How to Tune up a Saxophone

Tuning a saxophone is a vital part of playing in pleasant harmony with an ensemble and equally important when performing solo. Playing a saxophone in tune requires the musician to control several factors including condition of horn, mouthpiece and reed, environmental conditions, and lip, teeth and jaw placement (embouchure). Tuning also obliges the player to listen well to his or her own pitch and made the fine, meticulous adjustments necessary to flow beautifully with the musicians around him or her.The procedure for tuning is virtually the same whether the horn to be tuned up is a soprano, alto, tenor, or baritone. We will first discuss tuning on your own, in solo practice or before ensemble rehearsal. We will also detail how to tune your sax up within a band or orchestra session.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Saxophone
• Reeds
• Electronic Tuner or
• A440 Tuning Fork or Pitchpipe
• Good Ear
• Good embouchure

Tuning for Solo Play

1. Be sure that your saxophone is clean and free from obstructions. Work each key and watch the action of the pads. Be sure they move freely, without sticking. Your mouthpiece should also be clean inside and out and in good repair. A chipped or cracked mouthpiece will adversely affect your tone and ability to play, and should be replaced. Keep the cork on the saxophone neck free from dirt and occasionally rub with cork grease to aid in the ease of mouthpiece placement and adjustment.

2. Reeds should be good quality and not worn down or softened by use. Once a reed takes on a very soft edge, it should be discarded. Reeds with any cracks or splits should be replaced immediately.Always chose the right reed strength for your skill level, embouchure, and personal style. Reeds range in strength in half sizes from 1 to 5, depending on style and brand. As a general rule, the longer you play, the stronger reed you will want to use. A brand new reed will take some time to wear in, and may pitch sharply at first.

3. Wet your reed thoroughly for several minutes and then place over the opening on the mouthpiece and line up so that the top of the reed meets the top of the mouthpiece. When placed correctly the reed viewed from behind the mouthpiece will appear to stick just a fraction over the top of the mouthpiece. Tighten down the ligature just until the reed is held snugly against the mouthpiece and does not move.

4. Place the mouthpiece in your mouth, with your top teeth resting on top of mouthpiece. Your bottom lip should curl over your bottom teeth. Corners of mouth should form a seal around the mouthpiece. The embouchure, the way the mouth holds the mouthpiece, should be firm, but not tight enough to pinch off airflow. Too loose and the pitch will be low, or flat.

5. Play the tuning note that corresponds with your saxophone. On the Alto and Baritone, play a G; on the Soprano and Tenor play a C. If using an electric tuner, set it to A440. Play your tuning note and watch the display on the tuner. It will show whether your pitch is too high (sharp), too low (flat) or right on. If your pitch is sharp, pull out the mouthpiece and play note again. Keep adjusting mouthpiece, using very small moves, until your pitch matches pitch on tuner. You should be able to achieve good pitch by adjusting your mouthpiece slightly. If you find you need to pull it out significantly, the problem could lie with your embouchure. Keep playing the tuning note while tightening your lips around the mouthpiece, until you see your pitch match the tuning pitch. This is called “lipping up.”If you are playing flat, push in mouthpiece and play again, adjusting in small moves until your pitch matches. As with tuning up a sharp pitch, you should be able to achieve good pitch when you are playing flat by adjusting your mouthpiece slightly. If you find you need to push it in significantly, or you are already pushed all the way in, the problem may also be embouchure. Keep playing the tuning note while slightly loosening your lips around the mouthpiece, until you see your pitch match the tuning pitch. This is called “lipping down.”

6. The procedure for tuning with a tuning fork or pitch pipe is the same as that with tuner, but requires you to listen very carefully. Strike the tuning fork or blow the pitch pipe and then play your tuning note on the saxophone. Listen for how well your note matches the pitch and adjust mouthpiece and/or embouchure to match it. You will need to repeat the process a time or two.

Tuning in an Ensemble

1. Most symphonic band, jazz ensemble, or orchestra leaders will use an electronic tuner or another musician who has been tuned as the reference pitch. When the conductor tunes each musician individually, tuning will follow as when you are tuning alone. Listen to the reference pitch, and adjust your mouthpiece or embouchure to match, or as instructed.

2. Conductors will also ask the entire ensemble to play the tuning note, concert Bb and self-tune. Play the corresponding note for your sax and listen carefully to both the musicians around you and to the band as a while. Adjust your mouthpiece in or out for flat or sharp pitch, and remember to use your embouchure for pitching when needed.If playing outside, such as with a marching band, weather can affect your pitch. Saxophones and other brass instruments can play sharp in very cold temperatures. Listen carefully to your pitch and lip up or down, or adjust mouthpiece as needed.

3. Remember to always swab out your saxophone after each practice session or performance. Wipe out your mouthpiece, drying it well and store it and your reeds securely. You will want to occasionally flush your mouthpiece with clean, warm water to keep it spotless and clean.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your saxophone and mouthpiece clean.

• Never use a cracked, split, or chipped reed.