[dogster]

Ok so its been 3 months I have tried different reeds and MPC's and still it seems their is a lot of resistance when I play the soprano sax . My intonation is real good but I tire out after 35 minutes .I can play hours on my tenor or alto .

Doug

 

[maddenma]

This is normal. There's a lot more resistance playing sop -- sometimes you need to breath, despite not being out of breath. 35 minutes of straight playing on a sop without a break is a lot for me too. Doesn't make you odd or unusual.

 

[dogster]

Thanks I do circular breathing too and that can be strenuous lol

 

[maddenma]

.... and I don't, for the same issue.

 

[bruce bailey]

It could be that the mouthpiece is too open. I use a Yamaha 4C with about a 2.5 reed.

 

[SaxPunter]

It could be that the mouthpiece is too open. I use a Yamaha 4C with about a 2.5 reed.

+1 - I had this problem until I recently went to a smaller tip.

 

[dogster]

I have a 7 opening thanks will get a 6 to try

 

[SaxPunter]

I have a 7 opening thanks will get a 6 to try

I have a 7 Barone HR which sounds great but I had the same problem you describe. After playing it for a teacher at the uni who's a member here he had me try a way smaller one (closer to 5 I think) and It makes a big difference, the tone is bigger and the response is better.

YMMV

 

[Pete Thomas]

I have a 7 opening thanks will get a 6 to try

That is quite open for soprano. I use a very open mouthpiece on tenor (9*) but a 5 or 6 on soprano.

Also try taking in a lot of mouthpiece, this is useful on soprano.

 

[SoulMate]

Hi Pete,

I also play a 7 on soprano as others seem to do. You say that this is quite open. You are probably right. It does sound fantastic and easy to play... until I reach the palm keys. D, D# and E are manageable to a certain extend, but F and F# are tedious. Does a 6 opening (or 5 for that matter) make the palm keys easier to play? After playing 30 minutes, especially in the high register, I feel as if my bottom lip is falling off. The pain!

 

[Lorentz]

are u biting your lower lip?

Hi Pete,

I also play a 7 on soprano as others seem to do. You say that this is quite open. You are probably right. It does sound fantastic and easy to play... until I reach the palm keys. D, D# and E are manageable to a certain extend, but F and F# are tedious. Does a 6 opening (or 5 for that matter) make the palm keys easier to play? After playing 30 minutes, especially in the high register, I feel as if my bottom lip is falling off. The pain!

 

[Dr G]

Relax - if you're feeling a LOT of resistance, you might be blowing too hard. That, in turn, will force your embouchure to work to make a tighter seal.

Or it could be that you are not yet used to the smaller diameter m'piece.

I used a Barone HR 7 for some time and like 'em. What reed are you using?

 

[dogster]

Using a Rico 2.0 and a vandoren 2.5

 

[Dr G]

And how do you characterize your perceived effort to play the horn?

 

[dogster]

And how do you characterize your perceived effort to play the horn?

It seems more of a physical challenge than my Tenor or Alto . I can play it but its more of a challenge

 

[Dr G]

What I am trying to get back to is the matter of whether you are blowing too hard and creating extra strain on your embouchure...

The lil' horn cannot take as much air as the adult-sized horn (tenor).

 

[dogster]

Yes I think I am blowing harder than I should . I am relaxed and not straining but definitely I feel the resistance of the horn MPC

 

[Dr G]

Be aware of this perceived resistance as you decrease the intensity with which you blow. You will likely find a point at which the volume doesn't change - beyond that point, you can blow harder but the horn will not get louder. Some people use that resistance to alter the character of the tone but if you are learning how to blow most efficiently, that is the tipping point.

 

[dogster]

Thank you I will be more aware of this !

 

[Joe Giardullo]

This is normal.

I would disagree that it is normal.

Resistance can come from a few sources: mouthpiece, reed choice and horn.
Then there are a few possible reasons for why a piece might play with a lot of resistance; same with a given reed choice.
The tip opening, by itself, isn't the first place I would look for problem resistance, as described in the OP.

Definitely go to a shop and play a handful of other pieces and see what you experience. That should tell you something.