Modify the pinky table . What brand are you playing on? Some pinky table work easier than others. Some need drastic mods, some are perfect, and others just some tweaking.

 

I've got a Keilwerth SX-90. The table appears to be pretty much flat (does that make sense?). I've thought that the B should be a tad higher than the C#, but then it'd be easier to slide to the C#, but harder the other way around.

Guess I could ask my tech next time it's in, but he's really a school-horn fixer and I try to do most of the work myself. Oh, the joys of living in a remote area!

 

Lubricate your finger with something - key oil, nose grease, cork grease, canola oil - something. This is very important! Some guys slide on the side of the finger more than on the tip. I even saw a guy slide on the top of his finger nail, with his finger curled. You have to figure out what works for you, but generally the LH pinky technique is not a neat, on-the-tip affair. This is me sliding on a Conn baritone. I lubed with a drop of gear oil.

 

I leave my pinky straight when I use the left hand spatula. When I bend my pinky, it gets caught in the rollers sometimes or delays the reaction and slows me down. I use a Yanagisawa A902. Also, ditto what NMVII said: it all depends on the spatula. My sax teacher says my spatula is easier to glide on than his MKVI! Try practicing alternating from Bb to B to C to C# and down with your pinky straight and see if your problem still persists. If it does, take to a tech and they can adjust the spatula to make it easier for you.

 

[/QUOTE] Lubricate your finger with something - key oil, nose grease, cork grease, canola oil - something. This is very important! Some guys slide on the side of the finger more than on the tip. I even saw a guy slide on the top of his finger nail, with his finger curled. You have to figure out what works for you, but generally the LH pinky technique is not a neat, on-the-tip affair. This is me sliding on a Conn baritone. I lubed with a drop of gear oil.[/QUOTE]

Very useful videos. THanks.

I guess the oil/lube I'd putting on the horn won't hurt.

Do you do this each time you play or does the stuff just hang on the table and keeps things sliding?

I'll have to play tomorrow.

 

Do you do this each time you play or does the stuff just hang on the table and keeps things sliding?

I'll have to play tomorrow.

Ever see a sax player rub the forehead or side of the nose with the little finger right before playing? The oil lasts about 5 minutes. Try one drop and give it a practice try before the concert so you know how it feels/responds. We don't want you slipping out of your chair!

 

Adjust the tension of the springs.

 

Spent a bit more time actually LOOKING at the pinky table and I'm thinking it needs adjustment.

When the C# key is pressed there is about 3/16" between the top of the roller on C# and the top of the B roller. I think this might be too much of a step for any smooth rolling between these two notes.

Unless I'm mistaken, the only adjustment on this would be to increase the cork size at the end of the post under the G#. But, too much and and B won't close.

I'll have to try putting some thin bits on the end of the G# post to see, but I don't think I can get enough with this. Any other adjustments I can look at before I decide to drive 100 miles each way to the closest tech?

Again, this is a SX-90 Tenor.

Thanks!