7.8.2008
One of the things any saxophonist can do to make their saxophone respond better is to tighten the side C key spring. I found over the years almost 80% of the saxophones I adjusted needed the side C spring tightened a little.
There are many saxophonist that believe all the keys that are held closed should have strong springs to prevent them from blowing open when the instrument is filled with air. The side C, side Bb, fork F# and low Eb are the main keys that can blow open. Another problem
with these keys is the size of the pad cup on these keys. If the pad cup and the tone hole are to close to the same size these keys tend to blow open. On the Mark VI saxophones the springs are on the lever and hard to adjust because of the post placement. The newer saxophones with the spring near the the top of the lever closer to the pad cup are easier to adjust.
The palm keys can also have this problem. On modern saxophones that have the high F# are a real problem. The main problem is that the spring for the high F# is on the key lever and not the pad cup key. With the spring being so far away from the pad cup is it is hard to keep this key from blowing open.
This can be fixed by one of two ways.
1. Add a second spring near the pad cup. This would be my first choice. This spring should be added to the post near the the pad cup at the top of the saxophone.
2. Tighten the spring or replace it with a larger spring. I have had good luck using a large stainless steel spring on the high F#.
3.7.2008
There are two options when repairing a crack in a clarinet. Pinning the crack is done by drilling a hole through the side of the clarinet. Accross the side of the bore....through the cracked area..... the hole does not go through the bore. I have seen as many as 4 or 5 pins to close a bad crack. Then a threaded rod is glued and screwed through the hole to pull the crack together. This technique is good when the crack goes through the bore of the instrument. The second method and the one I prefer is to use carbon fiber and epoxy to repair the crack. The carbon fiber and epoxy will vibrate the same as the wood and should not have any affect on the tone color or response of the clarinet. One or two grooves are cut around the clarinet. The crack is filled with epoxy. Then the two grooves are filled with the Carbon Fiber and Epoxy. The filled groves then need to be cut level with the wood of the instrument and polished to match the wood. If the job is good it is hard to tell it has been band.
*Before either method is used the clarinet must set long enough to let the crack close as much as possible by itself.
This could take several days.
2.4.2008
How to remove the bounce from the right hand keys on a saxophone.
There are several things that can make a key bounce on the right hand of the saxophone. One is the springs are to light. Having a light action and having loose spring are two different things. A spring can only be so light and still work. Two and generally the most common thing is there must be a cork on the bottom of the key where it hits the body and there must be a felt on the body. The felt might need to be changed a lot depending on how wet and hard the felt becomes. A new felt will certainly help prevent the bounce and decrease the noise. If the keys on the saxophone are extremely worn so they move back and forth on the rod this can also be a problem.
Talking to your repairman!
Most saxophone or woodwind repairman are easy to talk to and generally very good looking.
Now if you believe either of those I have some land on the moon that I can give you a great deal on today.
Many repairman are convinced they know it all, many are just tired of hearing the same thing over and over and a few..... really care about helping the saxophonist get what they need. It is very important to explain to you repairman what you are trying to get from the repair.
I had one client overhaul his tenor (there was not a pad on the instrument without a rip in it and when he picked it up he said "I thought the high G would come in better after the overhaul." Now I had never heard of the high G problem before this moment. fortunately it was an easy fix by adjusting the distance the high F harmonic key opened but it might not have been that easy and he would not have been happy with the overhaul no matter how good the instrument played.... if he could not hit the high G. If your repairman is honest he will tell you if what you want can or can not be done. There are many snake oil repairman in the business that will tell you I can fix anything. that is not the real case. Many things on the saxophone , clarinet, flute can be fixed but there are some that just can not be fixed. This also includes the talent of the player or the equipment you are using. Put certain mouthpieces on a Mark VI tenor and the lower register will be difficult even for the best of players. Keep in mind that your repairman is not a mind reader. I do not like it when a client will not play the instrument when they pick it up after a repair. Just because it plays for me .... does not mean it will play for the client..... different mouthpiece, reed, embouchure, attitude. Play the instrument when you pick it up.
* This is very important do not practice when you pick up the instrument.... just play test it...... there is a good chance the repairman does not really want to hear you practice techniques .... I am almost positive they do not. There are too many variables in a musical instrument and player for everyone to want the instrument to play the same.
*******Talk to your repairman but so not bore him to death. the time your are talking to him is costing him money.
What to look for in a mouthpiece!
There are several things to look for when choosing saxophone mouthpiece.
*Sound.... We all want a great sound or at least what we feel is a great sound. There are other many things to consider when choosing a mouthpiece.
*Tone color: I have had guys come to me with a new mouthpiece and say " I just this mouthpiece and I love the sound ... but I can't play the lower register." Well as i look at the mouthpiece it is on the neck about a quarter of an inch so it will play in tune. Of course the lower register will not plat. the mouthpiece must go on the cork at least 3/4 to an inch for the instrument to respond.
* Q.How far the mouthpiece fits on the neck.
A. 3/4 to 1 inch plus.
*Intonation: Check the full range of the instrument. As we all know most Mark VI saxophones are sharp in the upper register.
You must consider the natural tendency's of the instrument when making a judgment.
*How it feels to you in the mouth.
*Is it reed friendly? Can I find reed that will play on this mouthpiece easily?
*The dynamic range of the piece. "Man I can really play loud on this mouthpiece! But can you play soft, will the notes be there when you want them?
*Does it fit your image. Does it match the clothes you wear for the gig? This is often the most important part of selecting your equipment...... or ...... that is the way it appears to me as I watch young clients pick a mouthpiece.
