Comments for Sax Guide http://www.saxguide.com Discount Saxophone Sale Online Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:07:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Saxophone players can you help me plaease? by ktbird0111 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/saxophone-players-can-you-help-me-plaease/comment-page-1#comment-134 ktbird0111 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:30:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/saxophone-players-can-you-help-me-plaease#comment-134 I had this problem too when I switched to saxophone from clarinet. Most likely it is your embouchure. Just drop your jaw a little bit and blow faster air. Since clarinet embouchure and saxophone embouchure are so similar it is very easy to just use clarinet embouchure on saxophone. When playing saxophone your embouchure should be just slightly looser otherwise you start to pinch and your pitch goes very sharp.<br><b>References : </b><br> I had this problem too when I switched to saxophone from clarinet. Most likely it is your embouchure. Just drop your jaw a little bit and blow faster air.
Since clarinet embouchure and saxophone embouchure are so similar it is very easy to just use clarinet embouchure on saxophone. When playing saxophone your embouchure should be just slightly looser otherwise you start to pinch and your pitch goes very sharp.
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]]> Comment on Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Saxophone? Is it good? by musicislife http://www.saxguide.com/yamaha-saxophone/yamaha-yas-23-alto-saxophone-is-it-good/comment-page-1#comment-166 musicislife Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:22:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/yamaha-saxophone/yamaha-yas-23-alto-saxophone-is-it-good#comment-166 Yamaha's are great horns, especially the YAS23 for beginners. I had one from 6th grade all the way until the end of my sophomore year of high school. It's a very sturdy horn and it lasts. Someone a couple posts ago told you that if you begin on a Yamaha you'll never be able to play anything else....sorry but that's bull**it. All I have ever owned are Yamaha's and just a month ago I purchased a Selmer Serie III black laquer soprano. The transition wasn't difficult at all, I just had to work on voicing for a couple weeks since corks on Selmers are shorter, and therefore require a different oral cavity to play them. I say go for the YAS23 for a great student model horn. Of course there are other makes out there....Selmer and Yamaha being at the top right now. I would suggest going down to your local music store and trying out a 23 just to make sure you like the tone and quality. It's good to give yourself options, so try out a couple different brands they suggest. Good luck!<br><b>References : </b><br>Played saxophone for 10 years now, sophomore in college as a music education major with a concentration in saxophone Yamaha's are great horns, especially the YAS23 for beginners. I had one from 6th grade all the way until the end of my sophomore year of high school. It's a very sturdy horn and it lasts. Someone a couple posts ago told you that if you begin on a Yamaha you'll never be able to play anything else….sorry but that's bull**it. All I have ever owned are Yamaha's and just a month ago I purchased a Selmer Serie III black laquer soprano. The transition wasn't difficult at all, I just had to work on voicing for a couple weeks since corks on Selmers are shorter, and therefore require a different oral cavity to play them. I say go for the YAS23 for a great student model horn. Of course there are other makes out there….Selmer and Yamaha being at the top right now. I would suggest going down to your local music store and trying out a 23 just to make sure you like the tone and quality. It's good to give yourself options, so try out a couple different brands they suggest. Good luck!
References :
Played saxophone for 10 years now, sophomore in college as a music education major with a concentration in saxophone

]]> Comment on Saxophone players can you help me plaease? by Jennifer Joy http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/saxophone-players-can-you-help-me-plaease/comment-page-1#comment-133 Jennifer Joy Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:55:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/saxophone-players-can-you-help-me-plaease#comment-133 Often happens for beginners on the sax. You need to experiment with reed and embouchure. You'll soon get the F, then later the E, then the D, etc. Or it may be a leak, the most obvious being the G sharp key. It should be held down by the right-hand keys, but do this check: find the pad which is activated by the G sharp key. Hold the right hand keys down, then press that G sharp pad down. If there is any movement because it isn't quite on the hole, it's leaking. It can be regulated with the screw on the key, but I'd leave it with someone who knows.<br><b>References : </b><br>I'm a clarinet and sax teacher. Often happens for beginners on the sax. You need to experiment with reed and embouchure. You'll soon get the F, then later the E, then the D, etc.

Or it may be a leak, the most obvious being the G sharp key. It should be held down by the right-hand keys, but do this check: find the pad which is activated by the G sharp key. Hold the right hand keys down, then press that G sharp pad down. If there is any movement because it isn't quite on the hole, it's leaking. It can be regulated with the screw on the key, but I'd leave it with someone who knows.
References :
I'm a clarinet and sax teacher.

