[ConnorTsax]

Hi all!

I've been playing soprano on the side of my tenor and alto for the better part of four years, and throughout this period I've encountered a problem that won't seem to go away. Whenever I finger below about a low E, I get this machine-gun tone consistent with a leaky horn. I've sent my horn to my tech to make sure it isn't a leak, and he gave it the all-clear. I am hoping that you all might have an idea of what is going wrong, and what I can do to fix it.

I highly doubt that it matters, but I play on an Antigua Winds straight soprano (Dual neck, silver body and gold keys) serial number 990xxxx
Problem occurs similarly with both necks

Vandoren V5 mouthpiece
LaVoz Medium Hard reeds

Thank you all so much for any help!

 

[bandmommy]

Try a different tech. Maybe one with a very light touch. Yours may have a bit of gorilla grip.

 

[Instrument Attic]

That's often caused by subtoning down there, whether you're aware of it or not. Happened to me too and I didn't realize till years after I started playing soprano. Keep a firm embouchure all the way down and play full-tone.

You may also want to check your mouthpiece pitch - often tenor players push in too far and play too low of pitch on the mouthpiece. See this link for more: https://tamingthesaxophone.com/saxophone-mouthpiece-exercises

 

[saxoclese]

I think what you are describing is sometimes called a "warble" and sometimes called "motorboating". It is commonly known that on soprano when the mouthpiece isn't far enough on the cork that "motorboating" will happen in the low register. The way a player "voices" a low note on a saxophone with the shape of the oral cavity can also produce a warble. Another cause can be playing too high on the mouthpiece pitch (C concert for soprano) which means the embouchure is too tight. One scenario might be playing too high on the input pitch which requires pulling the mouthpiece out farther to play in tune with A=440. This is doing two things at the same time that can cause warbles---a "double whammy" in other words. You might try experimenting with reeds that are not as hard and working on opening the teeth more when you play. Also saying "haup" when you take a breath can help to open the throat and oral cavity. Good luck. I know you will find the answer if you keep working at it.

 

[1saxman]

Most of these sopranos play flat, so its doubtful he is playing with the mouthpiece too far out unless he is not tuning to standard pitch.
OP, try a Med reed and push some air.

 

[milandro]

I think what you are describing is sometimes called a "warble" and sometimes called "motorboating". It is commonly known that on soprano when the mouthpiece isn't far enough on the cork that "motorboating" will happen in the low register.

This is my experience too.

One of the possibilities is that OP's embouchure is too tight leading him to " tune" with the mouthpiece too far up.

Just for kicks, don't bother about the intonation for a moment and push it further. If, as I think, the warble will disappear, then you have to learn to relax your embouchure while pushing the mouthpiece.

 

[turf3]

Shove that mouthpiece way on the cork. Way further than you think you should. Then, adjust your embouchure and voicing to play in tune at that position, and you'll probably find the problem goes away.

Keep in mind that all saxophones have leaks to some extent, once more than an hour elapses from taking them from the shop. A properly designed horn with an appropriate mouthpiece/reed located properly on the neck and played correctly will be tolerant to the inevitable minor leaks.

 

[hakukani]

I match the pitch of the 'long' low b first overtone (Just finger low b and overblow the octave up) to the xoo|ooo fingering to make sure my mouthpiece is in the correct position on the cork.

It's easy to get the piece in the wrong position.

Hint: sometimes you have to push in and open up for the 'long' b to match, which is counter intuitive.

 

[Grumps]

I've sent my horn to my tech to make sure it isn't a leak, and he gave it the all-clear. I am hoping that you all might have an idea of what is going wrong, and what I can do to fix it.

Did you see how he checked for leaks? Without the right equipment the top end of a soprano, with the smaller pads up there, can be difficult to check. And your problem could be indicative of a difficult leak to spot up there.

 

[bruce bailey]

Check the G# and low C# as they are a common leak spot.