Bung?

You are not supposed to spit into the saxophone. If there is too much moisture however, you can suck it back (what I learned to do) and also open the palm keys and shake it out. Or remove the neck and shake it out. Breath from your lungs not your mouth, seeing your a vocalist that probably isn't the problem however.

 

Yours is a common problem. The normal physiological response when something is put into the mouth is for the salivary glads to become active. This happens to some of us more than others and we shall be known as "the droolers".

Seriously, what I have found that helps me is:

-Swallow as much saliva as possible before starting to play

-During rests and breaks inhale sharply through the mouthpiece to draw the water back "to whence it came"

-During breaks remove the reed from the mouthpiece and pull a clarinet "hanky" through the neck and mouthpiece a few times

-"polish" the back of the reed by rubbing it over the inside cover of a music book placed on a perfectly flat surface. Rub with the grain lightly at first and then harder. Finally you will hear a clicking sound when you rub. The back of the reed becomes shiny and the water droplets will roll off like when you wax your car. This procedure can be repeated every few days. An added bonus is that your reeds with play better and last longer too.

John

 

Yours is a common problem. The normal physiological response when something is put into the mouth is for the salivary glads to become active. This happens to some of us more than others and we shall be known as "the droolers".
John

Yeah, LOL! I live in the Netherlands, and in my orchestra the saxes got called 'kwijlpijp' or drooltube/droolpipe.

I suck it in too, you'll learn to do that regularly, so it doesn't become a whole lot. :tongue1:

 

Sometimes mouthpiece baffles don't vent well all the way across and spit/moisture builds up and the sound becomes crackly.

 

This is a common problem and there are lots of threads here on the subject (so you can get a lot of info with a search for spit or saliva).

I remember at some point having this problem, and it eventually went away without me doing anything special. I think this is what happens for most people. I know its frustrating now, but your body will adjust and eventually you will stop having the spit sound problem.

Until then, try all the other suggestions to reduce your grief

Good luck!

 

Rub some cork grease on the inside of your mouthpiece, it'll help prevent the moisture from building up in the mouthpiece.

 

:shock:this doesn't interfere with your tone?

OP: Just suck out the spit. get used to it.

 

Thanks for all your comments......... I had my 1st lessons this week by a 79 yr old pro.... lovely guy.... fabulous player..... told me this week he just wants me to concentrate on looooonnnngggggg notes.... i find this boring i suppose its the singer in me.... i got a Ballads book and have already started trying to learn a few..... i am such a frustrated musician lol i fluxtuate now each day between Piano & Sax and when that gets frustrating i get me lungs out and have a good warble!!! lol

 

Listen to him! Long tones are part my daily warm up, as with many people on here.

 

Learn to play thru your nose!!!:evil: