[sahilpunamia]

My teacher told me that i have too bright of a sound for classical playing. Im currently playing on a C* with a Dark-1RL Rovner Ligature. Can anyone suggest a darker lig?

 

[amoram]

Black ducktape, that seems pretty dark.

 

[hakukani]

The answer probably lies in sound concept, rather than ligatures. To get a 'darker' sound, blow warm air, think blowing down.


Check your mouthpiece sound off the horn. On alto, try for an A concert (alto F#).

 

[gary]

My teacher told me that i have too bright of a sound for classical playing. Im currently playing on a C* with a Dark-1RL Rovner Ligature. Can anyone suggest a darker lig?

Your question begs this question: "What does your teacher suggest?"

I notice that you're playing a Yanagisawa, and Vandoren #3 trads. with your C* so I agree with Hakukani - I think it's your concept and you need simply to have a clear concept in your mind what kind of classical sound you want and you need to do long tones and slow, melodic music to work on it. I don't think you're going to get much of a darker lig that a Rovner Dark, BTW.

Maybe the one thing you can try is to get a "darker" mpc, but nevertheless it's probably your concept as much as anything.

 

[sahilpunamia]

thanks, i recently switched to a yas-62II, but its still probably my technique.

 

[Roger Aldridge]

As the name implies, the Rovner Dark ligature is dark. In fact, it's been my experience that Rovner ligatures have an effect of dampening my sound.

A ligature can go only so far in darkening your sound.

A better option may be to consider trying other reed cuts. What kind of reed are you using now? A thick-cut reed (ie, more "wood" in the heart) -- often thought of as a classical type of reed -- will help to give you a somewhat darker, fatter, sound and a stronger tonal core. I'd suggest Alexander Classique and Gonzales reeds. They are made from very high quality cane. Vandoren Traditional reeds are another option but they are far less consistant than Alexander or Gonzales. Some classical players like Hemkie. They can be okay but it's been my experience that they don't last very long.

Perhaps the best suggestion that comes to mind is to check is to see if you're taking enough of the mouthpiece beak into your mouth. Turn the mouthpiece sideways and see the spot where the reeds separates from the facing curve of the mouthpiece. That's where you want to place your lower lip. If you're taking in less of the mouthpiece you are, in effect, choking your sound and it can become brighter. It's like using your strength of reed on a smaller tip opening. I'm amazed at the number of saxophone teachers who don't teach this.

Hope these suggestions can be of help.

I also agree with the other comments made about having a tonal conception. That, along with practical work on your horn, goes a long way to getting your sound to where you want it to be.

Roger

 

[sahilpunamia]

thanks everyone, btw, im using traditional (blue box) vandorens size 3. i'll experiment with my embochure and mouthpiece and see where it gets me...before having to switch to another brand of reeds