[sparrowstrike]

Sorry if this has been asked before, I didn’t find anything using the search. I need to play a low chromatic (A, B flat, B) on a Baritone Sax with a low A key. This is an eight note run and repeated several times as background through the piece.

The low A key is on the back below the thumb rest and the pinky keys are in the typical arrangement. This is my first time playing a bari with a low A and I am really struggling to reach all the keys.

I was told I should have my pinky on the B flat key while I’m playing the A, but that stretches my hand as far as it goes and the very tip of my pinky is all that is on the B flat so when I let go of the A key, the B flat doesn’t speak (the button isn’t quite down all the way) and I can’t get from B flat to B in time with that pinky position.

Any tips or tricks for smaller handed people?

 

[hakukani]

I use the second joint of my thumb to close the low A key. I normally keep the Bb key down, because many baris won't speak the low A without it.

On the Bb key, I tilt my pinky so that it is as near to the b key as possible, In fact, I'm almost touching the b key.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

I use the second joint of my thumb to close the low A key. I normally keep the Bb key down, because many baris won't speak the low A without it.

On the Bb key, I tilt my pinky so that it is as near to the b key as possible, In fact, I'm almost touching the b key.

+1

The only thing I would add is that I quickly slide my pinky over the roller from Bb to B and visa versa. You have to be quick so that the B key doesn't lift.

 

[saxoclese]

What works best for me on all sizes of saxophones is to curve the pinky when playing low B and keeping the end of the finger on that key "rotate" the wrist so that that the side of the finger closes the Bb. When you can avoid lifting or rolling the finger from B to Bb and back it makes playing those notes much faster and smoother. If you are playing a Yamaha bari as it appears in the picture that sax can be regulated so that low A can be easily played using just the thumb. If it doesn't, take it to a tech to be adjusted. I repair saxophones professionally and I play a YBS-52 so I know this "firsthand".

 

[59Martin]

What works best for me on all sizes of saxophones is to curve the pinky when playing low B and keeping the end of the finger on that key "rotate" the wrist so that that the side of the finger closes the Bb. When you can avoid lifting or rolling the finger from B to Bb and back it makes playing those notes much faster and smoother.

This is exactly it, if you know you have a Bb coming (or suspect you might) keep the pinky on the B key and 'tilt' the Bb down. I play a lot of funk and chromatic passages on A - C# cluster are very common.

 

[IBeOmega]

This is exactly it, if you know you have a Bb coming (or suspect you might) keep the pinky on the B key and 'tilt' the Bb down. I play a lot of funk and chromatic passages on A - C# cluster are very common.

Yep, an important skill for all voices of saxophone is learning how to push low Bb down by the very edge of the touch or the actual roller, so you can more easily switch to low B or C#.

I use the second joint of my thumb to close the low A key. I normally keep the Bb key down, because many baris won't speak the low A without it.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that an adjustment problem?

 

[SuperAction80]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that an adjustment problem?

Theoretically, yes. However, the low A rod is long, the key cup is heavy, and even the best horns have a considerable amount of flex due to the nature of brass. A well regulated horn will work with just the thumb, temporarily. It doesn't take long for the key to come out of adjustment. Holding the Bb down simply helps maintain the regulation by distributing stresses throughout more keys. Besides, there aren't many playing circumstances where you are not going to be hovering around the rest of those left hand pinky keys. From a more technical perspective, I adjust the horn to sound that low A with just the thumb. However, I simultaneously set the rest of the table keys to be used with a light touch so that my use of the pinky isn't a problem.

 

[Lambros]

Yes, this is a good question and look upon this as several opportunities. Focus on having the least amount of tension in your thumb so that your fingers exert what is needed on the remaining keys, allowing your pinky to roll up to B from Bb without exhausting your entire hand. This may also be seen as a portal of discovery in the sense of possibly having a tech readjust the spring tension loads, making all those LH keys lighter feeling and possibly slightly shift the table keys a bit closer to your pinky finger if needed.

Sorry if this has been asked before, I didn't find anything using the search. I need to play a low chromatic (A, B flat, B) on a Baritone Sax with a low A key. This is an eight note run and repeated several times as background through the piece.

The low A key is on the back below the thumb rest and the pinky keys are in the typical arrangement. This is my first time playing a bari with a low A and I am really struggling to reach all the keys.

I was told I should have my pinky on the B flat key while I'm playing the A, but that stretches my hand as far as it goes and the very tip of my pinky is all that is on the B flat so when I let go of the A key, the B flat doesn't speak (the button isn't quite down all the way) and I can't get from B flat to B in time with that pinky position.

Any tips or tricks for smaller handed people?