What kind and size of mouthpiece do you use?
Which brand and number of reeds?

I don't know about your level of experience, but it takes a while to build the embouchure and breath support to play good sounding low notes, especially on the larger members of the sax family.

 

Ritchie

I'm using a new selmer soloist F with an Alexander #2 reed on a Keilwerth SX90.

Norman

 

...she has made the observation that the "noise" from my tenor sax on the low notes is more akin to a noise from one's rear end than music,

Lay off the Burritos?

 

Please post your technique here; that sound should join the other novelty sounds such as slap tongue.
Seriously, it is all about support & breath control; do not attack the low notes, they can be coaxed out. Keep practicing until they slide out with no effort, hit & hope is not the answer.

 

I'm afraid that long tones are the answer. You should be able to get a decent tone with your set up although with Keilwerths it can take a bit more control to get a nice smooth bottom, as it were, because of the bigger bow. Start with C, or even G, and work your way down if necessary.

 

I'm afraid that long tones are the answer.

After playing a long tone, try coaxing out the note as softly as your can using a soft "foo foo" rather than a tongued attack. Use as much breath support as you can muster but do not use your tongue. Use the same critical ear as you would with long tones. Master that, and you'll be playing all your low notes with ease and with good tone. If it's too difficult at first, temporarily move to a softer reed until your technique improves.

 

My last answer disappeared, so I'll try to re-write it and add some more info.

I'd consider an Selmer F on tenor a rather closed mouthpiece, or at best a medium, this in combination with a soft reed as a #2 does not give you much power. As you experienced, the result is an unpleasent sound, especially in the lower register. A harder reed, a more open mouthpiece or both may be the answer. But wait before you run into the store, you'll have to build some power from your lungs before you step up, and to do this, long tones will be very helpful, if not the only way to go. I suggest you practise long tones for one, two weeks, then try to find a store that sells single reeds and buy 2-3 reeds of #2,5 and #3 each, and try them.

When you try them, observe very closely what you do (your teacher can help you even if she does not play the sax). You should not "bite down" the reed, i.e. applying too much pressure with your lower lip and closing the mouthpiece opening down to make it play more easily. Play a long note and without changing your embouchure feel the gap between the reed and the mouthpiece tip with the tip of your tongue. Then release your embouchure and feel whether the reed moves away from the mouthpiece tip. If it does your embouchure is too tight, go back to the softer reed, play more long tones, and try again a week or two later.

 

Ritchie

Many thanks for taking the trouble to repost your lost reply.

I have just bought the mouthpiece having taken advice so will not be changing in the forseeable future. Aslo having taken advice from Alexanders re reed strength for this mouthpiece I invested in a new box of #2 reeds. I'll guess it will be back to the long tones with a "foo-foo"

norman

 

Something that really helps when doing long tones on low notes. don't just sustain a constant volume level. Try starting very softly (or as softly as you can), and build as gradually and as smoothly as possible to then taper off. This will make you focus on support and control. Also, reverse the exercise, starting off as loud as possible taper off then build again. It really works!

 

Here's the best explanation on getting the most out of long tones that I've found:

http://www.saxlessons.com/longtones.htm

Good tootin'