Q&A for How to Troubleshoot a Saxophone

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What can I do if I am having difficulty with specific notes on my saxophone?

Community Answer

It is possible a key is leaking. Take it to a repair shop.

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Question

What should I do if my saxophone sounds off and muffled?

Community Answer

You should take it to a repair shop in case you have a key that is leaking or another major problem.

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Question

My saxophone is only playing high notes, without the octave key. What's going on?

Community Answer

If it is an alto sax or a tenor sax, check the octave mechanism on the neckpiece. The screw may be loose. If this is the case, tighten it firmly and all should be well.

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Question

What should I do if my saxophone won't play low or upper octave notes?

Community Answer

Your embouchure may be too tight. Close the corners of your mouth when you play, but keep your lips relatively loose. Play a range of notes starting from a high note, like high C, and go down to a low note, like low C, gradually lowering your jaw while still having a good embouchure and using warm air to play low notes.

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Question

What keys should be open for a C-sharp on alto?

PurpleOreo

Community Answer

C-sharp is open on alto. Do not press down any keys.

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Question

When I try to play G natural on my alto sax, it comes out a G sharp. What do I do?

Community Answer

If it isn't a mechanical issue, it's probably your embouchure. If you're going sharp, your embouchure is probably too tight. Try loosening it up a bit and use a tuner and see if that helps.

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Question

How do I play "middle E" on the alto saxophone?

Piegirl 123

Community Answer

There is no "middle E," but a low E is played by pressing your index, middle and ring finger down on your left hand, and pressing down your index and middle finger on your right hand. A high E is played by doing this, but pressing your thumb down on the octave key.

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Question

How can I tell if an old saxophone works?

Community Answer

You can try playing the keys to make sure they feel right and none are sticky or broken. You will need a reed to test the saxophone fully. If you don't have one you might be able to borrow from a friend who has an extra one.

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Question

Why does the tune go down on my Alto when playing from C to D?

Community Answer

If the embouchure is not right, the tone will be off.

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Question

Air is not passing through the G valve. What should I do?

Community Answer

You should check to see if you have a sticky valve. If not, you should take it to a repair shop.

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Question

What do I do if my saxophone makes a high note when jumping from a high note to a low note?

Community Answer

Use less air while doing the low note, and check your embrochure and G key, as it might be sticking.

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Question

Most of the notes on my saxophone are always sharp, even when the mouthpiece is almost off the cork.

Community Answer

Go to a music store nearby and get your instrument fixed. There could be a problem with your instrument or mouthpiece if it seems like your saxophone is always sharp.

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Question

It is very difficult to play through my tenor saxophone and get air through it to play through the right notes. What should I do?

Community Answer

First, be sure your instrument isn't clogged with spittle. If not, just try dropping your jaw a little bit. It takes practice, but eventually it should work.

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Question

What do I do if I can't play low or high G on my saxophone?

Community Answer

For a low G, try loosening the corners of your mouth and dropping your jaw a bit more. For a high G, firm up the corners of your mouth and push a lot more air through your instrument.

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Question

When I get new reeds for my saxophone (same size reed and company) I have trouble getting sound out when using it. When I use my previous reeds it sounds fine, but not with new reeds. What can I do to help? Is this normal?

Community Answer

Try wetting new ones for a little bit longer to ensure that they are actually wet.

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Question

My G sounds like an F-sharp! What can I do?

Community Answer

You should tighten your embouchure, it might go up. If not, try pushing your mouthpiece in a little. If those don't help, take it to a repair shop.

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Question

What can I do to get my baritone saxophone to stop squeaking whenever I play any note?

Community Answer

It is probably the reed. Check if the reed is chipped. If it isn't, then it might be your embouchure. Try relaxing it and play again.

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Question

My sax won't play. I'm having difficulty playing G natural and A natural. I don't think it's from my embouchure, I practiced on it only yesterday, but now it feels like air cannot pass through. What can I do?

Community Answer

Try jiggling the keys a little bit. Go from a middle C to a low C, do the Bb concert scale, and if that doesn't work, try a softer reed. If either of those options don't work, take your sax to a music store and see what they can do.

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Question

When I blow into my saxophone, it takes extra air to make it work. What is the problem?

Community Answer

It might be your reed. If it's not Vandoren brand, try that.

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Question

Why does my saxophone feel like its pulling to one side?

Community Answer

Try putting it in between your legs and only slightly resting on the chair. Move to the back of the chair, but don't let your back touch the chair. This may help alleviate the sensation it's pulling to one side.

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Question

When I play down from B to A to G to F, then F, then E, then D, the notes switch into the upper octave without touching the octave key. Is this me or the instrument?

El

Community Answer

It could be a result of your embouchure (the way your mouth is shaped while playing). Try to loosen/tighten the muscles around your jaw until you can produce the sound that you would like.

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Question

My alto has a squeaky or leaky sound. What is wrong with it?

BlackDrummer

Community Answer

It may have a leak. If not, push in or pull out and check the mouthpiece. Last resort, take it to the shop for a repair.

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