Saxophone low notes not working? Here's how to fix them!

[@mjrstardust]

I thought it was just me or my air support, but that one pad was actually missing! Thanks a bunch!

[@BjarneB88]

I used to spend loads of money to get my sax tuned up every year as my low keys would just suddenly give up! And I had no idea what is wrong and why!! Every time that happens I would think my sax is broken! Can't believe my sax technician would rob me blind just for 1/4 turn!!! I also attempted to adjust the bell on my own. My sax is not professional Yamaha or some another super expensive one. So I had nothing to loose.... couldn't make it worse as it was... and if I don't manage I would pay a lot by paying a visit to sax technician anyway! And success!! I managed to fix my sax completely by myself!! Truly amazing feeling that is! Feeling empowered =))) Thank you Steve!!! You are an absolute Star!! Bless your heart Steve!!!! From now on my sax technician will be missing me a lot! That's damn sure :DDDD

[@eddiebrown7678]

I play Alto but purchased a cheap Tenor from a reputable UK company as I wanted to play both. I was having real trouble with anything below G. Wasn't sure if it was me or the sax. Been trying harder reeds, changing emboucher etc with much frustration. I Was about to give up totally when I came across this video. Slight adjustment of said screw and the problem has been solved. Thanks guys, much appreciated. Life changing video :-).

[@peterloveday9245]

Thank you Nigel. After months struggling with low notes, thinking it was my technique, this video and a quarter turn of a screw later, I can play them no problem!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

That's great to hear Pete, glad the video helped you.

[@jesusvargas2842]

My low notes sound as if I’m playing them with the octave when I’m not

[@cookes2893]

Fucan_jesus 507 you know those notes at the very top of your sax make sure they are all on the wholes

[@jorrfreysert2530]

Same

[@JS-ns8dr]

Me too. It just started after I didn’t get to play for 2 weeks.

[@justinnguyen2573]

@@cookes2893 can you also help me i dont know what you mean by wholes

[@aleciasaxophonist1186]

Same

[@kadrianthomas3102]

Thank you so so so so so so much for this video teach Nigel. I know it wasn't my reed nor my embouchure because I play long tones every day for at least 10 minutes. The moment I got my screw drivers and followed the exact instructions given in this video my Low C#, low B and Bb Boom!!!!! Was fixed. Thanks a million.

[@autoanorak]

So simple and yet 100% effective at fixing the problem. Thank you guys

[@vaughanbenson2609]

also with alto saxes make sure your mouthpiece is far enough on the crook ! if not bubbling on low notes can occur ! :)

[@andrecampbell7365]

vaughan benson this. Thank you. Now how do you make sure your instrument is in tune without pulling out the mouthpiece??

[@aidenlol2828]

Thank you sooo much!!!!

[@aidenlol2828]

I fixed it!

[@fenderlead1]

Thanks!!

[@gabrielfiorotto1435]

Thank you! I knew something was off on exactly that place but didn't knew what to do! Just picked up the sax last week and the low notes gave me such a headache (literally) now thanks to you I quick fixed it and learned even more, thanks so much!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Great to hear that Gabriel. I’m glad this video helped you.

[@ivanjjemba8450]

I’m still new to the sax but you just saved me a lot of headache with those low notes. Thank you so much 🥳

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

You are so welcome!

[@jackdolphy8965]

This is a vitally crucial adjustment, and your demonstration and explanation gets to all of the basics and the subtleties. Spot on gentlemen, Thank You!!!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

You’re welcome Jack, thanks for watching.

[@serbantirla5298]

I love man. I've been struggling to blow low b for 3 months and in 3 minutes I solved the problem.you are the best

[@BjarneB88]

I can't believe someone would dislike this gold worth video!! I can bet one of them is my sax technician just figured out why I didn't pop in by now =]]]]]

[@JRNL75]

Thanks guys! Priceless stuff! After all it was the screw screwing up the sound all the way. Two painful years and now it's as easy as any other key! 🙏

[@joshua_prince]

I just fixed my Sax using this video, thanks Nigel!!

