Saxophone Equipment
(to
be expanded soon)
Reeds
– Vandoren, Hemke for classical (#3); Rico, LaVoz for jazz (medium)
Ligatures – Winslow ($75!), Rovner (I dislike), usually
the standard metal is fine
Mouthpieces – Selmer C* or S190, jazz Meyer 5 (but many
others to try)Farrell diss, articles
Instruments – Selmer, Yamaha, Yanigasawa; SATB (at least
mouthpiece & reeds of each), flute, clar
Brief history of Selmer instruments
Supplies sax stands, sound system and
microphones, tuner, metronome, pitch pipe, see repair
Music collection (solo, quartet, ensemble, real book,
Christmas music) see literature
Software see technology
CDs, see listening
Books & Journals (organizations) see http://www.mnsfld.edu/~jmurphy/saxweb/bibsearch.cfm
Also see above link for
resources on equipment. Highly recommended resources include:
The Development of the
American-made Saxophone by Paul Bro
The Saxophone is My Voice by Ernest Ferron
Essay consisting of a translation of Jaap Kool's "Das Saxophon" by
Lawrence Gwozdz
Retailers
Eble Music:
Bx 246 Iowa City IA 52240, 319-338-0313, for Music
Saxophone Shop,
2834 Central Ave., Evanston IL 60201, 847-328-5711: anything saxophone related
Interstate
Music Supply,
PO Box 315, New Berlin WI 53151, 414-786-6210: supplies, instruments
The Woodwind,
South Bend IN, 800B348B5003,
219-272-8266: supplies, instruments
Madison
Enterprises
(Winslow ligatures) POBox 8434 Madison WI 53708, 608-241-1124
Amazon.com for books or CDs
Also see http://www.mnsfld.edu/~jmurphy/saxweb/websearch.cfm & search
“Equipment”
If you're in the area
Teaneck NJ (Paul Cohen collection of instruments,
music, historical writing)
Muncie IN (Cecil Leeson collection)
Elkhart IN (Selmer factory) selmer.com
Common Saxophone Repairs
back to top
Student saxophonists should be able to:
1. clean, oil, use a dollar bill to clean sticky pads
2. identify leaks with leak light (look particularly at low Eb, palm
keys, & both stacks; and possibly replace/seat new pads (except on
complicated stacks)
3. Know common mechanical problems
a. G#
key opens when playing low Bb, B, or C#; adjust by screw or
cork
b. left
hand C key closes three pads, one often not at correct height; adjust
by bending, tape, felt.
c.
RH, F and F# keys each close 2 pads, often needs adjustment
d. strengthen springs, replace springs
e.
understand octave key mechanism
4. Replace neck cork
Resources
http://www.mnsfld.edu/~jmurphy/saxweb/ (search “repair” in
both databases), Music Index
Online
Supplies,
keyclamps, key corks, mouthpiece patch, leaklight,
springhook, screwdriver, glue, felt, cork, reed guard, sandpaper, matches,
pads, Q-tips, chamois swab, springs, flathead pliers, rubber bands
Acoustics – The Saxophone is My Voice, Gwozdz/Kool,
parabolic cone; closed/open
saxophone
reeds
back to top
WORKING ON REEDS
1st 8 days must be consecutive
Never play the same reed twice in a day even after
it's broken in
1st 4 days don't play extreme ranges or dynamics
Store on a hard surface
Periodically sand the back of the reed to keep it
flat, warpage is a common problem in "bad" reeds
Day
1: wet reed 10-15 sec, rub pores shut, wet
again, rub and play for about 15 sec, rub and store
Day
2: same, increase to 20-30 sec.
Day 3:
wet; don't rub; sand (wet/dry 600 grit) pressure on butt end of reed,
sand top & bottom, rub on paper.
Day
4: wet 20-30 sec., play, rub, store
Day
5: wet, play 30-60 sec., store
Day
6: same as 5
Day
7: wet, rub on paper or sand again, play 30
sec., store
Day
8: play 5 minutes
Day
9: play forever
Further information:
Some
people think it is better to soak reeds in water (not saliva, due to enzymes).
Some say to rinse in water before storing.
Some
people say not to soak the butt end of the reed (but lick it just prior to
putting it on the mouthpiece to create a seal).
Some
say polish the reed day one (and only day one) and wait until after five days
to adjust (scrape, sand)
Some
people use alcohol on old reeds to clean out the pores.
Some
reeds (even bad ones) play better after long storage (one year).
Some
say use a file instead of sandpaper (takes too much off the reed)
Some say don't play the reed on the first two days, just condition
Some
people think coating the inside of the mouthpiece with vaseline helps
eliminate a "spitty" sound.
Hard
rubber mouthpieces do wear down, you'll need to buy a new one about every 5
years. Periodically lightly sand
the facing.
Some
people seal the heal of the reed somewhere between day 4-10.
Test
the seal by closing off the mouthpiece or neck & suck the air out of the
space.
Test
play both sides of the reed by angling it into the mouth.
See: http://www.mnsfld.edu/~jmurphy/saxweb/bibsearch.cfm
for further sources on reeds. Highly recommend:
Watch Single
Reed Workshop video (Wazel) in MU
library