How often do you use low B and Bb? Take off the bell!

 

LOL!

 

And do you really need a mouthpiece?

 

Whatever you're smoking, you probably shouldn't.

 

I have no clue what this thread is about.......can't wait until it clicks!

 

LOL

 

you want fewer keys? play the trumpet.

 

I see your trumpet and raise you a bugle....

 

My apologies; thinking out loud. With respect, why not ignore rather than mock?. Respectfully. Jak

 

I think most experienced players will find that there are certain motions in which the alternate fingerings are much more efficient/accurate.

Even though you don't "need" high F#, removing it would probably be worse than just leaving it on. The RH side keys not only allow for certain alternate fingerings, they also help to fine tune or stabilize altissimo notes.

jak, you might be an awesome player for all I know, so please do not interpret my comments as condescending. There's enough of that going around.

 

Why not go all the way? Like this...

http://musicmedic.com/keyless-overtone-saxophone.html

 

Didgeridoo

 

I seriously considered getting rid of the high F# on a soprano I used to have because I was forever hitting it accidentally. I rarely play above a high D on soprano anyway. I tried putting a cork under it, but in the end I got rid of the soprano.

 

LOL

 

Here is a serious alternative that is probably what you are looking for......years ago Martin had the Home model and Buescher had the Academy both having only basic keys. I recently sold an Academy and it actually played rather well. Low C to C#3.....no side keys, no bell keys and no palm keys. Here is the one I sold:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buescher-Academy-Alto-Saxophone-/291652293932

Here are some photos of the Martins:
https://www.google.com/search?q=mar...ource=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK5_-RnprNAhVBXGMKHZd7DkAQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1.25

I think this may be what you were looking for. Avoid those ones from India as the old US horns play very well.

 

I understand not wanting the F# key, but there are some licks / riffs/ fills/ passages, that simply cannot be played without the side keys. Once you start messing about with them, you'll be hooked...and welcome to the forum and all that too! I think those that are "poking fun" are just having a good time and not meaning offense...

....but hey - I could be wrong. If so - screw them! Life is too short to allow yourself angst at the words of a**holes...My experience though, is that most folks here are pretty cool. Some do get over-wound about minutia, but passion for the instrument runs strong here...

 

This is nuts.

 

At the Frankfurt Musikmesse a few years back I saw a very interesting prototype (RSR) tenor that was a very stripped down tenor and designed by Richard Ross.

I don't know whether he ever went into production though. Great idea and sounded good.

 

Wow tough crowd on here today. Historically, saxes have done away with certain keys, who's it hurting to ponder. But on SOTW in the 1930's they were probably bashing people who were wondering what it would be like to get rid of the G# and D# trill. Or in the late 1800's when the Evette-Schaeffer system existed. I wish everyone a beautiful day

 

I read an interview of a well-known major player (can't remember who) who was talking about someone else. The someone else might have been Lockjaw Davis. Anyway, the guy said his friend was corking up several of the keys on the horn, maybe he was prone to bumping them accidentally, or maybe they would vibrate open at fff levels. The guy being interviewed said something like "look at [so and so], he's blocking the keys closed, man, that's because he can play the flyspecks on the wall at any tempo, me, I'm always trying to figure out how I can add some, 'cause I need all the help I can get!"

Point being, that it's not some crazy concept. Why do people still buy low Eb bass clarinets and low Bb baritones? Why isn't every clarinet a full Boehm? Why do some sax players have a drawer full of mouthpieces, a different one for every gig, and others play the same piece for everything, 30 years at a time?

Different approaches for different people!

 

I'm pretty sure that was about Eddie Davis.
And I think maybe it was an interview with Johnny Griffin.
I'm not a user of the side C or Bb fingerings and never use alternate F#, but I also wouldn't think of removing them.
I was constantly hitting the alternate F sharp key touch on my YBS61, so I bent it to a less obtrusive position.
The OP's suggestion seemed a little extreme, hence the light hearted replies.

 

This guy made his sax with some keys removed. Do you like the sound?

 

I've played that horn, it sounds great.

 

I use all of - literally - the keys on my sax at some stage during most gigs (including alternate fingerings) and can't imagine doing away with any of them. I'm currently involved with an INXS tribute show and there's one particular song where I use all 3 primary Bb fingerings at certain points i.e. side, bis and long/forked (F variant). In classical performance, you have to use all keys and fingerings (including rare, obtuse fingerings) because you'll definitely need all of them. I've always taught my students to become proficient with all fingerings and keys so they're well-equipped to handle any situation.

 

Is this a trick question?

 

Maybe the OP should look up Richard "sax" ross.
He has built some saxes with quite a few less keys.

Clearly, no key == no tone hole in the body for folks having trouble following along at home. I tend to use them all kind of a lot. Had a very old buffet bari that was keyed to Eb once. I sure mkissed the high notes. And that front f too!

Dsm

 

IMO there's no such thing as "too many keys" or "options" as I consider them. My only complaint is that the hi F# is placed so that it often get hit accidentally.

 

I would be fine without the side high f# key actually.

Learnt without it, so i only use it for high g anyway. Front f with the f#.
I get the f# with front f and right hand f easier.

Dsm

 

What sort of music do you play?
I'm asking because if you play all your music in just a few keys maybe you wouldn't need some of the key work on your saxophone. But then still; taking them off seems a bit extreme.

 

Well, seeing as how many people think that just adding a screw can make a difference to the sound, but the same lLogic removing stuff will also make a difference.

Whether the differences exists, is significant or is an improvement is open to (apparently quite heated) debate of course.

 

In theory it should save on the cost of an overhaul.

 

+1
LOL
Didn't Rascher have a keyless alto?