[@petegalindez9961]

You are a genius! I just bought a gorgeous silver Mark VI…it has two issues…low notes below C and a stuffy sounding front C in the middle register only….I brought it to my tech who had it for 2 weeks…I was told he re-aligned the bell and made a few adjustments, but nothing changed! I was so pissed! So, while searching for how to fix the stuffy front C I found this and tried it…worked like a champ! BOOM! Low note issues solved! Now I still need to figure out he stuffy front C fingering…it’s in tune, just stuffy…very weird…same thing happens with Bb fingered with the B and F keys…

[@foschuckmusic]

Just watched the video and turned that screw and the sound from my sax low notes finally came back! Thanks a lot! Cheers from Brazil

[@jonpileggi2621]

Thanks for the video, I’m an old man beginning to play. I bought an old tenor sax, and the low C is so hard to get, gonna take it in.

[@darwood6861]

You guys just fixed my soprano saxophone. About 1/4 turn clockwise on that screw that you demonstrated. Thank you

[@nfladamgrim]

As a Music educator who has very little sax repair experience, THANK YOU

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

You’re welcome.

[@jonathanmaher6663]

Really hard video to follow. Needs close up shots of the pads/bars he is talking about.

[@mercugandhi5984]

Thanks Nigel, I will have my class exam next week, and suddenly my low notes were disappeared... I was in panic but then I found this video. I fix mine in no time..... I've never thought loosed screw for low notes is a common problem... This video really helps

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant. I'm so glad this helped you Mercu!

[@jasonhumphries]

wow, how great is this, i am glad i have watched these clips, would love to become a repairer my self.

[@joskinboy]

Amazing tip! This just worked an absolute dream. Can we have a series of these tricks of the repair trade please?

[@saxfish]

< Next Day : I´m back to tell you guys how haPPy you´ve made my life with this adjustemt knowledge, Bloody Low Bb is my friend again! I live in Nicaragua with no qualified techs, or Sax paraphernalia, so I have to fix things myself. More of this knowledge is most appreciated. My respects !! haPPyLiFe ! >

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant! Glad it helped Mike.

[@palletcolorato]

I'm in the same boat.

[@jessu9175]

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I was able to ID that my issue was the cork on the pad cup. I own an antique Buesher Big B, and there's always something that needs fixing.

[@jonathandavis5228]

I was in panic mode , this helped me a lot , Screwed it just a little bit and it changed everything. , love you guys a lot !!!!!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome! Glad it helped you Jonathan!

[@AUGUSTALLEN28]

I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am of this video. Ive been trying to play this thing for years and for the life of me could not play low bd cleanly,if at all.I contemplated giving this up for good. because I coudn't utilize all of the instrument by not being able to play certain notes. So what would be the point in continuing? i tried everything,sometimes twice. I noticed that I had the same wobbly G# issue and made the screw driver adjustments from the video,. After the first few turns,nothing changed.Then I turned it more and noticed that the G# no longer moved.That's when I heard a sound from my instrument that I thought I would never hear. tears were filling my eyes. I could not believe what just happened. Not only will I subscribe,but if you need a organ donor let me know.LOL. This is life changing.

[@nikkiearich6952]

Nobody: Lawnmowers: My low C

[@julianoverall6575]

Thanks very much - I've now fixed my soprano!

[@mrjp1819]

I just had this problem ... And tried to adjust ... But I can see that I have probably screwed too much ... Super instructive. Johnny from Denmark.

[@Erik-jk8zx]

I had heard of most of those solutions over the years, but never considered the possibility of a bell misalignment. I've been handling my alto by the bell for three years now, unaware that this could lead to misalignment, and I am just beginning to have low-note problems. I hate to think that I have caused the damage myself. Thank you so much for this nice video.

[@palletcolorato]

Thx for posting this video! I've been playing for two years, and always thought the problem with low notes was my embouchure. I kept trying and trying, but no luck. Then I saw this video. Problem SOLVED! Just a small strip of electricians tape.

[@chrisdo4147]

Just picking my tenor up after over 20 years of nothing and couldn’t understand why low notes were not playing -e was warbling! This may just help! Thanks so much, I’d hate to return it to a repair shop again. Last time I sent it in, it ended up in storage, and I want to play!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hope you get it sorted Chris!

[@REBart58]

I had a problem with the B and Bb notes on my tenor. Your video helped me to solve this with a slight turn of the G# cup screw. Thanks for the quality information, first class stuff.

