Top F problem

[Carol Wilson]

Hi everyone. It's my first post so treat me nicely please.

I have a Yam 62 Tenor with a VD Java 2.5 and a lovely Lawton 7B special
metal mp.

I've been playing for 2 years and have a long way to go but I'm fairly
pleased with my progress. But I've got a problem with top F. If I go to
nail it without a run up, it goes funny and flat before eventually coming
out.

This is particularly embarrassing during the sax solo part from Brown Sugar
when performing with the (rock) band I'm in but also affects various blues
type impro's as I lack confidence with this note even though it should
scream.

I practice about three times a week and have been suffering for about 6
months since I started attempting top F.

So, how do I fix it. I already realise it's probably me, but is there
anything technical I can do that will help me.

Thanks all.

[nicholas peter dempsey]

In article <3c9b6...@mk-nntp-1.news.uk.worldonline.com>,

It doesn't sound like the horn to me (although I'm interested in what
others have to say); I used to have the same problem, and it was just
me. I'd say practicing overtones could be what you
need. Check out Rascher's "Top Tones for the Saxophone." Not only has this
book gotten me to begin a passable altissimo, it seriously improved my
tone at the high end of the normal range.

--NPD
--
___________________________
Nicholas P. Dempsey
Department of Sociology
University of Chicago

[P. Bennett]

Quite right. In fact, even Rascher says in the book that if you never
try to play altissimo the exercises in the book will improve your tone
in the normal range of the horn.

"Top Tones" is a thin book--but there's enough in it to keep you
occupied for years, and the effort WILL pay off. Your high F will take
on a new life....

[MusicMedic.com]

Good Advise so far!
I use the top-Tones as a player and a teacher.

As for your instrument:
It may help if you adjust the amount the front-F button opens the
palm-F key.

Remember front-F is only an A with the Palm F opening. Try Playing A
and opening the palm-F to different heights while you play. When you
get the height that is just right, check and see how far the front-F
key opens the palm-F in relation to the height you just discovered.
You may find that the F key does not open far enough with the front F
mechanism.

The adjustment is usually a simple one.

Curt Altarac
www.MusicMedic.com -Saxophone Repair kits, pads, and supplies!
Cu...@MusicMedic.com

"P. Bennett" <pbenne...@aol.com> wrote in message news:<3C9B8A47...@aol.com>...

[mitch]

All of the above plus.... I can get that note effortlessly (ya need it for
T1, In the Mood solo, my first encounter with high F) with only two of my
mpcs. Three others fight me all the way, no matter what reed I use, or
adjustments I make. Perhaps you mpc/reed isn't high-note friendly?

Top Tones, a required book.

Mitch

MusicMedic.com <Cu...@MusicMedic.com> wrote in message
news:2a867260.02032...@posting.google.com...

[Michael]

Generally I would say there are three possibilities. Mechanical,
mouthpiece/reed, and mental.

I would eliminate the mouthpiece/reed as the set up you describe should be
able to play well above an F with no problems.

One of the other posts mentions mechanical. Are you using the side keys or
the F button? It is possible the pad height is a problem using the side
keys, and there are several ways the button can go out of adjustment. Have
a good sax repairman check it for you. If the pad height of the side F is
too low when you use the button it can make it difficult to hit that note
cleanly.

Now the mental. This is a little more tricky. When I used to give lessons
and noticed a student tightening up as then went into the higher ranges I
would stand behind them, put my fingers on the keys, and just have them
blow. Since they did not know if I was going up, down, high or low they
would just blow without "thinking" the notes. When they heard how clear
the notes on the top end were when they were not 'thinking' high (which can
cause you to raise your shoulders and generally tighten up) they would
realize how much they effect the tone by trying too hard. Stand in front of
a mirror and play (all above the staff) C to D, C to E, C to F, over and
over. There should be no change at all in the way you are blowing, your
embrouchure, or your posture.

My best suggestion would be to get into a routine of practicing everyday.
If you have a secure place where it won't get bumped I would leave the sax
on a stand and pick it up everyday, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes. I
know there are many that would disagree with leaving the sax out, but after
repairing for over 20 years I think I can safely say it is ok to do this
(just don't leave it where it is exposed to direct sunlight). Practicing a
few minutes everyday is much better than practicing a long time two or three
times a week.
"Carol Wilson" <carol....@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3c9b6...@mk-nntp-1.news.uk.worldonline.com...

[Carol Wilson]

Good advice everyone and thanks very much. I'll welcome even more but it
sounds like I need to buy Top Tones asap.

I'm particularly delighted to discover I'm not alone in this problem and
it's just another thing to get through.

Cheers all

"mitch" <mi...@mitchellandrus.com> wrote in message
news:a7gpkm$fif$1...@slb6.atl.mindspring.net...

[Lance Hoopes]

No problem leaving the sax out, but please take the mouthpiece off.

Lance

"Michael" <mir...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
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[Tom Holman]

On Sat, 23 Mar 2002 06:23:54 -0700, "Lance Hoopes"
<lho...@dakotacom.net> wrote:

>No problem leaving the sax out, but please take the mouthpiece off.
>

Why is that? I also leave my sax out and ready to play, with the
mouthpiece cover on.
Tom

[Carol Wilson]

I leave my sax out quite a lot. I'm wondering about the mouthpiece thing
too?

"Tom Holman" <t...@tomholman.com> wrote in message
news:i35p9ugds9135fe8v...@4ax.com...

[David Burckhardt]

It is better for the cork, which needs to "relax" to hold the mp tightly.
Furthermore, the horn and mp dries better when separated, and I prefer also
to fit the read back into it's holder (I use the Vandoren holders), where it
dries flat.
db
"Carol Wilson" <carol....@tiscali.co.uk> a écrit dans le message de news:
3c9ca...@mk-nntp-1.news.uk.worldonline.com...

[Carol Wilson]

Fair enough!

"David Burckhardt" <dburc...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3c9cf...@news.bluewin.ch...

[Pete Thomas]

I'm surprised that nobody has ayet answered this post with the usual
"Get a teacher"
That's the best thing you can do at this satge. I assume you don't have one
or you wouls ask him/her this question.

--
best regards

Pete Thomas

www.petethomas.co.uk

Carol Wilson <carol....@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:3c9b6...@mk-nntp-1.news.uk.worldonline.com...

[Andy Wilson]

Hi Pete

I do have an excellent teacher. Unfortuneately I'm not an excellent student
and often forget to ask during my lessons because I'm concentrating on
whatever else I'm doing.

I have lessons only twice a month or so.

All my problems occur when I practice so that's how I use the newly
discovered newsgroup.

"Pete Thomas" <p...@petethomas.co.uk> wrote in message
news:a7ilac$jjr$1...@aspen.sucs.soton.ac.uk...

[BobMac]

"P. Bennett" wrote:
>
> Quite right. In fact, even Rascher says in the book that if you never
> try to play altissimo the exercises in the book will improve your tone
> in the normal range of the horn.
>
> "Top Tones" is a thin book--but there's enough in it to keep you
> occupied for years, and the effort WILL pay off. Your high F will take
> on a new life....

And it's a total gut-check on whether you've done enough
practice lately.

At least, it is for me...

rm