I'm meticulous about cleaning my horn. I swab out the body several times, then use a pad saver. It's high quality and does not shed at all. I leave it on the stand to dry for a couple of hours. I also let the pad saver dry. Then into the horn, key leaves inserted and into the case. I swab out the neck and rinse my mouthpiece in cold water and dry every time I play. I also wipe down the body and neck with a microfiber cloth. I think it's vital to take good care of our saxophones for the reasons you stated, Nigel. Great video!
I also use the key leaves, but since I just got them recently, I sometimes forget about them. I start warming up on my baritone, and my first thought is that the damn thing is broken! Even being bright green, I somehow miss them. smh
First I rinse out my mouthpiece. I then use the smaller cloth to dry it out well. Next I use the small cleaning cloth on my neck until the inside feels dry, which is usually about 3-6 times. I repeat this on the body with the larger cloth, again until it feels dry. Then I use a little triangle cloth to dry all of my pads. Even after pulling through the cleaning cloth, the palm key pads are pretty wet. I focus on the keys that stay closed first, doing each until I see no more moisture appearing on the cloth. They I run through each of the remaining pads, closing each on the cloth while pulling it out. I do this typically once for each open key, unless one needs extra attention to get all the moisture. Last, I use Key Leaves on the palm keys, G#, low C#, and Eb. The sax then sits on a stand until I am ready to play again.
Many years ago I was using the pad saver but my repairman told me: big NO , NO!! No matter what type of pad saver they will keep the moisture IN the sax body. Better to use BG swabs and a GapCap end plug from KeyLeaves. This way you let the air ventilate all moisture out. Another tip: use KeyLeaves stop-sticky-pad-thing for you’re C#, Eb, G# keys and make small pieces out of a vine cork to all other keys that in default are closed. Use these 7 pieces of cork to keep high D, Eb,E,F + side Bb, sideC and alt.F# open when nor playing. This way you’re pads will last much longer! It just takes a few seconds to install/remove them..another tip: buy 2 of each BG swab. Why? Because after the first pull thru of the body the first swab gets pretty wet. Use a dry number 2 swab for the second pull thru and that will take the last moisture away.
Hello Nigel, thanks for all the free info you have given out. I too use a BG large sax swab, and a smaller BG swab that I use on my clarinet. Then, to help me practice everyday if I can, I put the sax on a stand, and put a good quality swab into the sax and also use a Key Leaf which keeps the 2 keys that are normally closed at the bottom of the sax, it keeps them open to dry.
Nigel, great video. I use the pull through swab and Fluffy wand to clean the body. I use the pull through to clean the neck and a toothbrush for the mouthpiece, plus a little toothpaste just brings off any residue. this really helps.
I just bought myself a Yamaha Tenor saxophone. I’m using the swaps for cleaning it every time after my practice. Thank you so much for some great videos. They are really good for a newbie as me😁
I used to use the chammy leather with the brush inside. Found it still left pads wet. Tied a piece of silk over it which soaks up water like a magnet. Now use the BG swabs on Tenor, Alto and Sop. I use the steri spray now and again. Also use the hairy stick on Sop but take it out soon as I get home. BG kit is all well made and strong. I use their straps and m/p patches.
Hi Nigel I use the BG pull through swabs as well as the pad saver - use Luke warm water in a mug with fairy liquid in to clean my Legere Reed plus HR Star Jody jazz mouth piece - glad you warned me about using warm water - been follow you for a while great channel best wishes Paul
My (very bad Chinese) alto sax had a fluffy stick. But when I changed to a (rented) tenor, I got a set of pull through shammies with a kind of soft ball of nylon hairs to make the swab big where possible and small where needed. It's obviously one of the cheaper ones but it does the job. I always take of the mouthpiece and clean the mouthpiece and neck separately and all parts in the direction of where your mouth is. Good tip about not leaving the mouthpiece on while on the stand, will change my wrong habit and save the cork.
I had a pad save come free with my sax (free = cheap). The only time I've ever used it was to remove it from the sax when I first got it. It never gets used. I use BG swabs too, but the body swab is different from yours Nigel. It sort of like a pouch with a sponge inside it, which keeps it open in the wider part of the bell and in contact with the inside of the body all the way through. Everything get's well swabbed after each session (at least once a day).
The Swab does it well for me I swag first before cleaning the body. At times the Sax would sound a bit flat after swabbing Basic cleaning sure will save you a lot of money.
Like to use the swab. Remember to leave the swab open so it can dry out. I like to keep the sax body attached to the neck strap while cleaning it out. I'd hate to drop it. Lost a mouthpiece that way. Also using the BG swabs. Very nice. Thx Nigel
I leave it on the stand pull neck and mouthpiece off stick the pad saver in while I put the music stand and chair away then pull it out. Run my yamaha pull thru in it has an extra lead on the back end so you can pull it both ways helpful if it hangs up. To start it I drop the lead in and then pick up the sax by the bell and tilt it until the lead comes out the neck set it back in the stand pull back and forth done. I have a brush and swab deal for the neck and then a pull thru i run water thru the mouthpiece about every three times. It all takes less than two minutes.
I've been using the BG swabs for some time now in all my sexes. I think they are brilliant. Before that I am embarrassed to say I didn't do anything to clean out the horns. But it only takes a minute to do it properly so get into the habit early.
