Skip to main content

Home Alt Forums Problems With Your Sax? New Saxophone Squeak

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 24 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #11435
    john
    Keymaster

      Sorry but no, there is no breaking in period. If it’s jumping between octaves and you aren’t having this problem with another horn then it’s most likely a leak causing this. Without having it in front of me I’m guessing it could simply be one of the octave keys not sealing properly. This is a very minor repair but can prevent you from playing your sax any further.

      #11437
      Dylan Tucker
      Participant

        Thanks heaps, having a local technition take a look in the next da
        y or so. Cheers.

        #13130
        Dazza
        Participant

          Mine is not a new sax but a new mouthpiece squeak. I received my new berg larsen mp today and was very excited. Whacked it straight on and stepped back from a 21/2 ZZ to a two Juno reed and got a reasonable sound out straight away. Went from a 4c to a 85/2 grained BL. played well up to the high D and then bad squeaks occurred. They were even present at the second D but only as I finished a note. I was trying not to put extra pressure on the reed but instead tried to ensure a good seals so my embouchure definitely felt more strained. please someone tell me this is not uncommon and that I havent bought a dud. I have never really had an issue with squeaks before. Is it the more open MP that is testing my technique perhaps. I was getting the high F# out ok with the yam 4c and ZZ reed so I hope I can get back there once I fine tune my use of the new BL. It is so much easier to blow with a 1 1/2 reed in fact too easy so I stepped up to the 2 and it gets immediately more difficult. Should I just keep trying reeds until I get it sorted. Any experience you guys have had changing your MP’s lately would be appreciated. Especially you Johnny.

          #13131
          john
          Keymaster

            squeaks will come down to the reed so you must keep experimenting. now you’ve thrown a new mp into the mix so it can get more confusing. since you didn’t have this problem before you need to step back to figure out what the problem is. start with the set up you had, then put that reed on the new mp, take it from there.

            #13133
            Dazza
            Participant

              So I did that and still no joy. I soaked every one of my dozen reeds from 11/2’s to 2/1/2’s and EVERY one squeaked and squarked like a bird. What is going on with this you beaut Beg Larsen. I have just finished playing for an hour back on my 4c with all the same reeds and it sounds and plays so much better that the BL. I think I have bought a dud but that don’t make sense. I get the best sound on the Berg from a 1/1/2 Juno reed but that sounds thin and awful and get to c# and squeaking starts! This mouthpiece quest is frustrating to say the least. I would be happy to send this thing to anyone to try and would love it to be me and not the MP. Let me know.

              #13134
              Anonymous

                Interesting
                From my research online-

                Mouthpiece Makers say – if you buy a new mouthpiece that is a lot different to your old one – Don’t use your old reeds to try it out,
                as those reeds will have moulded to fit your old mouthpiece – Use New Reeds on New mouthpieces.

                Altissimo Players on YouTube say – if you are going to play from High D and up into the Altissimo Range, For these Notes,
                the Tip of the Reed needs to vibrate a hell of a lot faster! If you have a Soft, Soggy Tip – it’s not going to vibrate fast enough and
                you will struggle to get any of these notes, they will be hit and miss and miss more often than not. You need reeds that have a stronger
                Tip you can only tell by looking at the grain of the tip or trying it out.

                Classical Players on You tube say – if you try out a new reed – for the 1st 5 days only play a new reed for 5/10 mins at the most! Do not
                attempt to play in the Altissimo range in the 1st couple of days.

                Sax Teachers on You Tube say – to beginners wanting to know how to fit a reed on their mouthpiece! When you start playing higher notes,
                the position of the reed is more critical for a tip that wants to vibrate fast! This is a common place where squeaking starts higher up, or reeds
                start to stop playing!

                Worst case scenario – your mouthpiece could be ill fitting & leaking air?

                I would take the mouthpiece off the neck, put the reed on, and see if you can play the scale in Johnny’s daily exercise routine.
                if it won’t play the scale – i would get someone to look at the mouthpiece

                hope this helps (probably not)

                #13135
                Dazza
                Participant

                  Thanks mate. Some good info. I will buy some new reeds today and give that a go. It is really very curious though. I used all the same reeds recently in a shop to try a range of MP’s and no squeaks at all. I guess I’m just a bit annoyed at the $100 might have been wasted.

                  #13136
                  Anonymous

                    If you’ve gone for a wider mouthpiece, it could
                    be your embouchure needs to strengthen up
                    for it!
                    The only other thing i can think of, is mouthpieces
                    made in the USA can be different to mouthpieces
                    made in Europe – in terms of the Brand of reed they
                    work better with! – according to my Sax Teacher!
                    Can you not get your mouthpiece checked out
                    by a shop that services Saxophobes?

                    #13137
                    john
                    Keymaster

                      Mp’s can certainly be off, that’s why people send them to pro mp makers who can resurface them. When Theo Wanne was here my friend had him resurface his mp and he said it was like playing a whole new piece. So if you have someone nearby do have it checked.

                      #13138
                      Dazza
                      Participant

                        Thanks. I have someone up State that can do that. I’ll try some new reeds first then send it off for an inspection. Cheers all

                      Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 24 total)
                      • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.