Questions tagged [saxophone]
One of a family of single-reed woodwind instruments with a brass body
129
questions
10
votes
1answer
220 views
Meaning of a Notation Symbol (
I wonder if anyone can tell me what the curved notation next to the 8th notes are. If it helps, this is a score for saxophone.
Thanks.
3
votes
4answers
246 views
What is this embellishment called?
There's a technique I've seen used a lot in jazz, gospel, pop singing, etc. where someone will play a note and play a quick semitone up and back down into another note. Heres an audio example. Does ...
1
vote
2answers
90 views
How do I know what key to play in? [closed]
so i've been playing the Tenor Sax for a bit now. I'll download some sheet music or things along that line off the internet to practice, only sometimes it just doesn't sound right. Like for example, ...
4
votes
1answer
288 views
Why is the key signature completely different from the actual notes?
Beginner here. So, I wanted to play this little phrase that is written, supposedly, in A major with 3 sharps on F, C and G. However, every G has a natural sign and there's a B and a E with sharps (no ...
2
votes
1answer
91 views
High G and G# splitting/jumping to the next harmonic on saxophone
I had asked this question on SaxOnTheWeb a while ago, but I'm still battling with this problem, and it makes certain pieces (like The Beatles' "Come Together") virtually unplayable.
...
0
votes
2answers
73 views
Saxophone sheets
This is my first post in this StackExchange, so I dont know if it is pertinent. Please let me know if necessary to change something.
I am playing saxophone already for some months and I would like to ...
5
votes
1answer
194 views
What is this sax technique called and how is it done?
I recently heard an old Motown hit on the radio called "Shotgun" by Jr. Walker and the Allstars and the Sax part tore me up. It sounds to me like it's seriously overblown, but I don't play ...
3
votes
3answers
106 views
If your saxophone is leaking spit, can it damage the pads?
My saxophone has been leaking spit all over the first three keys that you put your fingers on (don't know the names of them) and I'm worried that it will damage the pads. My parents are renting it ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
32nd+ sixteenth +quarter notes
I have doing questions here on this website, and I learned so much but some examples look hard to understand.
In this example how can I count?
Thanks
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Rest and eighth notes [duplicate]
I am learning saxophone, so I don't know how to play this part; may somebody help me?
Thank you
1
vote
4answers
377 views
Eighth rest, quarter rest, eighth+quarter notes dotted
How can I count this example? I am having a hard time figuring it out.
2
votes
2answers
133 views
Alto Saxophone Stuck Playing F Sharp
Yesterday I took a break during practice and when I returned I noticed my F key will only reliably play an F#, so when going through the chromatic scale my F and F# fingerings are now playing the same ...
5
votes
2answers
151 views
Saxophone alto: are the levers under G# key on any use except comfort?
I am wondering what is the utility of the two small levers under the G# key of an alto saxophone (hightlighted in picture, pressed by the little finger of the left hand).
It does not seem to have any ...
4
votes
2answers
116 views
Alto sax screw fell out
I have a Jupiter alto saxophone, and in the middle of practicing I suddenly heard something fall into the bell. It turned out to be a small screw. I scoured the sax trying to find an empty hole but ...
2
votes
2answers
74 views
Woodwind instrument key bumper material choice
Some wind instruments' keys feature bumpers at the bottom to protect material from scraping against material (and for a few other reasons). The ones on my saxophone are made from something resembling ...
1
vote
3answers
248 views
Building Guitar/piano chord progressions over alto sax scales
I'm trying to play some guitar/piano chord progressions for my daughter to improvise over using the scales she's learning on her alto saxophone and looking for some help.
I know that to transpose I ...
1
vote
1answer
274 views
Write tenor and alto sax Score along piano
please ! someone help me understand this.
I am writing a score for piano and tenor sax in C Major, simple.
Now, how do you write the music on the sheet for both instruments
In this example, is the ...