As someone mentioned below. Don't forget the palm keys. Being near the mouthpiece they get soaked so open the key, insert a thin cloth and gently! press the key. Saves a trip to the repairer with split pads.
I use a Protec swab. What I like is the long ribbon that goes from the weight thru the swabs body and extends about 20 inches past the fabric of the swab, so that I can pull it back and forth inside the instrument before I pull it all the way out.
nice stuff, yes I teach and try to discourage the pad savers, a lot of kids say its a time saver, Im thrilled to see someone else using the 2 swab system, I think its one of the best things made for sax! just signed up for the school, as a great way to find new ideas for students and myself!!! Cheers! are there any other side effects from washing the mouthpiece in warm/hot water aside from color changes?
my music teacher is always making us play at least 10 seconds before the bell rings or after the bell rings so i never get to clean this so this helped me get a good clean on it
I use both the pull thru, and the pad saver also. I find that by using the swab after playing while the sax is still wet works best, then I insert the pad saver as I clean the neck and mouth piece. Excellent vid, I picked up some pointers. Thanks
I like the Key Leaves products for allowing air to flow through the saxophone during storage (key leaves, vent vine, gap cap, and spit sponge). I am presently using the fluffy wand to rod out the sax, but I may relegate it to the ceiling fan and other dusting operations following your statement about it leaving bits of itself behind in the sax. I swab the sax, run a brush and swab unit through the neck, and then wash the mouthpiece in running water as I brush it and the reed. All of this is dried before it goes back into the case. I'll sometimes leave the case open to air if wipe-down rags and brushes are moist following cleaning.
I use a Helin Tenor sax pull-through and a smaller one for the neck. Always done after a practice section. I also dry all the always closed key pad as well. I had some sticking issues and drying them after use has completely stopped it happening. Many Thanks for all your assistance
I use a BG swab for the neck and mouthpiece and the original Yamaha Swab for the body. I then put the pad savers in. I might stop using the pad savers now though. What about using papers to clean the G# key? That was a great tip I saw on another of your videos in sax school (so good, I bought some papers from Yamaha!).
I honestly love the swab I hate the pad savers but I only use them after I swab out my saxophones not before because I find the keys start to stick like crazy
I use swabs rather than the sax saver. I was advised against the use of a sax saver by the guy who services my saxophones. I'm now looking at replacing my swabs for new ones and will check out the BG ones you describe. They sound ideal, thanks for the tip
Cheers Karen. Like I said in the video, I also used the pad saver for years, but my repair tech advised against it (he sees the inside of my sax!). It makes sense too. Thanks for watching.
Always clean it when the inside is still wet that way the gunk should come out on the swab/pull through, don’t forget to wash your swab frequently. In my work shop I strip the Sax’s down and wash them in a tank, you’d be surprised how much stuff dries out and sticks to the inside of the Sax. I always prefer a pull through. Them fluffy sticks don’t absorb moisture they just trap it inside and most tend to shed fibres all over the place.
I regularly clean my sax and put on its stand when cleaning I use the shammie leather for the inside of my sax but I do find they do tend to dry hard so I may well give your product a go, as for the mouthpiece and neck I use fluffy pull through s but once again I like your cloths and I may well change to those also
Hi Gill, I use the Lade cleaning pad (a few US $ on Aliexpress) for my tenor sax. I never had a problem. The pad have 2 ropes, one on each side, giving the possibility to pull it from each side if a problem appears.
Nigel, for those who don’t clean daily, I suggest they look into the bell after an hour and see that there is a literal puddle of condensation at the bottom. Imagine leaving that to evaporate or drain out your tone holes! Also, swabbing provides a minute to reflect on the practice.
Hi Nigel..Is there a difference what end you put the swab through the Saxophone. I noticed you start from the bell and then pull through the top end. can you start from top of sax and pull through the bell? I use a swab and key leaves on C# and G# keys.
Thank you. Very useful. I've tried a variety of swabs, none were that great, and am glad that my current silk one has broken. I'm going to try the BG swab. I clean my horn every time I play it and typically, at the site rather than waiting to get home. So, it takes me a while to tear down after a performance. My alto is my Selmer Mark VI original owner since 1965. A fellow sax player has never swabbed his tenor, but puts in it his case, then lets it sit out on the sax stand over night. Curious if his horn gets a good cleaning too?
I am a very new tenor sax player. I have been putting the pull through swab into the neck opening rather than through the bell. Is there a difference? I also use the fluffy pad cleaner, but I don’t leave it in the sax. I run it down into the body and press a number of the keys as I run it up and down the body. I clean it every time I use my sax even if I practice two or three times a day. I don’t know if I am over doing it. Maybe it’s because I bought a brand new Selmer TS500S and am being too finicky like one is when they buy a new car!
I use a pad saver, I've heard that you shouldn't but when I tried that the next day a lot of my pads were sticking. I have a hodge silk swab, I found the micro fibre got stuck to easily, thanks for the tip of pulling it through twice.
Hi Nigel, I just started to watch your tutorial. But to continue later or to watch the previous one I got confuse. Please advise how do you identify the sequence. Some tutorial identify by numbering. Thank you
Each time after playing my soprano sax, I pull through the swab a couple of times, then insert my good quality padsaver which stays in the sax until the next time I play. The mouthpiece is cleaned by pulling through a piece of kitchen towel. In addition, every week or two it is soaked in soapy water to which a 0.6% by volume of Milton solution has been added.
