How to fix Honky Low Notes on Saxophone

[@markwhite-what-da-jazz]

Great advice on the embouchure. In addition to checking your pads on the bottom of the instrument, don't forget that a leaky pad anywhere on the sax affects the low notes more than the higher notes. You can place a small flashlight inside your sax and let it slide up and down the tube to check all of your pads. It's best to do this in a dark room. Here's the trickiest leak I ever had: My low notes would work fine for the first hour of playing, but then the low notes would stop working. I realized that as water accumulated in the high F palm key pad, that pad would start leaking because the pad was too worn out to work properly when the water accumulated there (I could see the water dripping from the edge of that pad). After I put a new pad in, the low notes worked great. You really must have no leaks anywhere on your sax, for the low notes to work. Also check the other palm key pads to make sure they are still soft and working properly. If they are stiff and worn out, then those pads will also be leaking soon. These pads usually wear out the quickest because most of the water accumulates there first as it travels down the tube. Here is a tip if you want to make your pads last a long time. I bought some pencil erasers (the kind that you stick on the end of the pencil). When you are finished playing your sax (or when you get home from a gig), wipe out your mouthpiece, neck and sax, then stick an eraser under the high F key so that the pad remains open and it can dry better. Also do this with the G# key... place the eraser over the G pad cup so that the G key goes down a little and also the same eraser goes under the G# key mechanism. This lets your G# pad dry out nicely and you have less of the sticky G# pad problem. I also stick erasers under the low C# key mechanism and the low D# key mechanism. There are two sizes of these erasers. The smaller size works great on my tenor, alto, and soprano sax. I repair my own saxes. I bought my tenor back in 1995 and I finally replaced the pads on it two years ago. That high F pad wore out about 8 years ago, but I wasn't using the erasers all those years like I am now.

[@zermanman9891]

How do you know if you have a leak

[@Bam23x]

Every time I play a low D it goes to the high D. My E and F are fine but I don’t know whats wrong with it.

[@_Looft]

Bloo Yami either your pad is leaky/your not pressing hard enough or you’re squeezing too hard on your reed.

[@Imsoflattered0]

I would say that’s most likely an Embouchure thing in other words practice your overtones and take note of the sensation in the mouth when you go for the higher overtones. The D you are playing is going to the second harmonic because you probably need to adjust more as if you’re playing a low note like low C or Low Bb.

[@TVXDcombyElkhan]

Use warm air. You're probably using cold air.

[@Kevontay]

it happens to me too and it hasn't ever happen to me ever since i started .

[@tyronebaldhead3412]

Lower your jaw

[@berniecawson6197]

Hi totally new to the sax lots of honking going on when I get going The wife has bought ear plugs now This vid was very helpful thanks Bernie

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

+Bernie Cawson Cool, glad it helped Bernie. I've got a free course to help you get started on sax. Check it out here: saxschool.mykajabi.com/store/iW8tnRjD

[@zootpatootyis.sad.122]

I'm auditioning for the band at uni, and part of the audition is a two octave Ab scale. I started tenor a little over a year ago and haven't been able to get a low Bb out on it without my tenor squeaking or going an octave up this whole time, and this video has helped me so much!! you're honestly a life saver

[@w.jordanrobson2962]

Thanks so much for these videos, Nigel! I'm a professional saxophonist, and even though most of your videos are geared toward beginners, I really find them helpful. Keep up the good work!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

+W. Jordan Robson Thanks a bunch for that. I appreciate you checking out my videos.

[@nanooo2077]

Sometimes it can be your reed. Just now, I was really frustrated why I couldn’t get out my low notes smoothly. Then I changed my reed and it helped tremendously. It’s not always you! Though, I would still take tips from this video even if changing your reed helps.

[@seihtsukai9922]

really loved the explanation, im new to the world of the saxophone and i just got a Soprano Saxophone. Im doing my best with the long notes and at the moment im writing this, i cant get to make any low note at all. Hopefully, following your advices and tips will be a great help to achieve this objective of mine. Thanks and best regards from Argentina

[@Samcatiscool]

Thank you so much....I have been playing for about 3 years now and I have never been able to make the low notes soft and warm.....now I can thanks to you...if I could subscribe to you more than once I definitely would!

