Testing Gimmicky Sax Gadgets

#bettersax #saxophone #saxophonelessons
Jay Metcalf reviews several gadgets for saxophone to see what is a gimmick, and what is useful for saxophonists.
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[@jamieforjazz]

I’ve honestly used the silencer for years. It’s very resistant which is really helpful. I can still play the full range on the mouthpiece, but have to work harder to do so. When I come back to the horn, my sound feels huge. Its like running with weights. Just a personal take.

[@marike1100]

Yes and none of the books on saxophone voicing recommend practicing on the mouthpiece or mouthpiece with neck attached. Silencer is pricey but it is considerably more quiet.

[@djstixtrix]

Agreed. I am a beginner and when I first got the Silencer, I found it sooooo hard to use. But after only a few days when I played my sax it was soooooooo much easier.

[@HyperLuigi37]

The silencer name is at least consistent with the origin of silencers, guns. They don’t completely silence the gunshot, but they do absorb a lot of the sound so it’s a lot less explosively noisy.

[@LeakyJAZZ]

that's why they aren't called silencers. they're called suppressors.

[@HyperLuigi37]

@@LeakyJAZZ you’re right, although silencer is also very common (maybe more colloquially, but still)

[@HyperLuigi37]

the name of this device is very clearly meant to be a reference to firearm silencers/suppressors, is what I’m saying

[@xaza5625]

@@LeakyJAZZ silencer is literally the official name on the patent lmaooo

[@Moki389]

​@LeakyJAZZ The person who invented the first suppressor called his invention the Maxim Silencer and he made a wide range of them, so it's not incorrect to call it a silencer.

[@AMARMusicSax]

You got me with the silencer...I put my ear to my phone thinking it was extremely soft 😂

[@bettersax]

Haha I was expecting it to be quieter myself.

[@APSx_]

Same!

[@joeblankenship377]

I used to practice bari without a strap by sitting in a normal chair, one foot stacked on top of the other, and the horn balanced on top of my feet to bring it up higher. That kickstand thing is a pretty good idea, but they need to ditch the velcro and make some clamps to go around the bell. No way I'd use that velcro on a clean bari, an old beat up bari, sure.

[@mehulkumawat5084]

I enrolled in bettersax' s pentatonic foundation course , I have made tremendous progress in a relatively short amount of time. I thank you for your dedication.

[@bettersax]

So glad to hear it!

[@barisaxx4493]

Laughed out loud during the Sax Silencer section. Made my week!

[@kmvenezia4337]

I have to say Jay, after a while with that velcro strip adhesive, I would imagine that heat and temperature changes might eventually stain the finish and you'll have a tough time getting it off.

[@Sashko_Dee]

Speaking more short term; getting all the glue residue off without using a solvent would be a huge pain and said solvent would strip the finish right off.

[@thepianokid27]

7:50 - I LOL-ed so hard in public at this and suddenly found a bunch of eyes staring from all directions…. 🤣😂

[@c.l.4895]

Any concerns that the wall stand would warp the bell flare over an extended period of time? It looks like a lot of weight on a small area?

[@bettersax]

I was concerned about that at first. If it hasn’t done so after a couple months it’s not going to. At least not on my Yanagisawa TWO2 and BetterSax alto

[@dynoroad]

I think the tension that develops inside the tube is well within the range of elasticity of brass. So while there might be some elongation of the metal, it should revert back when the tension is removed. Saxophones are fairly light weight.

[@flatcarwillie]

Other thing about this, if the horn ever does get hit or bumped, all that force is going to be focused in one spot.

[@yahyajohnson3701]

My YTS-62 has had the bell brace re-soldered more than once in its lifetime. As much as I like the idea of this stand, I'm not sure my horn could take it.

