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Tuning the Saxophone
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how to tune a sax
Tuning is the process of matching pitch, which requires two sources: your instrument and another instrumentalist or electronic tuner. Experienced players tune to a "remembered" pitch.
How to Tune
1. Warm up thoroughly before tuning.
2. Tune to a reliable frequency using written "C", which is "Concert E-flat."
3. Play at a medium dynamic level without vibrato.
4. Adjust the mouthpiece on the neckpiece to lengthen or shorten the instrument.
5. "Pull out" to lower the pitch.
6. "Push in" to raise the pitch.
How to Control Pitch
Pitch problems can be corrected by changing the angle of the mouthpiece in the mouth, turning the neckpiece slightly to the right or left, or varying the amount of bottom lip over the teeth.
The saxophone embouchure does not have the lip flexibility of other woodwind embouchures. As a last resort, students may "lip up" the pitch by raising the jaw to tighten the embouchure. There is an excellent pitch-alteration chart (p. 66) in the book entitled, "The Art of Saxophone Playing" by Larry Teal.
How to Buy Your First Clarinet
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The size, weight, and portability of the clarinet make it a perfect starting instrument, especially for our younger players. The clarinet is extremely popular and versatile instrument, often seen in many styles of music from classical to jazz and uses a technique that allows clarinet players to easily switch to flute, saxophone, or both. But [...]
What to look for when buying your first flute
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As one of the most popular instruments in the world, the flute is a perfect instrument to start your music career. A flute can be played in almost every style of music and group out there. Weather your playing in an orchestra , a symphony , a marching band , or your going be the [...]