[@walterplays8449]

Thank you so much you have no idea how thankful I am for this video

[@auggie4648]

First time watching one of these, and these were some very insightful tips! Thank you from an alto player :)

[@jusdavid1331]

Low D is my enemy.

[@altos2522]

And the lowest b flat

[@bubbafrench8415]

Keets 25 try low b flat

[@themechaotaku]

Same

[@davidwyatt1446]

Keets 25 that is me low d and c big oof for me only one that can’t get it

[@yologuy7771]

Low B is next level

[@davidguilfoyle]

Really enjoy your channel. Wobbly notes at the bottom have been a real issue for me (esp Bb). Yes, there is light coming out of the pad unless I really press down hard on the key. I think my problems might be solved! Thanks!

[@craigray4775]

Guilty as charged on some of those. Good solid practice steps on remediation. love sax school,

[@Kenji-ug5bo]

I fucken love this guy's intro 😂😂😂

[@Eniral441]

This was obviously for the beginner. I was hoping you addressed reed adjustment for this, since I'm an experienced player. I just have some reeds that produce a honky Bb. But I understand why you didn't. Still a very good video.

[@benjameek]

I was doing all of the wrong things you mentioned at the start haha trying to loosen my jaw and puffing my cheeks to get those low notes. do you have a method to keep keeping embouchure the same but not too tight as to accidentally jump to the octave above on the low notes?

[@dorisstephenson5221]

Thanks brilliantly trying to get restart back

[@melvinscreen397]

Nice teachings nice information very informative have learned quite a bit just by logging on and subscribing to this channel keep up the good work thank you

[@aaronpanther9205]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@itstoasty7089]

Guys guys, its all in the long tones. Its really annoying to have a professor or a tutor repeat this over and over but its true! At least 20 minutes a day with the note you want to fix, better yet all the notes and you are good to go. Its just a gradual process. I promise that from day 1 to 30 you will definitely notice a major improvement on that low B or B flat. Cheers!

[@richardstubley1860]

Another great set of tips, thank you Nigel.

[@peterhorah7884]

Thank you - nice clear instruction for me to practice

[@eduardoalvaradol.2063]

Excellent tips. Thanks. Do they work also for C-melody straight neck saxes?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Great question. To be honest I don’t know - haven’t played a C-Melody sax.

[@eduardoalvaradol.2063]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool Thanks a lot. You are the best teacher on the web!

[@jonniewadd56]

I think all what Nigel has conveyed here applies for hitting the low notes. Just one more small item to pay attention to...your mind. You have to think deep in order to play low, you think high when you are playing the higher notes..right? so do the same for reaching down to the lower notes. As Nigel has stated, nothing really changes from playing from high to low, unless of course your horn needs attention.

[@carolynking4828]

Hi there Nigel, just one question for you: why does my soprano sax squeak as I play the lower register? Is it a problem with my embouchure? My practice today was absolutely terrible!! Any help and advice you can give me would be very gratefully received please! Thank you very much. I'm playing with a Hemker strength 3 reed.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi Carolyn. This could be a couple of things. First I would suggest experimenting with your embouchure. A bit more mouthpiece could help. If that doesn’t help then perhaps get a repairer to check your sax and make sure everything is dealing properly. Good luck.

[@rosy15825]

Sweet where is your lessons for biginners, you could say I'm in kindergarten, but tenor I my desire, 🙋🙌

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

+Rosy A. Hey Rosy. I have a free beginners saxophone course available on my website here: saxschool.mykajabi.com/store

[@johnrambo1204]

I can do the low C and the low Bb. But I have many difficulties to do the low B. It sounds like ( bo bo bo bo) and some times I can get is very nice. It funny when it happens. For sure is my embochure.I ddon't think is my saxophone. I'm playing around 4 months. Whats do you think Professor?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi. It could be your embouchure, but also could be a slight leak on your low B. Check out this video for help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHPJhZiljpd1ha8

[@julianmoreno6345]

I play Bari Sax in my schools jazz band and played alto last year what u need to do Anderson is use more air and do long tones

[@Bravaboomer]

Great insights about the low notes. I can't even hit the low B and B flat yet. First I'll check to make sure I'm not leaking, then go from there. thanks.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

+Bravaboomer Cool, I hope this video helps.