[@petegalindez9961]

Very cool device as I’m looking for a cooler looking stand since I’ve moved my saxes to my main living room and the Hercules stands just don’t cut it for aesthetics…that said, seems you need to be careful when taking the horn off this gadget…if you don’t slide it up first and just pull out you could damage the bell…unless the device just comes off the wall with it…I like it though…may try it with my cheap Yamaha before putting my Mark VI on it though!! LOL

[@kpoudavoff]

Actually thought the same about Key Clamps thing

[@patzicari3604]

I got the Silencer a couple of years ago... for my embouchure strengthing... My mouthpiece sizes run from 8* to my fav 12*... and, as I'm not playing as much as I used to (am 77), my muscles would get weak too quickly... You are SO correct about annoying noise so I got rid of the "noise"... I'll take any of my mouthpieces and use a reed clipper to get it to the point where it will JUST not make a sound... NOW it really is a Silencer... and I can play almost forever again... lol

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

I like the look of that wall sax stand! And like you, I’d love my studio to be stand free. Nice. And I’ll be getting one of the silencers as well. Except, no, I won’t. 🤣

[@Sue20022010]

At 56 y/o I'm just learning how to read music. I live in an apartment and haven't played yet because I am concerned about noise

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

@@Sue20022010 very common issue. Talk to your neighbours.

[@isaiahd9947]

Love the way this video was edited and structured along with the unbiased reviewing :) Except for the sax stand at the end 🤨

[@roscoepowell]

Really like the display of mouthpieces in your wall. Mine are all in a shoe box.

[@pillowcaseee]

It’s the dead of night and I was scrolling KZbin, and with me being tired, well, I’ll just day I didn’t think that the title said *Sax* Gadgets.

[@justinjohansen5992]

😂 nearly spit out my coffee at 15:23 oh, and I would have called it the “sax to trumpet converterizer”

[@MrGuto]

15:23, in like after the video ended?

[@henrybromberg7752]

I have just bought myself a Sax Support, like the one you showed. I do play a lot of Bari in a Windband. Because we are a Community band there is always a lot of Stop, Start playing so this gadget is excellent for this. You're right about those Issues of taking the Velcro off the Bari Bell. Also, mine came with some thin strips of Velcro to make it more securer. Haven't put the other Velcro on my Tenor Sax because that doesn't hurt my back as much whilst playing. I have a Gig on Saturday so will be first time using it playing live, but thank you.

[@isramint]

absolutely love these sax gadget videos!!!

[@newmanana]

I am very curious about the Inaki. The weight of a tenor sax on just the small wall screw? Initially…scary. I know that I have framed paintings in my house that are heavier, but my Mark VI??

[@bettersax]

My horn has been hanging there for over a couple months now. It’s scary at first I’ll admit.

[@KuwaywayLogic]

@@bettersax Wouldnt the stand bend the bell at all? I can bend a bell with just my hand so I would think the bell could get bent by that.

[@inakiarnaliturgaitz4407]

My saxophones are also Mark VI, and I ´ve used these stands for twenty years whith no damage.

[@HonestSaxSound-unEdited-]

@@bettersax Noot!! looks good, but what happend if a child, or samebody like a domestic worker touch latteraly a litle bit more than normal???!! Bye bye Mark vi. For my Super action, nothing better than his case.. no dust, no salt humidity near the oceans, no risks.

[@Engineering_Improvisation]

@@KuwaywayLogic That was my thought as well. With softer materials such as brass, there is a failure mode called "creep", which is a slow deformation over time. The combination of the instrument's mass with such a small contact point, this would be a genuine concern of mine.

[@dextermorrisjr]

Darn it Jay! I’m sitting back in my recliner and every time you went to peel off the velcro i’d sit up only for you not to pull it off. The anticipation is rising sir 😅

[@TheLenMak]

Thank you for this unbiased review of new products. Very informative!

[@Ori-Retro-Gamer]

great video, I would rebrand the silencer , the mosquito 😂

[@k.levirusco3834]

I LOOOVE those wall stands. Those are cool as hell

[@inakiarnaliturgaitz4407]

Hello Mr. Mc.Afee I thank you very much for the video, it will help me for the difusion of this new stand. For me is not so new because I began working on it twenty ears ago, but I sincerely apreciate that you fall in love whith this idea, this stand, like I did.

[@antoniomcvay7398]

I think an amazing gadget to try are some practice mutes for saxophone

[@bettersax]

coming in part 2

[@SwagGod11]

0:42 can’t wait to march with this😂

[@FiftyShadesofGrease]

My high school band had a guest conductor for a festival/seminar once, a brass-centric guy. He recommended brass players to practice their embouchure by 'tooting' around with just the mouthpiece in their spare time, like on the bus or whatever. A guy in my section was asked by his mom why he couldn't do the same thing... except that we played sax. Not so subtle a sound. But with that silencer, though...

