I was recently complaining to fellow player about my sound (Alto Sax). An exercise he suggested was to play the MPC + crook alone (this being aurally friendlier than MPC alone). It was suggested that the 'correct' note for this combination was (concert) G. I have tried this and find I play at G# + 30cents (plus 130 c in total). Just wondering if anyone else has tried this and/or can confirm that G is the correct note to aim for ? If I am out by 130c can anyone suggest a possible reason. I realise it is probably embouchure / support related, but what specifically (an impossible question, I know ).
As an aside, I know that most authorities state that the correct note for MPC alone (Alto) is A. When I try this, I get C !

Any thoughts/advice greatly aprreciated.

-D-

I've read about something similar but thought it was the mouthpiece alone at concert A for alto (but could be wrong). My teacher has me doing mouthpiece exercises, but they're about trying to get as big a range as possible on the mouthpiece alone, rather than 1 note - aiming for about an octave, and playing scales and simple tunes. The idea is to build the control you have as regards sound and intonation.

I've never tried it with mouthpiece and crook. Mouthpiece alone should be A for an alto. If I'm playing sharp or sounding too much like a clarinettist playing sax the sort of exercise your doing TSax helps refocus my sound and get flexibility back. I find going through a pattern of A, G#, A, F#, A, E, A.....etc about the most useful.

I also find that if I check mouthpiece pitch when I'm reasonably happy with my tone I'm blowing closer to a G#.

Musicstand has to do this too and has to get a concert A on mouthpiece alone.