[@davepierremusic3974]

Very informative video McGill. Jus wanted to ask a different question. I play a hard rubber otto link tone edge straight signature mouthpiece for my tenor. Whats your view on that mouthpiece? I see u are playing a hard rubber in this video. Any recommendations on hard rubber mouthpieces for tenor?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

+dave pierre Hey Dave. The Link hard rubber pieces are great. I'm playing a Theo Wanne Slant Sig hard rubber which is a brilliant modern version of a classic hard rubber tenor piece. I'm a fan of HR for tenor, particularly if you don't need a really bright commercial sound.

[@davepierremusic3974]

McGill Music Sax School. Thanks for the reply McGill. But do you find the Theo Wanne you play to be more punchier and have more projection than the HR Links? I like my Link's tone and fullness but i find the volume is kinda soft.

[@Samcatiscool]

dave pierre I definitely agree with that...I own a tone edge as well and it gives me a nice warm fat tone but it is very difficult to play loud....

[@elenaandrei3777]

I ask you something important 😊 I will start to take some lessons and I need to know what saxophone should I buy(my friends said alto but ..I ony afford this once-in my country are extremly expensive 😔) so your advice is very precious for me ☺ thank you so very much

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi Elena, good question. I think it does come down to personal preference. You could start on either alto or tenor, though most people do start on alto first, then perhaps add tenor down the track.

[@elenaandrei3777]

I know now what to do ☺ since it will remain only as a hobby and I won't do performance I think I choose alto 😇 thanks again

[@tscripa]

Thank you for this!

[@milkincup17]

Thanks a lot, this really helped!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Great to hear that Jamie.

[@radharamanan5003]

nice tutorial,it did help me

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant. Glad it was helpful.

[@Logan-zg1ir]

Thanks I couldn’t get the low e out and now I can

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome!

[@LL-bh6bt]

Hi, I’m just wondering, how do you play the low notes extremely quickly? I have a quarter note 220 swing and I’m playing half-ghosted C sharp to b to b flat on an alto. Are there any things to look out for? Having a lot of trouble getting them to pp and to sound right even on a forte. Thanks!S e

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

That’s a great question Lliu. Playing low notes quietly takes a lot of embouchure control so I would start with plenty of long notes down there working on a strong tone at low volume. Once you have that, it’s just a gradual process of slowly speeding up your tonguing while maintaining the tone quality. Take it slow and you will get there!

[@saxophonekid8560]

The pinky slide

[@petew260]

I was watching your fingers on how you where able to play low B, Bb C#. I notice you keep your pinky bent and I will try it that way, I was keeping my pinky straight and have trouble but I will try with the left pinky bent from the start. I only been playing a couple months short of a year and I am finally starting to read music and play songs. I also am working on the chromatic scale Low Bb. I have a Jean Paul tenor saxophone. Pete

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hey Pete, yes a bent pinky will always give you more control over those low notes. Great to hear you are making progress on your sax!

[@petew260]

guess what? I am at a level now where I can play songs and read sheet music and those noises are all to due how I hold the shape of my mouth I was experimenting and watch a video of you and watched your chin moving in and out as you play low and high notes that video confirmed what I was experimenting with. Now I do it on purpose just to correct the position for later and to make sure that is what was causing the issues. The next challenge is going up the scale with the octave key on and being able to hit notes in a song that require it and take it back off for the next note. always something new to learn and my practice sessions are getting longer and longer almost hate to stop. The poor neighbor

[@bindaugas25]

Great video, thanks

[@nicolahawkins7784]

I have trouble getting my left little finger in the right place for low Bb. It seems my fingers really don't want to spread apart. My hands are not particularly small but the fingers just don't spread easily and I have to turn the sax diagonally and brace it against my body to get Bb. Do you have any tips please?

[@enriqueernesto738]

My low C,B and Bb are way too flat. When the temperatures are down, even more ( I practice in an unheated shed) Is it my embouchure or is there something wrong with my saxophone?

