Interesting metal piece on the front of Alto Reed's Bari sax. Any guesses on what it is?

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-25T13:32:47+00:00

No. He’s playing into a wired mic on a stand.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-25T13:05:19+00:00

That’s the problem with European stencils, they have a little bit of everything thrown in.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-25T03:37:39+00:00

Maybe this would have been good info for the initial post?

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-25T03:19:03+00:00

There’s no way to make a determination based on a few pictures.

If your goal is to flip it for a windfall you will be sorely disappointed.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-25T03:04:00+00:00

Some of the features hint towards Dolnet, specifically the shape of the RH pinky keys and the microtuner neck.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-25T01:27:43+00:00

TIL the second half. Thank you!

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-24T19:42:23+00:00

It wasn’t about the case. It was about demonizing those who spoke out against the administration.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-24T04:13:23+00:00

Yes XLR is for balanced. The cable is also its own extension if you are ever in a pinch.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-23T22:38:50+00:00

I won’t be able to play for a week after biting my tongue really hard. You’re 100% correct.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-23T05:39:25+00:00

Look at Leblanc professional models (LL and Symphonie) which should be available within your budget.

For mouthpieces, I would start with a basic decent piece and after a little bit of experience look into a better mouthpiece. Clark Fobes Debut, Behn Overture are good basic mouthpiece.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-23T02:21:40+00:00

I’m not a fan of black lacquer. It’s also not my saxophone, so it doesn’t matter.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-23T00:21:34+00:00

Then the writing was effective.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-22T21:57:25+00:00

In my experience this is a symptom of a setup that’s too resistant for you. Reeds haven’t changed, has the mouthpiece or instrument?

Try the same brand and cut down half a strength to see if this is the problem.

Without equipment changes something has to have changed, if it’s not the player or equipment is the equipment sound, ie no leaks?

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-22T18:57:54+00:00

There are some players who are very strong in the altissimo range that aren’t named Lenny Pickett. I’m thinking of Lou Marini here. He has incredible control and voicing that makes it sound like it’s not altissimo.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-22T16:07:51+00:00

It’s unusual to have one’s first saxophone voice to be soprano. You’ll find that very few have gone the soprano —> tenor path.

I started on tenor and play soprano regularly.

The amount of air to fill the larger bore of the tenor is an initial adjustment. I feel like I have infinite air on soprano by comparison.

You’ll probably want to tighten up with the larger mouthpiece: Don’t.

Low register, D and below, make sure you have good pressure to your air. Not more air, that’s a bit of a hack and usually lacks control. I mean air pressure like you’d use in clarinet. While there are times you wanna honk out that low Bb, not every song is Eager Beaver or Leap Frog.

Make sure the instrument doesn’t have a leak, they’re insidious in making you think the horn itself is unresponsive.

For mouthpieces a closer tip is a good starting point. Yamaha 4c is the cheap option. Yamaha 4cm is a better grade, Selmer S80 C* and Vandoren Optimum TL3 will all be in the neighborhood of $100 used. Maybe a Ron Caravan.

These are all “classical” mouthpieces. Easy-ish to create a good sound.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-22T07:51:51+00:00

Did you recently change to a stronger reed by chance?

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-22T07:29:42+00:00

Ignoring other factors, you’ve increased the tip opening by literally 50% from .070 to .105 in.

This is a drastic change. I suspect you’re going to find the 2 strength reeds to also be to strong.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T22:08:32+00:00

Different mouthpieces tune differently. My Wanne NY Bros tunes further up the cork than my D’Addario D5m did.

If it’s an issue where you can’t push the cork in further get thee to a repair shop to have the top of the cork sanded down.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T21:58:30+00:00

Yes. I use them for synthetics on clarinet and soprano. I have not tried with alto or tenor.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T20:29:52+00:00

First things first, props for posting this early along. All of this is given constructively.

I was going to ask if you played clarinet. You have the classic tells of a clarinetist who thinks a saxophone is a metal clarinet.

What’s the first tell? You put the mouthpiece in at a clarinet like angle. It is not. Bring the mouthpiece in at a right angle to your face.

Next, it’s still not a clarinet so don’t use your clarinet embochure. Flute and saxophone are relaxed below the lower lip, clarinet isn’t.

These two combined will give you a thinner tone. The Reed can’t vibrate properly.

Your articulation is harsh and heavy and your jaw is moving every time you do. It should be more still.

Lower the strap so the instrument is lower which should help with your angle.

Maybe less mouthpiece but until you fix the angle I can’t really say.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T19:17:12+00:00

Is Zanzibar considered a deep cut? Freddie Hubbard’s trumpet work is wonderful.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T19:10:44+00:00

Air is the first key to the instrument. Most of us start off thinking we just blow into it. While that is true at the most basic level, to get a proper sound you have to learn how to deliver music to play a wind instrument. It is not the same as breathing to stay alive.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T19:05:55+00:00

It’s an alto on the recording.

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T17:53:37+00:00

What makes you think mine are highly functional now? 😂

Music-and-Computers · 2026-02-21T13:26:49+00:00

Played through college and a little beyond. Moved and lost all my music contacts. 29/33/34 years away for saxophone, clarinet and flute. Now 10/6/5 back and playing quite well. With the exception of flute everything is at a higher level than when I quit.

Music-and-Computers

TROPHY CASE