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IAJE-MA International Association For Jazz Education Massachusetts Chapter |
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Sweetening the
Sax Section - Mouthpieces, reeds & intonation
One of the most common problems with beginning and intermediate saxophonists is the tendency to play sharp. For band directors who are not saxophonists this can be particularly frustrating and their only apparent remedy seems to be having the players pull the mouthpiece out beyond its optimum location on the neck. The problem, and its solution, is in the player. Control of the reed has to be managed by the cheek muscles and all to often the young player has developed the habit of using the jaw muscles instead, which causes them to play sharp in the mouthpiece. In addition many of them are using reeds that are too soft. What to do? First, have the players tune their embouchures by playing their mouthpieces alone to the pitch of concert A, above the treble staff, for altos; concert G above the staff for tenors; and the fourth line D for baritones. They can do this in sectional rehearsals and ideally should be doing this from early on in their instruction on the instrument. Second, make sure that they are playing reeds of sufficient strength or resistance. For “stock” type mouthpieces, the ones that come with the instruments, or “classical” type mouthpieces they should, at an intermediate level, use an absolute minimum of #3 or “medium” in the Rico family of reeds, and #2 ½ in the Vandoren brand. For more open “jazz” type mouthpieces, reeds one-half strength lighter should be the rule. Students should be discouraged from using very open mouthpieces unless they have the strength to control them. In the case of students who are still playing soft reeds, the increase should be made gradually, however. Students need to be told clearly and firmly that they must practice daily and should start with long tones, and it is a good idea to have them warm up in their sectional rehearsals with chorales played at a very slow tempo. There was a very good article on this topic called “Help! Why Can’t the Saxophones Play In Tune?”, by Ray Smith, in the December/January 1988 issue of Jazz Educators Journal, if an issue from that far back is available to you. If it is not, contact me and I will send you a copy of the article; I keep it on hand for my older students who are having this problem. You can also read the book The Art of Saxophone Playing, by Larry Teal, and published by Summy-Birchard, Inc. (Distributed by Warner Bros.) for a very thorough explanation of mouthpieces and the physiology of the embouchure.
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Paul Combs has taught instrumental music at the elementary and secondary level, and is currently teaching woodwinds privately as well as giving clinics in a variety of topics for school jazz bands. He is listed in the soon to be released Mass. Cultural Council roster of Touring and Performing artists and funding assistance is available for his presentations. For more information visit http://www.paulcombs.com.
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