[@isaaconi56]

Omg thank you so much I'm full of joy right now euphoria like my B and Bb have been an issue since I got my sax today I decided to rematch this video cause I was finally feed up and viola they now sounding I'm so glad funny I've watched this video a lot of times but today I got a crew and I'm all good you're the best. And doing that seemed to have made my other notes sound better and easier my altissimo notes inclusive

[@DuGOization]

Awesome helpful! Thank you so much! I can play low notes now:):)) I looked with the ligh in the bell, but never think about the G sharp...so i belived, i have to practise low notes more and more...but now i am low note guru:) Thanks again!

[@ikeeichenberg9068]

You're an absolute life saver, this video couldn't have come at a better time

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant! Glad it helped you.

[@stevecrowable]

Champion Urbosa Great thanks

[@ikeeichenberg9068]

McGill Music Sax School Well in theory it sounded like it was gonna solve all my problems, but in practice not really. But I think my low Bb's are operator error and not the sax so I just need more practice, this is still a good thing to know

[@divad435]

OMG such a long time playing with difficult lower notes, I thought it was just my bad form. NOPE this fixed the issue, stoked, thank you for this video.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant to hear that. Glad it helped you.

[@beproudwitheric5238]

Wow just tried this and it worked! thank you so much!

[@Mitch617a]

Thank you guys

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

You’re welcome!

[@Dally_Sparkles]

thankyou so much brand new tenor yts62iii out of the box needed a quarter turn now it actually plays awesomely

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant! Glad it helped you.

[@rufus-h4h]

This is very interesting and can help you get through a gig.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

I hope so!

[@Theodoresha]

Thank you so much 😭 You've no idea how great I feel having got my G note back by having a go myself

[@pengidev4553]

Thank you soo much, I've been having this problem for years and I finally got it fixed!

[@artlex_]

Fino este video mano!!! excelente, gracias por la info y por el invitado!!!

[@Baraccccccccus]

Excellent video. Thank you a lot

[@keithcampbell6806]

Good morning and Merry Christmas to all in the saxophone world. I usually have a small screwdriver some contact cement and a piece of cork in my saxophone case. Fortunately l have a mechanical background so l know the real value of adjustment screws and material. I have read that many players have said they wouldn't buy a saxophone without the high F sharp key .l agree with them but l would add l wouldn't ever buy a saxophone in the future without adjustment screws on the right and left hand stacks either. Keep up your good work.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Good point.

[@realkursed]

Thank you!! Totally fixed my issue!

[@manuelsosa6483]

Thank you both! This is a problem that happens to me every so often and drives me crazy. Now I know how to tackle it. Thanks again. A McGill Sax School student.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

You’re welcome Manuel!

[@tkurosaka]

Thank you for the repair tips! I had an issue with low notes (after fixing an octave key problem!) with my old saxophone that I bought decades ago used. Unfortunately this sax doesn't have any screw on the regulation bar but the electrician tape method worked!

[@bryanballot5684]

Wow! ¼ turn of a screw and now all my low notes come out! Thanks a bazillion!

[@MigDonalds4235]

Oh my god, thank you, this video helps me out a lot because My sax sounds very "airy" and is very difficult to play around the F natural key and I always wondered how to adjust and make it sound better, thanks so much for this video.

[@atishayjain4183]

Thank You. It worked!!!!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome!

Thanks so much for sharing this. I am experiencing exactly the issue you are talking about. I will give a shot to Steve's troubleshooting technique.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

I hope it helps you Benoit.

It sure did. It is fixed ! As I bought my Yamaha online it needed a 1/4 of a turn on that G sharp screw.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant!

[@UnknownNinja_]

You absolute legend. Also turned out by Bis key was also not being held down then pushing the F key

[@palletcolorato]

Finally got my "new" used tenor sax tuned as best I can. Picked it up for only $100! Needs new pads. Now I know what you mean to lower your jaw and open your throat up to hit the low notes. Wow! My alto feels light in comparison.

[@thomasbailey742]

The first tip worked! Thank you :)

[@ruby_gleyzes]

Fanstastic video. Thanks.

[@jerryfarmer5989]

I have an Old Bundy like the Elckart. The G# key bar on mine does not have that screw like my Bundy II has. I found a tiny bit of felt made a big difference.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool!

[@RonPorteous]

OMG! I am learing some new songs that use a ton of the notes below C and I was struggling. I thought that I just sucked. A tiny adjustment on the G# screw and I can hit those notes again. If you were here I'd hug you!

[@rasmustin]

Thank you, very useful. Recently my low C# malfunctioned. It turned out that a pad got sticky when wet. I was given the advice to put a piece of tea filter under the pad, when I put the saxophone away. It solved the problem.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cool, glad you got it sorted. Tea filter is a good idea.

