Accent on Tenor Sax Puns

I’ve been trying to play altissimo on my tenor sax but whenever I do, it just comes out as an airy note for what I’m fingering. I should add that my saxophone isn’t modern as it doesn’t have a high f# key and I use a Yamaha 4C tenor sax mouthpiece.

Does anyone have any good practice techniques for clarinet fingering? I’ve found that to be the biggest hurdle for me. I can play the lower register well but have trouble getting past middle C. My tone is pretty close to how it is on the sax in terms of quality.

I bought an antique tenor on Facebook for $75 and it arrived today. I don’t have any reeds so I haven’t been able to test it yet, but visually it all looks good. The seller did not represent it as ready to play, I suspect it had been sitting in her home for decades.

Anyway, I’ve got a lot of other expensive stuff going on in my life right now and I’m trying to get an idea of what restoration is likely to cost me. It seems so far that all the springs are good, nothing seems mechanically out of place, so I figure it’s mostly just going to need valve pads. I had this job done on my alto twenty years ago and it was under $200, but that was 20 years ago, and I see that reeds have around tripled in price since then. What do valve pad jobs tend to run these days? To be clear I’m not expecting an exact figure from strangers on the internet without even an inspection, just based on your own experiences I’d like to get an idea of the potential range before I take it to a shop and potentially waste their time quoting it if I won’t be able to budget for it soon. If it’s under $300 I can probably do it in January, but otherwise it would probably have to wait for spring.

Also… with this purchase, my collection of idle saxophones is nearly complete, anyone know of a cheap old baritone for sale?

What is the best fingering on tenor sax if I am going from Bb (with octave key) (from bis Bb) to Altissimo G really quickly.

Any fingering suggestion is highly appreciated!

Hi all, my sax teacher has asked me to do some listening to find out which players I really enjoy. So I'm curious who are all your favorite jazz tenor sax players?

I've played the clarinet (Bb, Öhler/German system) as an amateur for many years.

Lots of solo, Klezmer, jazz, also symphonic wind. Haven't played in a while now and feel I've done all I can with my level of ambition. Need more.

To get back on a learning curve, I want to explore the saxophone. What I've gathered so far:

• Tenor Bb - would keep the same pitch / similar repertoire
• Alto easier on the diaphragm
• Slight difference in size of reed/mouthpiece
• Alto a bit pitchier/shriller, Tenor breathier/jazzier
• Tenor more $$$ than alto
• Alto much lighter and less cumbersome

I generally like the sound of the tenor better. I'm a big & strong guy (6"3 / 1.9m), yet unsure if it's wise to start with the bigger one.

Additions, thoughts, ideas?

Also, what kind of price range should I look at? I feel a student instrument is more than enough. Good brands? Second hand a good or bad idea?

Any other tips for a clarinettist transitioning?

Thanks so much!

EDIT: I figured it out

So I recently got my Bundy Tenor Sax back from the shop and I can now play a low Bb on it which I couldn't before because there was a dent causing a pad to not seal properly, but I tried going down the chromatic scale and couldn't play a low B. When I would do the fingering for a low B it would come out as a Db. I double checked that I was doing the right fingering but it would come out as a Db.

Any help with this. I've done some research and can't find anything on it.

(I wasn't able to play a low B before taking it into the shop)

Edit: title should be low B fingering not Bb

Hi guys, I’m an alto player who recently switched to tenor (for all-state purposes). I did pretty well and I got second in our TMEA area. However, I have an issue. When practicing for several hours, the area inside below my bottom lip tends to have a mark that is very sore, stopping me from practicing the next day. This was a big issue I faced this year. I feel as though I may be pulling a little too much of my lip in so that the teeth dig into the interior part below my lip. I also have the same issue on alto btw. I also feel like I am a little too tense while trying to hit mouthpiece pitches and playing. Do you guys have any advice? Thank you!

Howdy. I am hoping somebody can give some advice. I am getting back into playing the tenor sax, and I need an upgrade to my mouthpiece. My head has been hurting trying to figure it out, so I am hoping someone can help.

I have been able to narrow it down to three options:

1. Vandoren V16 Large Chamber Ebonite version (Probably T7L)

2. Used Metal Otto Link Super Tone Master NY model in 6* or 7* (believe the NY model is darker than the regular STM, plus from videos, I like the NY better)

3. JodyJazz HR* 7*

All 3 are in my price range ($200 or less). The order I have is cheapest to move expensive. I am looking for a dark, warm, (airy, fuzzy? if I can describe it well) sound. I don't care much for how loud it is, I am just playing in the house here as a hobby. I can predict that the sound will mostly come as I practice more and more, but since I really just plan on getting on one main mouthpiece, I want to make the right choice. As a reference, I really love the sound of Dexter Gordon, and Stan Getz as well, and kinda want to go and play like Dexter Gordon a bit more.