2
votes
1answer
185 views
Effective ways of muting saxophone
The question has been partially answered here before but for an inexperienced, self-taught musician who lacked the skills to control volume through embouchure adjustments.
I was wondering if there ...
2
votes
5answers
144 views
Coming from Trumpet: Which woodwind? [closed]
I've played trumpet for 3 years, and I'm thinking about picking up a simple woodwind instrument. I think personally, either clarinet or alto sax. But please, based on what I have played, price, and ...
1
vote
1answer
147 views
Saxophone upper register adjustment
As is common for a lot of instruments from the saxophone family, the upper register (notes played with the octave key pressed) on mine is a bit high (by about 10-15 cents). I practise a lot with a ...
12
votes
4answers
3k views
Playing saxophone without using the octave key
A few years back, I have noticed by accident (I forgot to press the octave key while practising one of the musical pieces) that I can play all the notes on the tenor saxophone that normally require ...
1
vote
1answer
82 views
Which C# note shall the tenor sax produce when nothing is pressed?
Currently, I am practicing the left hand notes on my tenor sax and I noted a sharp difference between the A and G. Using cleartune app I discovered that I jump a whole octave and I don’t produce ...
4
votes
1answer
769 views
Tenor sax trouble with low D and E (other notes are fine)
I recently bought a 1950's Conn Naked Lady sax and it works fine except the low D and E are, for lack of a better word, "bubbly", or unstable. It's not a leak because C and below sound fine. I've ...
31
votes
4answers
7k views
Why is the saxophone not common in classical repertoire?
Other than the fact that its relatively new compared to other orchestral instruments (e.g. the violin), why is the saxophone (any of them from the family, alto, baritone, tenor etc) not more prevalent ...
3
votes
1answer
391 views
Why does it sound so different between a 'C' and a 'D' on an Alto Saxophone? [closed]
I'm very new to Saxophone, and I wanted to learn the octaves. However, when I played, the C sounds much much lower than a D (middle d btw). I don't know what's wrong. Am I playing it incorrectly? ...
1
vote
3answers
504 views
Quick conversion between concert pitch and written notes
I've always been intrigued/annoyed/interested by the nature of transposing instruments, and specifically, recently I've been getting into discussions with my saxophonist friends. Lately, I've found ...
1
vote
2answers
6k views
Alto saxophone fingering for notes written below the staff
I am a beginner on the alto saxophone. I understand the fingering for playing notes on the staff but I do not understand the fingering for playing notes below the staff. Sometimes there are two extra ...
1
vote
3answers
94 views
Do I play my key signature for my instrument or on the paper?
If I'm auditioning for jazz for high school band and I play the flute, and my audition piece is for saxophone, do I play my key signature or the key signature on the sheet music?
12
votes
1answer
3k views
Why does C# sound extremely flat when saxophone is tuned to G?
Note: when I mention the name of a note in this question, I'm referring to the saxophone pitch, not the concert pitch.
I play the alto saxophone, and lately I've been practicing mostly with a tuner. ...
2
votes
1answer
433 views
Saxophone articulation - interpreting symbols
I have a number of pieces that feature the following articulation symbols (highlighted in red; last bar of Andy Firth's "The Bullfrog Bounce"):
I've asked my teacher how to play them, but his ...
2
votes
5answers
2k views
What's the Standard pitch for a Saxophone and its frequency?
I am new to Saxophone and music in general.
We've been discussing the tuners applications on iOS and its pitch standards. All the applications I used had A4 = 440 Hz, but the tutor claims C4 to be ...
4
votes
2answers
82 views
How does Rainbow's End by Peter Weniger work?
This is Rainbow's End, composed by German saxophonist Peter Weniger. It first sounds like a straightforward 12-bar Blues in F, The melody sounds pretty normal, but as soon as it comes to the solos, ...
0
votes
2answers
803 views
What is a B sharp and a C double sharp?
I'm going through Larry Teal's daily studies for an alto saxophone (E-flat instrument). I'm practicing D sharp minor and I am seeing a B sharp and a C double sharp. Is B sharp a C? and the C double ...
