squeaking!!!

[elliesmith]

when i go up an octive from C to D it squeaks alot

is there a way how can i stop this?

ellie

 

[frank_johnson]

Hi Ellie,
practise, practise, practise!! You have to get the timing right between finger "D" and thumb "octave"
Frank - recent squeaker :erm:

 

[Pete Thomas]

Do you mean going from C to D in the next octave (ie up one whole tone), or C to top D (ie one octave plus one whole tone).

Either way is quite tricky, so Frank is right, practice playing between those notes

 

[sharon]

How long have you been playing? I think squeaking is par for the course to start. When I did a lot of squeaking I'd stop and rest as often it was because my embouchure was tired. I've also found a worn reed makes me squeak in the upper octaves.

The others are quite right about the practice though - sorts out most things eventually

Sharon 😉

 

[jersey_mike]

Yes--as disgusting as it sounds--time, practice, and (especially) patience seem to be the answer to most of our difficulties with the sax.

 

[Bobby G]

It seemed to me as a starter that the middle notes were fine, say from low Eb up to high Bb, but anything outside this range needed work - one day you'd find you could hit high B or C consistently without squeaking, a week later D, then Eb, E..... it just takes a bit of time for you to increase the notes at the top and bottom ends that you can get to without thinking about.

The bottom notes are a different matter, the most common problem I had with them was stopping them from jumping an octave (or some other harmonic, like a fifth or even a twelfth), but again it's just a matter of working at it - also, worrying about it can cause you to subconsciously tense up to the point where the duff note or squeak will happen, so again it's just a matter of trying to keep relaxed while you play the high (or lowest) notes, and it'll happen soon enough.

Cheers, Bob

 

[philthd]

someone shoot me down if im wrong - but a fifth isnt a harmonic is it?
harmonics being exact multiples of frequencies and a fifth being 3/2 of the fundamental

 

[elliesmith]

iv been playing for about year and a half and i am about to do my grade 4

 

[Linky Lee]

I think you're right PhilthD. I think the fifth is known as an overtone.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Fundamental = 1st harmonic
An octave above = 2nd harmonic (aka 1st overtone)
An octave and a fifth = 3rd harmonic (aka 2nd overtone)

Confusing eh?

see: http://www.petethomas.co.uk/saxophone-harmonics.html

Anyway a bit off topic now, sorry Ellie.

 

[Rogerb]

And good luck with your Grade 4, Ellie.... I've been learning nearly as long but don't think I'm nearly that good !

 

[jadoube]

I second those good wishes. I've also been playing 1 1/2 years and nowhere near trying grade 4 yet. Keep up the good work Ellie. 😉