My new Yamaha 475

[Brass1s]

Well I did it. I jumped in with two feet and bought my Yamaha 475 Alto Sax three days ago. New to the Sax and music world at age 37. I have the highly recommended "The Art of Sax playing" by Teal and also the Universal Method for Sax by DeVille. I actually got these books a month ago and read half of each up to the playing parts. I know my embouchure needs work so I have been doing Teal's recommended excercises. Additionally I have read SOTHW info about playing just the mouthpiece to hit the A 880Hz. I can hit the A 880Hz consistantly with my SABINE MT9000 tuner but when I assemble the Sax and hit a few notes they all seem off a little (with the tuner). The downloadable tune from SOTW beginners area for alto A 880 reads dead on A with my SABINE MT9000. The YAS475 notes that seem off are (left hand 1st finger - B) B reads C# and A (1st two left fingers) reads B. From there all seem to be off a note. I tried moving mouthpiece in and out with no change.

I can play Mary had a little lamb with left hand 1st three fingers. I have worked this song fast and slow in addition to working some long notes with both hands. It sounds good.

Am I worried about nothing? The YAS475 linkage and pads seem to be all functional. Any ideas?

I plan to get a instructor which I know will help be not start bad habits.

I'm using the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece and a Vandoren 2.5 reed.

[Gordon (NZ)]

You need a teacher! - who plays sax.

[gary]

This first part of my answer is more for other readers as a fail-safe and it might be confusing to you. Don't worry about it. What's important is the conclusion and suggestion.

If you are fingering a "B" on alto sax it should register a "D" (concert pitch) on the tuner and you are actually playing a concert C#, which is a half-a-tone flat.

When you finger an "A" on alto should read a concert "C" and you are actually playing a concert "B", or a half-a-tone flat.

The notes you are playing seem to be a half-tone flat so you probably need more time practicing over a longer time to strengthen your chops or...you have not properly calibrated your tuner.

AND...take Gordon's advice!

[A Greene]

Welcome to the world of saxophone.

Three things to check (if you haven't already done so)

1) Be sure the tuner is calibrated (I think that how to spell it) many tuner can be set from A=330 to A=350. This happens with my students all the time.

2) The alto saxophone is a transposing instrument. Concert Bb = Alto G. So if you play G on the alto the tuner should indicate a Bb.

3) If you are truly a beginner - I would suggest using beginner books with all the silly tunes that little kids play. The methods you speak off are fairly advanced (Although the info is great) Get a nice steady sound and even tone quality - then start worrying about pitch. 9 year old students don't worry about pitch - they just want to play the next tune. It's very natural - pitch will come.

Good Luck

[jazzbluescat]

Yeah, you just need to work on your embouchure, ultimately one that you can get all the notes with.

[Joe Linux]

I would use your ear over the tuner. Playing with good intonation (pitch) develops over time assuming the horn is okay.