]]> Comment on Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Saxophone? Is it good? by lacieunderalls http://www.saxguide.com/yamaha-saxophone/yamaha-yas-23-alto-saxophone-is-it-good/comment-page-1#comment-165 lacieunderalls Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:46:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/yamaha-saxophone/yamaha-yas-23-alto-saxophone-is-it-good#comment-165 Yamaha makes excellent saxophones. If you choose to switch to another horn later, like a Selmer for example, your fingers will have to adjust slightly, but it's not that difficult to do. I played my Yamaha YAS-21 (the YAS-23 came out later but is just about exactly the same horn) all through junior high and high school and college, and it was just nothing but a great horn for me. I still have it and play it occasionally and it's still great as ever. When I take it in to have it serviced, the guys at the music shop always tell me what a great horn it is. I wouldn't stick with the stock mouthpiece though. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a better mouthpiece. Try a few out and see what feels best to you and easiest to blow. You'll be happy you did yourself that favor. I use a Claude Lakey mouthpiece, and it made a huge difference. Totally worth the investment. Good luck :)<br><b>References : </b><br> Yamaha makes excellent saxophones. If you choose to switch to another horn later, like a Selmer for example, your fingers will have to adjust slightly, but it's not that difficult to do. I played my Yamaha YAS-21 (the YAS-23 came out later but is just about exactly the same horn) all through junior high and high school and college, and it was just nothing but a great horn for me.

I still have it and play it occasionally and it's still great as ever. When I take it in to have it serviced, the guys at the music shop always tell me what a great horn it is.

I wouldn't stick with the stock mouthpiece though. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a better mouthpiece. Try a few out and see what feels best to you and easiest to blow. You'll be happy you did yourself that favor. I use a Claude Lakey mouthpiece, and it made a huge difference. Totally worth the investment.

Good luck :)
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]]> Comment on What is the difference is saxophone reeds or any other kind? by diamondknife http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/what-is-the-difference-is-saxophone-reeds-or-any-other-kind/comment-page-1#comment-124 diamondknife Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:45:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/what-is-the-difference-is-saxophone-reeds-or-any-other-kind#comment-124 Don't always trust what the sales people tell you because many don't know the difference themselves especially how it affects the tone. I'll try to lay it out as simple as possible. 1) The number represents the strength (how stiff it is or how bendable it is). The higher the number, the higher the strength. 2) There are many different numbers (strengths) because mouthpieces vary widely in their tip openings (the distance from the tip to the reed). 3) You need to match the tip opening to the number (strength) that creates the best sound and playability for you. How it affects the saxophone? Example 1: If you find that your sound is very stuffy or difficult to blow (too much resistance) then your reed is probably to hard and you need to move to a lower number. Example 2: If you find that you have difficulty playing higher notes in tune (they are too flat) or your sound just cuts off then you probably need to move to higher number. Which brand to choose? That's a personal choice. Each brand has a bit of tonal variation in the sound. One brand's strength is not necessarily the same as another. So a little experimenting is needed. There is no beginner strength or professional strength. The mouthpiece determines that. Michael Brecker played on a 2.5 La Voz reed on a fairly open mouthpiece, so did Benny Goodman. Hope that helped<br><b>References : </b><br>Professional musician, Saxophone Teacher. Don't always trust what the sales people tell you because many don't know the difference themselves especially how it affects the tone.

I'll try to lay it out as simple as possible.

1) The number represents the strength (how stiff it is or how bendable it is). The higher the number, the higher the strength.

2) There are many different numbers (strengths) because mouthpieces vary widely in their tip openings (the distance from the tip to the reed).

3) You need to match the tip opening to the number (strength) that creates the best sound and playability for you.

How it affects the saxophone?

Example 1: If you find that your sound is very stuffy or difficult to blow (too much resistance) then your reed is probably to hard and you need to move to a lower number.

Example 2: If you find that you have difficulty playing higher notes in tune (they are too flat) or your sound just cuts off then you probably need to move to higher number.

Which brand to choose?

That's a personal choice. Each brand has a bit of tonal variation in the sound. One brand's strength is not necessarily the same as another. So a little experimenting is needed.

There is no beginner strength or professional strength. The mouthpiece determines that. Michael Brecker played on a 2.5 La Voz reed on a fairly open mouthpiece, so did Benny Goodman.

Hope that helped
References :
Professional musician, Saxophone Teacher.