[@423chriscampbell]

Returned to sax the other day bought a cheap alto and tenor (I fell for a matching pair) both had the keys out of adjustment. Now I can hit the full scale down with relative confidence, I recommend a GOOD screwdriver be in any sax case (pocket).

[@adriennedeleon451]

Although the video angles aren't the best, after rewatching a few times and tinkering around,I am actually able to play a low B and B flat after YEARS. I could have looked this up years ago, don't know why I didn't. Thank you!!!

[@susukar]

You are great ... thnx so much for so valuable FREE tips.. God Bless

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers!

[@peterl.5299]

Thanks, this just solved my problem

[@Jarrettfan]

Big help! Exactly my problem! Thank you!

[@GarethRidout]

I have this problem on my vintage Buescher alto (no screws). My repairman has done what he can short of complete re-pad but still no joy. Yes pushing the mpc in helped (until I got home). He amazed me with one odd demonstration: dropping the mpc cover inside the bell of the sax cured it. No luck with tape.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Sounds like it might be ready for a full overhaul Gareth - that will sort out the venting (key heights) and bring the tuning inline.

[@ryanbaldonade7257]

It really helps! Thanks

[@jeromeking6001]

This was such a great video! I actually used this to temporarily fix my sax!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome!

[@therealkrazyeyz]

For me mine was to far screwed in so thank you so much I couldn’t even get a sound out of the instrument before I saw this video😇

[@TonyAguirreJazz]

This was perfect! Thanks, I just repadded my Selmer and had this problem

[@NightVideoApp]

Hey guys, I had this very problem. I thought it was me or maybe that the sax was too bad. I had given up. With half a turn in the screw, problem solved! Now I can't help playing the low notes like crazy. :-). Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Awesome! I’m so glad it helped you sort the problem.

[@JSWilliamssr]

Great information!

[@bigcee6114]

Thank you for the fix! My cork fell off yesterday.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

No probs.Glad it helped you and you’re back up and running with your sax!

[@h01l226]

Fab! So relieved it was so easy to fix - thank you!

[@dazzab4244]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@stevecrowable]

Thank you

[@WojciechKalka]

Thank you

[@AndrePomales]

Seriously dude, thanks!!!

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

No problem Andre. Hope it was helpful.

[@benjaminthurston8284]

Hi again. Yeah I thought it was to do with the sax, so I ordered a new one to try, just in case, and guess what?...the undertones happened on the new one aswell, so it must be to do with me. If i use a harder reed it helps a bit, but the problem is still there...really strange. Great video by the way, very informative! Ben

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

That's interesting Ben. Might be a good idea to experiment with how much mouthpiece you are using. Hope you get it sorted.

[@stevecrowable]

Hi Benjamin Is this problem with just a few note? If so which ones. Cheers steve

[@davidudall1706]

thanks so much worked for me

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Brilliant.

[@deanworsley5208]

Awesome Nigel (and Steve), this is excellent information. I’m definitely interested in as much as you can produce on maintenance, spares kits and the like. Would you think a video on proper storage and transport of your sax/saxes would be worthwhile? Thanks heaps, keep it up 👍🏼

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers Dean! Yes, that’s a good suggestion. I’ll have a chat with Steve about that.

[@stevecrowable]

Cheers dean

[@DimasAnggaFM]

Really great video! Kindly wait for more maintenance and emergency-repair tricks! :)

[@allaboutanythings]

Hi Nigel, I am just curious to ask, is it possible to convert or fit alto saxophone mouth piece to soprano saxophone? thank you for your reply in advance.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Hi, don’t think so -at least I have never tried to do this.

[@Anx1o]

this as been helpful! thanks

[@saxfish]

< Love the "F" and G# trick. Most GrateFull !¡ >

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers Mike, glad it was helpful.

[@Arda66135]

in alto sax, if we press which keys together with the octave key, the octave crook key does not go up?

[@readytext]

Ha! Saved me a premature trip to the repair guy with my tenor. Weird - seems this can happen while the horn s in the case - no drops or trips, this screw just went less than a quarter turn out seemingly spontaneously and I thought I must've been practicing overblowing too much since I couldn't't do anything but blow overtones under low C!

