Intonation Soprano Sax Tuning

[Pete Effamy]

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

Simple: whatever doesn't sound like it's in a vice. Let your ears decide on the instrument.

 

[CliveMA]

Discussion on jazz vs classical mouthpiece pitch.

Above reference suggests:

• "Standard" mouthpiece concert pitch for classical playing on Soprano: C varying by a half step or so. Top pitch: E flat concert above C.
• Jazz mouthpiece pitch not set in stone but no higher than classical pitch, the lower you play the more harmonic content or colour. (Minimum playable bottom pitch: E flat below C).
• Experiment with Jazz mouthpiece pitch and find a pitch that is comfortable and that you can control.

Comments? Agree or disagree?

 

[Pete Effamy]

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

I don't see why it has to be so absolute and scientific. I've never used or been taught about mouthpiece pitches. The idea seems to be very useful, but many players will have never been taught this way or use it. My point is that whilst some - seemingly the American school, and many others these days - there are other schools that are not as tight. I'd like the talk of mouthpiece pitch to be "at the top, or near the top of the pitch"

 

[Pete Effamy]

Above reference suggests:

• "Standard" mouthpiece concert pitch for classical playing on Soprano: C varying by a half step or so. Top pitch: E flat concert above C.
• Jazz mouthpiece pitch not set in stone but no higher than classical pitch, the lower you play the more harmonic content or colour. (Minimum playable bottom pitch: E flat below C).
• Experiment with Jazz mouthpiece pitch and find a pitch that is comfortable and that you can control.

Comments? Agree or disagree?

I don't know really Clive as I've never used it. I was talking about classical clarinet playing, as Eugene Rousseau pronounced it to be "at the top of the pitch", which is a half truth.

 

[Pete Effamy]

This demonstrates perfectly. This youngster has a big open sound, which you can't get is you play at the top of the mouthpiece pitch

View: https://youtu.be/8AzV_Sz-oYw

 

[CliveMA]

Han Kim plays beautifully. I certainly don't remember my own clarinet playing anything like that! (50 years ago now).

 

[Pete Effamy]

Anthony McGill of the NY Phil actually plays with a pretty open sound. The nationalistic schools have all merged since my day of playing classically in the 80's.

I saw the Royal Phil play a few weeks ago, and the Principle Clarinet had a pretty tight sound.
Karl Leister was a big influence when I was young too - nice and open. Sabine Meyer was a pupil of Leister I think, but she doesn't play with as open a sound.

View: https://youtu.be/_Z9iaOZqIh4

View: https://youtu.be/PRXZv01h5Q8

View: https://youtu.be/arNCFAD25Z0

 

[Pete Effamy]

Han Kim plays beautifully. I certainly don't remember my own clarinet playing anything like that! (50 years ago now).

Doesn't he!

 

[CliveMA]

So how would you compare/advise an embouchure for an open clarinet sound versus a sop sax embouchure/sound?

 

[Pete Effamy]

So how would you compare/advise an embouchure for an open clarinet sound versus a sop sax embouchure/sound?

I don't know. One, I never played classical sax professionally, though I do in jazz and pop. I have played classical clarinet professionally.

 

[CliveMA]

OK, might be interesting for you to try the mouthpiece pitch exercise. I wonder what your sop mouthpiece pitch is?

BTW, totally off-topic but I just sold my 1949 Selmer SBA Alto and I notice you own one! Mine was serial 40xxx. How close is yours? They might be bros from all those years ago. 😎

 

[Pete Effamy]

OK, might be interesting for you to try the mouthpiece pitch exercise. I wonder what your sop mouthpiece pitch is?

BTW, totally off-topic but I just sold my 1949 Selmer SBA Alto and I notice you own one! Mine was serial 40xxx. How close is yours? They might be bros from all those years ago. 😎

That's interesting! I was going to sell mine too. It's a 37XXX. Always thought it was 1949 too.

 

[CliveMA]

That's interesting! I was going to sell mine too. It's a 37XXX. Always thought it was 1949 too.

Sax museum site has yours as 1948 (beginning serial 35801), an older bro of mine (1949 serials beginning 38501 and ending 41501).

 

[Pete Effamy]

Sax museum site has yours as 1948 (beginning serial 35801), an older bro of mine (1949 serials beginning 38501 and ending 41501).

Cheers Clive

 

[jbtsax]

I can understand how different professional clarinetists can have a different concept of sound they try to achieve. However I can't agree that one tone is better or worse than another. They are neither "good nor bad" they are just different. I think it is great that as musicians we are all individuals with different "tastes".

 

[Pete Effamy]

I can understand how different professional clarinetists can have a different concept of sound they try to achieve. However I can't agree that one tone is better or worse than another. They are neither "good nor bad" they are just different. I think it is great that as musicians we are all individuals with different "tastes".

Ah, but I didn't say one was better than the other!

 

[jbtsax]

Ah, but I didn't say one was better than the other!

To me the use of the word "pinched" gives that connotation.

 

[Pete Effamy]

To me the use of the word "pinched" gives that connotation.

It doesn't sound pinched to you? Tight? What other word? It isn't open. The opposite to open then.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Closed?

 

[Pete Effamy]

Closed?

Perfect.