3
votes
2answers
123 views
Saxophone pearl key is down by default
I am new to saxophone and I was just learning to play my first notes when I came across the G# where it needs a certain pearl key to be pressed in order to play but I already found that key to be down ...
1
vote
3answers
184 views
Why are some alternate sax fingerings harder to play than the normal fingerings?
I've found that on my alto sax, some alternate fingerings require much more air to play than the normal fingerings. For example, A# can be played with either of these fingerings:
However, the second ...
4
votes
2answers
149 views
Practicing Jazz?
I have been playing the saxophone for about 4 years, but primarily in the style of classical music. I've always been interested in jazz saxophone, and want to learn how to actually play it. How should ...
3
votes
1answer
764 views
Clarinet Ligature on Alto Sax?
I bought a semi expensive ligature for my clarinet, and I would like to know if it is a good idea to use it on an Alto Sax. I've tried using a cheap one on my alto sax, and it seemed to work alright (...
2
votes
5answers
137 views
How can I make the individual saxophones stand out?
I am composing a Jazz Quintet. Never learned jazz theory but I know uneven rhythms are key to jazz. And saxophones are most commonly used in jazz. So I decided to compose a piece for 5 saxophones.
...
5
votes
4answers
6k views
What are the 14 different types of saxophone?
I heard my saxophone instructor say that there are 14 sizes of saxophones. I've only heard of 4 (soprano, alto, tenor, baritome). What are the other 10 types?
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vote
2answers
935 views
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2answers
117 views
Buying a saxophone online as a beginner
I scheduled a first lesson with a teacher (I've never played the sax before) and I plan to buy a tenor sax online.
Is there anything I need to know before I make the purchase? I was thinking of a ...
3
votes
5answers
166 views
Practicing including riffs into improv?
I can learn riffs pretty easily, but I have a hard time remembering to work them into my improv. Do you have any good techniques/tips?
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Is my soprano saxophone poor or am I doing something wrong?
I have just aquired a soprano saxophone for the first time. Previously I have only played alto and baritone, never a soprano before.
Something I am encountering which I have never before - and it is ...
6
votes
3answers
3k views
Xaphoon: Which key, C or Bb?
I have been thinking about buying a xaphoon for a while. I have no experience with wind instruments of any kind (well, I can play the sweetflute) so I don't know whether to pick the C key or the Bb ...
3
votes
1answer
359 views
How to articulate on a Saxophone with the mouthpiece upside down?
I'm trying to learn to play the saxophone with the mouthpiece upside down because of nerve damage in my lower lip and roots of my lower teeth.
Tonguing is difficult. What are some suggestions? Are ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Saxophone and Dentures
Some years ago I was a pretty hot alto player but the guitar was always my first instrument and I have been a busy pro for much of my working life. I had to drop the horn.
Now I am thinking of ...
0
votes
3answers
507 views
What's the best technique to sight read fast big band scores?
I've recently joined a big band. I play second alto saxophone. I do well enough when playing the slower pieces. But I struggle to read the quicker swing pieces. What's the best technique to play ...
3
votes
2answers
245 views
How to get a better altissimo tone?
I'm currently practicing my overtone series and trying to get a play some altissimo. Right now, I've been able to play up to a D7 using Sigurd Rascher's Top Tones for the Saxophone, but the notes are ...
5
votes
5answers
523 views
Do woodwind reeds (Sax, clarinet, etc) need break in to play better?
I was curious if woodwind reeds need a break in period to meld to the mouthpiece. I am learning saxophone and it seems the longer I use the same reed, it seems to play better.
4
votes
1answer
300 views
How can I tune a saxophone or other transposing instrument using a piano? [duplicate]
I am new to sax, but was a B♭ clarinet player in high-school band (years ago); now I play some guitar and piano. I just got an inexpensive soprano sax (Mendini). Since it is a B♭ instrument, help me ...
