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Question: Alto Sax Problem Having trouble playing middle D!?
I noticed this problem last sunday, the day after my band's field tournament!. Middle D is harder to play now, requires much more air than was needed previously, and when trying to play softly the tone becomes a complete wreck or it squeaks!. It was working fine for the years past that day!. I can get the note to sound okay if I blow hard but it isn't the same as it use to be!. I think I bumped some one or thing Saturday, I checked the keys, checked for dents, and checked the pads;I didn't find anything!. Some times when I take out the neck and put it back in, It sounds fine and it is easier to work with but it is still different!. All the other notes sound fine to me when I play them!. Is it the saxophone or my embouchure!? I don't know how my embouchure could have changed with in a day and caused me to suck for several days now!. Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Might be a leaking pad or a bent key!. Before you take it to the shop, try a new reed!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If it is just affecting that one note, something must be bent!. The tough part is finding which pad is leaking!.

Try this: remove the neck!. As you peek into the sax through the neck hole, press the keys to finger "D!." Have a friend shine a flashlight at the outside of the sax, and check if you can see any light leaking into the sax!. That will help you spot the one which is leaking!. If that doesn't work, then take it to the shop!.Www@QuestionHome@Com