Nigel, I just inherited a sax from a close friend of my that has past away. I have tried to played it a few times then came across your cleaning video. I bought a kit but I want to know if I clean it and do it every time I play it do you think it is safe? I believe it sat for a long time. what woudl you recommend. I want to try your lessons out.
I'm a beginner and I've only been playing since October so this all new to me. I use swabs as I've been advised, but have wondered how I can clean those larger keys where saliva often leaks out. How do I remove the moisture from there and prevent the pads from going mouldy? 😖
I use the pull throughs; but I have to say I use it the other way around on the bell, so down the neck first. That way I can do it while it's still on my strap on my shoulders. I don't suppose it matters, or does it? And have been using the pad savers too. But I'll reflect on that. I always rinse my mouthpiece and reed with cold water and pad dry with soft kitchen paper.
HI Nigel. Nice little video on cleaning. I always have used swabs but still have problems with sticking pads. First order of business when starting playing is to check for stuck pads, this is concerning for a couple of reasons. Any advice? Cleaning pads and seal surfaces? Water repellent {silicone} compounds, waxes, pad / seal surface treatments? What works without creating other problems? Looking forward to your reply W.A.
I really struggle with the pull-through as there is a projection inside the top of my sax body and the pull-through gets caught. The projection is from the tone hole that acts as the octave key when playing G or lower notes and, being about 1/2 an inch of tube, is probably meant to be there rather than a manufacturing defect. It causes just as many problems with a pad saver. I suspect that it is there to use the venturi effect to actually draw air into the instrument rather than let it out so cannot be modified. My instrument is a Hawkes and Son C-melody marked as 1936 - though I accept that this may not actually be a date.
What about varnish polish on the body? Now that I have that nice Selmer Super Action. My shop told me a brass polish or even furniture polish, is a good idea. Yamaha sells a product.
I use something similar to these BG cloths for the body of my alto/tenor but mine are chamois leather (thin and smaller in area) and have a little brush behind the leather (like a chimney sweep brush) that keeps the leather against the inside of the sax. They seem to work well. I have a little cylindrical wide pipe-cleaner like brush for the mouthpiece and separate smaller pull-throughs for the neck. Maybe the BG cloths would soak up the moisture quicker than a dry chamois, so I might investigate that. With the BG pull-through, are they different sizes for the tenor and alto?
I use the the pad savers, but shouldn't. They DO tend to leave moisture on the pads. I have terrible cleaning habits because I play alto, tenor, and soprano and a flute at gigs. I also play a little keyboard so I bring alot of equipment to 4-6 hour gigs. By the end of the night I'm tired and have to quickly break down equipment, put it away. I often just throw my saxes into their cases then go home, leaving the creepy crawlies time to infect my saxophones. But I think that pad savers are actually worse than not cleaning at all, if that's possible. After drinking syrupy margaritas and eating popcorn all night, G# key starts sticking after a while. I use the dollar bill tone hole cleaning method as a temporary fix. But the problem will always come back. I've tried using various swabs to get a quick swab but I haven't had alot of luck loading them into the horn quickly, especially with the swabs that have weights on two ends. One end is on a shorter tape for alto and one end is on a longer tape for tenor. I have trouble using these because the weight seems to stick to the slushy, sticky, syrupy walls of the horn and won't snake through. Your video shows me that I need to keep it simple, use a quality swab, stop drinking anything but water, and make clean my horns the TOP priority when breaking down after gigs.
What about the moisture that's sitting on the pads after a good session? I put a bit of newspaper under each pad and close it to remove it. End up with wet bits of newspaper and dry pads! After years of doing this I now know that there's only a few of the pads that need this treatment as most seem to stay dry. I do 'em all anyway! Then a padsaver but pull through on the crook!
I have just bought my first sax. It came with swabs and fluffy stick, so I first drain water from bell by turning it upside down then I use the swab but I found it easier to start at the neck end and pull it out the bell end! Is this still ok doing it that way ie won't be causing any damage? I then put the fluffy stick in until the next time. Also I haven't been drying the pads. Do I need to do this ?
McGill I need your help I don't know if I should play sax now or later because one part of me says your ready witch I think I think I am but one half says your not ready you don't know a lot about it so please HELP ME!!!!!!!!!
What is the best way to clean deposits in the bottom crook of the horn? I think it hadn’t been cleaned properly. I just bought a used Yamaha and want to sanitize it as well. Thanks
Great question. A pull through is always the safest option but a good repairer can strip down your Sax and give it a bath. I wouldn’t suggest doing this yourself without taking the keys off - which will always require some re-setting up. Hope that helps.
just an inch or so inside the body of my horn at the section where the crook goes in there is a small jagged piece of brass which catches onto my swab cloth occasionally .what is this and why is it there cheers john
Hey John, great question. That is part of your octave mechanism and is a common place for your swab to snag. This is why it’s so important to make sure your swab goes through without any “bunching” or knotting.
I am confused about the direction that you pull the swab through. I was told that you should firstly dump out any sitting moisture from the bell then you should pull the swab from the neck end towards the bell to eliminate pulling more moisture through up into the pads and neck end. I am seriously concerned that I have been doing this wrong!!! also my swab has two strings on it so if it gets a little snug you can pull back a tug and then it usually slips right through.
