[Randyfast]

Hi, all! I bought a used Selmer from a local music store awhile ago. I've played a number of altos and have never had a problem with the palm keys in the upper register. With the La Voix, it is very difficult to get above the D key and even the D key is sometimes difficult. On my tenor, altissimo isn't that hard, even though I'm still a beginner of less than two years. Altissimo on the alto, just isn't happening. I'm thinking of taking it in to the repair shop and have them look it over; although, at this time, it's not possible. Has anyone else played this sax and did they notice anything like this. All opinions/advice, is welcome. I must say that I do love the tone on this sax! TIA

 

[lydian]

My first thought is the neck octave key isn't opening properly. So look over that mechanism and make sure it's in working order as well as run a toothpick or pipe cleaner through the pip to make sure nothing has clogged it. Leaky tenon can also cause trouble, but is pretty rare and would affect all registers.

The thing with high notes is only the pads above your trouble note will have any effect, so at least that narrows it down a lot.

Mouthpiece/reed combo can also have a big impact. A very open mouthpiece will be harder to play all around. Difficult to say if a harder or softer reed would help. You'll just have to experiment.

When the high notes fail to play, what happens exactly? Do they sound down an octave or do you get higher partials or squeaks?

 

[Randyfast]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will check the neck. Sometimes, when I try the palms, I can get the D okay, then when I try the Eb(?) and the F, I can sometimes get the note for a second and then it just disappears. Does that make any sense? I'm not sure if I've tried them in the lower register, so I'm going to take it out, just to check.
I just played a bit and I don't have much of a problem up to C sharp. When I get to the palm keys, I hear mostly a lot of air! I did get the first 2 out okay a minute ago. Could it be my emboucher or the fact that I have to play with no teeth? My tenor doesn't seem to care. I was playing along with "You're Still A Young Man" (tenor) and it was just fine.
The mouthpiece on the alto is a Selmer C* 80 with a Legere Studio Cut 1 3/4 reed.

 

[lydian]

I'm not saying to play the note an octave down. I'm asking if the palm key notes SOUND an octave too low, more evidence it might be an octave key or reed problem.

With your additional description, I'm thinking maybe your reed is too soft and simply closing up OR you're biting too hard. So try taking in a bit more mouthpiece, and biting less hard. Then try a harder reed if you have one.

 

[Randyfast]

No, the upper octave palms sound fine when they come out. They just don't seem to like coming out. I believe I tried a signature 2 and it seemed quite difficult to blow. I will try to find one and try again; or, perhaps with a cane reed. When you say "biting", your talking about the pressure from my mouth/lips, right?
Okay; I tried a Yamaha C6 with a Vandoren 3 and it was difficult to blow; although, I'm trying to play softly so I don't disturb my landlord. I tried a Rico #2 on the C6 and I was able to get all three notes out. I'm going to try the same #2 with the C*.
The biggest thing I notice, is that I seem to be having a lot of wasted air. The hissing tells me that most of the air is going somewhere other than to the note that I'm playing. This is with all keys. I can hear the air, louder than the note, when I play softly. It really sounds as if I'm wasting air somewhere. I don't hear that rush of wind on my tenor.

 

[bruce bailey]

As mdavej said....octave key. Without playing, hold the horn up and when you finger G# and lower with the octave lever pressed, the body pip (small octave pad) on the body should open with the neck pad closed. From A2 up, only the neck should open. Also make sure nothing is plugging the neck hole....if so, take the key off and clean it with a pipe cleaner.

 

[lydian]

Biting means just that, too much pressure from the jaw muscle, not lips or mouth.

Many folks around here are crazy about synthetics but I am not. I've been playing for over 40 years, and they still give me trouble in the high register. Stick with cane, especially as a beginner.

It's really hard to diagnose the hissing without seeing/hearing you in person. In my experience with students, that's from weak air support (air pressure), which is even more difficult when you're also playing softly.

The fact that you're still playing a #2 on a pretty closed mouthpiece tells me your embouchure is still not well developed and neither is the air pressure you're putting behind the notes. Best advice is to just keep at it. There's probably nothing wrong with the horn. Get with a teacher whenever that's feasible again.

 

[saxcop]

Another thing to check would be that the key is opening up far enough. I have had found several Taiwan horns that have really thick cork on the bottom of the key feet. I have had to open up these on three tenors so far. Then they play fine.

 

[timgo75]

Hi Randy, if you are not doing it already imagine you are an opera singer hum very low notes and then ascend to high - notice what your jaw/throat/tongue/mouth/face is doing. Now play it on sax. It can help you get 'up there' to imagine you are singing. And I agree with Dave - it sounds like you need to build up to a stronger reed and that will help.

 

[Randyfast]

Thanks for the replies. I have to work to maintain a tight emboucher, as I had a tumour removed from my upper lip that left me with nerve and muscle damage. That being said; I don't have any problem with my tenor. It plays perfectly. I can play most of the altissimo notes and also play softly. I use a Meyer 6M with a Legere Signature #2 reed on the tenor. I can't do anything during this "pandemic". When/if things start to improve out there, I'll just take the alto in to L&M to have them look it over. It's under warranty anyway. I can still play a lot of songs without those higher notes.