Hi,

I'm having troubles with my intonation in the upper register of my sax, especially the D (on the 4th line) - which is about 1/4 of a tone sharp consistently.

Any tips?

It's getting quite frustrating!

Thanks

Hi,

4th line D intonation seems to be a very common problem with saxes!

You could try pressing the low B key as you play the D, it does tend to pull the pitch down somewhat. Otherwise, keeping an open throat (ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!) etc will obviously help here.

I have little markings all over my music to show where I need to add extra fingers, or alternative ways etc, it's challenging, and keeps you on your toes, but well worth it when intonation improves as a result.

Best of luck!

Try this fingering:

All the usual D fingers down but DO NOT use the octave key. Instead use the middle (D) palm key with your left hand.

Thanks so much to both Scaramouche and saxgirl. It's 10pm here in Oz so I won't annoy the neighbours by trying it out now, but look forward to trying that in the morning!

Thanks

IMHO, and without having heard you play (obviously!), it's possible that you are biting ... if you've only been playing a short while, you may be tightening up the embouchure to get the second octave. Try to keep the embouchure more or less constant throughout the range, and secure notes by breath support, not by tightening up. And while it is obviously good that you are aware of tuning (and a quarter tone is a lot!) don't get obsessive about tuning - saxes are a big old compromise, and shouldn't be let near electronic tuners ...

If it is ONLY this note that is problematic, there may possibly be a problem with the sax - is the tone of the note solid? Have you had the instrument checked over?

best
Nick

Hi Nick,

It isn't the only note that is the problem, but it is by far worse than the others!

If I were biting I imagine my teeth/jaw would feel sore? (which they don't).

I've also tried a friend's instrument and I have the same problem, so as much as I would love to blame my instrument...

So I imagine breath support is the problem - any recommendations of good exercises to help this?

Thanks again

Hi nic,

You could be squeezing your embouchure though and that can make the intonation sharp. I think people can subconsciously increase their embouchure pressure for the higher notes, but it shouldn't need to change at all. Also make sure that you are not over blowing. The air flow should be steady and controlled - not like you are blowing out candles. (Seems to work with my students). Have a go at the following exercise, initially using notes you are more comfortable with - maybe middle B, A and G.

*Start a steady air flow with no embouchure pressure on the mouthpiece. This means there is no air seal and you should just get a hiss of air.
*Gradually tighten the pressure equally around the mouthpiece (think of a circle) and you start to hear a note.
*Keep tightening slowly until you hear a good clear note (with a good tone). To get to this you should hear a note increase in pitch as you tighten the embouchure.
*You may find that the embouchure pressure to achieve a good tone is less than you have been using.
*Try it with a lot of different notes including your middle D. You may find this helps with the tuning.
*Remember not to increase embouchure pressure for the higher notes.

Good luck. Lucid

Looks like excellent advice! By 'biting' I meant 'using too tight an embouchure' - sorry if that was unclear. there are so many variables here that it is very difficult to diagnose at a distance - you really need a teacher on the spot. However, if you get the same problem on other saxes, I'm afraid it's probably you! At least that means it's cheaper to fix...

Breath support means providing a firm platform with your diapraghm; one way of doing this is to think of pushing your tummy down and out - as though you're trying to burst your waistband (don't overdo it now!). With that sort of firm support you'll find that the notes will come into tune, and getting higher notes will be easier. It will feel very odd to start with, but once you understand what you are trying to achieve, you can get the same result with much less effort (and much less sticking your tummy out!). But really really really, you need a teacher to demonstrate this for you ...

nick