This video is so insanely helpful! My Octave key has been driving me mad! Pressing it and nothing happening is quite frustrating. As others have mentioned, all you get when searching is how to fix the mechanism when really you just need to fix your embouchure. So glad that my sax is (hopefully) working properly. Thank you!
Hm I've read online though that your embouchure should largely remain identical from low Bb (relaxed, with open throat and air from diaphragm) all the way up to next octave (so, with octave key pressed). I can only get an octave note by changing my mouth shape though -- more into an e shape like you say.
Whenever I play my alto sax, the keys that you play with your left hand are always sound high and I’m not entirely sure if it’s supposed to sound like that. Any tips, please? Edit: I didn’t mention that sometimes, it sounds normal but then when I try to play the left hand notes normally, I can’t.
Hi, this is awesome. Okay so i'm able to control the octave a bit without the octave key. but i'm trying to figure out how the jump down an octave quickly. like say trying to jump from the F# with the octave key on back down to F# without the octave key. but for some reason its not so smooth to change even with adjusting my mouth shape. Do you have any tips? Thank you
Thank you!! There's a D octave jump in a piece I play and I couldn't hit low D. For a long while I thought it had something to do with my octave key not working but it was actually my embouchure
how can I achieve a thrill between middle C and D or any higher note that requires you to press on the octave key + other keys, I found it impossible, the saxophone needs to take time to do it, waiting for all the finger movements needed to get hold of all the keys including the octave key. so you cannot do a 1/16 note for ex and jump to a higher not that will require the octave key. How do they do it, how do these great saxophone players make it seamless passing from any note to another and very quickly. It looks that I will never get there. please help.
thanks for this! I'm trying to improve my sound through fast melodies and switching from high to low notes creates a bit of a honk in between. I do have some questions. Do professional sax players sometimes not use the octave key with this method? If I were to use the octave key between high and low notes, should I constantly moving my embouchure around? Thanks again
Aw. What a gorgeous comment. Thank you for taking the time to write Ian. I really value these comments, inspires me to keep making these vids. Thanks again. Cx
Low D, my instructor was impressed you can to 'Your Latest Trick' on the Alto, C'mon, where the Blow Monkeys lol.........just baught my 1st sax, Yanagiswa Awo1.
Recently, I've been experiencing problems hitting low D. If I play down the right hand notes, F, E, ending on D, then no problem whatsoever, suggesting there is nothing wrong with my horn. But if I try to start a passage on low D .......... shrieks, squeaks, octave jumps ....... the lot !! I've been learning for nine months and this has only recently become a problem. Any suggestions, over and above the content of this video ?
Have you had your sax checked over? I wonder if it actually has a leaky 8ve...? I can offer private skype lessons if you'd like me to take a look at the situation...? Drop me an email if you're interested sax@cheztaylor.london. Cx
Chez Taylor. Sax s. Thanks. Just checked the 8ve's and no problems. Think it's to do with my embouchure. But thanks anyway for giving the matter some thought. By the way .......... I just love your playing style !
Hi Chez, so that means you push your lower lip and jaw forward as you go higher and backward as you go lower on the horn? Is this the right way to play? I ask as there are many pros who suggest fixed embochure. Thank you.
Not as dramatically as this. This is more training you ear and embouchure to work together. Small adjustments help maintain intonation & tone control. Cx
Hey I love this video but it's easier for me to play a D but it's when I play a B, A, or G that I keep accidentally going up an octave and nothing seems to help. Would you have any other tips or advice?
Heya honey. Sorry for the slow response. How are you getting on now? I have several other videos on low notes which may word in a different way. Have you checked these out? th-cam.com/video/hunaVH4UNlE/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/e5YPda8GVUI/w-d-xo.html
This video is so insanely helpful! My Octave key has been driving me mad! Pressing it and nothing happening is quite frustrating. As others have mentioned, all you get when searching is how to fix the mechanism when really you just need to fix your embouchure. So glad that my sax is (hopefully) working properly. Thank you!
Played clarinet for 2 years then switched to saxophone and that keeps happening to me, thanks for the help!
I thought my sax was defective lol, just found out I simply need a teacher
It's hard to know, huh? Especially with so many videos on how to fix your octave mechanism.
Great practice tip...splitting the octaves up the scale. Thanks Chez.
win! So glad it was useful. Thanks for commenting. x
Thanks so much thought it was something wrong my sax especially after talking to music store on the phone, glad I found this video
Thanks Chez! I'll see if this works. I'm pretty much self taught so I've figured out a lot on my own over the years. I really dig that funky lamp!!
Bobby Brown thanks! My dad made it. He's my hero. Hope the video helps! Cx
Excellent exercise. I'll pass this on to my students. Thanks!
Hm I've read online though that your embouchure should largely remain identical from low Bb (relaxed, with open throat and air from diaphragm) all the way up to next octave (so, with octave key pressed). I can only get an octave note by changing my mouth shape though -- more into an e shape like you say.
Whenever I play my alto sax, the keys that you play with your left hand are always sound high and I’m not entirely sure if it’s supposed to sound like that. Any tips, please?
Edit: I didn’t mention that sometimes, it sounds normal but then when I try to play the left hand notes normally, I can’t.
