Soprano Sax for Doublers

Before you buy a soprano saxophone, watch this video! This is a continuation of the bari sax for doublers video that I made. I cover some of the most common difficulties of playing this instrument. I'm using LaVoz medium reeds for this video.
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[@espr7564]

In all the years I've been playing soprano, I have found the one piece horns are much more free blowing. 😎

[@puravida1949]

You get a great soprano sound on both mouthpieces. Wonderful intonation on a difficult instrument.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@harpsprince7576]

So much information. Thank you very much , I’m actually in the market for a soprano myself and I’ve learnt much from this video

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool. Thanks

[@ZabDevin]

You are a musical genius. I really believe that. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Wow, thank you!

[@wyndhleodumegwu253]

Berkeley School of Music is - unknowingly, may I respectfully add - short changing its students by failing to discover you and utilizing your knowledge, energy, commitment and love for sharing - "free" of cost to us (but with a price to you and family) Thanks, SirV!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks. I haven't been to Berkeley Lol

[@benren10]

Chief.. its Berklee College of Music. You have no idea what you’re talking about. There are plenty of professional musicians that are higher level than many players you will see on youtube. Not to bash on this guy but people like George Garzone and Walter Smith III aren’t just throwaway musicians that aren’t teaching their students.

[@MrRTH10]

I agree with wyndhl, assuming you don't teach for Berkley (or someone else). If you're not employed by a school, I hope it's by choice. You have a wealth of knowledge you share in an honest and very informative way. Thanks.

[@thewarhenk]

Laughing because I just saw your 11 yr old question about ‘the wall’ on a Kessler video that went unanswered. I’m going to try one; great reviews and low cost.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I must have missed that one

[@peterhofman7188]

Absolutely fantastic information, Thanks Alot, especially the info about the G sharp wall. Excellent

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool.

[@jacobsmithjr]

Dude love all of your tips. They confirm everything my private sax teacher was teaching me when I was in highschool. The G# wall you mentioned I've always experiened but didn't know why. Thanks for the explination. I had an old King curved soprano (1923) for a few years that had beautiful sound. I'd like to get an Allora curved soprano. I also played oboe for 16 years in the military which really helped my ear and tuning on sax. Keep spreading the knowlege brother and I'll keep watching!

[@Kinglymarker8988]

Man o man did you blow my mind with that tuning tip! Each one of my mouthpiecs wants to tune to A, I struggle to get them to Bb. I will tune to A and see if it helps my intonation. Thanks.

[@Chaomhainn]

Nice and very informative for the Soprano . I did not know the concert pitch for them at Concert A .

[@paulthackeray2721]

Another great video. Thanks. I too play a Yamaha 4c (the Custom model) mpc which I prefer to my Selmer S80, Link or Vandoren. Interesting on your comment re the G# wall, my Yanagisawa is a 1980 model S800 (pre-Elimona model) and I don’t have that problem with it.

[@Sirvalorsax]

If you get a chance, try some modern soprano saxes. A lot of them have that issue.

[@Joey_RTLX]

I never really noticed a G# wall (never really knew it) at my Yanigisawa S990 Elimona, im using a Selmer S80 E tip. I didnt like the D nor a yamaha mouthpiece.

[@Nestor_Fernandez]

Thanks for testing and sharing, your sound is amazing no matter which gear you use to play!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@donearnhardt6336]

You make it sound so easy. I’ve been struggling with a soprano for a while now and I know how hard it is. I tried a friends MK VI soprano and was very uncomfortable with it primarily because it didn’t have a strap ring. I was always afraid that I would drop it. Additionally, it just felt uncomfortable to play having played only alto and tenor for many years. I decided to purchase a new Yanagisawa curved soprano and it is far more comfortable for me. That is certainly not mean to say that it is easy, it definitely is not. But I seem to be getting a little better at it, except I just cannot get out the notes requiring the left hand palm keys. It’s not the horn because a couple more experienced soprano players have no trouble playing it in that range, so I know it is something I have to figure out.

[@carification]

You are one of the best informers/teachers of saxophone I've seen. Finally, I got a grasp on understanding the sinicance of overtones. Keep on keeping on bro. Happy 😁 Holidays. God bless you.

[@robertalexander2478]

Omg that was the exercise I was taught a teen! Unfortunately I let a friend borrow my Soprano and he pawned it! I’m a little confused about the f and g keys on the side, could you do a video explaining and playing! Totally subscribed!!!

