High D on alto

[jeanniep412]

When I play the high D (above the staff), it is extremely flat. How do I get it more in tune? Do I need to change my embouchure for these high notes?

[Lambik]

Well, I don't know what your embouchure is like and I'm not a sax teacher, but I think getting the high D (and Eb/E/F/F#) should be done with an embouchure different from the ones on the regular register.

For instance, try hitting the high F with fingering the "front F" (B & A pads + the little pad above your B-pad). This note cannot be hit without some practise (I had to practise a bit, but now I find it easier to play then the regular F (D/Eb/E/F keys)). If you can hit it, it shows quite your embouchure for the palm key notes.

This is what I think, but as said, I'm just an amateur youngster player.

[Big Nick]

I think you'll find that most sax players would say that the goal is to have the same embouchure from bottom to top. At first you wonder how this could be when you have to bite like crazy to get those top notes in tune and slacken off to play the bottom notes. But you will get there. Flat top notes are normal for a beginner. Don't expect an instant fix. It takes time.

[MS]

Speed up your air stream. Get your reed to vibrate as much as possible and cushion with your emboucher. Practice loud for a while so you make sure that your air is moving nicely.

Beginners usually start on a fairly soft reed and the mouthpiece that came with the horn. If the rest of the horn plays well and just the palm keys are flat, you might try a different reed of the same size you are using or try a reed 1/2 size harder than you are useing.

Be aware that a harder reed may make your low notes a little more difficult to speak. You need to look for a reed that has enough resistance so the palm keys speak easier and in tune, and the low register still works.

as far as embouchure goes, most sax players try to keep the embouchure as similiar as possible with perhaps a slight difference in grip in the extreme registers, but no big change. YOu;ll figure this out with time and experience.

If you've not read Paul Coat's articles on the opening page of the forum, check out his Beginners Corner. Lot of good information there. Especially read about the mouthpiece alone exercise A-880 (for alto). This will help your D3 and other palm keys as much as anything you can do. Good luck to you. :D

[Amy]

My teacher told me to stretch the sides of my mouth out more, like you're smiling. Just my method. It might not be the 'correct' way of doing it but it certainly works for me.