I have been using a silk swab. It fits through the body, as well as the neck and mouthpiece. And, it's great for my flute too. Good? Do i need one like yours instead? I also have Key Leaves for C#, G# and Eb keys. For the other closed keys, i just use a cloth, and gently press down the keys, to get rid of whatever moisture there might be. (I'll look for a sandwich next time... lol) I rinse my mouthpiece with cool water and a tiny bit of clear soap. -- not sure if the soap is necessary.
Hey DC Langer, thanks for your comments. The key leaves product is great. I have a set they sent me but don’t tend to use them much because my horns are mostly on the stand in my studio, however if you pack your horn away then they are a brilliant product. I definitely use a silk or cotton swab of my flute, but prefer the microfibre ones for sax - they seem to work better.
How about the baritone sax? I've been unable to find baritone specific swabs. Should I use the tenor sized swabs and just add some length to the tail to allow me to pull it all the way through the baritone?
That's what I do. But I use a alto swab. I cut the string and use a boot lace between the swab and the small weights of the alto swab. Once you get the knack of threading it through it's easy.
@@brianpite0893 Thanks, Brian, I have done that. I jury rigged a cheap swab with an extra length of string. It does the job, kind of, but looks amateurish. Let's call it the Mark I. I'll put the BG Alto swab on my father's day gift suggestion list and see if one of the kids comes through for me. That will be Mark II. Still, since there isn't a commercial bari swab available anywhere that I can find, I'm feeling a little like a second class citizen. As usual, the alto and tenor guys get all of the glory. 🎷👍
Hi Raul. I use the BG swab and it works great - you just need to make sure that it goes into the saxophone evenly without any bunching up or knots. I’ve used it for years.
Cant get no sound out of sax i try change ing where the hole should face up or down i try to put the real paraline but stil no sound i try to form lip teeth thing cant get this is my first sax new beginer only bought it 25 november cant get a sound
Oh! Forgot: another tip for cleaning the mouthpiece: use a small spray tube with cleaning spray, one spray inside the mp and one on each side on the front. All in all 3 quick spray and then use the swab. Keeps the plating on metal mouthpieces fresh and shiny and it will stay on forever.
![[4K직캠] BABYMONSTER(베이비몬스터) - FOREVER](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PS3UAFto1z8/mqdefault.jpg)
I am picking up my sax after several years, swab looks like the way to go.
I'm meticulous about cleaning my horn. I swab out the body several times, then use a pad saver. It's high quality and does not shed at all. I leave it on the stand to dry for a couple of hours. I also let the pad saver dry. Then into the horn, key leaves inserted and into the case. I swab out the neck and rinse my mouthpiece in cold water and dry every time I play. I also wipe down the body and neck with a microfiber cloth. I think it's vital to take good care of our saxophones for the reasons you stated, Nigel. Great video!
I also use the key leaves, but since I just got them recently, I sometimes forget about them. I start warming up on my baritone, and my first thought is that the damn thing is broken! Even being bright green, I somehow miss them. smh
Not used key leaves but some of the guys do. They say it stops pad sticking.
@@derekakien7379 They work really well. I highly recommend them.
@@rayopeongo I forget sometimes too. It's easy to do.
Swabs are the way to go.
First I rinse out my mouthpiece. I then use the smaller cloth to dry it out well. Next I use the small cleaning cloth on my neck until the inside feels dry, which is usually about 3-6 times. I repeat this on the body with the larger cloth, again until it feels dry. Then I use a little triangle cloth to dry all of my pads. Even after pulling through the cleaning cloth, the palm key pads are pretty wet. I focus on the keys that stay closed first, doing each until I see no more moisture appearing on the cloth. They I run through each of the remaining pads, closing each on the cloth while pulling it out. I do this typically once for each open key, unless one needs extra attention to get all the moisture. Last, I use Key Leaves on the palm keys, G#, low C#, and Eb. The sax then sits on a stand until I am ready to play again.
Great routine you have there Lowell. Thanks for sharing.
Many years ago I was using the pad saver but my repairman told me: big NO , NO!! No matter what type of pad saver they will keep the moisture IN the sax body. Better to use BG swabs and a GapCap end plug from KeyLeaves. This way you let the air ventilate all moisture out. Another tip: use KeyLeaves stop-sticky-pad-thing for you’re C#, Eb, G# keys and make small pieces out of a vine cork to all other keys that in default are closed. Use these 7 pieces of cork to keep high D, Eb,E,F + side Bb, sideC and alt.F# open when nor playing. This way you’re pads will last much longer! It just takes a few seconds to install/remove them..another tip: buy 2 of each BG swab. Why? Because after the first pull thru of the body the first swab gets pretty wet. Use a dry number 2 swab for the second pull thru and that will take the last moisture away.
This helped my granddaughter clean her saxophone
Awesome Bonnie, great to hear it helped!
Thank you very much, as a total beginner, I found your video very useful and it answered my main worry about maintaining my saxophone.