[@eatreedsleep6437]

Hahaha, great Video! 100% d'accord. Love your thin line between humor and informative reviewing . thx!

[@bettersax]

Thanks for watching!

[@plinkage]

on a silencer, i just put the neck in a new roll of paper towels with a sock stuffed in the end. works pretty well.

[@hermeswr7426]

I knew the silence was just some editing lol

[@gabrielnavarro3833]

That reed soaker is hilarious!

[@goodmansaxophone]

Inaki stand looks amazing, thanks for reviewing it! I would worry though about having it on the ground, accidentally kicking it, and having the neck get scrapped up or bent. Guess you just gotta not be careless…or have a carpeted floor.

[@titude]

'Quieterer'. Had to think about it, but it checks out. Nice one.

[@StoneysWorkshop]

rofl & the silencer! I highly recommend your Better Sax silencer

[@johnwardsaxophonist2862]

I liked the Batman spin outs!!

[@spontaneousgroovincombusti2902]

Thanks Jay! Hated the Silencer, major waste of money; couldn't even give it away. Anyone want mine, it's yours for postage!

[@MarcoSax91]

Great sound and phrasing on baritone! Ps. I'm not sure yet I'm gonna buy any of these stuff! ;)

[@bettersax]

Yeah I test so you don’t have to buy haha

[@hamjohn8737]

A) I wouldn't put any adhesive on any of my horns B) step into the 2000s, Harry Hatmann's Black Onyx (amongst others) play instantly without having to suck on them C) Silent? What's the point? (Your embouchure control is EXCELLENT!) D) I could see using the clamps for re-padding and regulating the horn.......(I use pipe cleaners to hold down each key after regulating each key and going down the horn....I leave the pipe cleaner on the unit overnight to imprint the new pad to the key and re-regulate the next day. E) That sax stand looks GREAT! I'm going to order a few today. (SHIT! $87 each!)

[@olebirgerpedersen]

There's another solution, but this holder is much heavery . But the one I' m talking about makes you move around because of its construction . It's called "Baritonflex" and costs 225, $. You can sit or stand with it as you like. I'm now 82 and havn't got enough force to stand a whole session with a neckstring so this is a great solution.

[@matsmanteatern698]

Thanks for the test vid! 🙏Suggestion for the next one: Meridian Center Brace Resonance weight!

[@jamesjefferson8353]

Love the Batman transition

[@RochelleM491]

I should have discovered the Saxophone support aids years ago before I blew out my neck and acquired spinal stenosis from having a Sax and or Bass Guitar around my neck 3 nights a week..!!

[@FormlessDuck]

That silencer is like waaayyyy quiter than youre making it seem lol. even in the video it goes from irritating neighbors to being inaudible by anyone outside your room

[@woozyjoe4703]

I agree. Its actually extremely effective

[@happyarewewhosmile]

8:22 is that the lullaby from Pan's Labyrinth?

[@markjosephawa2641]

I love to have one of your better sax saxophone but I have no money to buy🤣 It looks very nice❤️

[@barrythird3297]

Sax gadgets are so awesome

[@theresistance1151]

I like the Sax stand !!!

[@wildman166]

Cool video Jay ! Man you sure have a bunch of mouthpieces on your shelf ! Keep posting these cool videos.

[@agenttexx]

I could see the sax support being a good idea, I remember how much my neck and shoulders hurt from playing Bari Sax. The foot works out well on other large wind instruments. Why not the larger saxophones.

[@AMMstudios]

I'd heat the bell with an air torch before removing that velcro. SKETCHY lol

[@darrelfrancisco2941]

Very helpful information

[@akadjadikt]

Bro you look blazed…. Lol. I can dig it.

[@juandelcastillo4115]

This is a great video! Very helpful. Hey! Did you ever take the Velcro off your beloved sax?

[@Clap2992]

Are we gonna talk about how one letter would change this video so damn much.

[@peternero6689]

I have the silencer. I kinda hate it. Half the time, I can't get the reed to vibrate when using it. So, I do exactly what you said - mouthpiece on neck!

