Saxophone players can you help me plaease?

Question:I just got this saxophone from my cousin. I cannot play anything below a G (concert Bb) or A (concert C) without it going to the higher octave. No i'm not holding the octave key. I've never had this problem. I play clarinet. Is it my emborshure cause the clarinet mouthpiece is smaller? I think it might have a leak too.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I just got this saxophone from my cousin. I cannot play anything below a G (concert Bb) or A (concert C) without it going to the higher octave. No i'm not holding the octave key. I've never had this problem. I play clarinet. Is it my emborshure cause the clarinet mouthpiece is smaller? I think it might have a leak too.

Often happens for beginners on the sax. You need to experiment with reed and embouchure. You'll soon get the F, then later the E, then the D, etc.

Or it may be a leak, the most obvious being the G sharp key. It should be held down by the right-hand keys, but do this check: find the pad which is activated by the G sharp key. Hold the right hand keys down, then press that G sharp pad down. If there is any movement because it isn't quite on the hole, it's leaking. It can be regulated with the screw on the key, but I'd leave it with someone who knows.

it could either be the way you're positioning your mouth or there could be something wrong with the sax. see if you have a local music store that'll give it a one-over, just in case. Good luck!

I've been playing the alto sax for around 5 years. They're 2 different instruments, just give it time.

You should get a tune up at your local music store. Make sure you check all the keys and make sure none of them are stuck. If you find some stickies, fold a dollar bill and put them between the pad and the hole and press down on the key hard and pull the dollar out from the pressure. It removes all that excess grime and it wont cost you any money to take it to a store just to get your keys unstuck. Also, Make sure all of the screws are tightened. (Check your embouchure too, that can play a HUGE part in your problem)

what size and brand reed are you using? also, i know many saxaphone players who do that. i was running a freshmen practice (i'm a junior) and the freshmen just didn't blow hard enough and a couple were playing it wrong

for you i would suggest a 2 rico or rico royal once you get better swtich to vandorens there the top of the line

I had this problem too when I switched to saxophone from clarinet. Most likely it is your embouchure. Just drop your jaw a little bit and blow faster air.
Since clarinet embouchure and saxophone embouchure are so similar it is very easy to just use clarinet embouchure on saxophone. When playing saxophone your embouchure should be just slightly looser otherwise you start to pinch and your pitch goes very sharp.