[Mgmarcus]

Hi. Been playing flute for about a year and sax for less than a week. I’ve found most of the fingerings intuitive enough, but I struggle to keep hold of the instrument when playing no-fjnger notes with the octave key down. My index finger wants to squeeze the B key, but that’s obviously not good. Thanks for any advice you can offer. I

 

[saxoclese]

There are three "balance points" that hold the saxophone when it is being played: The LH thumb on the thumb pad or octave key, the RH thumb in the thumb hook, and the neck strap. Let the neckstrap support the entire weight of the saxophone and balance and control it using the thumbs. Of course the remaining point of contact that also helps to secure the instrument is the top teeth pressing down on the top of the mouthpiece. As on the flute, the fingers "play" the instrument, not hold it. If you find yourself needing to put down fingers to balance or support the saxophone, there is something about your holding position that needs to be corrected.

An additional thought on the title of this thread. Fingers that are not being used are ordinarily slightly curved and held close to the keys. Exceptions are when the hand leaves it's normal position such as when playing the RH side keys, and playing the LH palm keys depending upon the size of your hand and length of your fingers.

 

[nigeld]

Hold the instrument with a few keys down so that the mouthpiece is just out of your mouth, then release all the keys. If the saxophone neck moves to the left or right, then adjust it so that it doesn't.

 

[Grumps]

Try using a neck strap.

 

[hakukani]

Use a neckstrap?

 

[Dr G]

Use a neck strap.

 

[Grumps]

Beat ya guys!

 

[milandro]

:bluewink: or bite very very hard and build strength in you right hand thumb :twisted:

Tongue in cheek alert:mrgreen:

 

[lesacks]

Play C# as an overton - they you'll have a full grip.

If we're going for novelty solutions

 

[Mgmarcus]

There are three "balance points" that hold the saxophone when it is being played: The LH thumb on the thumb pad or octave key, the RH thumb in the thumb hook, and the neck strap. Let the neckstrap support the entire weight of the saxophone and balance and control it using the thumbs. Of course the remaining point of contact that also helps to secure the instrument is the top teeth pressing down on the top of the mouthpiece. As on the flute, the fingers "play" the instrument, not hold it. If you find yourself needing to put down fingers to balance or support the saxophone, there is something about your holding position that needs to be corrected.

Thank you. This is helpful. Tightening the neck strap has made a big difference as far as keeping the sax still. The rest will be a matter of practice.

 

[turf3]

You have three adjustments - length of strap, angle of neck in body, angle of mouthpiece on neck. Adjust these so minimal force from the two thumbs brings the mouthpiece to you.

 

[Admitone]

I lash the sax chord to the lower arm of this harness about half way down :

It helps hold the sax closer with less pressure from the top teeth.