Exposure to cold

[WorldIRC]

I have to walk quite a way (in univeristy) from class to class with my saxophone. When I walk to my music class, in the winter, I assume even though its in the case, my sax will be quite cold from our Canadian Winters. Will it affect the sax at all? Is it safe to play while cold -- I know for example on a guitar, you should let it heat up before playing it cuz the would could crack.

[bariman]

I don't suppose that you'd have a problem, lest your sax be made of wood. The only thing I forsee as having a bad affect is the slight shrinking of the metal, which could cause some minor intonation issues. It is true that the sudden heating and cooling of metal can weaken it and change the properties of the substance, but we're talking hundreds of degrees of temperature change. If it were exceptionally dry outside, I guess you could get some pad problems, but not if you play on a regular basis. Good luck...

Bariman

[WorldIRC]

Well yea.. I'm doing music as one major in University so I'll be playing the sax a lot..it's just those in between, 15minute walk in between classes.

[HC]

I've heard Kim (the SOTW cartoonist) say that on a very very cold day in Canada, the welds will become very brittle.
I have taken my sax around while snowing outside, cold, but rarely below 0 (Ferenheit) and never had a problem.

[kcp]

I've heard Kim (the SOTW cartoonist) say that on a very very cold day in Canada, the welds will become very brittle...


Yes, I've said that. But please note that I was talking about very cold temperature e.g. -20/-30°C (-4°/-22°F) and for an extended period of time outdoor.

I had soldered parts that poped on my sax, but it was -30°C, possibly colder if you consider the wind factor. I had been out for like 2 hours on my way to a jam session in Sainte-Dorothée (public transportation suck over there) I walked across a field where it was very windy and I had snow up to my waist. When I arrived at the place of the jam, I opened the case, and my sax looked like it was silver plated (it's normal brass color)
That's when I noticed that a post and a key guard were poped-out.

The case offers some protection against the cold. If you are carrying your sax outside for maybe, I dunno lets say 30 minutes, your sax will be cold but not in danger for its rods/posts/soldering to break - After you take your saxophone out of its case, it will feel cold to your hands and fingers and it'll play off-tune. But just as normal, it will warm-up as you play. It may take a little longer than usual, depending how cold the sax is. But there is no big deal there.

As for my other story about the ice forming inside the tone holes, that was on a parade in December (-12°C / -10°F) - I no longer do gigs like that. Even if it pays well (wich is rarely the case) it's not good for the instruments and unpleasant for the musicians. Not to mention that it is very frustrating to have to parade in front of people who beg you to play something, but you can't cause no decent sound comes-out of your horn. Your band sounds like crap, and that's how people will remember you regardless of the excuse that it is cold outside.

[WorldIRC]

Alright thanks.

[saxchado]

If your horn is in the case, and your trek across campus only last 15 minutes or so, your sax will hardly have time to become cool, let alone cold. I've spent three of the last four winters in Frozen Eastern Idaho (near Yellowstone) and carried my sax everywhere, but the only times I really ever had much of a problem were when I would accidentally commit the cardinal sin of letting my sax sit in the car overnight in weather that was often twenty below. I wouldn't worry about it. Some cases are better "insulated" than others. I know that they make case covers for clarinets and flutes that have wool or some kind of fur on the inside for insulation, but I don't think I've ever seen the same thing for sax.

[Bnatural]

Maybe if you wanted some extra insulation you could put some fabric on top of the sax, kind of like string players to. I know it has a name but I'm blanking on it at the moment, I'm sure someone will know what I mean.

[bariman]

B:
I've never heard of what you're talking about, and I've played 'cello for eight years... Do you mean on top of the strings or what? String players have to keep a close check on the temperature of their storage area and playing area, as well.

(skip next paragraph if not interested in ranting of insane cellist)

If the thermometer really gets up there, the glue that holds the instrument together can loosen, and the thing falls apart! I actually had a friend who stored his viola in the trunk of his car for a couple of days right out in the sun, and the thing was totally ruined. Temp. changes can also reak absolute havoc on intonation. It once took me an hour to get my cello tuned, and stay that way. The peg holes expanded, and the pegs kept slipping! Gerrrrrr!!! :evil: :evil: :evil:

Anyway, the more insulation and fabric you have, the better.

Bariman

[Bnatural]

I'm going to a party this evening w/ a few string players. I'll talk about it with them and see where my description is off. Could just be viola/violin

I'll let you no later

[WorldIRC]

All I know is my buddy once took a guitar out of the cold and started playing and the neck cracked.

[bariman]

That's from rapid expansion of the wood when going from cold to warm.

Bariman