[@tomb3925]

I see 2 different Yamaha 4C soprano mouthpieces listed o Amazon: YACSS4C and YAC1281 with a slight price difference. Does there appear to be a difference between them? I have played tenor for many years and have just started playing soprano and find there is comparatively a lot more resistance playing soprano. Sometimes I think it is blowing back at me!

[@jacquesdeghorain3162]

Hahahaha ! j'ai commencé au sax soprano depuis de nombreuses années avant d'acheter un ténor . C'est lui qui me pose des questions de souffle aujourd'hui . J'ai parfois l'impression de souffler dans un tonneau !!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

This happens a lot. I think there are different codes for different sellers.

[@vincent_olsten]

Hey! great vid keep it up! I absolutely loved the chord progression at 16:58 is this just improv or is this taken from a specific piece? Cheers :)

[@lg270901]

the thing you mention is to attach a marching band lyre that will hold the little book of sheet music

[@Baboon4215]

Another great video bud,--nice demo.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@ANuisanceRockBand]

The G# Spot ... I've heard about that before but didn't believe it existed.

[@KrisVComm]

Frikkin’ great video man!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@frankzona9867]

I'm in the middle of helping one of my adult students select a Soprano. Not an easy task since we are looking for value priced instruments. However, hoping to compensate with a quality Sop mpc. Wish us luck. BTW great video, as always.

[@kb2qlq]

As always on point with important information. Thank You

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@garyreid6165]

Great tone from the Cannonball and Yamaha mouthpieces. The Cannonball has a bright tone while the Yamaha has more projection and a stronger tone. The locations you filmed in are awesome.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@john.kurokawa]

Excellent video with very practical information and tips, especially regarding intonation. The Yamaha 4C sounds fantastic! Do you generally prefer closer mouthpieces for soprano? It almost seems like a classical setup, but I would guess that would aid in control (being a clarinet player who generally plays very close mouthpieces myself…) Great job!

[@Jazzmarcel]

Excellent ! Keep em coming!👊🏽😎👍🏽

[@thomaskipfer1008]

I love the low end of the soprano. The rich sound is better than same pitch on the alto. Speaking of cheap soprano saxes, I played a Winston one day. It had definite break c, c#, to d. I attributed to the cheap horn. You get more by paying more.

[@kevinw9566]

I disagree, it barely sounds like a saxophone. Like an oboe / Clarinet baby

[@TitoSilversax]

I do love the low register on my soprano! I play a Winston as well, it’s actually really nice.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I did a funny experiment one time. I recorded a straight soprano and dropped the pitch one octave. It sounded like a weird English Horn tenor sax hybrid thing. Dropping the tenor one octave makes it sound like a really cool deep bass sax. I have yet to try this with a curved soprano.

[@ronthedon5317]

Aye bossman, try the Muslady soprano saxophone. Had mine for a year now near 'bout, and it's great.

[@roderickberry2508]

Yo bro You are a godsend ! Thank you It truly is a challenging horn

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@deefreedom1118]

As a beginner I'm confused, yet relieved if I understand your tuning method correctly. I use a tuner, I set it for Bb Soprano. Every note I play is always off. If I am playing A tuner shows as Bb. So if I understand you correctly, This is OK? I am fighting with my embouchure to get that Bb. Thank you. Appreciate your instruction and loved listening.

[@user-zt3dv5cl4b]

Thank you for this. 🙏

[@Sirvalorsax]

My pleasure!

[@stephengent9974]

I have the Allora Paris Pro. I bought it used. The case caused a problem with the low C# key. The previous owner said there was an issue with these cases. I observed that the key named above, did indeed impact this key, depressing it when it was put in the case. I changed to a hard case, it does not have this issue. The original case is well made, except for the above. I changed the thumb rest to a Music Medic. Way nicer. For me , a classic neck strap works best. The Allora is quite heavy. Soprano is difficult to play. I am selling my soprano, and concentrating on alto and tenor

[@Sirvalorsax]

I would look into a curved soprano. I had a similar issue with a Yamaha 82Z soprano case. I eventually sold that sax though.

[@stephengent9974]

@@Sirvalorsax I did try a curved as well. Got on with it less well. I guess I will stick to my alto and tenor. It will keep me busy enough. Thanks for the tip.

[@Michael-ol7wm]

Great video. Thank you for sharing.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Cool.

[@HB-ve4wi]

Another great, informative video. Thanks! I''m just wondering: when you play fast passages I can hear every single note crystal clear. Has that something to do with articulation? Would you be interested in talking about that - one day, maybe?

