Intonation Soprano Sax Tuning

[Nikki]

Nikki

Deluxe WAW Sax Thumb Rest works for Alto and Tenor by providing a bridge over the F# trill keycap, allowing right thumb to be placed more naturally opposite the index finger. I asked manufacturer and he has no plans to make it for Soprano unfortunately. This is simply 3D printed. Maybe an enterprising Café member could customise a 3D print model that would work for soprano? (Sopranos vary a lot in design but maybe someone could make for the most popular Yamaha 475!)

Thumb Splint stabiliser is available with bars to stabilise around thumb (transfer weight to base of thumb) or to simply act as a reminder not to gorilla grip keys or lift weight with thumb.

Clive

I’m going to look for something like this.
Thanks for the info Clive.

 

[Nikki]

I’m going to look for something like this.
Thanks for the info Clive.

You are most welcome. Thank ‘you’ for including me into the conversation.
I’m having a conversation with myself.

 

[nigeld]

I’m having a conversation with myself.

That's the best way to have a sensible conversation. 😉

 

[rhysonsax]

That's the best way to have a sensible conversation. 😉

Until it turns into an argument.

Rhys (I'm a Gemini - both of me)

 

[CliveMA]

I've just traded my straight sop for a curved neck sop. The straight sop (Jupiter) bruised my right thumb middle joint every time I played.

The curved neck sop (Yamaha) does not. There seems to be a subtle but important difference in the thumb rest position between my two saxes (my Yamaha thumb rest position seems higher so my thumb no longer gets bruised by the rest). This is independent of ergo benefit of using neck strap on curved neck sop. (Note I don't have any tendinitis or strength problems).

We are all different and our thumbs and hands are all different. If you have thumb problems it may be worth trying different brands to see if one suits your thumb more than another.

 

[CliveMA]

Dr Eugene Rousseau, design consultant for Yamaha 62/82, on Sitting and Standing positions for saxophone. Dr Rousseau discusses the correct standing position for both straight-necked and curved-neck sopranos.

 

[Pete Effamy]

Dr Eugene Rousseau, design consultant for Yamaha 62/82, on Sitting and Standing positions for saxophone. Dr Rousseau discusses the correct standing position for both straight-necked and curved-neck sopranos.

It’s good info, but for most things he talks about there are other well-used ways these days too.
All this talk of the clarinet embouchure needing the mouthpiece note to be at the very top note is not entirely correct either - unless you want to play with a tight (pinched imo) classical sound. There are other truths here too.

 

[Colin the Bear]

A curved sop eliminates all thumb problems by hanging the weight on the sling. Simples. If you don't mind the "toy" comments. 😉

 

[Pete Effamy]

A curved sop eliminates all thumb problems by hanging the weight on the sling. Simples. If you don't mind the "toy" comments. 😉

I wouldn't disagree, but for me the curved sop felt odd and I couldn't get on with it however I held it.

 

[rhysonsax]

Semi-curved "saxello" style one piece by Rampone & Cazzani in gold plate is my dream soprano and has the best of both straight and curved sops for me. Works well with a slings, looks gorgeous and the player can hear their own sound.

Rhys

 

[CliveMA]

A curved sop eliminates all thumb problems by hanging the weight on the sling. Simples. If you don't mind the "toy" comments. 😉

A curved sop eliminates thumb problems but complicates maintenance. Matt Stohrer claims the detachable crook is the most likely part to leak first on any sax and more so the smaller the sax. Secondly, the curved sop puts a lot of keywork in a smaller space, making it problematic to service, potentially costing more long term.

A curved neck sop lessens thumb issues (eliminates thumb issues for some) without complicating maintenance.

 

[CliveMA]

It’s good info, but for most things he talks about there are other well-used ways these days too.
All this talk of the clarinet embouchure needing the mouthpiece note to be at the very top note is not entirely correct either - unless you want to play with a tight (pinched imo) classical sound. There are other truths here too.

I only meant to reference the video about standing position for straight and curved-neck sops not all the other videos that you have commented on.

 

[CliveMA]

A curved sop eliminates thumb problems but complicates maintenance. Matt Stohrer claims the detachable crook is the most likely part to leak first on any sax and more so the smaller the sax. Secondly, the curved sop puts a lot of keywork in a smaller space, making it problematic to service, potentially costing more long term.

A curved neck sop lessens thumb issues (eliminates thumb issues for some) without complicating maintenance.

I meant curved-neck single piece not detachable neck.

 

[Pete Effamy]

I only meant to reference the video about standing position for straight and curved-neck sops not all the other videos that you have commented on.

Yes, but the head can come forward, although I concede that there is the opportunity to create neck ache. Many play with the head tilted downwards though.

 

[jbtsax]

It’s good info, but for most things he talks about there are other well-used ways these days too.
All this talk of the clarinet embouchure needing the mouthpiece note to be at the very top note is not entirely correct either - unless you want to play with a tight (pinched imo) classical sound. There are other truths here too.

In my education and training what is referred to as a "characteristic" clarinet sound is the one used by clarinetists who play in symphony orchestras and perform classical literature as a soloist and in small ensembles. The embouchure for this style of playing produces a tone that is at or near the top of the "mouthpiece pitch" which means that notes cannot be "lipped up" as on the saxophone.

Of course jazz players like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Eddy Daniels and traditional jazz players like Pete Fountain, etc. played on a lower mouthpiece pitch which enabled them to play with more volume and have more flexibility of tone and pitch to produce the "inflections" that characterize that style of music. The same can be said of jazz saxophonists who play on a lower mouthpiece pitch than classical players to achieve the tone quality that is more in keeping with that style of music.

 

[Pete Effamy]

In my education and training what is referred to as a "characteristic" clarinet sound is the one used by clarinetists who play in symphony orchestras and perform classical literature as a soloist and in small ensembles. The embouchure for this style of playing produces a tone that is at or near the top of the "mouthpiece pitch" which means that notes cannot be "lipped up" as on the saxophone.

Of course jazz players like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Eddy Daniels and traditional jazz players like Pete Fountain, etc. played on a lower mouthpiece pitch which enabled them to play with more volume and have more flexibility of tone and pitch to produce the "inflections" that characterize that style of music. The same can be said of jazz saxophonists who play on a lower mouthpiece pitch than classical players to achieve the tone quality that is more in keeping with that style of music.

No , I agree - “near” the top of the pitch, not “at” the top of the pitch. I’m talking classical too, not jazz. Much of the norm or fashion is for the tight sound recently though, of which I’m not a fan. I prefer slightly more open, like the English sound of John/Jack McCaw

 

[Pete Effamy]

@jbtsax compare these two:

John McCaw and Michael Froest

View: https://youtu.be/9GnJBLwOjFo

View: https://youtu.be/O4cAKATejfE

 

[CliveMA]

No , I agree - “near” the top of the pitch, not “at” the top of the pitch. I’m talking classical too, not jazz. Much of the norm or fashion is for the tight sound recently though, of which I’m not a fan. I prefer slightly more open, like the English sound of John/Jack McCaw

Define "near" in semitones vs top.

Define for clarinet: classical vs jazz mouthpiece only pitch.

Define for sop sax: classical vs jazz mouthpiece only.

Clive

 

[CliveMA]

Discussion on jazz vs classical mouthpiece pitch.

 

[Jeanette]

Define "near" in semitones vs top.

Define for clarinet: classical vs jazz mouthpiece only pitch.

Define for sop sax: classical vs jazz mouthpiece only.

Clive

Please 🙂

Jx