I can't get in tune with my alto sax?!?

Question

its like when im at school and we tune ill finally get the regular notes (g-f1) in tune but when i got up to the octace g and so on it gets really sharp and occasionally really flat its like all of my notes are never simultaneously in tune. uhh help.

Answer 1

Just because one note is in tune, doesn't mean that all of the other notes will be. You have to constantly adjust your embouchure for each note in order for each note to be perfectly in tune. The tuning note is just like a benchmark on which to build all other notes.

Answer 2

This is going to take practice on your own to get it in control.  First of all understand these things ---

1. the longer your sax is the flater it will be, the shorter, the sharper -- so if you pull the mouthpiece out a little bit it is going to make you flatter.  Push it all the way in, and you may become sharp.

2. Tuning is also effected by your airstream.  If you blow cold, slow air - you are going to be flat.  If you blow fast, warm air - you will be sharp.  

So, what you need to do is get a chromatic tuner and start checking every note on your sax.  Write it down.  Then, make adjustments - if most of your notes tend to be flat, then push your mouthpiece in and maybe also blow faster, warm air.  

You may have to test these different options and find what works best for you.  But in general, there are probably just a few key notes that always tend to be out of tune. And in that case, you would make your own adjustments with your airstream.

Answer 3

You have to adjust as you play.

And finding the perfect place for your mouthpiece on the cork always helps.

Just mess around until you get it.

You have to remember, also, that you won't sound in tune until your instrument is warmed up from playing.

A lot of things where you're playing affect how you sound.

Answer 4

sax is known for being notoriously out of tune (most instruments have pitches that are out of tune) you just have to learn how to adjust pitch by lipping up or down,...

get a chromatic tuner, center your tuning pitch (written g?)

then start playing long tones chromatically up & down the range of your instrument. start each pitch with your eyes closed, then look at the tuner to find which way to adjust (whether the note is flat or sharp).

it takes time and patience, but eventually you get better control of your instrument & learn if there are tendencies to be out of tune in a given register.

Answer 5

I agree fully with Parker... EVERY instrument has what we call pitch tendancies- which means that you may be flat or sharp from note to note.  The pitch tendancies are different from instrument to instrument, and, especially for woodwinds, can be affected greatly by the brand of manufacturer (higher quality horns means that the holes are more accurately placed).

Like was suggested before, try working with a tuner... close your eyes, play your note, see if it is sharp or flat... do this until you have a good idea as to which note is flat or sharp.  The next step would be to have your tuner play a note for you (or burn a cd of a piano playing long tones), and you should work at trying to match it... being able to hear it and quickly adjust will help you infinitly more than being able to center the tuner.  Pay attention to dynamics, too... even your tuning note (written "g"?) can go sharp or flat depending on your volume.

Another thing to consider is that on the low octave, notes generally tend to run on the flat side.  Try giving it more air support (without over-blowing!)... if you try to squeeze harder in your embochure, you will pinch off the notes and can make them sound choked.  Not good!  In the high octave (especially "A" 1 ledger line above the staff!), the notes run on the sharp side.  You are most likely squeezing harder with your embochure- don't.  It is ok to adjust slightly, but don't bite.  Again, the first thing to try is just using more air support.

It has been my experience that sax players who have pitch problems have them because they just don't put any air through their horns!

Anyways, I hope this helped!  Hang in there- you'll get it!  We all have this same problem at one time or another!  Happy playing! :)