[@TitoSilversax]

Man I love my 4C... maybe even more than my Otto Link.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I'm curious to try the hard rubber version also

[@Supremedalex]

Awesome! You really know your stuff! I just want to ask how do you feel about Sidney Bechet on the Soprano? Personally, I really enjoy his playing and his tone, I just want to see what more trained musicians feel about him.

[@Sirvalorsax]

He is still the recommended "go to" for listening to soprano. With the quality of the recordings from that era and the lack of other soprano players it can be confusing to distinguish between his clarinet and his soprano sax sound.

[@jacquesdeghorain3162]

@@Sirvalorsax Le son "Sidney Bechet" , est resté un son unique , comme le fut celui de Stan Getz et d'autres encore , immédiatement reconnaissables à la première écoute ....... Le vibrato de Bechet est acclamé ou rejeté selon les cas . Cela prouve évidemment qu'il ne laisse personne indifférent ! Moi , c'est la grande sensibilité autant que la grande passion transmise par son sax. SOPRANO , que je n'ai entendu nulle part ailleurs , qui me semble être sa plus grande qualité .

[@robkunkel8833]

He wrote an autobiography, “Treat It Gentle” I really liked it. Melodious and Dixieland he was. And then there was Wayne Shorter. ❤️❤️❤️

[@guntherzwahlen3990]

Wonderfull playing!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@BodhiFitness]

I had to return my Allora sop sax. The thumb rest screw broke clean off. They sent a replacement horn but it was significantly less playable as an instrument... I got a refund and upgraded to a P. Mauriat system 76. Costs twice as much, but damn it’s a nice horn. No “wall” at G#. Just settled on a Selmer s90 mouthpiece (180). Fucking awesome. I’ve heard from my repairman friends that the metal used on Allora instruments isn’t good quality - it’s porous or something. Definitely seems to be true.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I am looking into upgrading to P. Mauriat. I really like that they have a modern low Bb baritone sax. If I were to get an endorsement, they are first on the list for now.

[@BodhiFitness]

Sirvalorsax ugh I wish I could afford one of their bari saxes! I bet they rip! They should totally sponsor you

[@courtneynero6886]

What is the measurement on the Cannonball and Yamaha 4C soprano sax mouthpieces? I play a Soprano Planet Via Coro mouthpiece. I can't recall the size but figure it's probably somewhere in the 60/65 range. I was thinking of trying something more open.

[@rvingmontanezway103]

Great awesome video Brother

[@zivraviv7378]

Nice video, thanks. What about using a neck strap in straight soprano but with a curved neck, does it also interfere with the hands?

[@FredyMartinezTrumpet]

I don’t even play Saxophone, I play trumpet But anyway I enjoyed watching your video :D

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL!! Thanks for watching

[@DynamixWarePro]

Thanks for the video. I am looking to get a soprano sax this month sometime and this is helpful. I was told by a alto player who also play a soprano that it might be best if you are switching to soprano from another sax like alto or tenor, to get the same mouthpiece setup you play on it as it will feel most comfortable to you at first until you have gotten comfortable playing it, then if you want, try different mouthpiece setups if you want a different one. I have a slight issue with my bottom jaw being ever so slightly shorter than my top jaw and I have tried a bunch of mouthpieces on my alto and any mouthpieces with thin tips seem to not give me the response I am after and the sound is either dull, too airy or too buzzy on any reeds I tried so far and only my Selmer S80 C** gives me the smooth sound I am after but it lacks projection and would like a mouthpiece similar to the S80 but with a slightly fuller tone with more projection on soprano so this is why I am thinking of trying a SYOS mouthpiece first to see if they can make one that will feel comfortable with my jaw issue and give me the response I want from my reeds.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for the detailed info. My Vandoren V5 t35 threads that dark thing that you're talking about but I don't know if they make a soprano version. If they do, that might be right up your alley

[@DynamixWarePro]

@@Sirvalorsax There is a Soprano V5 mouthpiece. I just got a Vandoren V16 A5 for my alto and its the first mouthpiece I have tried that has felt the most comfortable for me because of its beak angle or shape. I read a thicker beak usually helps when you have an overbite. Do you know if your V5 has a similar beak to the V16?

[@mentosmuncher]

This will expose my ignorance but what is doublers?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Someone that plays more than one instrument. In this case, I am making a video for those who struggle playing soprano sax but is pretty fluent on alto or tenor. By the way, it is an excellent question and helps me make more understandable videos.

