Woland
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 101
- Location
- Austin, TX
I keep getting this slight instability on low C. I can do everything right - embouchure, air pressure etc - but when I play long note somewhere along the line the warbling starts - it comes and goes. If I put mpc cap in bell I can eliminate it. I suspect that at some point I will be able to completely control it (this is 4th month that I am playing after 30+yrs break) but perhaps it is some issue with my tenor? It was in the shop couple days ago - so there should be no leaks.
Edit:
OK so after I posted I found these two:
"Try this: Play low C softly and while holding that note add the G# key. If the low C seems to have more "resistance" it means that the G# closing arm from the F# needs adjusting. A general rule of thumb when a bell note is hard to play is to look for a leak about half way from the tip of the "missing cone" to where the note vents. This is often in the area of the side Bb or the G#."
And:
"I have to use a wine cork full time in the bell of my Ref54 if I want to play anything lower than D quietly. I have just accepted it as part of the character of the instrument. I have other necks that ameliorate the issue (but do not fully cure it) but those necks also change the octave relationships which I do not like so much.
Also, keep the neck swabbed out, as the neck fills with condensation/spit the problem gets worse for me."
Hmmm.... Interesting idea - and I can use good bottle of wine ;-)
I checked my neck today - it was quite reddish inside - I do not think anybody every tried to polish it inside. I clean in thoroughly after practice by this is 70yo sax so a lot of folks down the way (although I owned it for half of its life).
Edit:
OK so after I posted I found these two:
"Try this: Play low C softly and while holding that note add the G# key. If the low C seems to have more "resistance" it means that the G# closing arm from the F# needs adjusting. A general rule of thumb when a bell note is hard to play is to look for a leak about half way from the tip of the "missing cone" to where the note vents. This is often in the area of the side Bb or the G#."
And:
"I have to use a wine cork full time in the bell of my Ref54 if I want to play anything lower than D quietly. I have just accepted it as part of the character of the instrument. I have other necks that ameliorate the issue (but do not fully cure it) but those necks also change the octave relationships which I do not like so much.
Also, keep the neck swabbed out, as the neck fills with condensation/spit the problem gets worse for me."
Hmmm.... Interesting idea - and I can use good bottle of wine ;-)
I checked my neck today - it was quite reddish inside - I do not think anybody every tried to polish it inside. I clean in thoroughly after practice by this is 70yo sax so a lot of folks down the way (although I owned it for half of its life).
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