Hi all getting on with the tenor sax been playing 3 years now but still cant get the middle D right seem to scream it can any one tell me WHY so frustrating.
Why? Possibly design. if the frequency length works out to where the node or anti-node are hitting the edge of the tone hole. Have they tried to fix this? Yes. But other issues arise out of the fix.
What can you do?
Most complaints I've heard about the middle D are that it is stuffy or unresponsive, you are saying yours 'screams'. I would first suggest trying alternate fingerings. Open up your left pinky Db key, or the high D key. Also check the entire instrument to be sure there is no dirt or anything interfering with any other tone holes, register/octave keys, or vents.
As John says: check the entire instrument to be sure there is no dirt or anything interfering with any other tone holes, register/octave keys, or vents.
A leak anywhere in the instrument can affect just one note. Another frequent cause of problems can be a badly fitting neck - even if it is apparently a tight fit there can still be leaks here.
It could be that the low C, B &/or Bb keys are opening too much. This seems to affect the second octave more than the lower. It could also be that the low C# & Eb pads are not sealing effectively - these will also makes the notes from C downwards difficult to sound. Frequently the F#-G# link along with the LH pinkie keys are badly adjusted so that the G# pad is held slightly open which doesn't help either.
