[knappt]

Hi! I just got myself a soprano. Im a complete beginner so Im trying to figure the saxophone out and there is one key I just don't get. According to this site: http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/sax/sax_bas_1.html Its the G# key Im talking about.

Because when I push that key nothing happens? It dosent close any holes it just lifts a little part in the middle of the saxophone up. Should it not somehow close the hole beneath the little "stick" that goes up? Am I missing a piece there?

Whoa, really difficult to explain but I hope I made myself clear, if not, ask and I'll try again!

 

[Pete Thomas]

Most keycups start open and shut when you press the key. The G# i different, it's down unless you press the key, so sometimes it gets stuck.

It will be obvious which key this is, just press the key that would normally open it and prise the key cup up gently.

If it continues to stick, use some lighter fluid on a piece of paper or pipe cleaner. Some manufacturers sell different kinds of powder or gunk. These can often work at first but then make things worse so I recommend you steer clear of them.

Sometimes you can just use a clean dollar bill, grip slightly with the the pad and slowly pull out while maintaining pressure.

 

[knappt]

Hmm, you are not talking about that big pad at the end of the saxophone? Third (I think) from the bottom? Because that one is shut and is opening well when I push the key.

Here is some (bad) photos, just so I make myself clear which key Im talking about: (The egg shaped one, with the mechanism on the other photo. The "arm" that moves when I press the key is not attached to anything?)

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hmm, you are not talking about that big pad at the end of the saxophone?

No, I'm talking about the G#, the egg shaped one you have photographed. When you press that down, an arm on the other side of the rod mechanism goes up, and the keycup beneath it should then rise (as it is connected to a spring that makes it rise when it is not held down by that arm that you just raised by pressing the key).

If this key doesn't rise, then it's usually because it is sticking as I mentioned above, though another reason could be if it's spring is broken or too weak.

You can tell by gently lifting the key as I said, once freed from it's stickingness, it should work, if not then the spring needs looking at.

Though it may well start sticking again a bit later.

 

[knappt]

Hm thats weird, because the cup beneath that arm is already open without anything pressed down! I'm going to get the sop in 10 min so i double check, but Im pretty sure its open

 

[bruce bailey]

When you push the G key down, note which pad goes down. The next pad lower is the G# pad and should remain closed until you press the G# lever at which time it opens. If not, you may need to go to the tech.

 

[knappt]

Yeah, must be something wrong. Because the arm is not attached to anything, I guess it is supposed to be attached to the little screw ontop of the pad? But is it not weird that it is opened?

 

[Pete Thomas]

No the arm is not attached, as it lifts, the keycup should just go up too under the pressure of its spring.

 

[knappt]

No the arm is not attached, as it lifts, the keycup should just go up too under the pressure of its spring.

Thanks, I got how it supposed to be now, the thing is that the arm is too high up so it only pushed the keycup halfway down.

 

[evan1]

I agree with what Pete has said about stopping the G# stick. One thing i do that is also effective is place a business card underneat the LOW C# pad, as this also lifts the G# off the tone hole slightly. I do this after every gig/practice session and it has worked for me.