Beginner Three questions.

[dave 645]

1- As I play more, do I get worse? Or do I get more particular in the quality of the sound I am looking for?

2- I usually put my reeds into their plastic covers when I have finished playing. This morning I forgot, and have just found the reed all crinkly. Is this normal?

3- The London jazz festival is currently running, what are your recommendations for some good quality saxmanship?

Thanks for your time,

Dave

 

[Pee Dee]

1- As I play more, do I get worse? Or do I get more particular in the quality of the sound I am looking for?

2- I usually put my reeds into their plastic covers when I have finished playing. This morning I forgot, and have just found the reed all crinkly. Is this normal?

3- The London jazz festival is currently running, what are your recommendations for some good quality saxmanship?

Thanks for your time,

Dave

1. As you progress you have a go at playing more difficult pieces, which are not as easy as before, so you make more mistakes.
2. I've never put my reeds back into their plastic covers, if they have one, and have never experienced crinkly reeds. Sometimes I just leave them on the instrument:shocked:
3. I'll leave that to others;}

 

[Mamos]

3. Chris Potter definitely

mamos

 

[kevgermany]

1 - No/yes, but PD is also right.
2 - Yes, doesn't do any harm, just makes them harder to play before they get wet. A cheapo la voz case is a good idea.
3 - No idea

 

[VirusKiller]

2- I usually put my reeds into their plastic covers when I have finished playing. This morning I forgot, and have just found the reed all crinkly. Is this normal?

I guess you are playing with soft reeds? I'm using 1.5 strength and the very thin tips do go a little wrinkly even in plastic covers, but it's not a problem once the reeds are soaked again.

 

[MandyH]

2 - Yes, doesn't do any harm, just makes them harder to play before they get wet. A cheapo la voz case is a good idea.

I used to leave my reeds on, and not wet them before starting to play.

I still leave my reeds on the mp, but at the start of every session, I now take them off and give them a good wetting before replacing. It now easier to get the good notes from the first blow, rather than having to puff my way through a load of bum notes until the reed gets wet enough.

 

[Pete Thomas]

1- As I play more, do I get worse? Or do I get more particular in the quality of the sound I am looking for?

No you get better. You think you get worse because your critical awareness improves.

It's very frustrating.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Hi There!

Good questions.

1. Can't tell what you sound like, but agree with Pete about increased awareness and development of critical faculties. In therapeutic terms the stages are:

a. Unconscious Incompetence
b. Conscious Incompetence
c. Conscious Competence
d. Unconscious Competence

Sounds like you have moved from a. to b. :shocked:;}

2. It is worth rubbing your reeds from back to front using your thumb on a flat surface before and after use initially - helps to settle the reed fibres down. Also good to put reeds back in their plastic containers to help keep them flat and dry in shape. I soak mine in mouthwash for up to a minute to moisten them before playing - nicer to play and they remain hygienic and free of bacteria.

3. Peter King (alto) - two gigs, and the Barbican 3pm freestage concert on Saturday 20th - Dave Stapleton Quintet (Ben Waghorn - Sop/Tenor), and Martin Speake Quartet (Martin - Alto).

Kind regards
Tom