Bari sax intonation problems
Dean Hildebrandt
the upper register (octave key open) is consistently sharper on all
notes than the lower register. This does not happen on my tenor. Any
advice? Thanks.
Shaun H. Bazylewicz
over for our current Bari Sax player in Jazz Band whose graduating next
year, but the problem is, the higher it goes, the sharper it goes. I can
usually control it till I go for the extreme ranges (High D, Eb, E, F,
F#). I'm thinking it's the mouthpiece, cause even our current one (whose
has a Metal Mouthpiece for it) said the mouthpiece is really crappy. But
if it's not, any advice for us two? My teacher says it's common, you just
need to get a feel for the sax. But I don't know. Thanx
Shaun
Dean Hildebrandt wrote:
--
Things to make you go "Hmmmmm":
Who was the cruel fool who put the letter "S" in the word Lisp?
If practice makes perfect, and nobody's perfect, then why practice?
If the truth is really out there, how will we ever find it if all we're
told are lies?
Stephen Nichols
>
> Thank you! Someone with the same problem. Same saxes even. I wanna take
> over for our current Bari Sax player in Jazz Band whose graduating next
> year, but the problem is, the higher it goes, the sharper it goes. I can
> usually control it till I go for the extreme ranges (High D, Eb, E, F,
> F#). I'm thinking it's the mouthpiece, cause even our current one (whose
> has a Metal Mouthpiece for it) said the mouthpiece is really crappy. But
> if it's not, any advice for us two? My teacher says it's common, you just
> need to get a feel for the sax. But I don't know. Thanx
You guys need to learn flexibility on the horn. Play the high notes and
with a combination of lowering your throat position and relaxing your
jaw, 'lip' those notes down at least a semitone. You are then learning
the flexibility to adjust pitch dramatically. Then when you want to make
a sharp note a little bit flatter, you have the ability to move it where
you want it. No Problems....
Steve
--
Come visit at http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~stevenic/
And http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Bayou/2377/
Home of the Australian Chryslers Web Ring
Home of The Audiophile Web Ring
Helper at The Sax Ring
JbJazzman
Try something with a bigger chamber.
John Crone
newer horns being a little better in tune, you will also find that the low
"A" is flat, something you have top work on. The sax is in no way a
perfect instrument for pitch.
JC The Bariguy
Robert L. Carroll
> I have played several baris and have the same problem on all of them -
> the upper register (octave key open) is consistently sharper on all
> notes than the lower register. This does not happen on my tenor. Any
> advice? Thanks.
Different brands of saxes show this effect -- some brands are more prone
to pitch differences than others, in my experience. For example, the
Selmer brand has the reputation of being sharp in the second register
(although my Mark VI alto -- with C* Soloist mouthpiece -- is actually
flat in the second register). Usually the amount of pitch change is such
that it can be lipped into tune. I am unaware that baritone saxophones
suffer more of this than other voices.
If I were concerned about the amount of pitch change in the different
registers, first I would make sure that the horn is the cause. Have
someone finger different notes while you blow it (without telling you what
the note is.) Measure the pitch when you don't know what note you are
playing. If there is a difference between the "blind" note and your
ordinary note, the difference is caused by you! The mouthpiece tip is
more open on a baritone, making lipping easier. You can watch your
embouchure in a mirror to see that it doesn't tighten up in the higher
notes.
If the horn is the cause, it can be checked by a repairman. If everything
is in order, then suspect the mouthpiece. A larger chamber mouthpiece is
less sensitive to pitch change. On my baritone, I have played mouthpieces
which make the upper register flat relative to the lower register.