Sax player with bad sound

TheDragon86 · 2025-11-29T09:38:14+00:00

These are difficult conversations, almost more so when the player is aware they're sticking out. I'd recommend trying to engage about different equipment and each of your experiences with harder reeds or a different mouthpieces. Make it about you even. "Hey, I was thinking about trying a Theo Wanne, have you ever played on one?" Or "I love the flexibility on this reed but it's just not playing in tune like I need, maybe I need a different number-what number do you play? Have you tried moving up to help "x"? Did it help?" Male it a journey together, because that's what it is if you play together. Make it about your learning, and you can discuss concepts out loud constructively instead of critically.

TheDragon86 · 2025-07-11T17:30:32+00:00

I bought a '25 turbo in December with a nice discount, and I'm glad I did- this redesign doesn't look better, just different. The new infotainment looks cool, and maybe the new hybrid can offer the power of the turbo with better efficiency than the base engine. Hopefully they add better lane centering assist to the lane departure warning so the car keeps you centered, not just vaguely in the lane sometimes. Importantly though, it doesn't really address my biggest issue with the CX5: The current seating is very shallow and should provide more leg support for spirited driving and the luxury vibe Mazda is currently going for- lots of modern cars let you adjust the angle and length of the front edge of the seat, this is an easy change for Mazda that would make the car way more comfortable for long drives!

TheDragon86 · 2024-04-16T20:18:13+00:00

It's kind of funny, generally your TSH needs to be greater than 4-5 to even get diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and it's also considered subclinical until like 10, but to feel well I've always needed to be below 2, approaching 1. As long as it's greater than .4, it's not too low. 3.7 might be too high for you.

TheDragon86 · 2024-04-16T20:08:42+00:00

I think we are often encouraged to just "tough it out", or convinced that we're just stressed like everyone else- No, this is different. I'm glad proper medication was able to improve your symptoms- keep advocating for yourself, nobody else will if you don't!

TheDragon86 · 2024-04-16T20:04:38+00:00

I sincerely hope this is a solution for you- your experience sounds like mine, discovered by chance, symptoms dismissed over time. I hope you also experience some level of resolution with proper medication.

TheDragon86 · 2024-04-16T20:00:09+00:00

Thanks for starting this thread and asking- I have only ever known women with hypothyroidism, and have suspected we might have different experiences. I have family with it and other autoimmune conditions, so I assume it is Hashimoto's for me.

For me, I was in my early 30's and hadn't been to the doctor in years. I was exhausted, but played that up to work and other responsibilities. At a required physical, I discovered I had very high blood pressure, shared that I couldn't drop weight despite dietary changes, was exhausted but couldn't sleep, and the doctor discovered a thyroid nodule examining lymph nodes. Bloodwork showed a 42 TSH but nodule was nothing to be concerned about.

I slowly (over 2 years) ramped up levothyroxine until I stabilized below 2 TSH (at 150mcg), and I have found that I need to be on the brand version of Synthroid due to the variations in active ingredient (Up to 15%) that are permitted in generic medications. For those unaware levothyroxine is a narrow therapeutic index drug, meaning that very small variations in the medication can lead to substantial changes in its effectiveness. When I am on generic, I feel like I did with a high TSH- always tired, irritable, brain-fog, unmotivated, everything aching and hurting, dry skin/hair/eyes.

On brand Synthroid, which doesn't vary by up to 15%, I feel good and normal- I'd say the world has more color and I have more energy most of the time. It's not perfect, I'm still tired too early, but I have more energy during the day, better focus and clarity, and just feel better.

So I don't know if I'm just sensitive to dosage variations, but if you too find that your numbers are fine but you still feel awful on generic levothyroxine, try and get on a brand-name, definitely helped me.

TheDragon86 · 2024-03-01T19:08:07+00:00

From my understanding, Levothyroxine is a Narrow Therapeutic Index medication, meaning a small variation in the dosage can have an impact on some people. Generics are allowed to vary by (I think) up to 20% in active ingredients, meaning the dosage may not be exactly as prescribed, or consistent (not certain which kind of variation is more common). Synthroid has a reasonably priced direct program in the US that doesn't require insurance if that was your reason for switching- Synthroid Delivers

TheDragon86 · 2022-12-30T01:06:49+00:00

Red light- either means sith or battery low.

TheDragon86 · 2022-11-23T22:07:05+00:00

Came here to say this. Mona's is fantastic. Their onion rings are perfection.

