Mouthpiece Work / Low Note Response
FROM: marisbear (marisbear)
SUBJECT: Low Note Response
As a relative newcomer to saxophone <5yrs, I have been studying the past posts and messages and have begun to experiment with different facing and chamber combinations. I have run into a problem that seems to lead back to me and my embouchure. When I played the old C* it wasn't a problem but after going metal for swing band it doesn't matter what I do to improve the low response it works fine for about five minutes and then the low response gets gritty and then jumps octaves. I have checked for leaks and it seems OK. I have lowered the baffle and gone with a larger chamber and longer facing and lower reed strength combination and all I have accomplished is getting rid of the altissimo range. Is it my embouchure or is there something that I am overlooking? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
FROM: tenorman1952 (Paul C.)
SUBJECT: Re: Low Note Response
Check
(1) that the octave mechanism is working properly and freely, no hesitation, that BOTH pads (neck and body) cover as they should.
(2) that the G# pad does not crack open slighly when you finger low C, and press any of the left pinky table keys... low G#, C#, B, Bb.
(3) that the F# pad is not propped open slightly (over adjusted) in an effort to close the G# pad.
(4) that the "little C" pad just above the LH B key is closing fully.
(5) that the neck tenon is not leaking.
(6) if an older sax with soldered tone holes that one of the tone holes is not leaking.
One of the above is likely the real problem.
Also, Selmer mouthpieces are notoriously out of spec. If you have mouthpiece tools to measure facing length, that is, glass gauge and feelers, check the .0015" and .010" feeler readings. The .0015" should be at least 20 mm (a reading of 40 on the Babbit and E Brand type gauges) for an alto sax, with the .010" reading 5 mm (or 10 increments) less than the .0015" reading.
I prefer a reading of 21 mm (42) for the .0015" and 16 mm (32) for the .010" feelers on alto sax mouthpieces.
I have measured Selmer C* alto mouthpieces with facings as short as 16 mm (.0015" feeler).
If you have no tools, do this... place the mouthpiece flat against a glass surface. Slip a piece of 20 lb typing paper under the facing and slide back until it stops. Make a mark with a pencil even with the tip of the mouthpiece. Measure in mm's with a ruler from the mark to the edge of the paper. That should be close to the "facing length" of your mouthpiece.
Paul
marisbear <s.tyree@...> wrote:
As a relative newcomer to saxophone <5yrs, I have been studying the
past posts and messages and have begun to experiment with different
facing and chamber combinations. I have run into a problem that seems
to lead back to me and my embouchure. When I played the old C* it
wasn't a problem but after going metal for swing band it doesn't matter
what I do to improve the low response it works fine for about five
minutes and then the low response gets gritty and then jumps octaves. I
have checked for leaks and it seems OK. I have lowered the baffle and
gone with a larger chamber and longer facing and lower reed strength
combination and all I have accomplished is getting rid of the altissimo
range. Is it my embouchure or is there something that I am overlooking?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Link to Paul's articles from Main page of "Saxgourmet":
http://www.saxgourmet.com
Listen to Paul's MP3's and view saxophone photos at:
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952
Paul Coats is the sole US importer of SAXRAX products from
http://www.saxrax.com
For SAXRAX products, email Paul at saxraxus@...
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FROM: greatstuffmusic (Geoff & Sherryl-Lee Secomb)
SUBJECT: Re: Low Note Response
Problems with low end response can often be attributed to a leak at the neck tenon. If the instrument is definitely sealing well everywhere else, and the problem persists, this is where I would be looking next. Take your sax to a reputable repairer and ask them to check it out. Geoff. ----- Original Message ----- From: marisbear To: MouthpieceWork@...m Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 4:10 AM Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Low Note Response As a relative newcomer to saxophone <5yrs, I have been studying the past posts and messages and have begun to experiment with different facing and chamber combinations. I have run into a problem that seems to lead back to me and my embouchure. When I played the old C* it wasn't a problem but after going metal for swing band it doesn't matter what I do to improve the low response it works fine for about five minutes and then the low response gets gritty and then jumps octaves. I have checked for leaks and it seems OK. I have lowered the baffle and gone with a larger chamber and longer facing and lower reed strength combination and all I have accomplished is getting rid of the altissimo range. Is it my embouchure or is there something that I am overlooking? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
FROM: marisbear (Steve Tyree)
SUBJECT: Re: Low Note Response
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FROM: saxgourmet (STEVE GOODSON)
SUBJECT: Re: Low Note Response
A quick way to test for the dreaded G# problem: If the horn plays low C, sustain the note and open the low C# key. If the response diminishes, in all probability it's the G# bridge adjustment. _____ From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Steve Tyree Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 6:08 PM To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [MouthpieceWork] Low Note Response Obviously a genius at work, I checked the sax over and sure enough, the G# was opening just a hair. While investigating it I could see that the post looked a bit odd. I touched it and even though it looked solid it would rock at the touch. Time to take it in and have the post resoldered. Might as well have it checked top to bottom. Thanks for the advice. Steve -----Original Message----- From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul C. Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 1:43 PM To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Low Note Response Check (1) that the octave mechanism is working properly and freely, no hesitation, that BOTH pads (neck and body) cover as they should. (2) that the G# pad does not crack open slighly when you finger low C, and press any of the left pinky table keys... low G#, C#, B, Bb. (3) that the F# pad is not propped open slightly (over adjusted) in an effort to close the G# pad. (4) that the "little C" pad just above the LH B key is closing fully. (5) that the neck tenon is not leaking. (6) if an older sax with soldered tone holes that one of the tone holes is not leaking. One of the above is likely the real problem. Also, Selmer mouthpieces are notoriously out of spec. If you have mouthpiece tools to measure facing length, that is, glass gauge and feelers, check the .0015" and .010" feeler readings. The .0015" should be at least 20 mm (a reading of 40 on the Babbit and E Brand type gauges) for an alto sax, with the .010" reading 5 mm (or 10 increments) less than the .0015" reading. I prefer a reading of 21 mm (42) for the .0015" and 16 mm (32) for the .010" feelers on alto sax mouthpieces. I have measured Selmer C* alto mouthpieces with facings as short as 16 mm (.0015" feeler). If you have no tools, do this... place the mouthpiece flat against a glass surface. Slip a piece of 20 lb typing paper under the facing and slide back until it stops. Make a mark with a pencil even with the tip of the mouthpiece. Measure in mm's with a ruler from the mark to the edge of the paper. That should be close to the "facing length" of your mouthpiece. Paul marisbear <s.tyree@...> wrote: As a relative newcomer to saxophone <5yrs, I have been studying the past posts and messages and have begun to experiment with different facing and chamber combinations. I have run into a problem that seems to lead back to me and my embouchure. When I played the old C* it wasn't a problem but after going metal for swing band it doesn't matter what I do to improve the low response it works fine for about five minutes and then the low response gets gritty and then jumps octaves. I have checked for leaks and it seems OK. I have lowered the baffle and gone with a larger chamber and longer facing and lower reed strength combination and all I have accomplished is getting rid of the altissimo range. Is it my embouchure or is there something that I am overlooking? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Link to Paul's articles from Main page of "Saxgourmet": http://www.saxgourmet.com Listen to Paul's MP3's and view saxophone photos at: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/tenorman1952 Paul Coats is the sole US importer of SAXRAX products from http://www.saxrax.com For SAXRAX products, email Paul at saxraxus@... __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com