[@bettersax]

Haha

[@RussellCorwynActor]

I'm... anxious, looking at that last device -- the Inaki Stand, which holds the sax by the bell. I can recall a repair shop owner chastising me for pulling my sax out of the case by the bell... saying the metal is too soft to hang that way. I was surprised you didn't mention this as a consideration over **extended** periods.

[@bettersax]

You can pick up your horn by the bell. A repair technician would never tell anyone not to since this is literally the main way we lift a saxophone out of its case.

[@TheCageyZebra]

I would love to know the song from the bari-sax. I love it!

[@brb101962]

I use the silencer in hotel rooms. I had never any problems with my neighbors :)

[@namelessone3339]

The SaxSupport would be great for show doublers by allowing the player to quickly switch between bari with the SaxSupport, bassoon with the Vonk leg rest, and bass clarinet with a peg. All three instruments would be played without having to connect a strap.

[@SkylersRants]

That sax wall mount looks like a REALLY good way to get a mangled saxophone when someone walks by. Sticking it in the corner like you did might help, but that hardly makes it convenient.

[@MrGuto]

Indeed. They are fine when free standing on the floor or table, but mounting them rigidly to the wall is recipe for disaster.

[@georgealteen6441]

It has been my experience that the safest place for a saxophone is in the case.I only use a stand when playing a gig.

[@HonestSaxSound-unEdited-]

@@georgealteen6441 yes, i agree, i use only the case, during the performances too, because the stand NOT total security has. Mine oldest tenor is falling from one of this stands..

[@scottpaul7427]

if you are OCD with your reeds, I suspect you already have a storage case with a humidity control pack and a gauge or at least an indicator disc, and don't need to buy a glass

[@bettersax]

The OCD people already have this glass too haha 😂

[@djm679]

Test the key leaf it keeps the Eb and G# keys to reduce sticking

[@PostMasterNick]

It's not a silencer, it's a suppressor.

[@curtisvalle5141]

Finally, a sax AND gun geek. It's a can.... man.

[@Zbigfish1]

Just like for a pistol, but I'd bet the marketing team didn't want players to have that word in their mind. "Sure, let's suppress their abilities..."

[@Salty24]

I want that wall mount! Pass on the rest.

[@Salty24]

@@MyRackley I’m gonna hang my original student Amazon sax from the wall as art. Take it easy.

[@vincentvega9863]

Like a fun silencer doesn't make it completely silent, it still makes a noise. The silencer doesn't make it silent, it makes it silenter. Perhaps I'd call it a silenter 😂😂

[@Anthony-tj7jx]

"Theres no way that Velcro is going to hold up my sax" - actually i was thinking "theres no way I'm putting an adhesive strip on my sax" lol

[@felixlazaro4801]

Woooow what mouthpiece do you use for Bari? You sound like Ronnie Cuber!!!

[@yanz6802]

i love these vids

[@johnminkishere]

Ok, all the gimmicks for playing your horn with silencers, mufflers, etc. are not fun and change your sound too much. Practice in p or pp with intensity/inflection is good for control. Its a good challenge to set up a decibel app on your phone. It gets easier over time

[@shevanu502]

‘Silencer’ is used for most instrument silencers, it’s only meant to quiet instruments.

[@agnusize]

Very good!

[@bdubs5619]

Silencer makes sense because its like a silencer on a gun, real silencers still make sound but in movies they “sound” silent. So for branding it’s appropriate

[@JensWeyrich]

Which seat do you use for your (Tenor)Sax-Sessions?

[@bettersax]

K&M stool

[@JensWeyrich]

@@bettersax Thank you!

[@jrgenhernborg5624]

The sax support is great. But the yanagisawa baritone sax WO30BSB has a peg reciver and a removable peg. Its smart but many yamahas and one yanagisawa has that peg reciver. Most Bass Sax has too. So i dont see the point. But it will work great on a bari sax without peg reciver

[@farinzstudio5168]

I don't think I'll be able to remove the velcro either 😂 But I like the idea of the inaki stand It's a game changer

[@w2tty]

I bought a silencer. I don’t use it because I am worried the restriction will actually have a negative affect on my embouchure and make it worse.

[@bettersax]

Yeah it feels a bit restrictive to the air. Better off with just the mouthpiece.

[@w2tty]

@@MyRackley Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@uldarioteles8117]

What was that first lick on the Bari called

[@Ty-ri7dy]

I had those key clamps when I was a kid. I never used them.

