Spring tension

[allansto]

Hi Everyone
Ive got another question ??????? About spring tension

I was practicing tonight for a while and Ive been at work all day (Tradie ) so my hands are tired and I got to
realizing that the springs on my sax are actually quite strong.

I know oviously that they need to keep the pads shut against my outgoing air.

But I wonder............ do more expensive, top of the range saxes, have really light keys requireing very little finger pressure to operate the keys?
Or can I get my sax operated on by a tech, and have lighter strength springs put in??
Allansto

 

[kevgermany]

Spring tension is adjustable - by bending the spring. On the keys you close yourself the springs need to be strong enough to open the keys at a reasonable speed. On the ones held clsoed by the springs, then it's necessary to have them stiff enough o stop them blowing open. Others are a little more complicated. So it's a balance of feel and performance. Your tech should be able to lighten things.

And if you read Stephen Howards review of the YAS 475,

http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/Yamaha_YAS475.htm

you'll see that he comments that the springs on that are set a little firm, with the keys a touch high. Seems it's common, from what he says...

 

[jbtsax]

Very good answer Kev. It is interesting to note that the spring closed keys are not actually "blown open" by the air the player blows into the mouthpiece, but by the pressure node of the sound wave when it occurs at that location under the pad. Both involve the movement of molecules of air but they are in fact quite different.

 

[old git]

Really repeating what was posted yonks ago.

Gave mine to Griff for a thorough overhaul and what a difference. Guess the tech uses their judgement in what feels good and it took just so little effort to play, that it reawakened my enthusiasm.

Throw it at Griff if he is passing Ockerland on a boat.

 

[kevgermany]

Very good answer Kev. It is interesting to note that the spring closed keys are not actually "blown open" by the air the player blows into the mouthpiece, but by the pressure node of the sound wave when it occurs at that location under the pad. Both involve the movement of molecules of air but they are in fact quite different.

Yes, if it was down to airflow, the keys would be sucked shut.

 

[allansto]

thanks for all the replies
some great advice
thanks for the recommendation old git but Ill find one down under
besides I wouldnt want to steal griff from you guys
he might like it down here🙂))🙂))🙂))