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Why does C# sound extremely flat when saxophone is tuned to G?
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowIs it harmful to use an electronic tuner to check intonation while practicing ?When tuning a guitar, how should I strike the strings?Vocal tuning (metering, not autotuning)Difficulty tuning with strobe tunerWhen tuning a guitar, why is it only in tune for a moment?The difference between self-taught and professional pianistsHow to tune a guitar/bass without a tuner?Notes on string high E sounds out of tune even picking them aloneElectric guitar doesn't keep tuning on the first frets. Anything I can do about it?Tuning a string instrument with well temperament
Note: when I mention the name of a note in this question, I'm referring to the saxophone pitch, not the concert pitch.
I play the alto saxophone, and lately I've been practicing mostly with a tuner. My instructor recommended that I start tuning to C# rather than G. I've taken the advice and started tuning to C#.
Once thing I've noticed now that I'm playing with a tuner is that, when I tune to G, playing C# sounds really flat. As in, halfway to C♮ kinda flat. It happens the other way, too: tuning to C# makes every other note sound extremely sharp.
When it's tuned to G, every note sounds perfectly normal and in-tune, except for C#. I don't know a whole lot about how instruments actually work, but I would guess it has something to do with C# being played completely open.
Is there a reason behind this? How can it be fixed?
practice tuning saxophone
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
add a comment |
Note: when I mention the name of a note in this question, I'm referring to the saxophone pitch, not the concert pitch.
I play the alto saxophone, and lately I've been practicing mostly with a tuner. My instructor recommended that I start tuning to C# rather than G. I've taken the advice and started tuning to C#.
Once thing I've noticed now that I'm playing with a tuner is that, when I tune to G, playing C# sounds really flat. As in, halfway to C♮ kinda flat. It happens the other way, too: tuning to C# makes every other note sound extremely sharp.
When it's tuned to G, every note sounds perfectly normal and in-tune, except for C#. I don't know a whole lot about how instruments actually work, but I would guess it has something to do with C# being played completely open.
Is there a reason behind this? How can it be fixed?
practice tuning saxophone
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
Are you using all open C# or low C#?
– Peter
6 hours ago
@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).
– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Note: when I mention the name of a note in this question, I'm referring to the saxophone pitch, not the concert pitch.
I play the alto saxophone, and lately I've been practicing mostly with a tuner. My instructor recommended that I start tuning to C# rather than G. I've taken the advice and started tuning to C#.
Once thing I've noticed now that I'm playing with a tuner is that, when I tune to G, playing C# sounds really flat. As in, halfway to C♮ kinda flat. It happens the other way, too: tuning to C# makes every other note sound extremely sharp.
When it's tuned to G, every note sounds perfectly normal and in-tune, except for C#. I don't know a whole lot about how instruments actually work, but I would guess it has something to do with C# being played completely open.
Is there a reason behind this? How can it be fixed?
practice tuning saxophone
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
Note: when I mention the name of a note in this question, I'm referring to the saxophone pitch, not the concert pitch.
I play the alto saxophone, and lately I've been practicing mostly with a tuner. My instructor recommended that I start tuning to C# rather than G. I've taken the advice and started tuning to C#.
Once thing I've noticed now that I'm playing with a tuner is that, when I tune to G, playing C# sounds really flat. As in, halfway to C♮ kinda flat. It happens the other way, too: tuning to C# makes every other note sound extremely sharp.
When it's tuned to G, every note sounds perfectly normal and in-tune, except for C#. I don't know a whole lot about how instruments actually work, but I would guess it has something to do with C# being played completely open.
Is there a reason behind this? How can it be fixed?
practice tuning saxophone
practice tuning saxophone
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
edited 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple Wizard
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
asked 6 hours ago
Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard
24614
24614
Are you using all open C# or low C#?
– Peter
6 hours ago
@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).
– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
6 hours ago
add a comment |
Are you using all open C# or low C#?
– Peter
6 hours ago
@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).
– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
6 hours ago
Are you using all open C# or low C#?
– Peter
6 hours ago
Are you using all open C# or low C#?
– Peter
6 hours ago
@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).
– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
6 hours ago
@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).
– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
The all-open C# is a tricky note on all saxophones. It tends to be very flat compared to the other notes, but it is also very sensitive to changes in embouchure. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone. When possible, I produce this note by use the low-C# fingering with the octave key pressed down. The tone of this note can be quite different from the nearby notes, so I don't usually use it from scalar passages.
G above the staff, on the other hand, tends to sound be fairly sharp compared to the other notes on the horn. When I play that note, I am always conscious to drop my jaw as much as possible to bring it in tune. Unfortunately, I don't know of any alternate fingerings for that note. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone.
Concert bands tend to tune to concert Bb - G on alto and C on tenor. I find that this works alright on my tenor, but as I said above, I don't think G is a very good note to tune to. Nonetheless, if you play in any kind of concert band, you will probably need to do it anyway.
I usually tune my saxophones to concert A - F# on alto and B on tenor. This note is the standard for orchestras around the world, so I figure it's good enough for me, and it puts most of the notes on all horn in tune for me.
Note: the relative pitches of saxophones will vary depending on the make and model, and even varies from horn to horn, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
1
I feel like I should add that, despite all I have said, you should do what your teacher says. There are many different methods for playing the saxophone, and your teacher probably has a reason for telling you that. The point of my answer is that we tune to different notes in different situations. No matter what, some notes will require embouchure adjustments to be in tune.
– Peter
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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The all-open C# is a tricky note on all saxophones. It tends to be very flat compared to the other notes, but it is also very sensitive to changes in embouchure. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone. When possible, I produce this note by use the low-C# fingering with the octave key pressed down. The tone of this note can be quite different from the nearby notes, so I don't usually use it from scalar passages.
G above the staff, on the other hand, tends to sound be fairly sharp compared to the other notes on the horn. When I play that note, I am always conscious to drop my jaw as much as possible to bring it in tune. Unfortunately, I don't know of any alternate fingerings for that note. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone.
Concert bands tend to tune to concert Bb - G on alto and C on tenor. I find that this works alright on my tenor, but as I said above, I don't think G is a very good note to tune to. Nonetheless, if you play in any kind of concert band, you will probably need to do it anyway.
I usually tune my saxophones to concert A - F# on alto and B on tenor. This note is the standard for orchestras around the world, so I figure it's good enough for me, and it puts most of the notes on all horn in tune for me.
Note: the relative pitches of saxophones will vary depending on the make and model, and even varies from horn to horn, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
1
I feel like I should add that, despite all I have said, you should do what your teacher says. There are many different methods for playing the saxophone, and your teacher probably has a reason for telling you that. The point of my answer is that we tune to different notes in different situations. No matter what, some notes will require embouchure adjustments to be in tune.
– Peter
2 hours ago
add a comment |
The all-open C# is a tricky note on all saxophones. It tends to be very flat compared to the other notes, but it is also very sensitive to changes in embouchure. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone. When possible, I produce this note by use the low-C# fingering with the octave key pressed down. The tone of this note can be quite different from the nearby notes, so I don't usually use it from scalar passages.
G above the staff, on the other hand, tends to sound be fairly sharp compared to the other notes on the horn. When I play that note, I am always conscious to drop my jaw as much as possible to bring it in tune. Unfortunately, I don't know of any alternate fingerings for that note. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone.
Concert bands tend to tune to concert Bb - G on alto and C on tenor. I find that this works alright on my tenor, but as I said above, I don't think G is a very good note to tune to. Nonetheless, if you play in any kind of concert band, you will probably need to do it anyway.
I usually tune my saxophones to concert A - F# on alto and B on tenor. This note is the standard for orchestras around the world, so I figure it's good enough for me, and it puts most of the notes on all horn in tune for me.
