Sax on the Web Forum

Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Selmer saxes / more power

elo
User ID: 6918503 Sep 26th 11:56 AM
I need more power to my SAII tenor. What can I do?

Metal resonators?
Change neck?

Thanks.

Andrew D
User ID: 0937864 Sep 26th 12:07 PM
Buy a kielwerth sx90 ;)

Dr G
User ID: 8659853 Sep 26th 12:45 PM
What mouthpiece are you using?

Beyond the question of setup is the issue of whether you already blow from the diaphragm, keep your throat open, and truly play _through_ the horn.

The horn is not always the problem or the answer.

Bari Martin
User ID: 9007973 Sep 26th 6:49 PM
That's true. I played a SA80 II tenor for ten years and it had plenty of power, but I had to really work for it. Like Dr. G says, learn to support that column of air. Put your hand on your lower abdomen and play a note as loud as you can - you should feel that area tighten up. If you want power, you must learn to blow the sax. Once you do, you may find that a different mouthpiece may help you take advantage of the faster-moving air. The SA80 II is a good tenor, but it's also true that it's not the most responsive horn out there. Still, it's a good one, and it sounds like you have a ways to go before your abilities exceed it's capabilities.

elo
User ID: 9656233 Sep 27th 7:58 AM
I play with a runyon custom spoiler 8, and I'm waiting a metal Quantum spoiler 11.

soprano player
User ID: 8290473 Sep 27th 8:29 AM
If you get your chops in shape, you can play on ANY mouthpiece and get a big sound on it. Changing equipments all the time can only get you so far. I know an alto player who plays on a Selmer C** mouthpiece. His sounds can get as powerful as a Quantum or Jody Jazz or whatever mouthpiece with big openings that other people are using. He plays half an hour of long tone as a part of his daily warm up. He uses a series II also.

danmcb
User ID: 8506593 Sep 27th 8:37 AM
I've never tried a tenor, but I've had no issues with power or volume from my S80II alto. I've played it in some pretty loud electric settings without amplification. I've used a Selmer Metal Jazz 'E' to good effect in those circumstances, I'm also using a Meyer refaced by JVW to a '7' now and I believe that would be equally loud.

I did use a C** for a while, but I did find that did not have the power of a wider piece, although I like the tone.

elo User ID: 6918503	Sep 26th 11:56 AM I need more power to my SAII tenor. What can I do? Metal resonators? Change neck? Thanks.
Andrew D User ID: 0937864	Sep 26th 12:07 PM Buy a kielwerth sx90 ;)
Dr G User ID: 8659853	Sep 26th 12:45 PM What mouthpiece are you using? Beyond the question of setup is the issue of whether you already blow from the diaphragm, keep your throat open, and truly play _through_ the horn. The horn is not always the problem or the answer.
Bari Martin User ID: 9007973	Sep 26th 6:49 PM That's true. I played a SA80 II tenor for ten years and it had plenty of power, but I had to really work for it. Like Dr. G says, learn to support that column of air. Put your hand on your lower abdomen and play a note as loud as you can - you should feel that area tighten up. If you want power, you must learn to blow the sax. Once you do, you may find that a different mouthpiece may help you take advantage of the faster-moving air. The SA80 II is a good tenor, but it's also true that it's not the most responsive horn out there. Still, it's a good one, and it sounds like you have a ways to go before your abilities exceed it's capabilities.
elo User ID: 9656233	Sep 27th 7:58 AM I play with a runyon custom spoiler 8, and I'm waiting a metal Quantum spoiler 11.
soprano player User ID: 8290473	Sep 27th 8:29 AM If you get your chops in shape, you can play on ANY mouthpiece and get a big sound on it. Changing equipments all the time can only get you so far. I know an alto player who plays on a Selmer C** mouthpiece. His sounds can get as powerful as a Quantum or Jody Jazz or whatever mouthpiece with big openings that other people are using. He plays half an hour of long tone as a part of his daily warm up. He uses a series II also.
danmcb User ID: 8506593	Sep 27th 8:37 AM I've never tried a tenor, but I've had no issues with power or volume from my S80II alto. I've played it in some pretty loud electric settings without amplification. I've used a Selmer Metal Jazz 'E' to good effect in those circumstances, I'm also using a Meyer refaced by JVW to a '7' now and I believe that would be equally loud. I did use a C** for a while, but I did find that did not have the power of a wider piece, although I like the tone.