I'm a newbie ❤️❤️❤️... I'm glad I'm getting tutored by you... Thanks for the lesson 1 and 2
Hello Nigel, thanks for all the free info you have given out. I too use a BG large sax swab, and a smaller BG swab that I use on my clarinet. Then, to help me practice everyday if I can, I put the sax on a stand, and put a good quality swab into the sax and also use a Key Leaf which keeps the 2 keys that are normally closed at the bottom of the sax, it keeps them open to dry.
Nigel, great video. I use the pull through swab and Fluffy wand to clean the body. I use the pull through to clean the neck and a toothbrush for the mouthpiece, plus a little toothpaste just brings off any residue. this really helps.
Thanks for your instructions. They are helpful and concise. Keep ip the good work. Cheers
I just bought myself a Yamaha Tenor saxophone. I’m using the swaps for cleaning it every time after my practice. Thank you so much for some great videos. They are really good for a newbie as me😁
You’re welcome Daniel. Hope you’re having fun with your new Yamaha Tenor!
I used to use the chammy leather with the brush inside. Found it still left pads wet. Tied a piece of silk over it which soaks up water like a magnet.
Now use the BG swabs on Tenor, Alto and Sop. I use the steri spray now and again.
Also use the hairy stick on Sop but take it out soon as I get home.
BG kit is all well made and strong. I use their straps and m/p patches.
I just got an alto saxophone 🎷 like two days ago and I needed to know how to clean it and you helped
Thank you for help
I’m so glad this helped you Allison. Have fun with your new sax and grab our free courses if you need help getting going : saxschoolonline.com/courses
Hi Nigel I use the BG pull through swabs as well as the pad saver - use Luke warm water in a mug with fairy liquid in to clean my Legere Reed plus HR Star Jody jazz mouth piece - glad you warned me about using warm water - been follow you for a while great channel best wishes Paul
My (very bad Chinese) alto sax had a fluffy stick. But when I changed to a (rented) tenor, I got a set of pull through shammies with a kind of soft ball of nylon hairs to make the swab big where possible and small where needed. It's obviously one of the cheaper ones but it does the job. I always take of the mouthpiece and clean the mouthpiece and neck separately and all parts in the direction of where your mouth is. Good tip about not leaving the mouthpiece on while on the stand, will change my wrong habit and save the cork.
swab I'm just starting band im playing alto saxophone I really loved your vid it was very helpful thank you so much
Oh yes and I've had the swab trapped in the body before so this video was very helpful. Thanks Nigel
I had a pad save come free with my sax (free = cheap). The only time I've ever used it was to remove it from the sax when I first got it. It never gets used. I use BG swabs too, but the body swab is different from yours Nigel. It sort of like a pouch with a sponge inside it, which keeps it open in the wider part of the bell and in contact with the inside of the body all the way through. Everything get's well swabbed after each session (at least once a day).
Thanks Nigel..Just ordered my BG cleaning set as I’ve only used the fluffy stick until now! 👍
Cool! I hope you enjoy using them Jilly
I like the BG round pull-through that has a star shaped foam spreader inside
Thanks very much i found this great
Yo thxsm you helped me clean my sax now I can play at my concert
Great as always!
I use a pad saver for the body. After cleaning, I store the pad saver outside the body in the case. Some times use a swab for neck and mouthpiece.
Swap! Just bought a new one to keep the sax shinny as new one! :)
The Swab does it well for me I swag first before cleaning the body. At times the Sax would sound a bit flat after swabbing
Basic cleaning sure will save you a lot of money.
Thank you, Nigel!
Your welcome!
Like to use the swab.
Remember to leave the swab open so it can dry out.
I like to keep the sax body attached to the neck strap while cleaning it out. I'd hate to drop it. Lost a mouthpiece that way.
Also using the BG swabs. Very nice.
Thx Nigel
Thank you.
I leave it on the stand pull neck and mouthpiece off stick the pad saver in while I put the music stand and chair away then pull it out. Run my yamaha pull thru in it has an extra lead on the back end so you can pull it both ways helpful if it hangs up. To start it I drop the lead in and then pick up the sax by the bell and tilt it until the lead comes out the neck set it back in the stand pull back and forth done. I have a brush and swab deal for the neck and then a pull thru i run water thru the mouthpiece about every three times. It all takes less than two minutes.
Thank you sir
I've been using the BG swabs for some time now in all my sexes. I think they are brilliant. Before that I am embarrassed to say I didn't do anything to clean out the horns. But it only takes a minute to do it properly so get into the habit early.
You’re right there sundogstudio1. The BG swabs are good aren’t they.
As someone mentioned below. Don't forget the palm keys. Being near the mouthpiece they get soaked so open the key, insert a thin cloth and gently! press the key. Saves a trip to the repairer with split pads.
I use a Protec swab. What I like is the long ribbon that goes from the weight thru the swabs body and extends about 20 inches past the fabric of the swab, so that I can pull it back and forth inside the instrument before I pull it all the way out.
Cool John, that sounds like a good product too.
nice stuff, yes I teach and try to discourage the pad savers, a lot of kids say its a time saver, Im thrilled to see someone else using the 2 swab system, I think its one of the best things made for sax! just signed up for the school, as a great way to find new ideas for students and myself!!! Cheers! are there any other side effects from washing the mouthpiece in warm/hot water aside from color changes?
Am a beginner! So excited thx
Have fun!