[@josephsaquic3263]

hey better sax amazing video. what would be better for saxophone players are better cases who know can u perhaps mybe think of making a better sax case

[@bettersax]

Good idea. The case that comes with he BetterSax is pretty good….

[@pirojfmifhghek566]

Not only do those key clamps increase the depth of the pads, they're putting uneven pressure on the pads to boot. You're gonna get REALLY BAD leaks real fast. Could even warp the keys themselves given enough time.

[@ralphannicelli6547]

Where did you get your practice saddle seat

[@cynicalgman2479]

I usually use a harness with my bari sax since i also do marching band

[@rororoFGC]

Is there reverb on the mouth piece test?

[@Sue20022010]

Nice ergonomic chair

[@unpleasantecstasy7479]

do you know the reason for the ball over the regular stick? And In your opinion which works better?

[@bettersax]

I think it’s just an alternate design. That model only holds alto though.

[@nicksavage4763]

Like the Wall Stand

[@dakopis]

Hey Jay, what year is your T880? Thanks!

[@markbrown1]

Hi Jay! Have you tried the SaxSeat? It is an amazing way to play comfortably!

[@kennatco7916]

I love the wooden sax stand, but it's out of my price range. I don't get why it costs so much. It's so simple, I'm tempted to make one.

[@hamjohn8737]

$87 USD plus shipping......for one unit

[@CimarronLeatherStudio]

@@hamjohn8737where do I buy one? Thanks

[@danbrit9848]

if you ever have sticky stuff to remove ...use wd 40 on towel then dawn dish soap after to remove the wd40 ...and it will be good as new

[@rloomis3]

Suggestions for gadgets to test, if you haven't done them already: lefreque sound bridge, and Nagasawa Seisakusho neck rings.

[@namelessone3339]

I use the leFreuque on my alto flute because I need all the help I can get. Whatever difference is subtle, but there's no negative effect. One of my friends SWEARS by it for piccolo.

[@rloomis3]

@@namelessone3339 I first tried the lefreque at a demonstration booth at a conference. I definitely noticed a difference; the rep then took it off, and had me play again - at which point I said, "Oh, put it back on!" I ended up buying one.

[@theglauber]

No way i'm going to leave a piece of velcro permanently stuck to my saxophone. 😄

[@entysax]

Jay, what ligature is that on your Burnin' alto MP? Is it a Yanagisawa? I've got the burnin MP but still trying to find the perfect lig for it. Thanks...

[@hugodeloscobos9885]

JLV, JLV, JLV !!!

[@bettersax]

It’s the Yany sixs. Great lig but a bit delicate. Works best with an easy fitting cork.

[@entysax]

@@bettersax thanks Jay

[@diminuendo7525]

so the sax support is basically just a bass clarinet peg but for a saxophone

[@SkylersRants]

Silencer buyers out there. I've another great idea. I've got this bridge for sale . . .

[@fedruche5188]

Have you finally taken the velcro fully off???)))) Very agree on the silencer, I would buy it ASAP if it had neck attachments. They definitely need to improve it, probably it will cost more but will be a very helpful gadget

[@ph2738]

Will the Inaki work as a floor stand for tenor?

[@bettersax]

yes

[@Libertyprime2]

Just bought a tenor sax, it's coming in tomorrow. That wall stand looks really useful, but my room is the basement so I'm sadly doubting that I could screw it into the cement/brick walls :(

[@MrDavidFitzgerald]

Why not? You can easily get strong wall fittings for both of these materials

[@Libertyprime2]

@@MrDavidFitzgerald I don't have a drill bit and I've tried those strip things that stick to walls but they didn't stick strongly at all

[@MyRackley]

If your sax comes with a case, why not just put it in the case when you're not using it? I have a guitar, alto flute, sax, organ and "Otamatone", but I'm not hanging any of them off the walls. That's just crap.

[@zman42]

the first item makes any sax into a bass clari lol

[@ember_falls]

the wall stand is cool but is there any reason to keep a saxophone out of its case other than to show off?

[@bettersax]

not particularly. I leave my horns out since I'm playing them everyday. It is convenient, and it helps them dry out completely which is good. In the case, moisture can stick around even if you swab, after playing.