Trouble with middle A

[hebron454]

I know that to most experienced saxophone players this question will sound more like an embouchure related problem than anything else. But I don't think it is.

I often have trouble going from just about any higher register note back down to middle A on my alto saxophone. The A wants to come out at the higher register A. Yet I don't have this trouble on my tenor or soprano saxophone. And sometimes middle A wants to come out as high A even without having just played a higher note. Occasionally I have the same problem with other middle register notes. But most often it happens with middle A.

I have extensively looked at the mechanics of the instrument and do not find a leak or other problem that is causing this problem. Could anyone suggest what the problem might be.

Thanks for any help.

[Gordon (NZ)]

I take it that you have somehow determined that there is no leak at all in between the tenon and its socket.

[hebron454]

Thank you for the tip. I have looked at the fit of the tenon in the past. But I will give it a closer look to see if there is a leak.

Thank you Gordon.

[awholley]

Also, have someone else try the instrument. Maybe your thumb is simply coming off the octave key late (or it is releasing sluggishly).

[hebron454]

awholly

Thank you for the reply. I would say there is something to your advice if it were not for the fact that sometimes I have the problem without even hitting the octave key.

[saxmasta89]

i've had that problem before...play your lower A and when it goes higher, hold down the speaker hole thing on your neck....if it works, get a pencil and bend that little mechanism down