Aaand it's screwed. New pads, everythings lovely...then 10 minutes in a pearl detaches. Upon further inspection, there's some noticeable spots of dirt and minerals on keys, when I was told it would be taken apart and cleaned properly. I paid 1.1k for the revision (which is normal where I'm from).

Thoughts? What should I do?

Yeah, i got you.

Intermediate and professional classical sax advice preferred.

My mid E (1,2,3L + 1,2R + octave key) makes a growling noise that I’m constantly having to fight by over-tightening my embouchure. You’ll see when played in context to the other surrounding notes, my normal embouchure is fine, but for some reason once I hit E, the sound starts growling - like it’s flickering with the reed vibration between two notes - E and something ungodly. lol. Physically, as someone who’s played sax for a long time (albeit I’m coming back from a long break) the physical sensation is like there’s some sort of seal issue? I just don’t know where.

Yes tightening my embouchure can fix it but it’s not preferred as it is certainly too strained/tight of an embouchure for the rest of my playing and it’s only this note that I have an issue with. Current theory has to do with the octave seal on the neck pip pad and if I had a third arm I’d try and force it closed to see if the seal feels better.

The issue goes away immediately playing an octave down (no octave key).

So I was HAMMERED a few hours ago and shared an xl cloth swab into the neck and now it's stuck. I have a jazz improv gig in 2 days. What can I do

I purchased a factory sealed yts-480, generally are they ready to play out of the box or should it be serviced by a technician before playing? Not sure what QC is like on them.

I play tenor sax, I would love a new piece to work on I've been playing for 4 years. I can’t find anything though and id like some recommendations.

I am trying to sell my high school saxophone (locally) but I have no clue what brand it is as it seems to have no serial number or brand engraving. I’m just looking for a decent range I could sell it at to make a little extra cash. I got it secondhand in 2015. It was last played in 2021. Adding photos for a quality gauge.

ETA: there is literally no engraving on the saxophone except for the filigree. There is no name, no serial number, nothing.

Was curious does anyone else feel a connection to a particular player? Personally more so than their playing-learning about my guy Paul Desmond I realized how our personalities were similar in ways it seems especially when I was younger. The expressing ourselves more in music and writing vs speaking in particular. And I guess I feel like his temperament would be similar to mine…but there’s that AND the fact that I love his music and sound and am working on emulating that tone…

i play bari and i have play tested a BSS reed before and i really liked the feeling. it was a white label 2 reed and it had a great sound and feel.

right now i want to get some BSS reeds but i want to either get black or blue label because of the music i mainly play. between the two labels which one would people overall recommend. i know it depends a lot on the person and the gear but overall which one may be nicer if that makes any sense!

sorry if this is a little confusing i just needed to ask this quickly soo...

Hello! I’ve been trying to learn how to play with my front altissimo fingerings. However, I cannot get a front E to come out, but I can easily get a Front F to. I’ve tried changing my voicing and air, but no matter what I do it just won’t come out. Does anyone have any advice?

I'm improving my style/technique/sound and have been finding etudes. Do you have any favourites? Ideally a book of etudes? I play alto sax.

Tysm

Looking for some advice on where to spend my money for a second sax.

I am a beginner, been playing for about 5 months; and I play a super cheap tenor sax that’s starting to show its low quality. Still, mostly a learning tool.

I’ve been told to get a Yamaha but at this point I can’t really drop on a whim the money for a YTS 280 so I thought to try Alto as it is more affordable; and keep both horns; since I am interested in playing both. So the questions would be:

Is having both as a beginner a bad idea, should I just tank it, spend big cash on a YTS 280 and then have 2 tenors or get rid of the cheap one?

And, is a YAS-280 good as a second instrument or is it mostly a “first” sax; and if so, is it worth saving and getting a 480; which is similar in price to the 280 tenor.

Do I have more options that are worth exploring?

Worth mentioning; I really have no frame of reference the only sax I’ve played is the one I own right now. I don’t know much worse my tenor is to a YTS or how either Altos feel or compare so I’m looking for a more experienced player’s advice.

This happened on tour in the Loft in Columbus, Ga with my band Dionysus.

Link to my bands Instagram:

https://instagram.com/dionysus.band?exln=MXVmMnk4cTZqa3R5NA%3D%3D

It seems like the cork is chipping from the pores. I have been applying a tiny bit of cork grease onto my cork every time I play my instrument just so I can easily slide my mouthpiece in.

Can I prevent further damage, or should I replace the cork entirely?

Hi!

My girlfriend used to play the saxophone, but she doesn't anymore. Her old saxophone was accumulating dust at her mother's house,so i brought it home the other day.

I haver never played any other instrument, i just like how the saxophone sounds.

¿Do you recommend start learning from the internet or is it better if i take lessons? I think i would be more consistent if i take lessons

It's a yamaha, so i guess it's a decent one, but i don't have the slightest clue.

If you have any other tips, i would really appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.

I bought a C melody from a sleepytown instrument shop - was wondering what a full overhaul/restoration would cost. All of the pads certainly need replacing, and I’m sure there are some other issues that need attention. The engraving pops and to me the neck looked fine so I thought it was worth at least picking up for 50 bucks

They also had this gorgeous Conn alto with rolled tone holes and a beautiful gold flush-it was being sold for 500 bucks. I was wondering what something like that would normally sell for. They had the original mouthpiece and they let me play it and it sounded great-unfortunately I didn’t have the money to spare for that.

The way I try to do it:

1. Position of the mouth on the read.

1.1 tounge is shaped as if I said "you".

1.2 I position my jaw, so as to get the lower row of teeth further back.

1.3 The mouth is positioned far back on the reed.

1. Positions of the fingers in Bb.

2. Blocking the reed with my tounge.

3. I start to blow air, making sure air passes out of the sides of my mouth.

4.1 I blow as if i blow hot air.

1. I move the tounge away from the read.

I visited a sax store today and try an SBA alto and compared it to my sax for 2 hours straight (or even more). After finishing, I feel like I have abused the staff's hospitality. One of the staff chased after me and ask do I need anything more. I told her that Nope and that I'm sorry. I tried it because it is literally my dream horn and I want to have an idea of what my endgame sax look like to save my money. But now I feel like a greedy cheapskate. I mean, 2 hours and not even buying a reed? At least pretend that you are interested to buy!! So disappointed about myself.