Holding the tenor...

[Konrad]

Some of you know that I just recently purchased a used Yamaha tenor. It plays and sounds great, but I have had to re-adjust how I hold the horn, as I had adjusted to a very awkward Weltklang.

Now the question, should you keep your chin down when playing or have it a little up? Or level. I see guys holding the sax to their mouths all kinds of ways. As I am re-adjusting, it is sort of a chance to get rid of bad habits. I do find that when I hold the sax higher, it is easier to key with less effort. On the other hand, it seems as if my chin is up a bit, and this probably is not a good thing.

Sorry for all of the questions.

K

[guitarbob]

I was taught to adjust my strap so that the reed rests on my lower lip, without lifting or lowering my head. It's also important to hold the horn in front of your leg, not next to it, while standing.

I'm sure others will disagree, but that's how I was taught as a teenager and I still hold the tenor this way.

[Konrad]

That' interesting...

Any other opinions?

[top_gun25]

i hold the tenor chin down. how ever not all can do this. smaller players i noticed play chin up. i am bout 6'2 but my friend is bout 5'4 (she is small but she is really good). she plays chin up. she also plays bari(about as big as her!) so the styles are similar. short chin up, big chin down. BUT THIS IS NOT A RULE. THIS IS A GUIDE START HERE AND WORK UP/DOWN TILL YOU ARE COMFORTABLE. some short ppl play down. big up. THERE IS NO RULE. PPL ARE DIFFERENT. FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU! :wink: