Saxophone

Question 1

Producing sound that has poor intonation (2 causes / 2 remedies)

Answer 1

2 Causes: Tenseness of throat & inconsistency of adjustments in pads
2 Remedies: Sing & match tones using “ah” and check the thickness of opening when pads are open

Question 2

Rough squawk (2 causes / 2 remedies)

Answer 2

2 Causes: Too much mouthpiece in mouth and reed too stiff

2 Remedies: Less mouthpiece in mouth and make sides and heart of reed lighter

Question 3

Able to produce sound on mouthpiece but when added to instrument seems difficult to blow
-OR- blows hard with leak in lower register pads (1 cause / 1 remedy)

Answer 3

Cause: Poor pads and/or keys
Remedy: Check octave keys, look for bent keys and/or bad pads

Question 4

Weak and nasal sound (1 cause / 1 remedy)

Answer 4

Cause: Air stream is too slow
Remedy: Use faster air with resistance from mouthpiece

Question 5

Choked sound (4 causes / 4 remedies)

Answer 5

4 Causes: Too little mouthpiece in mouth, too much pressure from lower lip, lay of mouthpiece too close, and reed too thin
4 Remedies: Think of a “dot” 1/2 inch from tip of reed in mouth, say “A” and “Q,” lip firm to teeth, pressure from jaw structure, try mouthpieces that blow easily, and get a reed with more heart

Question 6

Wobbly sound (1 cause / 1 remedy)

Answer 6

Cause: Using upper lip instead of teeth touching the mouthpiece
Remedy: Always anchor teeth to mouthpiece first