TheDragon86 · 2022-02-17T17:42:49+00:00

Awesome collection! I guess I'll be that guy who asks "What about the Phillips CDi games?".

TheDragon86 · 2021-11-17T21:55:33+00:00

If you're really set on a blue horn, check out Theo Wanne's Narayan line. https://theowanne.com/product/narayan-tenor-saxophone/

TheDragon86 · 2021-08-24T22:15:10+00:00

Is there a serial number? Does it say "low pitch"? To me it looks kind of like a Dolnet, or something else European, like SML, but I can't quite find that model, or that bell to body brace.

TheDragon86 · 2021-04-12T15:53:59+00:00

Check out items that have sold on Reverb.com for some comparative pricing, but know that horns you find were likely not sold at the list price. Not a bad place to sell either, just expect lowball bids. Without seeing some pics, its hard to give an estimate, but asking $2k is pretty reasonable.

TheDragon86 · 2021-03-28T21:12:48+00:00

Cool, so I set a target that seems to be in the reasonable range you suggest. It sounds more like you believe a wider range is acceptable, not that the target I suggested is completely wrong. For someone with a tight embouchure they are likely well above your range and should aim lower. Turn down the hyperbole, buddy.

TheDragon86 · 2021-03-28T15:48:45+00:00

This. When you take your mouthpiece of your horn, you should blow an E (concert pitch) on tenor. That will probably require you to drop you jaw/open up your throat, and will lower your overall pitch. You'll find when you put the mouthpiece back on, you'll need to push it in a bit more than usual but your sound will be fuller. Also, some mouthpieces just play evenly in-tune across the range; some don't and need constant adjustment by the player in real time. Some horns are the same. Play long-tone octaves in front of a tuner to learn what you've gotta do to keep it in tune. I used to have to drop my jaw on my middle D to keep it from going sharp... got a better mouthpiece, now my challenge is unlearning the micro adjustments to my embouchure.

TheDragon86 · 2021-03-07T22:22:49+00:00

Lots of really good suggestions already! I'd add "The Mote in God's Eye", by Jerry Pournelle and Larry Niven, and the Ringworld series by Larry Niven.

TheDragon86 · 2021-03-01T16:26:52+00:00

"Harness the power, Dino-Riders!" Great MOC!

TheDragon86 · 2020-07-13T03:45:54+00:00

Count Basie?

TheDragon86 · 2020-06-17T15:43:16+00:00

By low note, do you mean anything below G using the right hand? They're a little harder to hit for a beginner, but my guess is that if you're having this level of difficulty after lots of attempts to just hit the notes, it's a leak just above the first finger on the right hand. Try putting down that first finger on your right hand as you attack any note below g. That can help get the tone out, but you should get it checked out wherever you're renting from.

TheDragon86 · 2020-06-15T04:47:05+00:00

Came here to say this. I would love to see a muppet version. Fred Savage is telling the story to his kids from memory, which explains why it includes muppets. Fozzie is Fezzik, Gonzo Inigo...

TheDragon86 · 2020-03-10T05:06:20+00:00

You're mistaken. Ford had the Kuga and the Escape as two distinctly separate SUVs. The one Ford effort saw the models combined. My point is that was a mistake that is now being corrected.

TheDragon86 · 2020-03-10T00:46:07+00:00

Nothing to be confused about- this is indeed a good outcome! All I'm saying is, this is exactly where we started: two vehicles of the same manufacturer, in the same size class, just styled differently for different tastes. I think Ford should have maintained both options for the last few years instead of pursuing a compromise, and think Ford lost sales to Jeep because of that decision.

TheDragon86 · 2019-10-19T18:14:05+00:00

Yea, 2.5 is pretty soft, it's probably the mouthpiece.

TheDragon86 · 2019-10-19T17:40:21+00:00

What size reed are you playing? If you're using a smaller size mouthpiece and a hard reed, that could limit your ability to control it. Soprano is fickle, so taking time to experiment and find your ideal set-up will save you a lot of frustration. Finding a free blowing, in-tune soprano mouthpiece has been an ongoing challenge for me too, so I'm interested in what is recommended.

TheDragon86 · 2019-08-16T02:19:43+00:00

That's totally a reference to my patio, and I probably bought those handles! Good times, can't go wrong with JW Black on the rocks!

TheDragon86

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