Wavering C ?

[Basil]

Hi guys. I have developed a problem.When I play bottom C, it pulses, like on a wave, quite slow and uncontrollable. This has only started in the last few days, and prior to that I haven't had any diffficulty in playing it. I'm not quite sure what is going on.

How do I correct this please, or is it one of those "keep practising and it will go away" things ??? :S

 

[Pete Thomas]

If nothing else has changed, possibly a leaky pad somewhere. Try different reeds just to make sure its not a weird reed thing (unlikely I think)

 

[Basil]

Thanks Pete. It has only just come back from the repair shop after its (to be) annual service, and some pads were replaced. It was tested for leaks and given the A ok. Sadly, the wavering started just before it went in, so I can't blame the work done on it. I will try different reeds.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Did the repairer not mention the wavering on the C? That's odd.

This does sound to me like its something acoustical, ie interference with the soundwaves inside the instrument, and this points towards something physically wrong.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to help (Griff?)

 

[jadoube]

A sort of wah wah wah thing?

I had that a while ago. My teacher said "make sure you're not skimping on the long notes each day".

Its gone now. Occasionally comes back if I've been away from the sax for a few days but goes as soon as I get back into the daily routine, or as soon as I put a bit more air down it. (I tend to be a bit too timid blowing.)

Whether thats relevant to your problem afraid I've not the experience to say.

John

 

[spike]

Hi Basil
I get it mostly when my reed's a tic harder than I prefer or I haven't practiced for a day or two - or as pete suggests there may be a slight leak or a weak spring somewhere.
As John says you need good air support down there, it's not really blowing harder just use more air to support and push the note the long way down through the tube.
welcome to the lounge.
gruss - spike

 

[justin_chune]

Drop a wine cork into the barrel and see if that helps. A little plastic container that film spools come in might do as well. It could just be you if you are new to the sax. We all have bother with the bell tones to begin with. They are not easy notes to get. You could ask your tech or another player to play-test your sax, just to set your mind at rest.

 

[Basil]

Well...I changed back down to a Vandoren 2.00 (as opposed to 2.5) and it has disappeared. I am, however, going to try a 2.5 once I have opened the Cabernet Savignon later. Maybe I need both, in which case I will change my log in to "Corky".

Thanks chaps. I will let you know how I get on. :S

 

[Basil]

Just to let you know...I had a lesson tonight. My teacher played at low end of register, and it sang ! So, it's me !!! Which is good (in that I can do something about it !), and bad (as I have to find out exactly what). Teacher thinks that it is my embouchure that is dropping slightly too loose when I get down to the low notes....and has said it will also be effected by reed strength. So, back to drawing board.

Cork kind of stopped it, but maybe it was the wine.....

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I will keep on and hopefully it will sort itself out.