Does anyone have any recommendations out of all those three? The Vandoren and JodyJazz would be new, Otto Link used.

Edit: To add, if anyone has other recommendations, I have a budget of $200 or less.

Hi, I've been looking everywhere for a good tenor saxophone that isn't too expensive (like over 1500; it might seem like a very small budget but its all i can get rn) I wanted to get a Selmer saxophone but I'm not sure if they're good. Any other ideas?

Hey guys,

I'm a college sophomore tenor sax player and I am narrowing down my pieces for auditions to four CalState schools in a couple months.

I need help choosing a 'lyrical' work for tenor sax that still falls within what can be considered the 'repertoire'. My current option is the 2nd movement from the James Di Pasquale Sonata, but I know that I'm not at the required technical level to learn the other movements, and I'm scared of someone asking me about how I picked an infamously difficult piece only to tell them I learned only the really slow part.

Desperately need input since I'm trying to get in as much practice as possible before auditions!

So I've kind of already decided but I wanted some more input on this. Thanks in advance for all input!

So I currently play Bb soprano clarinet, and I'd like to march a more "low reeds" part. I've played both tenor sax and bass clarinet, and I really like the sound of both, I'd say that those 2 instruments have, personally, my favorite sound of any instrument. I've heard that it's better to march tenor sax because of the weight aspect of the two, but I really don't believe that the bass clarinet is all that heavy, seeing as I've held one before and if anything it felt lighter than the tenor. I have never marched with either, but if really like to march with one of them, and I feel like my band director would be fine with that seeing as we usually need more of a lower part (for reference there are only 2 trombones, 2 baritones, 2 tenor saxes, and one tuba in our current low wind section). I feel like the main problems with marching bass clarinet is it's length and how skinny it is which means it can be more easily broken, and it can hit your knees if you're not careful. If there are more pros and cons you have I'd love to hear those as well though.

Another question, are bass clarinets becoming more common or are they just a more common instrument to march with with? A lot of the better bands I've seen (specifically the ones at the Macy's Thanksgiving parade) have tons of bass clarinets mingled in with the tenor saxes and soprano clarinets.

I currently play a Keilwerth and a King Super 20 with a Berg Larsen Duckbill, which I really like. Any recommendations for metal pieces along these lines or that would likely work well with my horns? Thanks.

So I know they’re in different keys, however do they have the same notes? Like can I transfer my skills from alto to tenor?

The lowest note i can play comfortably is the low G. How long does it take to play the lower notes? Are there any exercises specifically to be able to sound those lower notes?

So I've been trying to play my saxophone, but here is the thing, I listen to someone else play it, and then I try and it's hot garbage, so I was wondering if anyone else had a specific problem I had or if I'm just bad at playing.

The tenor with the blue tint on it, it can be seen all over his Instagram @augie_bello

Yo, delete if inappropriate but I’m looking to get into tenor saxophone and was wondering what I should start with in terms of something affordable but good quality?

Also is there a lot of resources to be able to teach yourself to begin with? It’s always been a favourite instrument of mine but never actually tried to learn. I’m a big fan of jazz, funk, and more contemporary neo soul artists.

Sorry in advance if this type of post comes up often.

I've been playing trumpet for 10+ years and want to take up tenor sax as a second instrument.

Are there any tips or advice I should know to keep in mind when practicing? Like embouchure or posture or any bad habits to be conscious of?

Thanks in advance :D

I saw an ad for a “great condition, working” vintage tenor sax. I’d have to travel to pick it up, and because it’s so old I’m not sure what to think about or check before committing to buy it.

It’s described as:

Vintage Conn Tenor Saxophone Year : 1915 New Wonder - series 1 Serial code 34511

Also the listing price is about $380 USD which seems very cheap. What things should I consider before buying this sax?

I got 4 notes out, and my chops are so destroyed I don't even recognize my flute playing lol. I lowkey hate how loud it is because I went from a pretty good (quiet) flute/piccolo player to a loud ass shit tenor sax player. (I still play my flute/picc., but I'm leaning tenor sax to play in jazz band)

So has anyone tried using a tenor reed on an alto sax mouthpiece ?, (and alto sax of course )