[jessejuergensen]

Okay so I am a college student with very little money to spare, my alto has been having leaks in pads from C to Bb and when I play, it makes a very airy sound. I mainly play Tenor and have a professional instrument, but I would at least like to know what might be causing this airy noise and how i could get rid of it thanks

 

[Pete Thomas]

Okay so I am a college student with very little money to spare, my alto has been having leaks in pads from C to Bb and when I play, it makes a very airy sound.

If you say it has leaks, then that has probably answered your question. If it's something else (e.g. your playing) then get the leaks fixed before diagnosing the issue. If it isn't the leaks, it could be a whole raft of issues: reed, ligature, mouthpiece, embouchure etc.

 

[bruce bailey]

If that is the low C and down, it is probably the low Eb as it will be the first pad to go on these due to being closed and at a point where water settles in the case. Have it checked with a leak light to find the spot. Remember that any leak will cause problems from that point and below.

 

[maddenma]

A very "airy sound" while still playable doesn't seem likely to me to be a leak. Also, it's not clear we're talking about low Bb to C.

Could this be an octave pip noise? That's the most "airy sounding" noise I can think of a sax makes beyond a too stiff reed.

 

[simso]

Okay so I am a college student with very little money to spare, my alto has been having leaks in pads from C to Bb and when I play, it makes a very airy sound. I mainly play Tenor and have a professional instrument, but I would at least like to know what might be causing this airy noise and how i could get rid of it thanks

If you have very little to spare, then dont try to do it yourself, in the end you will pay far more than simply taking it too a local tech. Go see someone, let them listen / look and quote for you

 

[hornfixer]

Welcome to the forum jessejuergensen.