[@mentosmuncher]

@@Sirvalorsax Ah okay thank you! I've heard of "doubling" but hey it made me click that video because I wasn't sure and I thought the video would explain that haha.

[@zaxophne]

I had that issue on an 875EX...

[@marvinlunameza6967]

con cualquier caña

[@heidi5924]

either that g# wall happens on my tenor as well, or it's just broken

[@Sirvalorsax]

I would get it checked for leaks. This is not really an issue on tenor sax.

[@SkylersRants]

Funny, I just had an Alora straight soprano in my hands a half hour ago. The shop wanted $700 for it. I just got bit by buying a cheap soprano, I'm not going to do it again. I'll save up for a Yamaha Intermediate. I didn't play it, but I felt it in my hands. I didn't like the location of the alternate F# key.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Mine is a professional model with a high G key as well. Might be worth it to try as many Sopranos as you can just in case

[@SkylersRants]

@@Sirvalorsax Interesting. The one they handed to me didn’t even seem to have a high F# key. I thought that was odd. Maybe I missed it.

[@cjmd3034]

G# wall?? But then you said not on vintage sopranos. No wonder I didn’t get that as I play a Pan-American soprano (made by Conn) . I use an Otto Link Super Tone Master on it with La Voz reeds, and more recently a Legere I really like. Great vid!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@maxaudibert5793]

Great video, but i couldn’t get what manufacturer he used, what is his model of straight sop sax?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Allora soprano saxophone 🎷 pro model with matte finish

[@maxaudibert5793]

@@Sirvalorsax thank you so much.

[@isaiahd9947]

Do you have any really cheap soprano saxes you reccomend? I just kinda want to play around with soprano so I'm looking to spend around 200$

[@Sirvalorsax]

I would recommend against spending only $200 on a soprano. The labor costs to fix just about anything could easily cost you more than $200 to fix.

[@isaiahd9947]

@@Sirvalorsax what about 400$ for a soprano then?

[@ethanmaruyama1149]

Please make a review of the Selmer Concept mouthpiece

[@Sirvalorsax]

I have that one in the back of my mind for a review. I'll have to see how I can budget that out.

[@goldenrxq1608]

I am thinking about buying the Yamaha 475 intermediate soprano sax do you know if it has that g sharp wall ?

[@Sirvalorsax]

We had one on the cruise ship that I was playing on but I left before I got a chance to try it out

[@TheSwichBand]

thank you so much! such an informative video and your playing kicks so much ass woohoo

[@johnbull6909]

What happens if tuned down to A 420?

[@matthewkwiecien136]

I've played my fair share of sopranos, both vintage and modern, and never hit a G# wall. Also, II'll never know why people say soprano is hard. Honestly if you are playing with good equipment, as in a mouthpiece that is made well, a decent reed, and a soprano that isn't in disrepair, soprano isn't that bad to play.

[@HahnJames]

I just started playing soprano saxophone at the beginning of this month having had no exposure to playing one beforehand. I did play tenor sax in high school which was eons ago. I've been told that learning to play a soprano sax is hard and all that stuff. I've been finding it challenging, a bit tricky and very interesting. It's been fun, too. I wouldn't call it, "hard" though.

[@JoseGarcia-yk3dl]

Hello! I have recently started with alto sax and was wondering if I could alternate it with the soprano, learn both at the same time

[@Sirvalorsax]

Yes you can!

[@JayVeMontgomery]

How do you feel about curved soprano? Looking at a curved Conn from 1913 to replace my straight soprano that seems to not ever be in 440 tuning.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I like the curved oned better than straight ones at least with modern saxes anyway

[@rakuuun4582]

Any other recommended soprano model without the high G# wall?

[@Sirvalorsax]

None that I know of in this price range. Ramone and Cazzane, Yanagisawa and some vintage sopranos are really good. Im really curious to try the Leibman Keilwerth sopranos to see what they are like.. Be sure to know the return policy for anything you buy so you can return it if you don't like it.

[@prestonmckenzie9488]

I read music more often with the soprano sax. I use trumpet charts. Is this good or bad for my progress.

[@Sirvalorsax]

This is great for your progress especially if you are playing with the trumpets and focusing on tone and intonation as well. Often times we can get used to sax writing. It's nice to change it up a bit.

[@prestonmckenzie9488]

@@Sirvalorsax Thanks for replying back. I appreciate your response.

[@music_man_145]

what model is your soprano

[@Sirvalorsax]

Allora Paris

[@roberthunt1540]

Close your eyes and Morgan Freeman knows a sh*tload about saxophones!

[@goatphilososphy]

:)