Played for 7 years, 6 years off - now can barely play at all

[welsh888]

Hi, I recently bought an alto saxophone after a 6 year gap. Used to play Tenor, and acheived grade 5. I suppose I was being unrealistic, and expected to pick up my new sax and play it well straight away. I seem to have a massive problem with my sax playing very flat, and can't get any note below low e to sound in the correct octave.

I don't want to sound cocky, but I'm nearly sure its not anything I'm doing wrong with the mouthpiece etc. I've tried on a 2 1/2 and a 1 1/2 and neither works any better.

Any other experiences from people who played well and left it for a number of years - how long will it be before I can play well again?

What can I do to stop my sax sounding so flat? 8)

[Dave Dolson]

welsh: It might be better if you told us the brand and model (maybe even age) of your alto, plus what kind of mouthpiece you are using.

A common problem among new players (and yes, those coming back after years away) is to not shove the mouthpiece on the cork far enough. Make sure you are in good position there.

Another thing - tenor embouchure is different from alto, so maybe you need to tighten up a bit.

And reeds are notoriously inconsistent. Trying two, one at each strength, may be giving you a false assessment of what works and what doesn't. It may take several reeds at each strength to find the solution. And if you are working with a stock mouthpiece or one typically recommended for beginners (like a Selmer C*) you may find that 2 1/2 reeds may be tto weak for such a closed tip-opening.

For instance, I just acquired a nearly new Yamaha alto (Z) and tried the stock "Custom" Yamaha piece that came with the horn. It played pretty good with a Fibracell (synthetic reed) which I've found to be a lot harder than cane reeds at comparably-named strengths. It would hardly play with my favorite cane reeds.

As far as how long this process will take, no one knows but you. But if you've played well before, it shouldn't be too hard to get back to speed with the right combination of horn, mouthpiec/reed set-up, and work. DAVE

[Saxturtle]

First, buy a tuner and make sure you have your MPC pushed in far enough to at least get close to correct tuning. Not pushing the MPC in far enough can also make the lower notes stuffy, 'gurgle' or play not at all. If this is a new sax the MPC position almost assuredly will be different from your old one, so don't position from memory.

My $0.02

[welsh888]

:shock:
Cheers for your response. I wish I had the 'fellowship' of other saxophonists when I was younger.

I wish now I'd never sold my old tenor to pay for driving lessons. Its only a 'cheap' alto. Its brand new though.

have tried adjusting the mouthpiece, and have different reeds to try. sound still sounds really flat. I'm tuning my saxophone on my piano. If I'm sounding stupid tell me but concert c is e flat on an alto isn't it? Its a semi-tone out.

[Dave Dolson]

Welsh: Concert C equals fingered A on alto. DAVE

[Gandalfe]

The alto is in Eb. So for every concert C note just thhnk 3 half steps down. For example C to B, B to Bb, and Bb to A. There you have it.

[saxmasta89]

And just in case you wanted tenor transcription, just go a whole step up from concert pitch...i also think that you kinda switched you words around a little...an alto sax C equals a concert pitch Eb. Wish i could help with the lower note problem, but i'm not as experieced as these other players. Good luck with it. 8) Ryan

[welsh888]

I'm not sure what the problem was bit it seems to have disappeared. My sax is suddenly in tune (or I'm doing something different).

I'm still struggling with some of the lower notes though c - b

[Saxturtle]

Make sure c# is closing tightly. This is a normally closed key and tends to collect all the runoff, so it's pad tends to harden/varnish quicker than others. Try applying some pad oil to the tone hole groove on the pad, which can help sealing in a pinch: if this improves C & lower, replace the pad.

[Gordon (NZ)]

Playing flat?
Could that be simply that you are out of form, both in the breath pressure you are providing, and the lip support needed to contain/support that pressure.

[steve]

The "flatness" is probably just your tone suffering from the layoff. I put the horn away for 30 years, after playing for 10...it took me about a year to start to feeling good again about my sound...been back for 5 years now. My mantra is "one more year". Long tones and an hour+ a day in the shed will do it for you. Good luck.

[GordonGekko]

I played alto for 10 years and set it down for 10 years. Just purchased a new Yamaha Z and starting taking lessons. My instructor has me working on long tones and overtones. Believe me, these exercises are a real pain, but after a week of solid work, I am noticing that my tone is getting better.

In the end, to get the sound you want it is going to be practice, practice, practice. There really are no real shortcuts that produce desirable, long-term results. :wink:

Good Luck,

GG

[drrodgers2002]

I wonder if your new sax might be leaking. I would make sure it is regulated.

Jeff

ps. I am no expert or pro though.