Guide to Solving Saxophone Problems

Problem                                               Possible Cause and Solution

Honky Sound                                       a) Loose, flabby embouchure.  Firm up the embouchure.  Think round, oval firmness without biting.  Pull chin down and push sax slightly forward with right thumb.  Keep cheek in – no puffing.

                                                            b) Too much mouthpiece in mouth.

                                                            c) A reed that is too soft will produce a “reedy honk.”  Try one size stronger or trim reed.

                                                            d) Mouthpiece chamber may be too shallow or mouthpiece lay maybe too open.  Try a medium-lay mouthpiece with a deeper chamber.  Avoid                mouthpieces that are excessively streamlined.

                                                            e) Over blowing will produce uncontrolled sounds.  Keep dynamics under control.

Breathy sound                                      a) Lack of breath support combined with a loose, flabby embouchure.  Firm up embouchure and support air.

                                                            b) Mouthpiece with too great a tip opening, and a lay that is too long.

                                                            c) Reed placed crooked or too low on the mouthpiece.  Center the reed properly.

                                                            d) Reed too hard.

Thin, small tone                                     a) Lack of proper breath support.

                                                            b) Constricted throat.  Open throat and enlarge oral cavity for greater resonance.  Blow “warm” air.

                                                            c) Embouchure too tight.  Drop jaw and allow lip muscles to take over the job of providing a firm cushion for the reed.

                                                            d) Reed chokes off. Try a harder reed or trim the one you are using.

                                                            e) Too little mouthpiece in mouth.

                                                            f) Mouthpiece lay too close.  Use medium lay mouthpiece.

Muffled tone                                         a) Too much lower lip inside mouth deadening the reed.  Place teeth in red part of lip and keep chin pointed firmly downward.

                                                            b) Warped or just poor mouthpiece.  BUY A NEW ONE!!  Selmer C* is an excellent mouthpiece.

Lowest notes do not respond                a) Loose, flabby embouchure.  Round, oval firmness in lips with jaw pulled downward and pushed slightly forward will allow the reed to                             respond in this register without sounding the higher octave.

                                                            b) Leaky pads and/or bent keys.

                                                            c) Too much pressure on lower lip.  Push sax forward with RH thumb to take pressure off lip.  Adjust neck strap if necessary.

Low register goes up an octave             a) See “a)” above.

                                                            b) Embouchure too tight.  Pull lower teeth away from reed, but keep lips firm and chin pulled down.

c) Octave key leaks.  Adjust octave key by bending it (or the connecting lever) until it closes properly.   A bent connecting lever is generally caused by the    instrument being put away in the case without the protective plug being inserted.  Bent octave keys are generally the result of carelessness when assembling the neckpipe.

d) Octave key not closing because neckpipe turned too far.  Players with poor posture and poor playing position tend to turn the neckpipe too far.

Squeaks or harmonics                           a) Pinching.  Drop jaw but keep lips firm.

                                                            b) LH 1^st finger on 1^st button (high “F” key) instead of on 2^nd button where it belongs.

                                                            c) Palms of either hand may be pressing against the side of the keys.  Arch hands over side keys and keep relaxed.

                                                            d) Reed improperly placed on mouthpiece.

                                                            e) Split reed.

                                                            f) Check for leaky pads and/or bent keys.

Breathy attack                                      a) Tone started with air instead of tongue.  Release the tone by removing the tongue from the reed after                                                                                            having first built up proper breath support.  Use “too” or “doo” instead of “hoo” for attacks.

Hard “thunky” attack                            a) Reed being hit too hard with flat part of tongue causing a “slap” tongue.  Use less tongue on reed                                                                                      and apply it as you would a finger on a hot stove – gently and rapidly withdrawn.  Breath support must be solid.

High register sharp                                a) Embouchure too tight.  The player must consciously compensate for a natural sharpness in many notes of the high register by avoiding pinching.

                                                            b) Reed too hard. Harder reeds play sharp.  Softer reeds play flat.

c) Poor mouthpiece.  Some mouthpieces have a beautiful tone but play badly out of tune.  Make intonation one of the prime reasons for selecting a mouthpiece.  Close lays tend to play sharp.

                                                            d) Right hand pulls sax too far backward causing sax to rest too heavily on lower lip.

Tendency to play flat                             a) Soft reed.  Clip or move up on the mouthpiece.

                                                            b) Too little mouthpiece in mouth.

                                                            c) Too much mouthpiece in mouth.

                                                            d) Sax pushed extremely far forward with RH thumb causing lower lip to lose control of reed.

Instrument doesn’t work below             a) Pad missing or leaking

a certain note

                                                            b) Bent key prevents pad from seating

                                                            c) Swab let in the instrument