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View Full Version : Selmer Bari Problem

fred12
04-10-2006, 03:32 PM
Started playing a Selmer US bari recently, that's the only slot available in a local dance band - after 2 years with an alto,(so I'm no pro). Anyway, I'm having a big problem getting low B (and Bb) to work cleanly. The B rod bears against my right leg and "binds" so it often doesn't operate the pad. I can fix this by leaning far to the right and holding the horn out in space, but I can't hold this position for very long! No sign of any kind of guard, no place to mount one that I see. Any suggestions? Should I take up the piccolo?
larry
04-10-2006, 04:13 PM
Don't know the answer to your question Fred, but I have the same problem with my Zephyr bari - B/Bb/C# all rub against my leg and the ergonomics just ain't right for holding the horn between my legs.

Anybody out there have any suggestions?!

TIA!
larry
04-10-2006, 04:13 PM
Double post - please delete!
Martin Williams
04-10-2006, 08:16 PM
You might try holding it forward more. I usually just stand unless I would be very out of place doing so
GaryL
07-21-2006, 04:05 AM
Fred, I see what you mean. There is one in my shop now. You are right: there is no place to put a decent key guard. With that long neck, I see only one solution: play it from a stand, such as a Hamilton on wheels?

Or you could get a Yamaha Bari and be done with it. IMO, life is too short to spend it playing on an ill-suited instrument, and I consider the USA bari to be among the worst executions of the baritone saxophone. That's the down side, the upside is that it plays with pretty good intonation, except for the bell keys, which for me are very flat.
bruce bailey
07-21-2006, 07:45 AM
Wander around the drug store and look at some of the knee pads and see if you can find something to tie around the body to keep it away. Maybe a sporting goods store will have something. You will figure something out! Stuff some old socks around there, helium balloons, magnets......
m_flanag
09-05-2006, 10:20 PM
The Selmer 156a is a terrible horn and I would recommend immediately coming up with a plan to get another baritone. You will have such an easier time and feel so much more depth and expression with a cheap taiwan horn from Buescher (BU-6 is excellent!) or vito than with this fraud that selmer has cursed us with.