[@negovei1]

Great video! I have a question ...on a Alto Sax ( Eb ) where is that note and what is the frequency of that pitch? How do I relate to a guitar (A440) and how it relates to a treble/Bass clef? I'll buy a alto sax to start learning .....

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Thanks Ivanei. Great questions here about transposing - check out my Transposing Cheat Sheet (on my blog) for more help with this : www.mcgillmusic.com/articles/saxophone-transposing-guide/

[@negovei1]

@@McGillMusicSaxSchool Awesome .....I'm buying a Saxophone today. What do you think of the Eastar AS-Ⅱ to start with? Cheers!

[@petew260]

Thank you so much for your videos and I did subscribe but I am only playing the saxophone about a year now I have a "Jean Paul tenor" I am now learning the chromatic scale but I noticed my G# pad is sticking when I press the key the pad sticks but when I open the pad with my finger it opens then but the next day it sticks again. During my scales the low note C# pad does not move at all when I press from no fingers to pressing the C# key it sounds the same so I open the pad and the key itself moves but when I press the key the pad does not move. Do I need to oil this somehow. Thanks Pete

[@stevecrowable]

Hi Pete Sounds like you need to clean the pads, if they keep sticking then the spring tension on the release is not strong enough. Cheers Steve

[@petew260]

I am bringing it to the shop today in fact it is already in the case ready to go. I talked with the pro of the shop yesterday about it and he thinks maybe one of the springs has stretched out so I am not one to figure out those tiny springs I work construction and I do heavy work if I try to put my fingers I am going to do more damage then is already done so I will let the professional do it. I will let you know what the outcome is though and thanks for taking the time to respond to me. I had a good work out last night though I just played through the scale even though missing a couple notes I just played up the scale up to the top before the octave key over and over again. Don't forget I am just learning the sax and did not even try to learn the scale until he other day and I found two keys I did not even know where there one is the high F# key but what is the other key right under it I think the low F# play when you play to F and it is an option to play the F# without switching fingers. I have a Jean Paul tenor saxophone 2017 brand new. Thank you for reading. Pete

[@petew260]

I knocked the sax over when it was on it's stand and I had to bring it in then this happened and the spring fell off, the sax mechanic put it back on did not charge me but he said the pad is not closing either but he put more cork and told me when I can leave it for a day to do that. the C# opens and I work on finger coordination to without blowing into the horn now that the pad works I can look down and see if I am hitting the key by the pad moving. Thanks Pete

[@lexthenightwing4214]

Super helpful

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Cheers!

[@QBSLAYER27YT]

Whenever I try to play anything lower than a g on the alto it sounds like I'm holding the octave key when I'm not

[@karenhumphrey5007]

Hi, just started playing alto sax, just introduced the octive key, had no problems first practice but now I'm struggling to get any sound from high f and e, D is fine?

[@Hulkamazing]

My high and low F NATURAL D AND E are not working, as well as low c and low B, B flat, every other key is fine high and low all the Altissimo notes are fine as well.

[@terryscotcher842]

In the video you mention some people pick up their sax by the bell, I was always taught that was the correct way. Maybe that's not so good - so what is the right way to pick up a sax (I've got a tenor).

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Good question Terry, I always pick up my sax by the body, but without putting pressure on (or squashing) any of the keywork. I guess I’m always conscious that the bell is only clamped onto the body, so it can move under pressure. You’re on a safe bet holding around the main tube, but just avoid the palm keys.

[@Hi-sx7ty]

by the neck

[@sola1814]

UnFazEd lol picks it up by the neck. Saxophone proceeds to smash on the floor. Actually that’s not funny 😭. My poor saxophone.

[@shanthoash8446]

I can't play any bottom notes ( E, F, F#, D etc). I don't know why. Please help. It squeaks while playing and also my E and F sound exactly the same. The problem is not my reed as it is brand-new and perfect.

[@logs-productions]

What can be a reason for low C# not working? The key opens, but no change in sound between C and C#. Thank you.

[@michaelwendell7771]

What about the C sharp key adjuster ?

[@blueeyedsoulman]

What if the bis rod has no screws! One of my sax's has just got 2 little corks glued on there. Horrible.

[@McGillMusicSaxSchool]

Oh dear!

[@aboveaveragebayleaf9216]

You should take it into a repair tech to put in new adjustment material.

[@Desertduleler_88]

That adjustment made the transition to lower Bb to lower C# slightly better, I need a little finger extension I think.....