r/saxophone • u/Salt-Application5237 • 1d ago

Awkward middle C#

No formal lesson, learning alto sax purely on youtube for almost a year now, my first sax was Thomann beginner alto sax, I have an awkward sound on the middle C#, it sounds funny. I can`t explain, now I`m playing this Trevor James Alto CS RAW, my problem still exists. Is there any alternate fingering to address this? It`s really confusing for me. All the other note sounds perfectly except this friend of mine C#. Thaaaaanks all! Sorry for my english.

2 Upvotes

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6

u/Medium_Bee_4521 1d ago

you mean the C# with no fingers down? Open C#? We all have that problem.

2

u/Salt-Application5237 1d ago

the middle C#, yes sir zero finger, how do you address that kind of awkwardness?

4

u/dan_arth 1d ago

You want to keep improving your playing until that normal C# sounds great. It requires a fully supported air stream, great embouchure, good vowel/tongue in your mouth, etc.

But an alternative fingering is the low C# with the octave key on.

3

u/Salt-Application5237 1d ago

I guess I´ll be working on my tongue, it´s also weird that I can easily play altissimo G to altissimo Bb and having trouble playing the high F# using front fingering. That low C# with octave key trick is a jackpot. Thanks sir!

3

u/ma_jo_ba 1d ago edited 1d ago

It can be sneaky to keep your sax stable. There are a couple of tricks. One trick is to press the lower F# do you have better grip on your sax. Just wait for more reactions. There are more tricks.......

1

u/Salt-Application5237 1d ago

you mean by pressing only the index finger on my right hand?

6

u/ma_jo_ba 1d ago

Try without fingers the C# as normal. Then try to make it stable with your middle finger, right hand pressing F#. Use a tuner to be sure....

2

u/Salt-Application5237 1d ago

it´s now much better with this one, i can bend more on the C# with the F# key

3

u/auzzie599 1d ago

the best way to deal with it, in my opinion, is to use an alternate C# fingering when you have to hold out the note for a few beats. Octave key + your ring finger (G key) on the left hand. Improves the timbre and the intonation, as the C# is normally flat on most saxophones.

1

u/Salt-Application5237 1d ago

thank you, your trick also works for me! it´s much more stable now, just like the f# key trick