[Opus7]

Hello my friends!
I feel after playing tenor a year now(I have played alto for many years),that I not getting the sound I want!I have it in my head but cant get it out!
My sound is somewhat "embedded in cotton",and dont have the gut,s when I wanted it!My sax is a Selmer Mark 6 and I use mostely a Berg metal 100/3,
but have also a Berg metal 110/2 and a Otto Link STM 8!Reed's is RR 2.5
I have my tenor completely overhault,and it feels like new!The keys are
silverplated,not gold,as manny other Mark6 have!Does that affect sound!
But maybe I have to give it some time and keep on blowing!
If any of you will listen to a tune that I have recorded in my homestudio,
and tell me if you can here for yourself what I mean,and give me some advice,
I would preciate that!I'm not a pro,so its not perfect!
Opus7
Here is a link for download!
Link: https://lagring.storegate.se/user/share.aspx?id=95895971-734e-465e-b8ac-6ee9cdce9058

 

[Jonathan C.]

Whats your pratice routine?

 

[ratracer]

Welcome to the algebra of the saxophone. Now, since you've recognized you're not getting the sound conception you desire, you get to experiment around with changing the variables of the embouchure, mouthpiece, and reed combinations until you get the sound you're seeking!

Others on SOTW call it GAS! (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)

Or, do longtone practice and exercises.

Good luck!

 

[pumseig]

Are you just looking for a "brighter" tone?
You might try a Fibracell reed.
Or a more baffled mouthpiece, like a Berg 0 or 1 baffle.

 

[Seasax]

or try messing around with putting blue tac or epoxy baffles inside the otto link mouthpiece, that may have very satisfying results.

 

[Opus7]

Thanx for your replyes!
I'm looking for more "bite" in my sound,but not brighter!I dont practice so much
as I should,because I play guitar too,and have to share times with both!
I have tested a harder reed (3),but I have trouble playing my alto then!
I herd that practice long note's could improve your overall sound,so maybe thats the way to go before testing GAS!
opus7

 

[Canadiain]

Im thinking all those pieces are pretty much baffle free. Not going to get a lot of bite. Could try a Fibracell or Rico Plasticovers too for a quick fix.

Id play about with a home made baffle as suggested too to see if that helps with what you are after.

Really though, part of it is just practice I'm sure. Sounded like the basics were pretty good.

 

[bandmommy]

Do long tones. Experiment a little with reed and ligature placement to 'open up' your sound. Also if your playing closer to the tip of the mpc, try taking in a little more.
Try to fix the problem with what you have already before starting on the 'Quest for the Holy Grail of set ups'. Nothing beats hard work and worn out reeds.
Everyone has a 'Perfect Sound' in their head. Some of us will acheive it. Some won't. The fun is in the trying.
Good luck!

 

[DJ TJ]

I'll share the things I've found most helpful on my journey of sound development.

It's a combination of studying and practicing which includes matching my tone to sax players on recorded music.

Here are the educational materials I found the most helpful:

"The Art Of Saxophone Playing" (book) by Larry Teal
"Developing a Personal Saxophone Sound" (book) by David Liebman
"The Complete Guide to Saxophone Sound Production" (dvds) by David Liebman

(You can help support SaxOnTheWeb by purchasing the Teal book through this site. I bought my Leibman bookd from Roberto's, and my Liebman video from Jamey Aebersold Jazz.)

 

[Al Stevens]

Your fundamental tone is okay. I hear nothing objectionable. Just keep playing and do all the usual practice exercises you read about here. Read all the posts on sotw about tone production.

Try to play with a little more strength, which usually means more air support. Not necessarily more volume, but more foundation.

Listen every day to recordings of those whose tone is closest to what you seek. Play along with their records trying to sound like them. You never will, but you'll improve.

Most players never sound like they want to sound.

 

[Opus7]

DJ TJ!
When you wrote about David Liebman,I suddenly remember that I bought a
VHS casette in London 1992 with a instructionvideo called
The Complete Guide to Saxophone Sound Production by him!I remember I did not use it so much because he played a tenorsax,and I only played alto at that time,and thougt that this was only for tenorsax!I search allover my place,and found it,and it,s working!Now we're cooking!
opus7

 

[Sasquatch]

I thought you sounded good, especially on the low end of things. That's not much help in your search for your tone but hopefully will at least be encouraging.

As Al was saying, most players are never happy with their sound so you seem to be in good company. Good luck with your voyage. The destination isn't the fun part, it's all about getting there.

 

[kwg333]

Well I've had a listen and you're playing is not at all bad. I don't know how long you've been playing or how old you are. But many young players expect to sound fantastic (I'm referring just to tone) after playing for just a short time.

Young people learn quickly but a good tone and intonation and a sense of phrasing takes years to develop. Practice alone is not enough. You need playing experience too. If you're not so young - same thing applies. Do you play with others? That's the key.

You sound pretty good. Lots to build on there. Keep blowin'

 

[Opus7]

It,s funny!When I played alto with my former band (and guitar),and played 3 gigs a week for 10 years as a semipro (which ended 1992),I was smoking and had no problems with airsupport!Now when I quit smoking(1996),I feel that I'm
have more problems with airsupport,and I'm walk with my walkingsticks
about 5 to 6 miles every second day,to improve my lungcapacity,but I was younger then,and a tenor is different beast to play!
Doing longtone practice will surely increase my lungcapacity!
BTW I'm so old that I feel my age every day!

 

[kwg333]

BTW I'm so old that I feel my age every day!

Ah. I should have looked at your profile first. Walking 5 to 6 miles every other day and still playing - you're doing all right.

I know a sax player here in Kent (UK) who is still playing and teaching professionaly in his mid 70s. Sharp sight reader too.

Long may you continue. All the best,

 

[DJ TJ]

DJ TJ!
When you wrote about David Liebman,I suddenly remember that I bought a
VHS casette in London 1992 with a instruction video called
The Complete Guide to Saxophone Sound Production by him! I remember I did not use it so much because he played a tenorsax, and I only played alto at that time, and thougt that this was only for tenorsax! I search allover my place,and found it,and it,s working! Now we're cooking!
opus7

Cool! If you like the video and you want more detail, you'll also be interested Lieb's book. I started with the video and read on here that the book is highly recommended and goes into greater detail than the video, so I bought it, and I'm glad I did.

I think you'll find that the concepts taught by Lieb apply to all types of saxophones. In addition to helping me develop a personal sound on my tenor, I've never sounded better on my alto.

 

[58tenor]

You just need the right ligature

 

[playitfunky]

you sound fine just play and don't worry so much about. Sometimes your sound finds you!!!!

 

[bertolotti]

We are all searching,for it......endless loop...

 

[hgiles]

Too often people credit/blame the horn for the tone. Do your part and it won't matter what horn you're playing.