combination with the lower of the 3 side lever keys near your right hand index finger knuckle, but there are at least 3 ways of playing Bflat!

In answer to your 3rd question - yes, it is normal to drown! Well not exactly, but lots of people dribble in the early days. It will improve, just wipe it away for now.

Keep asking away.
 
In answer to question 2 there are several ways to finger Bb all used in different contexts, I normally use what is termed "long Bb" B on the top stack and F on the bottom stack, fingering A on the top and using the bottom side "knuckle key" produces the same result, BisB, the B key in tandem with the little one below it (above the C key) works as well, great if you have a run that finishes on Bb. The quick answer is whichever one makes it easiest depending on where you are coming from or going to, practise them all.
 
Question 1. Brass is a non ferrous metal and does not rust. question 2 Listen to majordenis question 3 Probably the cause is condensation not how long you have been playing, I still get wet fingers. Those pound shops do a great three pack of micro fibre cloths. Unless you prefer your jeans or jumper. 🙂
 
hi fan tas tic as always many thanks i only one i did not know was front f maybe i have not got that far yet i also did not know about three ways to play Bb so may need to try others ways to play it .
so if i am right you use for a to g is the second , fourth& fith . Bb being second & third leaving just f front at one.
as all ways many thanks
pip
 
I'm having a bit of trouble understanding your key references, if you don't have a teacher which is in my humble opinion essential for a beginner for embouchure and technique, there are many good, cheap instruction books. I started with Abracadabra for Saxophone and these can be picked up for a couple of pounds. There is also lots of useful info on this site including a new starters section.
 
For now ignore 1 (front F) and 3 (bis) and call the remaining keys 1, 2, and 3 which correspond to the first 3 fingers on the left hand. The right hand is simpler continuing with 4, 5, 6.

The "rust" spots inside the bell are probably the zinc leaching out of the brass which is a copper and zinc alloy. It is called "red rot", especially when it goes completely through the brass and leaves a hole. You can take a bit of metal polish on a cloth over your finger and remove the discoloration, although it may leave a shiny spot in its place. Then you can put a layer of Renaissance Wax or Carnauba Wax over the area to inhibit further corrosion if you like.
 

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