Any sax players around here?

[Kaszper]

This seems about the closest forum for this one.

I've recently succumbed to a jazz fascination and acquired an alto sax, but have a couple of basic maintenance questions for any (horatio) hornblowers out there...

1) Is there a way of cleaning inside the instrument other than a pull-though? Mine met a violent (and deserved) end after only three days

2) Is one supposed to disassemble the entire mouthpiece ••“ reed, ligature etc ••“ after each playing session?

Your advice would be appreciated.

[simonr]

I'm by no means an accomplished player. I can get a tune out of it.

I use one of those long thick pipe-cleaner thingies in mine. I forget what they call it, but it fitys snugly in from the top and helps to soak up moisture.

I use a cut-down pull through for the bendy section that comes off and holds the mouthpiece (there.. I got all the terminology haven't I?).

I take the mouthpiece apart after each session. I have heard advice somewhere that leaving it all assembled helps your inclination to pick it up and practice.

[monkey man]

`
Shooshie? Where are you, man.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

`
Shooshie? Where are you, man.

I'd be surprised if he didn't already see this. But what are YOU doing here?

They said sAx players, you filthy minded primate!

[monkey man]

`
Shooshie? Where are you, man.

I'd be surprised if he didn't already see this. But what are YOU doing here?
They said sAx players, you filthy minded primate!

OK, you've got me on the filthy-minded thingy, but may I say in my defense that it's only been thought, not action, the last 15 or so years?
On that note, what're you doing here, you big, ugly Gorilla Boy?

My excuses are that I've always wanted to play sax, briefly owned a tenor before purchasing a VL70-m and WX5 (which I can't play, but it's still worth controlling from a keyboard), and that I'm usually curious about sax-related threads, partly because they're as rare as hens' teeth and mostly because I'm likely to learn something useful, like how to deal with rogue gorillas, for instance.

OK, so what's your excuse, eh?
Are you just here to catch the poo or provide a moving target in the gallant hope of saving a fellow 'Cornie's hide?

Shooshie, an informed, legitimate post would sure go down well around about now.

[Kaszper]

Other sources seem to indicate dismantling and cleaning the mouthpiece after each playing.

Wondered why my reed was beginning to stink...

[saxmonster]

Hi Guys,
As a woodwind player you need to swab out your sax after you are finished playing it or during a break if there is a lot of moisture in it. You must keep moisture away from the keypads them self. It will destroy them after a while. When I am done I usually shake out all the water and then blow air thru the keys that have the pad shut when your fingers don't press down on it. An example is the G# key. That is the worst key by the way for sticking and water is why. It dries with what ever you ate in your saliva and it gets stuck. Just gentle wiggle it and pull up gently. Using those furry swabs that you leave in you horn are bad as they keep moisture on the pads. Get one of the swabs with a little weight on the end of string that is attached to a silk material. put the weight thru the bell end first, then pull thru. I would highly recommend taking off your reed every time and place it in a reed protector. It will last longer that way and won't grow mold. You can clean out your mouthpiece after every playing with a smaller swab and again don't leave anything in the mouthpiece. Put the cap on and pack the mouthpiece in a safe place. HTHS Talk to you soon

-Scott

[mhschmieder]

Yes to all that was said about the body.

As for the mouthpiece, most prefer to disassmble it for light cleaning after a session. But I store mine with a reed on it in the case, even though I remove the reed to wet it before playing. I can't remember why I got into this habit, but I think it was to remind me of which reed was my preferred reed for the current session, as they can get jumbled around inside the case.

You might be interested in learning about a fairly recent innovation in reed design, using synthetics. I haven't ordered any yet, and first got the info at Winter NAMM a few years ago. The particular type of bamboo used for sax and clarinet (and possibly oboe/bassoon/etc.) reeds is endangered. But another motivation behind the synthetics is more consistent quality runs, cheaper for the player, and longer playing life.

If interested, I'll hunt down the little brochure I have on them and provide you with some information and/or website info.

[saxmonster]

Reeds are made from cane, usually from france. I have tried just about everything under the sun and I keep going back to real cane. As a clarinet player cane is the only material that produces the best results. I used a plastic reed for marching band on sax because I was tired of others bumping into me and chipping my read. But you get the fullest sound from cane on any reed instrument.

