The Sax Thread!, thought it was about time :) Options

[notmusimum]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) At my lesson last night (first after hols), my teacher said 'we' (ie. I) should go for the Grade 6 this session. Eek! Given how pitiful my scales were (no, really), I can only assume that he just couldn't face listening to my pieces for another full term and a half (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

What pieces are you playing? I'm sure they are worth listening to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[saxophile]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) At my lesson last night (first after hols), my teacher said 'we' (ie. I) should go for the Grade 6 this session. Eek! Given how pitiful my scales were (no, really), I can only assume that he just couldn't face listening to my pieces for another full term and a half (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

What pieces are you playing? I'm sure they are worth listening to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

List A - Rachmaninov - Vocalise. This one is OK except for my vibrato, which is still a bit hit and miss (I nearly said a bit "wobbly" there, but realised that's kind of the point with vibrato (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) )

List B - Lawson Lunde - Andantino. Has a few hideous bars, and ditto in the accompaniment. (Actually, maybe this is why my teacher wants me to move on asap!) Other sections are lovely.

List C - Alan Bullard - Toreador Sax. The less said the better, really.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) But then, it's a study, so what can you expect? At least it's reasonably musical.

Scales are very variable; aurals - argh; haven't even tried any sightreading yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) but it's generally something I'm OK at so hopefully it will be alright.

[saxophile]

Excited! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I may finally (tomorrow) get a chance to go shopping for an upgrade to my alto.... Not quite sure what I'm looking for, though I definitely know I want something with a better set-up for the LH little finger key set. Am thinking I might look at the YAS475 / 480 as a starting-point, since I've been really happy with my 275 (except for the LH little finger key set (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ).

[notmusimum]

Excited! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I may finally (tomorrow) get a chance to go shopping for an upgrade to my alto.... Not quite sure what I'm looking for, though I definitely know I want something with a better set-up for the LH little finger key set. Am thinking I might look at the YAS475 / 480 as a starting-point, since I've been really happy with my 275 (except for the LH little finger key set (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ).

The Selmer References are very nice instruments but they are a bit pricey

[Tenor Viol]

Bauhaus Walstein seem to have a good rep....

[Chris H]

The YAS475 is based on the Yamaha Custom, which is a very good sax indeed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[saxophile]

A good trip out to Woodwind Exchange yesterday (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) and I came away the proud owner of a YAS 475 (and - even better - at a discounted price, because the 475 is a superseded line (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ).

I did try out a YAS 62 (Mk III) ex-demo model, which was also very nice, but I couldn't convince myself it was ?500 nicer than the 475, which is what it would have cost. I found the action lighter and easier on the 475, and I also found the 62 a bit difficult to play well at pp dynamics - it tended to be a bit on the loud side.

The only problem now is that I really need to spend a bit more time on piano (rather than playing with my new toy (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ) at present, since piano has been rather neglected in favour of sax in the run up to my exam....

[notmusimum]

Have fun with the new sax!

[Chris H]

I'm glad you got the sax you wanted - and at a discount! I was at Woodwind exchange myself earlier on this week!

[TSax]

I had my tenor serviced last week (it was almost 3 years since the last service (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) how did that happen?).

As well as the usual clean, regulate etc I asked the repairer to lower the height of the palm keys - what a difference - it's so much easier to play in tune. Really don't know why I didn't get it done years ago.

He's got my alto at the moment, oddly I tend to play that flat at the top, I suspect because I'm so used to bending the pitch down into tune on the tenor that I automatically flatten the notes on alto too.

[Chris H]

I had my tenor serviced last week (it was almost 3 years since the last service (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) how did that happen?).

As well as the usual clean, regulate etc I asked the repairer to lower the height of the palm keys - what a difference - it's so much easier to play in tune. Really don't know why I didn't get it done years ago.

He's got my alto at the moment, oddly I tend to play that flat at the top, I suspect because I'm so used to bending the pitch down into tune on the tenor that I automatically flatten the notes on alto too.

Do you know if it's possible to raise the height of the palm keys - or can you only lower them? And is it only certain makes that are adjustable?

[Tenor Viol]

I had my tenor serviced last week (it was almost 3 years since the last service (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) how did that happen?).

As well as the usual clean, regulate etc I asked the repairer to lower the height of the palm keys - what a difference - it's so much easier to play in tune. Really don't know why I didn't get it done years ago.

He's got my alto at the moment, oddly I tend to play that flat at the top, I suspect because I'm so used to bending the pitch down into tune on the tenor that I automatically flatten the notes on alto too.

Do you know if it's possible to raise the height of the palm keys - or can you only lower them? And is it only certain makes that are adjustable?

A tech can add a removable mouldable plastic compound to increase the height of the palm keys (bit like sticking a blob of blutac on). This sets rigid, but can be taken off later.

[TSax]

I had my tenor serviced last week (it was almost 3 years since the last service (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) how did that happen?).

As well as the usual clean, regulate etc I asked the repairer to lower the height of the palm keys - what a difference - it's so much easier to play in tune. Really don't know why I didn't get it done years ago.

He's got my alto at the moment, oddly I tend to play that flat at the top, I suspect because I'm so used to bending the pitch down into tune on the tenor that I automatically flatten the notes on alto too.

Do you know if it's possible to raise the height of the palm keys - or can you only lower them? And is it only certain makes that are adjustable?

A tech can add a removable mouldable plastic compound to increase the height of the palm keys (bit like sticking a blob of blutac on). This sets rigid, but can be taken off later.

I think Tenor Viol and I are at cross purposes - when I said "lowered the height of the palm keys" what I really meant was reduce the amount by which the pads open (i.e. lower the height between the pad and the tone-hole). Adjusting the height of the keys themselves wouldn't do anything to alter the intonation. I'm fairly certain this can be adjusted in either direction, how the adjustment is done probably depends on make/model of sax (e.g. use adjusting screws, alter the width of cork "stopping" the key, careful bending of the key itself etc).

If you mean (as does Tenor Viol) raise the height of the keys themselves then I think Keilwerth saxes have adjustment screws, I use rubber palm key risers (available quite cheaply from e.g. sax.co.uk) or you can get a more permanent effect as TV suggests. I suspect it would be difficult to actually lower these!

[Chris H]

Ah - sorry, I misunderstood what you meant. My son uses the rubber palm key risers.