larynx and open throat

[saxfriend]

Hi,

I am a fairly advanced tenor player. Masters degree in music (saxophone) but have not played in about ten years and am starting up again. I never really mastered the altissimo and have no real desire to do so (although I did spend time working on harmonics). But would like input on the open throat concept and the use of the larynx, and the raised toungue in the back of the mouth. The open throat (ping pong ball) concept seems counter to the raised toungue in the back of the mouth. It seems to me that an open throat would also imply a lowered toungue to keep the oral cavity open or am I just confusing one with the other. I work on the mouthpiece excercise driving to and from work and play the mp on a concert G and can play the scales and thirds on it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I find when playing with an open throat and lowered toungue I get the most resonant sound and when I start to raise my toungue (to voice the notes) it looses some of that. Any advice wold be greatly appreciated. Hoping Paul C can reply to this too.

Sorry if this has been covered time and again but I did a web search and found nothing but conflicting statements.

Thank you,

Tom

[hornstar]

Recently in another thread I quoted Robert Dick's description of "throat tuning" that nails the throat/larynx subject for me. Manipulating the oral cavity and tongue placement is another matter. Although you can vary tone this way, generally I find embouchure for good tone and control changes little. My tongue is lowered and somewhat compact but not tense.