Introduction to Setting Saxophone Key Heights with the Balanced Venting Method.

In this first installment of the Balanced Venting Method we'll show you the basics of venting and how to get started setting saxophone key heights for proper tone and response.
Check out our article on Setting Key Heights with The Balanced Venting Method here:
www.musicmedic.com/setting-ke...
Here are the different tools we used in the stream:
Advanced Repair Techniques Class:
www.musicmedic.com/products/e...
3 Day Engraving Class:
www.musicmedic.com/products/e...
MusicMedic Repair Courses:
www.musicmedic.com/products/e...

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Amazing information 🎉

[@paulreid8090]

Very informative, thanks for sharing

[@MusicMediccom]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobblues1158]

GREAT!

[@MusicMediccom]

Thank you!

[@SamChaneyProductions]

I noticed after opening up the key heights on my Conn 10M, the middle G and G# were much more unstable, why might that be?

[@richardjarrett8972]

If you are working on a sax that you have completely stripped and rebuilt, how do you go about finding the right position for the mouthpiece with the rest of the instrument?? If that's off, everything else is going to be out of tune as well! Would you be able to pop a link to the Yamaha key-height resource you mentioned? Thanks for another great video! Lots more to think about!

[@MusicMediccom]

Accurate mouthpiece placement is extremely important and it may change as we go through the tuning and toning process. We'll get those specs up on the site too. Thanks for your comment!

[@krikorarnelian2909]

Hello amazing video I have question how to fix middle C# if it is flat thank you 😊

[@MusicMediccom]

There are a lot of variables to consider when tuning, you may want to check out some of our tuning and toning articles at musicmedic.com for in depth info. Briefly, it's a matter of moving the position of the mouthpiece on the neck and opening up key heights to get open C# raised in pitch.

[@javierquesada798]

I'm not sure if they talked about what would be the distances of the yabes in both hands, I mean the chimneys?? thanks

[@MusicMediccom]

The heights of the tone holes are not really factored in to the key heights, because the heights of the keys are based on the tone and intonation of each key relative to the height of the pad cup to the tone hole. Hope this helps!

[@silpo4164]

Hello friends, from Argentina being from the same guild I ask you, why is it that on a Keilwerth 1928 alto saxophone, when playing from low C to low Bb it sounds like a horrible multiphonic whaw whaw, which can only be solved by placing something in the curve by the bell, like a cork, cap or something similar? I have seen that even some Selmer Mark Vi alto saxophones have had to be corrected on the inside by soldering a nickel silver insert to reduce the bore. Thank you and keep helping us so much!!!

[@MusicMediccom]

You are correct the body tube and the bow of that instrument probably are mis-matched or the volume of the bow is simply too big. You may be able to solve your problem using a similar method that was done with the Selmer Mark VI you mentioned. We've done temporary patches with different thicknesses of materials before (tech cork, natural cork, black magic foam).

[@leonardopalma3730]

Would it be possible to do a video on a pro bass clarinet setup?

[@MusicMediccom]

Yes! Great idea we might have to make this into a series since there's so much to it.

[@andisaxophone]

Very cool. I have a question. Let’s say I raise the low C bumper, which would be the D tone hole, I suppose (but I’m not sure)… Would that make my low D sharper than my middle D with the octave key, or would they be affected equally? Basically, I guess my question is if the tone hole adjustment has the same effect on tuning for each note with and without the octave key.

[@MusicMediccom]

Yes it would effect both octaves. Our article on tuning a saxophone with crescents might give some more background info on these tendencies too: www.musicmedic.com/tuning-a-saxophone-with-crescents Good luck with your repairs!

[@windydankoff4020]

There IS always SOME difference between octaves. Get your own feel for it by pressing down slowly on the key and hear how the response varies.

[@jonathanclark7623]

# Tuning and Toning I would like you show how this is done on Martin saxophones please

[@MusicMediccom]

Martins are lovely horns and have many interesting nuances. This article is a great place to get started if you want to tackle Martins: www.musicmedic.com/setting-key-heights-with-the-balanced-venting-method

[@AMMstudios]

How do you guys determine the correct mouthpiece placement before the key heights are set properly?

[@jazldazl9193]

Probably check your overtone Bb B C and C# against same (i.e. Bb B C and C#) top stack keys

[@AMMstudios]

@@jazldazl9193 Overtones aren’t necessarily supposed to be in tune with the fundamental.

[@MusicMediccom]

We use a tuner and play the note F in both first and 2nd octaves on the saxophone to determine the mouthpiece position on the neck. You can read more about this in our article here: www.musicmedic.com/setting-key-heights-with-the-balanced-venting-method

[@KVANTdoo]

What to do if the Sax IS not in tune trough the same note in octave? Like low D IS a little low But D2 IS werry sharp. The same with E. What to do? Thanks

[@MusicMediccom]

Check out our article on tuning a saxophone here: www.musicmedic.com/tuning-a-saxophone-part1

[@cecilscott3044]

Should the upper stack key hight on the sax be the same hight on the lower stack?

[@MrEVANwhat]

No. Usually the upper Stack C and B pads are 2mm more closed then the lower stack F# and F.

[@luigiarredondo7497]

unfortunately for me i took my sax to a tech and she set it up way too low so then ive had to raise them from other techs and the issue is now its still stuffy and idk if i trust myself to do it myself. How much would resetting the key heights run me in price for the whole sax (tenor) and how long would that take?

[@luigiarredondo7497]

also, should i be there or not?

[@MusicMediccom]

Being these is a good idea so you and the tech can work together and play test the instrument. The price would depend on how long it takes the two of you to figure out what works for you.

[@MusicMediccom]

The prices varies from shop to shop, some charge by the hour and some might charge a flat fee. Definitely ask if they're comfortable doing key height setting. Or, sign up for our Advanced Saxophone Course and learn how to set your own key heights. www.musicmedic.com/products/education/sax-proshop-repair-courses/saxophone-basics-done-right-part-ii-a-4-day-intensive-in-person-learning-experience.html

[@paix2669]

#tuningandtoning

[@coin777]

Can you update the site article with updated order of key height setting order?

[@MusicMediccom]

Generally if you have the G# and Bis set you can work out from there on the stacks. www.musicmedic.com/setting-key-heights-with-the-balanced-venting-method

[@DanielWilliams-qr7zn]

#TuningAndToning

[@micketenor]

The best thing you (or anyone) could do for us players is to publish key heights used by prominent players (including informing what brand and size, Soprano, Alto, Tenor or Bari etc.) I know that Brecker had really high keys (at least around 1990). I saw it myself. His G key was so high he had to have a piece of felt glued on the top of the key cup because it hit one of the rods going down to Bb/B/C#.

[@MusicMediccom]

The reason that G was opened so much is because the A is an under-vented note. We've had to modify horns here to compensate for the G opening that much as well. It would be fun project for someone to categorize or catalog key heights of great players as a reference or starting point for you to work from. Long live Brecker!

[@joshuaadam5514]

#tuningandtoning

[@MathieuPilote]

#TuningAndToning

[@paulolevisilveirateixeira2903]

#tuningandtoning

[@glennmcclellan8853]

#TuningAndToning

[@QuevedoSax]

#TuningAndToning

[@pangjoems]

#TuningAndToning