Thankyou
my music teacher is always making us play at least 10 seconds before the bell rings or after the bell rings so i never get to clean this so this helped me get a good clean on it
Thank you so much for mentioning to NOT use warm/hot water because I was about to😅🥲
I use both the pull thru, and the pad saver also. I find that by using the swab after playing while the sax is still wet works best, then I insert the pad saver as I clean the neck and mouth piece. Excellent vid, I picked up some pointers.
Thanks
Nice one. I like the combo idea. Better for getting the moisture out of the sax first.
One thing I noticed on your vid, you pull thru the neck into the bell, i was pulling from the bell into the neck. I think I like your method better.
I like the Key Leaves products for allowing air to flow through the saxophone during storage (key leaves, vent vine, gap cap, and spit sponge). I am presently using the fluffy wand to rod out the sax, but I may relegate it to the ceiling fan and other dusting operations following your statement about it leaving bits of itself behind in the sax. I swab the sax, run a brush and swab unit through the neck, and then wash the mouthpiece in running water as I brush it and the reed. All of this is dried before it goes back into the case. I'll sometimes leave the case open to air if wipe-down rags and brushes are moist following cleaning.
Good idea Phin. Most repairers aren’t fans of the fluffy wand pad savers these days.
I leave the case open in the sunshine occasionally. Just don't forget about it! LoL.
I use a Helin Tenor sax pull-through and a smaller one for the neck. Always done after a practice section. I also dry all the always closed key pad as well. I had some sticking issues and drying them after use has completely stopped it happening. Many Thanks for all your assistance
Cool, good to hear that Pete.
I use a BG swab for the neck and mouthpiece and the original Yamaha Swab for the body. I then put the pad savers in. I might stop using the pad savers now though. What about using papers to clean the G# key? That was a great tip I saw on another of your videos in sax school (so good, I bought some papers from Yamaha!).
I honestly love the swab I hate the pad savers but I only use them after I swab out my saxophones not before because I find the keys start to stick like crazy
I use swabs rather than the sax saver. I was advised against the use of a sax saver by the guy who services my saxophones. I'm now looking at replacing my swabs for new ones and will check out the BG ones you describe. They sound ideal, thanks for the tip
Cheers Karen. Like I said in the video, I also used the pad saver for years, but my repair tech advised against it (he sees the inside of my sax!). It makes sense too. Thanks for watching.
thanks
Always clean it when the inside is still wet that way the gunk should come out on the swab/pull through, don’t forget to wash your swab frequently.
In my work shop I strip the Sax’s down and wash them in a tank, you’d be surprised how much stuff dries out and sticks to the inside of the Sax.
I always prefer a pull through. Them fluffy sticks don’t absorb moisture they just trap it inside and most tend to shed fibres all over the place.
Cool Ian, I’ll bet as a repairer you see all sorts of stuff inside saxes!
McGill Music Sax School never any lost money😟
I regularly clean my sax and put on its stand when cleaning I use the shammie leather for the inside of my sax but I do find they do tend to dry hard so I may well give your product a go, as for the mouthpiece and neck I use fluffy pull through s but once again I like your cloths and I may well change to those also
Thanks for sharing George. There are lots of options for cloths, the BG are just what I’m using these days. They do seem to work though.
Hi Gill, I use the Lade cleaning pad (a few US $ on Aliexpress) for my tenor sax. I never had a problem. The pad have 2 ropes, one on each side, giving the possibility to pull it from each side if a problem appears.
Cool, that sounds like an interesting design.
Nigel, for those who don’t clean daily, I suggest they look into the bell after an hour and see that there is a literal puddle of condensation at the bottom. Imagine leaving that to evaporate or drain out your tone holes! Also, swabbing provides a minute to reflect on the practice.
Yep, gets ugly pretty quickly Terry! Thanks for your comment.
Hi Nigel..Is there a difference what end you put the swab through the Saxophone. I noticed you start from the bell and then pull through the top end. can you start from top of sax and pull through the bell? I use a swab and key leaves on C# and G# keys.
Thank you. Very useful. I've tried a variety of swabs, none were that great, and am glad that my current silk one has broken. I'm going to try the BG swab. I clean my horn every time I play it and typically, at the site rather than waiting to get home. So, it takes me a while to tear down after a performance. My alto is my Selmer Mark VI original owner since 1965. A fellow sax player has never swabbed his tenor, but puts in it his case, then lets it sit out on the sax stand over night. Curious if his horn gets a good cleaning too?
Glad you enjoyed the video Mary. I do think the BG swabs are brill.
I am a very new tenor sax player. I have been putting the pull through swab into the neck opening rather than through the bell. Is there a difference? I also use the fluffy pad cleaner, but I don’t leave it in the sax. I run it down into the body and press a number of the keys as I run it up and down the body. I clean it every time I use my sax even if I practice two or three times a day. I don’t know if I am over doing it. Maybe it’s because I bought a brand new Selmer TS500S and am being too finicky like one is when they buy a new car!
Use both, pad saver first the pull through
I use a pad saver, I've heard that you shouldn't but when I tried that the next day a lot of my pads were sticking. I have a hodge silk swab, I found the micro fibre got stuck to easily, thanks for the tip of pulling it through twice.
Cool. Glad it’s working for you.
Hi Nigel, I just started to watch your tutorial. But to continue later or to watch the previous one I got confuse. Please advise how do you identify the sequence. Some tutorial identify by numbering.