Note: the relative pitches of saxophones will vary depending on the make and model, and even varies from horn to horn, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
1
I feel like I should add that, despite all I have said, you should do what your teacher says. There are many different methods for playing the saxophone, and your teacher probably has a reason for telling you that. The point of my answer is that we tune to different notes in different situations. No matter what, some notes will require embouchure adjustments to be in tune.
– Peter
2 hours ago
add a comment |
The all-open C# is a tricky note on all saxophones. It tends to be very flat compared to the other notes, but it is also very sensitive to changes in embouchure. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone. When possible, I produce this note by use the low-C# fingering with the octave key pressed down. The tone of this note can be quite different from the nearby notes, so I don't usually use it from scalar passages.
G above the staff, on the other hand, tends to sound be fairly sharp compared to the other notes on the horn. When I play that note, I am always conscious to drop my jaw as much as possible to bring it in tune. Unfortunately, I don't know of any alternate fingerings for that note. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone.
Concert bands tend to tune to concert Bb - G on alto and C on tenor. I find that this works alright on my tenor, but as I said above, I don't think G is a very good note to tune to. Nonetheless, if you play in any kind of concert band, you will probably need to do it anyway.
I usually tune my saxophones to concert A - F# on alto and B on tenor. This note is the standard for orchestras around the world, so I figure it's good enough for me, and it puts most of the notes on all horn in tune for me.
Note: the relative pitches of saxophones will vary depending on the make and model, and even varies from horn to horn, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
The all-open C# is a tricky note on all saxophones. It tends to be very flat compared to the other notes, but it is also very sensitive to changes in embouchure. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone. When possible, I produce this note by use the low-C# fingering with the octave key pressed down. The tone of this note can be quite different from the nearby notes, so I don't usually use it from scalar passages.
G above the staff, on the other hand, tends to sound be fairly sharp compared to the other notes on the horn. When I play that note, I am always conscious to drop my jaw as much as possible to bring it in tune. Unfortunately, I don't know of any alternate fingerings for that note. Personally, I don't think it is a great note to tune to on saxophone.
Concert bands tend to tune to concert Bb - G on alto and C on tenor. I find that this works alright on my tenor, but as I said above, I don't think G is a very good note to tune to. Nonetheless, if you play in any kind of concert band, you will probably need to do it anyway.
I usually tune my saxophones to concert A - F# on alto and B on tenor. This note is the standard for orchestras around the world, so I figure it's good enough for me, and it puts most of the notes on all horn in tune for me.
Note: the relative pitches of saxophones will vary depending on the make and model, and even varies from horn to horn, so take my advice with a grain of salt.
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
edited 2 hours ago
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
answered 5 hours ago
PeterPeter
2,691420
2,691420
1
I feel like I should add that, despite all I have said, you should do what your teacher says. There are many different methods for playing the saxophone, and your teacher probably has a reason for telling you that. The point of my answer is that we tune to different notes in different situations. No matter what, some notes will require embouchure adjustments to be in tune.
– Peter
2 hours ago
add a comment |
1
I feel like I should add that, despite all I have said, you should do what your teacher says. There are many different methods for playing the saxophone, and your teacher probably has a reason for telling you that. The point of my answer is that we tune to different notes in different situations. No matter what, some notes will require embouchure adjustments to be in tune.
– Peter
2 hours ago
1
1
I feel like I should add that, despite all I have said, you should do what your teacher says. There are many different methods for playing the saxophone, and your teacher probably has a reason for telling you that. The point of my answer is that we tune to different notes in different situations. No matter what, some notes will require embouchure adjustments to be in tune.
– Peter
2 hours ago
I feel like I should add that, despite all I have said, you should do what your teacher says. There are many different methods for playing the saxophone, and your teacher probably has a reason for telling you that. The point of my answer is that we tune to different notes in different situations. No matter what, some notes will require embouchure adjustments to be in tune.
– Peter
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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Are you using all open C# or low C#?
– Peter
6 hours ago
@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).
– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
6 hours ago