[@danielbeaumier5313]

Good ! Can you tell me what is you're saxophone,

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi Daniel. My tenor is made by Dave Guardala. I've had it for about 25 years - good solid horn.

[@ryansi3190]

great tips

[@jeddycolwell6530]

great for beginners

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

+Jeddy Colwell Cheers Jeddy, thanks for checking it out.

[@kedarparanjape1903]

Great help, although I still have a long way to go.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

You can do it!

[@edwardsantiago1412]

I was thinking on getting the THEO WANNE FIRE 🔥 MOUTHPIECE. THEO WANNE WEBSITE HAS SIZE 6, 7, 8. BUT YOU SAID YOU LIKE SIZE 8 CAUSE OF THE SOUND BUT what would be a good REED????

[@abedinsubashi]

I’m a bari sax player and I have no problem on the low d and c. The notes that are really pissing me off are the low C#, Low B and Bb, and especially the low a. I’ve tried everything from loosening my embochure (not sure how it’s spelt) to buying new reeds and nothing has worked. Is it possible that it could be my instrument

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi Sorry to hear you are having trouble with those notes. If you’ve tried everything else I would definitely suggest getting a repairer to check your sax over. Leaks on low notes are not uncommon, but easily fixed. Good luck.

[@abedinsubashi]

McGill Music Sax School thanks. I’m considering doing that so I’m gonna check with my teacher since it is not my instrument and see what she says.

[@BrunoNeureiter]

What happened?

[@Redwane-Music]

Question :i am having always difficulty playing the low 3 notes quietly, not a problem playing them loudly . i am doing something wrong? I keep hearing that you need a lot of air flow. so does that mean that it needs to be loud when it comes to playing those notes in particular ? and since I can play them loud does it mean that the saxophone has no problem or it may still have some ? thank you for answering because nobody really talks about this.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

That's a common problem Red. If you can't fix it by adjusting your embouchure then you might want to get your sax checked by a repairer. Leaky pads on the bottom notes are really common but easily fixed. Good luck.

[@harvestedvoltage4324]

I'm just getting started on tenor sax (coming from years of playing brass instruments). A lot of times, when I attempt to play notes in the middle and low range, it skips up the octave, even though I'm not holding the octave key. Is this a problem with me? What can I do to fix this?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Good question. Could be a couple of things. I would start by making sure your sax is ok mechanically - check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ_JiJKhd9aii5I. Reach out to me on email if this doesn’t help and we can get you sorted: [e-mail]

[@ColtraneTurnaroundBlues]

when i play low b of b flat, it vibrates, like automatic vibrato

[@kevingibson3714]

Thank you

[@tinanorth8243]

Any help for an Alto with a spitting sound? Beginner here

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hey Tina. If you're getting lots of saliva (or moisture) inside your sax when you play, don't worry. It's a normal thing when you're starting but it does get better. It helps to drink water before you play to keep your mouth clean (don't eat or drink anything else when you play either). Otherwise, just clean your sax often. It will improve the longer you play. Hope this helps!

[@tinanorth8243]

McGill Music Sax School thank you for your reply, I'll take all the advice on board, love the videos you make too

[@briangarcia4296]

THIS WAS HELPFUL😊😊😊😊

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Great to hear that Brian.

[@cameronmyers7884]

this help sooo much

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool, glad it helped you Cameron.

[@thomaskondzella3799]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@haiquoc2013]

how do you play vibrato on these low notes on Saxophone?!

[@ryansi3190]

I just started on sax and sometimes my ovctive key doesn't work

[@chriss1152]

one of my tenor saxophone the low c and low Bb flat and low b and d notes don't come out like they should but they come out perfect on my other tenor saxophone so this tells me there's a leak in the saxophone

[@meowkings5055]

what sax do you use?

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi. I’m playing a Dave Guardala tenor- I’ve had this one for about 25 years. It’s s good solid horn.

[@meowkings5055]

Thanks

[@mattp5329]

Whenever I play E it goes high, on Alto. My other notes lower than G are fine, it's just E, my Reed is fine and I'm pressing hard enough on the pads, can anyone help me please? Thanks, much appreciated.

