Blow Drier...

[Manek]

No, not the kinda thing you have on the wall of public toilets for after you've washed your hands...!!

I tend to blow a lot of "wet" through the horn... It's OK at first... But if I play for more than about 5-10 minutes without taking the reed of and drying it, and cleaning out the mpc, the whole lot just gets clogged up with a lovely combination of saliva and sweat!

Are there any particular techniques for reducing the amount of moisture in your blow?



(Apologies to ye grumpy forum elders if this question has been asked before - I did look down the list of recent topics and didn't see anything like this, so I decided to risk it and post!)

[Timmy_G]

(Apologies to ye grumpy forum elders

HAHAHAHA Grumpy Forum elders

My experience is, dry the neck out often and don't eat or drink (except water) anything right before playing as this will cause the production of saliva. There are times during a performance that I will discreetly take the mouthpiece off and let the spit out.

[rogerb40uk]

Of course a lot of it is just condensed water vapour, so completely pure!
But I have a similar problem, I only have to blow for a few mins before my mpc gets wet and the sound suffers, unless I continually wipe it.

Maybe some antihistamines, to reduce the flow of saliva? :D
But then I might fall asleep!

[Manek]

Good tip about not eating before playing...! Thanks...

As long as I'm doing a song which is shorter that about 5 minutes, and there's enough to time to take the reed off and wipe it down (maybe even change it for a new one) before the next song starts, it should be OK...

But some (good) people can play for ages before they need to do that... HOW??

[gary]

I suggest eating a tablespoon of alum just before playing. :twisted:

[rogerb40uk]

It would certainly get your embouchure into the right sot of shape, gary :D
(Stewed rhubarb might be good for that, too!)

[SaxoPiper89]

lol... i have the same problem, and also with my reeds smelling like listerine.. I think that has something to do with my addiction to breathe spray.. and I sometimes brush my teeth before band class... would that result in more spit.. or just the minty smell?

[Face Ache Mike]

I`ve found that warming up my sax with a fan heater helps keep down the condensation that accumulates in the first 20 minutes or so of playing. It still builds up but not as bad. I can go longer before having to "tip out" and swab. I know thats not much help for a peformance but during practice its no problem. A warm horn sounds better than a cold one too.

[SaxJazz12]

Blow as in coke? Jeez...

[SaxxMan]

I'm not sure what your experience levels are...

But, if you plan on performing on gigs....you definitely won't be blowin' any heaters or dryers down your horns....or switchin' out reeds and swabbin' mouthpieces every 5 minutes.

Last night I played a 4 hour gig. no break except to sneak off to the restroom individually or get a drink from the bar. Some songs are 15 minutes long and often roll right into the next song....no break between songs...so there is no time for any of these things.

And forget about eating things or taking drugs to decrease saliva.

Timmy G is right, try to avoid eating or drinking anything but water before you play.

One technique you can try: When you get a chance, either during a song, or in between.....tip your sax so it's horizontal (across your belly) for a few moments...this will allow the built-up saliva to drain out of the neck and down into the bottom of your sax. Gross, but it won't affect your playing and later you can tip the sax to drain it or use a swab.

As far as the wetness.....you are going to have this....it's important to keep the reed wet. If you think it sounds funny when it's very wet.....experiment with a really dry reed and see what sounds come out of your horn!!!

You can also suck the saliva and swallow it. I know, I know...Gross...but it's YOUR'E saliva...it won't hurt you. :shock:

Saxopiper98....
My reeds also smell/taste like listerine. I use it on gigs all the time. You have a choice: listerine/other mouthwash....OR....stale reeds. ;)

You can also try wiping it quickly with a cloth. But learn to do it quickly...without taking the reed off the mouthpiece.

Good luck everyone...hope this helps. :D