[SopranoSax Girl]

I just got my soprano today, and it's great! I know how to play 2 scales (thanks to my tenor friend) and I'm doing ok, obviously note the best tone, I have been playing for a day. Anyway, I was trying to practice the low c(middle c) and it comes out sounding like "waa waa waa waa..." first of all, is the normal? If it is at first, then have any advice to hit the low notes? Thanks!

 

[Dave Dolson]

Probably your undeveloped soprano embouchure, but other factors may be mechanical (leaks and faulty mechanisms), reed choice, mouthpiece choice, placement of the mouthpiece on the neck cork (shove on pretty far), and a myriad of other factors best examined by your teacher. What?!?! No teacher? Better get one. DAVE

 

[69193]

Try pushing the mouthpiece in further (WAY in on the cork). My soprano gurgled in the lower register (E and below) before I did that. I have both a tenor and soprano. Once the mouthpiece is installed properly, it's easier to get the lower register to speak on soprano than tenor.

 

[bruce bailey]

I agree that the mouthpiece needs to go in more. If this does not fix it, it may have leaks OR if it is an Asian import, it could just be the horn. Keep at it and make sure you have a good mouthpiece....I use a Yamaha 4C and it is a good starter and even a pro piece. I have played soprano for over 49 years and use a 4C (under $20).
What brand is the horn and what mouthpiece? Remember that the low priced horns come with a terrible mouthpiece and poor reeds.

 

[SopranoSax Girl]

Geez, lots of things that could be wrong. It's probably the undeveloped embouchure, or crappy mouthpiece. And I'll get a teacher soon enough, its just right after Christmas though.

 

[Grimmell73]

That's playing the soprano for you! It's more finicky than other saxophones because of the smaller size of every component. Small differences in embouchure, tongue placement, etc. all make a bigger difference than on other horns. I'd say if you are just starting with soprano, the main thing is to put the mouthpiece on a very long way -- mine is on over than 90% of the way up the cork -- and then experiment with your embouchure and tongue placement.

 

[jazfyrski]

This article helped me. I play alto, however these tips apply to all saxophone voices.

http://www.uiowa.edu/~musicsax/LowNotes.pdf

Good luck!