Thank you
Each time after playing my soprano sax, I pull through the swab a couple of times, then insert my good quality padsaver which stays in the sax until the next time I play. The mouthpiece is cleaned by pulling through a piece of kitchen towel. In addition, every week or two it is soaked in soapy water to which a 0.6% by volume of Milton solution has been added.
Cool, sounds like a good routine there Ian. Just be careful to always use cold water when you wash your mouthpiece.
Nigel, I just inherited a sax from a close friend of my that has past away. I have tried to played it a few times then came across your cleaning video. I bought a kit but I want to know if I clean it and do it every time I play it do you think it is safe? I believe it sat for a long time. what woudl you recommend. I want to try your lessons out.
I'm a beginner and I've only been playing since October so this all new to me. I use swabs as I've been advised, but have wondered how I can clean those larger keys where saliva often leaks out. How do I remove the moisture from there and prevent the pads from going mouldy? 😖
I use the pull throughs; but I have to say I use it the other way around on the bell, so down the neck first. That way I can do it while it's still on my strap on my shoulders. I don't suppose it matters, or does it? And have been using the pad savers too. But I'll reflect on that. I always rinse my mouthpiece and reed with cold water and pad dry with soft kitchen paper.
Hey Jeff, I don’t think it matters so long as you can get the pull through all the way through your sax without snagging.
HI Nigel. Nice little video on cleaning. I always have used swabs but still have problems with sticking pads. First order of business when starting playing is to check for stuck pads, this is concerning for a couple of reasons. Any advice? Cleaning pads and seal surfaces? Water repellent {silicone} compounds, waxes, pad / seal surface treatments? What works without creating other problems? Looking forward to your reply W.A.
I see you never receive an answer.
I really struggle with the pull-through as there is a projection inside the top of my sax body and the pull-through gets caught. The projection is from the tone hole that acts as the octave key when playing G or lower notes and, being about 1/2 an inch of tube, is probably meant to be there rather than a manufacturing defect. It causes just as many problems with a pad saver. I suspect that it is there to use the venturi effect to actually draw air into the instrument rather than let it out so cannot be modified. My instrument is a Hawkes and Son C-melody marked as 1936 - though I accept that this may not actually be a date.
I use both. Swab first then pad and a clean t towel in the bell. Overkill, I know but that's me
What about varnish polish on the body? Now that I have that nice Selmer Super Action. My shop told me a brass polish or even furniture polish, is a good idea. Yamaha sells a product.
How should I store my swab? Is it okay to fold/wrap it up and put it in my case immediately after use, or is that a bad idea since it's all moist?
I have just got a second hand Bari . How do you clean the main body?
Do you have a link of where we could purchase the cloth with the weight?
I use something similar to these BG cloths for the body of my alto/tenor but mine are chamois leather (thin and smaller in area) and have a little brush behind the leather (like a chimney sweep brush) that keeps the leather against the inside of the sax. They seem to work well. I have a little cylindrical wide pipe-cleaner like brush for the mouthpiece and separate smaller pull-throughs for the neck. Maybe the BG cloths would soak up the moisture quicker than a dry chamois, so I might investigate that. With the BG pull-through, are they different sizes for the tenor and alto?
They do have different sizes Tony. Your setup sounds good too.
Tina Llanelli
My new (second hand) alto is gold and silver very dirty, very dull.
How should I clean it??
just what i needed, after every use my neck is filled with spit, and i have to keep my rental clean.
I use the the pad savers, but shouldn't. They DO tend to leave moisture on the pads. I have terrible cleaning habits because I play alto, tenor, and soprano and a flute at gigs. I also play a little keyboard so I bring alot of equipment to 4-6 hour gigs. By the end of the night I'm tired and have to quickly break down equipment, put it away. I often just throw my saxes into their cases then go home, leaving the creepy crawlies time to infect my saxophones. But I think that pad savers are actually worse than not cleaning at all, if that's possible. After drinking syrupy margaritas and eating popcorn all night, G# key starts sticking after a while. I use the dollar bill tone hole cleaning method as a temporary fix. But the problem will always come back. I've tried using various swabs to get a quick swab but I haven't had alot of luck loading them into the horn quickly, especially with the swabs that have weights on two ends. One end is on a shorter tape for alto and one end is on a longer tape for tenor. I have trouble using these because the weight seems to stick to the slushy, sticky, syrupy walls of the horn and won't snake through. Your video shows me that I need to keep it simple, use a quality swab, stop drinking anything but water, and make clean my horns the TOP priority when breaking down after gigs.
What about the moisture that's sitting on the pads after a good session? I put a bit of newspaper under each pad and close it to remove it. End up with wet bits of newspaper and dry pads! After years of doing this I now know that there's only a few of the pads that need this treatment as most seem to stay dry. I do 'em all anyway!
Then a padsaver but pull through on the crook!
I like to see your video before I bay saxophone.
Thank you dear...
💞💘💜❤💔💙💕🧡💗❣💚💖✌👍
I've been putting the weighted end from the neck and pulling it out from the bell. Don't know if that is any better or worse.
Quick question, is it normal to have cork grease on a brand new sax?
