how come when professionals play, they dont have that fuzzy spit sound? thx a bunch

bc they are profesionals and actualy know what they are doing. they know how to make the sounds they want and a simple thing like taking the spit out of the mouthpiece comes automaticly

"...they are profesionals and actualy know what they are doing..."

Hey Bill, don`t insult the guy! We were all beginners at some point, and had troubles similar to this. Instead of being all condescending towards him/her, try to offer constructive feedback! Geez...

It`s the breathing technique my friend....if u get it right, your mouth remains slightly dry while blowing.....learn the yoga breathing technique!!!!....It works.

Jazzy Valentine, please say more. I have this problem too. How do you breathe dry?

First off, suck the spit out of your mouth before you even put the horn in your mouth. Seal off your reeds as well by blowing air into the back (flat) end and then rubbing the undersides very hard and fast on typing paper. DOn`t soak the reeds forever when you are going to play. In your mouth for 30 seconds or so is fine, and give it a slight wipe on your pants leg to get most of the spit off.

THINGS THAT CAUSE SPITTY SOUND:
1. Bad reed
2. Too wet of a reed
3. Spit caught in mouthpiece
4. Bad breathing on players` part.

when mine does that i can get rid of it by just taking off the mouth piece and wiping it out

im in advanced sax and ..even i get the whole spitty sound, everyone does once in a while...the reason you dont ever hear proffesionals get it is because i know this is really gross, but the suck up their spit.*shutters in disgust* when i do it it doesnt seem gross because i do it all the time so it just seems normal to me, but when i actually think about it, it is unbelievably gross. lol im finished lol.
jen
nova

but when i `suck` it out it make a horrible sound. does yours?

When I suck my spit out, I don`t make a noise at all... I`m not sure how to... I tried though, but the only way I make a noise through my saxophone is by blowing into it. Maybe it`s like the "some people whistle by sucking in, other`s by blowing out." Except that with the sax it actually sounds like what it`s supposed to by blowing out.

Don`t soak the reeds forever when you are going to play. In your mouth for 30 seconds or so is fine, and give it a slight wipe on your pants leg to get most of the spit off.


I really don`t like what you`re saying there. Sucking the reed in your mouth is not good. It makes it more weak, and if you`ve ever tried it: A reed that you suck on, compared to a reed that you always soak in water, doesn`t last very long. That is why I never suck on my reed, it just doesn`t last. Also, wiping a reed on your leg!!! What an outrageous disregard for the reed!!!! A simple drying off with your cleaning towel should do the trick, wiping it on "your pant leg" as you say will get the reed dirty. Please take careful consideration about the care of your instrument.

Look at this website for imformation about care of reeds also: http://www.geocities.com/sax411/sax/accesories/reeds.html That will also help that player who finds her tone spitty.

Good discussion. The point about saliva breaking down food (and therefore reeds) makes a lot of sense. Another question: Has anyone used Reed Life? I saw it in WWBW`s catalog. It`s a solution of some kind that`s supposed to clean and extend the life of reeds. I`m wondering if anyone has used it and also if anyone has info about how safe it is to put reeds in your mouth that have been soaked in this stuff.

Nope, I haven`t heard of "reed life" but is there a website or something about it?

Regarding safety, I usually put my reeds in a solution of 25% Listerine and 75% water. Listerine is perfectly safe, and it removes any bacteria thats on the reed. So it makes the reed cleaner, and more durable!

I was fortunate to meet Eugene Rousseau (google him if you don`t know who he is!) in October. He mentioned that even he once in a while gets a spitty sound. He showed us a good way to get it out without making noise. I think it was something like pushing the reed up, and then sucking quickly to get the moisture out.

Yah i get that to so don`t think its just you but i just thought that it was part of my instrument thax for telling me other wise. I alao some times put some lemon juice in my reed after i clean them with pure water then put a little of aloe vera gel wich is safe on them and it works really well but you will want to try it on 1 first thax for all the tips