Hi, this is awesome. Okay so i'm able to control the octave a bit without the octave key. but i'm trying to figure out how the jump down an octave quickly. like say trying to jump from the F# with the octave key on back down to F# without the octave key. but for some reason its not so smooth to change even with adjusting my mouth shape. Do you have any tips?
Thank you
Thank you! Just what I needed to learn next
VERY VERY HELPFUL .... More videos on this subject please
will try this and hopefully can start hitting the notes sweet 1st time thank you x
parko hope it works for you honey! Cx
Thank you!! There's a D octave jump in a piece I play and I couldn't hit low D. For a long while I thought it had something to do with my octave key not working but it was actually my embouchure
It is just as you say with emboucher variation in this instance. Thank you !
Perfect. Glad it helped honey! Cx
Thanks so much!!
The mouth shape thing was just what I needed.
how can I achieve a thrill between middle C and D or any higher note that requires you to press on the octave key + other keys, I found it impossible, the saxophone needs to take time to do it, waiting for all the finger movements needed to get hold of all the keys including the octave key. so you cannot do a 1/16 note for ex and jump to a higher not that will require the octave key. How do they do it, how do these great saxophone players make it seamless passing from any note to another and very quickly. It looks that I will never get there.
please help.
thanks for this! I'm trying to improve my sound through fast melodies and switching from high to low notes creates a bit of a honk in between. I do have some questions. Do professional sax players sometimes not use the octave key with this method? If I were to use the octave key between high and low notes, should I constantly moving my embouchure around? Thanks again
In alto sax. If we press which keys, the octave crook key does not go up?
Exactly what I needed. Thank you!
Yes! Glad I hit the nail on the head with this one. Cx
Thanks a lot. Really helped me
awesome, that's happening to me splitting when i don't wont it to , great tip should help loads thanks
paul j Thanks darling. Hopefully this should help solve the issue for you. Cx
I'm learning this now
Fabulous! Hope it's helpful! x
Your videos are always fun - thanks - you brighten my day
Aw. What a gorgeous comment. Thank you for taking the time to write Ian. I really value these comments, inspires me to keep making these vids. Thanks again. Cx
Low D, my instructor was impressed you can to 'Your Latest Trick' on the Alto, C'mon, where the Blow Monkeys lol.........just baught my 1st sax, Yanagiswa Awo1.
Good stuff david! Hope you get lots out of my channel! Cx
Recently, I've been experiencing problems hitting low D. If I play down the right hand notes, F, E, ending on D, then no problem whatsoever, suggesting there is nothing wrong with my horn. But if I try to start a passage on low D .......... shrieks, squeaks, octave jumps ....... the lot !! I've been learning for nine months and this has only recently become a problem. Any suggestions, over and above the content of this video ?
Have you had your sax checked over? I wonder if it actually has a leaky 8ve...? I can offer private skype lessons if you'd like me to take a look at the situation...? Drop me an email if you're interested sax@cheztaylor.london. Cx
Chez Taylor. Sax s. Thanks. Just checked the 8ve's and no problems. Think it's to do with my embouchure. But thanks anyway for giving the matter some thought. By the way .......... I just love your playing style !
Doug Moran aw bless you! Thanks so much for the lovely compliment!! Cx
Thanks it worked
Woohoo!! Success!!!
It kind of begs the question, is the octave key even needed?
Hi Chez, so that means you push your lower lip and jaw forward as you go higher and backward as you go lower on the horn? Is this the right way to play? I ask as there are many pros who suggest fixed embochure. Thank you.
Not as dramatically as this. This is more training you ear and embouchure to work together. Small adjustments help maintain intonation & tone control. Cx
Chez Taylor - Saxophone Thanks for replying.
Hey I love this video but it's easier for me to play a D but it's when I play a B, A, or G that I keep accidentally going up an octave and nothing seems to help. Would you have any other tips or advice?
Heya honey. Sorry for the slow response. How are you getting on now? I have several other videos on low notes which may word in a different way. Have you checked these out? th-cam.com/video/hunaVH4UNlE/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/e5YPda8GVUI/w-d-xo.html
Hey chez! What would you say is the best effect processor for sax that u prefer?
Nelson LeeSax hey Nelson! Good to hear from you buddy. I'm a fan of this one; th-cam.com/video/9GhY1ZYH87E/w-d-xo.html
Chez Taylor. Sax Cool thanks for the info I'll have to check it out sometime!
I can’t play any low not past G in squeaks I’m not sure what to do please help
Sams Motos oh no! How frustrating. Have you had your sax checked over in case it’s a fault or a leak?
Have you watched this video? th-cam.com/video/hunaVH4UNlE/w-d-xo.html
Chez Taylor - Saxophone yes in the middle of my saxophone their was a leak and also I was hitting to hard on my reed also and had to not bike as hard
Aha! Well that explains a lot. Glad you got to the solution in the end and thanks for the update. Cxxx
wow it worked! lol
Yeehah!!! Onwards and upwards darling! Cx
Fab...
I haven't played saxophone for about 6 years, so I think I just forgot how to do it 😅
This is really good but I still can't get it. Can you go a little in depth please? Maybe a lesson?
I have been playing low notes a lot
Good work buddy! Keep it up. :-)
❤❤