]]> Comment on I just started renting a saxaphone? Any tips on how long to practice? by noEWin2009 http://www.saxguide.com/saxaphone/i-just-started-renting-a-saxaphone-any-tips-on-how-long-to-practice/comment-page-1#comment-150 noEWin2009 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:43:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/saxaphone/i-just-started-renting-a-saxaphone-any-tips-on-how-long-to-practice#comment-150 Everyday for 1 hour.<br><b>References : </b><br> Everyday for 1 hour.
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]]> Comment on Saxophone players can you help me plaease? by sox&rock247 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/saxophone-players-can-you-help-me-plaease/comment-page-1#comment-132 sox&rock247 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:38:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/saxophone-players-can-you-help-me-plaease#comment-132 what size and brand reed are you using? also, i know many saxaphone players who do that. i was running a freshmen practice (i'm a junior) and the freshmen just didn't blow hard enough and a couple were playing it wrong for you i would suggest a 2 rico or rico royal once you get better swtich to vandorens there the top of the line<br><b>References : </b><br> what size and brand reed are you using? also, i know many saxaphone players who do that. i was running a freshmen practice (i'm a junior) and the freshmen just didn't blow hard enough and a couple were playing it wrong

for you i would suggest a 2 rico or rico royal once you get better swtich to vandorens there the top of the line
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]]> Comment on What colors can Alto saxophones come in? by Sam D http://www.saxguide.com/saxophones/what-colors-can-alto-saxophones-come-in/comment-page-1#comment-138 Sam D Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:23:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophones/what-colors-can-alto-saxophones-come-in#comment-138 Lets See: Blue Silver Black Red Gold Green<br><b>References : </b><br>Playing and seeing them Lets See:
Blue
Silver
Black
Red
Gold
Green
References :
Playing and seeing them

]]> Comment on What is the difference is saxophone reeds or any other kind? by Skysinger23 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/what-is-the-difference-is-saxophone-reeds-or-any-other-kind/comment-page-1#comment-123 Skysinger23 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:18:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/saxophone/what-is-the-difference-is-saxophone-reeds-or-any-other-kind#comment-123 Start on a 2 or 2 1/2....if your playing primarily jazz go on the lower end. Reeds don't directly affect your sound but the harder the reed the harder you have to blow and your embouchure changes so your sound does too. Once you get to the point you can unwrap a reed and play on it without soaking it first for too long...you need to move up another half size right away. Also some mouthpieces work better with different sizes of reeds...but as a beginner you dont need to get into that. Ask your band dirctor if you have any issues or questions.<br><b>References : </b><br> Start on a 2 or 2 1/2….if your playing primarily jazz go on the lower end. Reeds don't directly affect your sound but the harder the reed the harder you have to blow and your embouchure changes so your sound does too. Once you get to the point you can unwrap a reed and play on it without soaking it first for too long…you need to move up another half size right away.
Also some mouthpieces work better with different sizes of reeds…but as a beginner you dont need to get into that. Ask your band dirctor if you have any issues or questions.
References :

]]> Comment on Yamaha YAS-23 Alto Saxophone? Is it good? by fatcatjack9000 http://www.saxguide.com/yamaha-saxophone/yamaha-yas-23-alto-saxophone-is-it-good/comment-page-1#comment-164 fatcatjack9000 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:15:59 +0000 http://www.saxguide.com/yamaha-saxophone/yamaha-yas-23-alto-saxophone-is-it-good#comment-164 Yamaha sucks. Don't do it. There is many other brands of saxophones out there. Ok, here we go. A saxophone mouthpiece is like a board with lots of slots. Each slot, where your tounge is (tounge leveling), leaves a different note. Mouthpieces like Yamaha have too tight slots, leaving not enough room for beginners to learn with it. I fyou learn on a Yahama, you will not be able to play anything else. I know it's tough, but it's true. Now, lets deal with price ranges-- you can't get a good, cheap horn. It can be all shiney and pretty, but leaks, bad pads, and even loose keys can be a problem. You have to make sure you want it alot, knowing that it's going to be alot of money. I can recommend Selmer, Jupiter, or Jim Ban. Even if you do get a not so good horn, just play your best.<br><b>References : </b><br> Yamaha sucks. Don't do it. There is many other brands of saxophones out there. Ok, here we go.
A saxophone mouthpiece is like a board with lots of slots. Each slot, where your tounge is (tounge leveling), leaves a different note. Mouthpieces like Yamaha have too tight slots, leaving not enough room for beginners to learn with it. I fyou learn on a Yahama, you will not be able to play anything else. I know it's tough, but it's true. Now, lets deal with price ranges– you can't get a good, cheap horn. It can be all shiney and pretty, but leaks, bad pads, and even loose keys can be a problem. You have to make sure you want it alot, knowing that it's going to be alot of money. I can recommend Selmer, Jupiter, or Jim Ban. Even if you do get a not so good horn, just play your best.
References :

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