[@BrunoNeureiter]

Yeah

[@juliusbirnbaum3244]

You probably have a leak

[@FriaGram]

I learned the low notes first, up through the middle to high. The main problem was really the jaw position when going from the low/med/high registers, in combination with the throat openness. Some books/instructors say not to move the jaw forward/back, some say to do so when switching octaves, so it's confusing.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hey Fria. That can be confusing. Although the reality is you will probably move your embouchure a little between octaves, it’s best to aim to keep it as consistent as possible over your whole range. A good way to work on this is to practice moving between octaves (low G - high G etc). Hope that helps.

[@FriaGram]

I have only been playing for ~ 1 week, though it gets much easier every day. I was thinking that building support on the sides of the mouth will help control the reed better between octaves. But then I see people like Kenny G who center the reed on one side of the lip...

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Great to hear you are just getting started. Focus on building your embouchure strength gradually - it will be your most important asset as your playing develops. (And BTW, Kenny G might have a quirky embouchure, but I'm sure he also spent years building his strength the conventional way too!)

[@FriaGram]

Aye, long notes every day for hours. It's just so interesting to see that every person uses their mouth/lips/throat so differently. Like this guy has developed the throat of a bullfrog: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnSbdp6EmrB9otE

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

It doesn't need to be for hours, just be consistent - a few minutes each day. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll get there.

[@lordioushulaios7274]

All this did was break my sax more....now I cant play D and below

[@cameronmyers7884]

you should have had it fixed before

[@fat0v]

Sorry I am a bit late to the party :) I am alto player, played altro for 25 years mark 6. My alto sax Is perfectly in tune and low notes are great. Now got myself a tenor yanagisawa and low c is sharp. I wonder if the sax is out of tune or I should open more my throat on tenor for the low notes. Ty I hope I explained myself. Anyone has the same issue as me ?

[@winnforthewin]

I tried everything I could and everything in this video, but I can't get a note under D to come out. (By the way, I'm a beginner, and I need this kind of help. If you could respond back on how to fix it, I would be very grateful.)

[@destroyedbyyuppiepowers]

do it

[@juliusbirnbaum3244]

You probably have a leak

[@isaiahd9947]

My problem is that I can't play my lower notes good when they are the first note that I play. If I play something else first its much easier.

[@nathanhendradi2062]

same!

[@winter_wolf3284]

same

[@isaiahd9947]

@@winter_wolf3284 hey that was 4 months ago and I have fixed the issue. What I found was most important to helping me get my low notes out is to make sure to blow from your chest and diaphragm and to lower your tongue and open your throat. When you attack on the note use a bit more air and when you tongue have your tongue hit the reed then go down.

[@anitrabirnbaum6339]

One time i could not play low e and i broke my saxophone out of anger but i learnt not to bite so hard and now i dont bit as hard as i used to

[@gamersden30]

Why would you want to fix this? Honking is good! Just ask Leo P :,)

[@dc483]

Low D is very difficult to play 😢

[@juliusbirnbaum3244]

You probably have a leak

[@anitrabirnbaum6339]

Hey my saxophone teacher gave me a tip to start loud and get softer

[@pookycat101]

Mine likes to do a skipping sound all the time :/

[@H3nrizzler]

I'm learning tounging on my saxophone and the the low notes are hard Even when I'm not tounging

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi. Those low notes can be tricky, particularly if your reed is a little hard. Also, make sure your sax is in good playing order - it’s quite common to have a leaky pad on the bottom end of your sax if it’s a little older. Quick and easy to fix by a repairer though.

[@joannapangelinan2330]

The low c on my tenor is hard

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

That's a common problem Joanna. I hope this video helps you.

[@rosy15825]

Hey brother nice but u dint answer, love about that low note so can u .

[@Haras_Badger]

Struggling with my low C and basically everything below that.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Sorry to hear that Sarah. If a softer reed doesn’t help you then perhaps it’s time to visit a repairer. I hope you get it sorted.

[@marshakelly3581]

I can’t play a g or e but everything else is fine 😭😭😭

[@juliusbirnbaum3244]

You probably have a leak

[@aryannagpal5376]

I find if I move my mouthpiece to the top of my mouth, I can play B flat.

[@rosy15825]

Brother do you ever answer😒