Can this be adjusted?

[silverghost]

Hey everyone!

I'm starting to get into altissimo on my YAS-23 (im going into tenth grade next year, been playing for 6 years, yes i know i should get a new sax soon! :roll: ) and I had a little question. See, the front F key used with the second finger for F3 and also the side Bb for F#3 provides me with a HUGE amount of air resistance, as in it is very very strained coming out. I can get everything else all the way past C4 out, so I'm pretty sure everything is ok mouthwise. What I'm wondering is if it is possible for a tech to fix this somehow so there's less resistance? I am not sure if I should bother to bring it to the tech if he won't be able to do anything, and I don't have the phone # anyway, so. . . If someone knows, please answer soon!

Thanks in advance,

SilverGhost

[MS]

You have me a little confused regarding your front F. You mention using your Second finger. Wouldn't your first finger go on the front F key? and your second finger on the C key?

First of all, I would have a tech check to see that the front F doesn't open too much. YOu actually start into the altissimo register on front E3 and front F3, so how you voice your oral cavity and vocal tract is very important.

For the front F3, and F#3, the actual F key (the key the front F key opens) only needs to open a small crack. If you get a book of cardboard matches - place one match uoder the key the front F opens and put your first finger on the normal B2 key and second finger on the C3 key. If you can get this to work, then add the side Bb for F#3. If you can get the notes better with less resistence, work on a voicing that makes it even easier. Then keep your abdominal muscles very steady and firm so the air has a determined force to and use the side of your first finger to open the F key further. This will add more resistence, but meet that resistance with your abdominal muscles and keep your voicing steady and KEEP THE REED FIRMLY VIBRATING.

If you're not sure where to voice the F3, try fingering Bb1 and just with voicing play F3. Once you get that - without stopping your air - switch to front F3 fingering. Try not to move anything but your fingers. Air keeps going and leave your oral cavity and vocal tract set.
If you can do this, then finger Bb1 and play F3. Without stopping the tone go up a half step to F#3 by fingering B1 Then switch to the front F# fingering (with side Bb key). Now I realize this is easier said than done (the co-ordination of these finger changes), but fool around with this notion for a few weeks and see if it helps.

Again, first I would have a good repairman check that when you use the front F key that it doesn't open the actual F3 key as far as when you use the F3 key the regular way. Hope I've mot confused you too much. Good luck and have fun! :D