-Scott

[mhschmieder]

Sorry for the confusion; many refer to that subfamily of wild reeds as a type of bamboo. Looking at the two separate Wikipedia entries, you'll see how closely related they are. But technically the classification of "bamboo" starts at the level of subfamily, which excludes the cane used for clarinet reeds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundo_donax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo

The synthetic alternate that I am referring to is not standard plastic; I would agree that those reeds are not an adequate substitute. It is a plastic-based composite but is more complex in chemical makeup and texture. I have not tried it yet, but it is in use in major symphony orchestras so I expect it is worth trying out:

http://www.legere.com/home.htm

The endorsement by a former instructor from my days at Indiana University School of Music has piqued my interest .

[SixStringGeek]

When I am done I usually shake out all the water and then blow air thru the keys that have the pad shut when your fingers don't press down on it. An example is the G# key. That is the worst key by the way for sticking and water is why. It dries with what ever you ate in your saliva and it gets stuck.

ICK! I'm so glad I chose guitar as my instrument. I'm clearly too squeamish for a sax.

[scott.gehman]

This seems about the closest forum for this one.

I've recently succumbed to a jazz fascination and acquired an alto sax, but have a couple of basic maintenance questions for any (horatio) hornblowers out there...

1) Is there a way of cleaning inside the instrument other than a pull-though? Mine met a violent (and deserved) end after only three days

2) Is one supposed to disassemble the entire mouthpiece ••“ reed, ligature etc ••“ after each playing session?

Your advice would be appreciated.

The Rico padguard is a device that slips into the body of the sax and wicks moisture away. It looks like a big, tapered pipe cleaner. They make them in soprano, alto and tenor sizes. There are mouthpiece wicks that do the same thing. You leave these inside the horn when it is stored in the case. Few people worry about the neck - they just shake it dry.

It is common for the G# key to stick (because it is normally closed.) If this happens, lift the key pad, slide a well worn dollar bill between the key and the hole, let go of the key and hold it against the bill. Gently pull the dollar bill out, allowing it to slide across the key and hole. Dollar bills usually have oils and grease on them because they are handled often - the oil and grease transfers to the pad, keeping it from sticking to the rim of the hole.

LaVoz and other companies make metal reed guards that protect reed from chipping, cracking and warping. Well worth the investment.

If you live near a music store that allows you to pick reeds, buy only reeds that have consistent grain (You do this by holding them to a light and looking at the grain. Reeds that have uneven grain don't last as long.) Many stores make you buy a box because they don't want to be left with

Mouthpieces make all the difference in sound. Buffet and Selmer mouthpieces are for classical music (Ravel's orchestration of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, for example) Most other brands are for Jazz. Don't buy one on recommendation only - always try them out to see what tip opening, style, brand sound best for you.

My experience is that Rico Royal reeds work best for jazz music, Vandoren reeds work best for classical music.

I don't use a metal ligature for my Alto. Instead, I use a band made out of Velco to hold the reed to the moutpiece. It's a little hard to describe, but to make it you cut a 2 inch strip of velco, place the pieces so they overlap at the ends by 1 inch (leaving 1 inch of the fuzzy on one end and 1 inch of the prickly on the other end) and connecting the fuzzy/prickly ends so it forms a circle. You slide this over the reed and mouthpiece until it is snug. (You'll have to adjust the size to match the diameter of your mouthpiece)

There - I'm sure that's more than any MIDI guy/gal would want to know about the sax.

[gmazel]

I use a trombone rod with a long silk scarf. This keeps the inside of the horn very smooth and dry (like a gun barrel). After a long playing session, prop open your case and let the horn season. I get at least two to three times the life of pads this way. As to the mouthpiece, if you eat and drink a lot on the gig, take it apart and rinse out. Otherwise, just rinse assembled.
Gregg
35 years in the saxophone world

[KingZeph]

1. You just want to get the excess moisture out of the horn. The pads are made of leather so you don't want them sitting around with moisture on them. A new pull through will work, or one of the 'sax saver's' described in above posts will work too.

2. Yes, take the whole thing apart after playing and keep it in the case just to be safe.

For all you sax related questions go to this forum:
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/