[bholder]

I picked up a new (barely used) "Eldon by Antigua" (Chinese) and I can't get it to tune up to pitch. Part of the problem is my embouchure, sure, if I "pinch" I can get closer, but I've got the mouthpiece in as far as it'll go, and squeeze however I might, I'm still about 1/4 step flat. Any suggestions? Is this something a repair shop could do something about? I can't think of a way to fix it other than perhaps trimming the cork end of the neck piece back so I can push it in a bit further.

Or is it just me and I just need to practice more?

The horn in question:

 

[rzzzzz]

can i ask, when you say the mouthpiece is as far as it will go, does that mean regardless of how thick the cork is? (i've had a couple pieces that literally needed to be sandpapered on the inside to get them pushed far enough to put the horn in tune. a most cautiously applied intervention.)

 

[kreacher]

Antigua was reviving c-melodies, although I'm not sure about the existence of a curved c soprano, are you sure it is in Bb?

 

[bholder]

can i ask, when you say the mouthpiece is as far as it will go, does that mean regardless of how thick the cork is? (i've had a couple pieces that literally needed to be sandpapered on the inside to get them pushed far enough to put the horn in tune. a most cautiously applied intervention.)

There's hardly any cork showing and it feels like it reached a "hard stop" of the neck top hitting the insides of the mouthpiece. It could only go about 1/2" further before it hits the first valve on the outside, though, but that should be enough to get there (I hope).

 

[bholder]

Antigua was reviving c-melodies, although I'm not sure about the existence of a curved c soprano, are you sure it is in Bb?

Hmmm, I didn't think to check that!

But wait, wouldn't that mean it would be sharp, not flat? It's the other way around - if I put the mouthpiece in a "normal looking" position (about halfway in), I play a C and get an A - no such thing as an "A Soprano", is there?

 

[B Flat]

Whenever I’ve had a soprano, I had to jam the piece on to the maximum point to get it to tune well.
This was the case with cheaper to more expensive horns.
Sometimes even that wasn’t enough and I’d then go play around with reed strength to get me there.
The issue was simple, I just didn’t play soprano enough to have a decent soprano embouscher.

 

[bholder]

Whenever I've had a soprano, I had to jam the piece on to the maximum point to get it to tune well.
This was the case with cheaper to more expensive horns.
Sometimes even that wasn't enough and I'd then go play around with reed strength to get me there.
The issue was simple, I just didn't play soprano enough to have a decent soprano embouscher.

Ok, sounds like my experience is more or less par for the course, gotta get those embouchure muscles strengthened up! Thanks.

 

[Guto]

Is your mouthpiece large or small chamber? Large chambers tend to want to be pushed more in. If you have a chance to try another mouthpiece that may be worth it.

 

[bholder]

Is your mouthpiece large or small chamber? Large chambers tend to want to be pushed more in. If you have a chance to try another mouthpiece that may be worth it.

It's the default mouthpiece that came with it, so I don't know and don't know how to tell, but perhaps I should be looking for a small chamber mouthpiece? Hmmmm.

 

[72MkVI]

Chances are you could get another neck off Ebay for next to nothing and see if making the neck just a tad shorter will work. It worked for me on a Chinese tenor once.

 

[saxoclese]

You might check the pitch of the mouthpiece alone. If it is close to C concert then the issue is probably not the embouchure. "No name" Chinese mouthpieces are generally suspect. You can pick up a Yamaha 4C soprano mouthpiece for around $30. That would be a good place to start.

 

[bholder]

You might check the pitch of the mouthpiece alone. If it is close to C concert then the issue is probably not the embouchure. "No name" Chinese mouthpieces are generally suspect. You can pick up a Yamaha 4C soprano mouthpiece for around $30. That would be a good place to start.

Thanks, exactly what I was thinking, but I found these Selmer closeout mouthpieces on ebay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Selmer-Har...e-Medium-Facing-Factory-Closeout/402269950386), I'm trying one of those first, but may end up with the Yamaha 4C. That's what I use on my Alto too.

I checked the pitch of the mouthpiece by itself, it's right around Bb, is that good?

 

[bholder]

You might check the pitch of the mouthpiece alone. If it is close to C concert then the issue is probably not the embouchure. "No name" Chinese mouthpieces are generally suspect. You can pick up a Yamaha 4C soprano mouthpiece for around $30. That would be a good place to start.

I also just checked the stock mouthpiece, it's a Selmer S-80 C*, I'll try looking up the specs on that...

 

[B Flat]

What if you blow the mouthpiece flat?

 

[Guto]

I also just checked the stock mouthpiece, it's a Selmer S-80 C*, I'll try looking up the specs on that...

That's a classic good mouthpiece. It's on the smaller size chamber already though.

 

[buddy lee]

If you're not used to playing soprano this is pretty normal. Angle of mouthpiece into the mouth is also very important. Make sure it's not angled downward like playing clarinet.

 

[bholder]

A touch of cork grease and I got it in quite a bit further, can get to pitch finally, going to take some work to get my intonation solid though. Soprano seems far more sensitive in terms of pitch variability. Practice, practice, practice hehe.

 

[Dr G]

A touch of cork grease and I got it in quite a bit further, can get to pitch finally, going to take some work to get my intonation solid though. Soprano seems far more sensitive in terms of pitch variability. Practice, practice, practice hehe.

If moving the mouthpiece on the cork is the answer, sand down the cork rather than forcing it on. The cork should form a cylinder rather than a cone. Put a piece of tape 'round the neck so you don't scratch it up. A strip of 150 grit works well.

 

[adamk]

If moving the mouthpiece on the cork is the answer, sand down the cork rather than forcing it on. The cork should form a cylinder rather than a cone. Put a piece of tape 'round the neck so you don't scratch it up. A strip of 150 grit works well.

+1
Don't ovalize the cork.

 

[Grumps]

Soprano takes a tighter lip, but then again... you could be playing junk.