I have just bought my first sax. It came with swabs and fluffy stick, so I first drain water from bell by turning it upside down then I use the swab but I found it easier to start at the neck end and pull it out the bell end! Is this still ok doing it that way ie won't be causing any damage? I then put the fluffy stick in until the next time. Also I haven't been drying the pads. Do I need to do this ?
The moisture will be mostly in the top of the bell so if you start that way it’ll drag the moisture down... wouldn’t recommend!
McGill I need your help I don't know if I should play sax now or later because one
part of me says your ready witch I think I think I am but one half says your not ready
you don't know a lot about it so please HELP ME!!!!!!!!!
What is the best way to clean deposits in the bottom crook of the horn? I think it hadn’t been cleaned properly. I just bought a used Yamaha and want to sanitize it as well. Thanks
Great question. A pull through is always the safest option but a good repairer can strip down your Sax and give it a bath. I wouldn’t suggest doing this yourself without taking the keys off - which will always require some re-setting up. Hope that helps.
When I try to use the weighted swab to clean the body, the string and weight gets soaked in spit on the way down lol. How do I fix this?
just an inch or so inside the body of my horn at the section where the crook goes in there is a small jagged piece of brass which catches onto my swab cloth occasionally .what is this and why is it there cheers john
Hey John, great question. That is part of your octave mechanism and is a common place for your swab to snag. This is why it’s so important to make sure your swab goes through without any “bunching” or knotting.
I am confused about the direction that you pull the swab through. I was told that you should firstly dump out any sitting moisture from the bell then you should pull the swab from the neck end towards the bell to eliminate pulling more moisture through up into the pads and neck end. I am seriously concerned that I have been doing this wrong!!! also my swab has two strings on it so if it gets a little snug you can pull back a tug and then it usually slips right through.
Hi Nigel
I prefer a swab to clean my saxophone xx
Cool, great strategy Tracey!
I use a swab rather than a fluffy wand. Then cold water through the mouthpiece and neck.
Swab came with my sax
Hi Nigel, I use a swab, same as what you are demoing, but I have been feeding it the other way! I'm guessing that not right!
Hey Darrin, you could do it either way, this is just my preference.
Can you use some sort of disinfectant?
i wonder if using a chamoise leather swab compares with micro fibre ones
Hey Toni, yes I think that does the same job. In fact that was what they were made of before microfibre became so popular.
Swabs for me 😊
I have been using a silk swab. It fits through the body, as well as the neck and mouthpiece. And, it's great for my flute too. Good? Do i need one like yours instead?
I also have Key Leaves for C#, G# and Eb keys. For the other closed keys, i just use a cloth, and gently press down the keys, to get rid of whatever moisture there might be. (I'll look for a sandwich next time... lol)
I rinse my mouthpiece with cool water and a tiny bit of clear soap. -- not sure if the soap is necessary.
Hey DC Langer, thanks for your comments. The key leaves product is great. I have a set they sent me but don’t tend to use them much because my horns are mostly on the stand in my studio, however if you pack your horn away then they are a brilliant product. I definitely use a silk or cotton swab of my flute, but prefer the microfibre ones for sax - they seem to work better.
@@McGillMusicSaxSchool Thanks Nigel =)
I hope all is well in your world
What about closing the keys as the swab passes along the body, so the swab catches some moisture on the pads as well? Thanks for the nice clip!
Cheers Carl, great idea. I generally find a normal swab through does the trick but this wouldn’t hurt either.
@@McGillMusicSaxSchool Thanks!
I never cleaned it good to know I have to find those things
Definitely a good idea to start clearing Rino.
How about the baritone sax? I've been unable to find baritone specific swabs. Should I use the tenor sized swabs and just add some length to the tail to allow me to pull it all the way through the baritone?
That's what I do. But I use a alto swab. I cut the string and use a boot lace between the swab and the small weights of the alto swab. Once you get the knack of threading it through it's easy.
Get yourself a hamster and a mouse.
@@brianpite0893
Thanks, Brian, I have done that. I jury rigged a cheap swab with an extra length of string. It does the job, kind of, but looks amateurish. Let's call it the Mark I. I'll put the BG Alto swab on my father's day gift suggestion list and see if one of the kids comes through for me. That will be Mark II. Still, since there isn't a commercial bari swab available anywhere that I can find, I'm feeling a little like a second class citizen. As usual, the alto and tenor guys get all of the glory. 🎷👍
@@ian_s7481 I tried that. The hamster ran off with the tenor player, and the mouse ran off with the alto player.
I use a swab nigel
I have a yamaha yas 62, anyone know if any BG swab works well on this horn and they don't get trapped inside?
Hi Raul. I use the BG swab and it works great - you just need to make sure that it goes into the saxophone evenly without any bunching up or knots. I’ve used it for years.
Pulling the cloth through always gets snagged on the body octave pip on my tenor.
The sax tool kit link is broken...
Cant get no sound out of sax i try change ing where the hole should face up or down i try to put the real paraline but stil no sound i try to form lip teeth thing cant get this is my first sax new beginer only bought it 25 november cant get a sound
how would you clean a bari sax body
Oh! Forgot: another tip for cleaning the mouthpiece: use a small spray tube with cleaning spray, one spray inside the mp and one on each side on the front. All in all 3 quick spray and then use the swab. Keeps the plating on metal mouthpieces fresh and shiny and it will stay on forever.
Cool Mats, great tip.