Hi! I play the bari sax and the tenor and love them both, however i have a question. The upper range (not altissimo) of my bari sounds a little fuzzy, from about D to G, and sometimes more. Is this just an embrochoure (spelling, i know) problem, or is it normal? I am playing a Martin Bari, (286,000? close to that anyways.) and am using a yamaha mpc, not sure exactly what size. I play on a Rico royal 2. Thanks for any help, I dont really have anyone to talk to, cause I am the only sax player at school and the only bari sax player at church. Anyways, Thanx!

well, i find that my g g# sounds some what fuzzy, iono if its natural...as for reed size, i`d recommend at least a 2 1/2 if not a 3...if youre using a rico, try the plasticover. same reed, but it lasts longer

almost forgot, i play a Jupiter Bari Sax Deluxe JBS-593, and i use the standard mouthpiece and a Berg-Lar`sen 110/2 (things freakin humungous, and i had to stick the ` in there, wouldnt let me post otherwise)

In my opinion reed size on a bari shouldn`t be altered. It most probably is your ombushure, and the simple idea is to play the note, and make slight alterations until it sounds how you would like it! Alternatively there could well be a little leak on your sax somewere - that would be causing the buzzing. Don`t go to a harder reed though - that will simply cause more troubles - if the very top of the sax plays alright, then there is definitely no reason for a harder reed.

thanks!

I`d say take the horn in to get it looked at. Problem with the bari is that it`s such a big instrument and things can go wrong so easily on it. You`ll never know what the problem is until you get it looked at. From the sound of it, it does sound like leaky air (probably a pad not going down all the way). Also could be a pad that might be peeling off a little bit causing an open key to catch some of the air and vibrate. Try pressing down each key indiviually on your right hand as you normally would but watch them. Then after you press one down push it a little harder to see if you see any drastic difference. Try this also while you`re playing...does the fuzziness go away when you clamp down harder on the keys? Good luck.

i play bari had the same problem and one thing you gotta do is ditch the rico 2 and get a half decent reed even something a little up from a rice and play on about a 3 that will make you sound better