Friday 18 September 2009

How to Test an Instrument

  • Play all instruments with a mouthpiece and reed that you know well. Too many variables make attempting comparisons a nonsense.
  • Take along or have in mind some music you are familiar with of the type you wish to play - be prepared.
  • If you know the technique of over-blowing octaves and twelfths use this to see whether the isntrument is 'in tune with itself'. Alternatively find a reliable 'fixed pitch' source and carefully tune to it. You can get a very poor feeling from an instrument if you do not get the mouthpiece correctly positioned on the crook for proper tuning. Be wary of relying on electronic tuners. All saxophones are acoustic compromises. When you use a tuner you are generally learning more about yourself and how you play than about any individual instrument.
  • Test a range of volumes. Instruments reveal more of their tonal colour when blown loudly but you will want to know that you can sustain the sound softly as well.
  • Other than checking for finger fluency and comfort, fast notes don't inform you nearly as well as sustained tones. A point worth remembering is that spring tensions or keys can be adjusted if they are too strong or too weak. Never reject an instrument because a spring feels odd.
  • Test the response at the high and low extremes of the range but don't expect miracles - especially when tonguing. It takes a while to really get to know a new instrument and you may need to make some adjustments (for the better - this is known as 'progress'!). If you select a sax that plays just like your old instrument you have to wonder whether the purchase was worthwhile.
  • Compare alternative fingerings, e.g. sever Bb, C, F# options to see if the instrument has been well set-up. This can be an indication of good preparation by the seller.


WOOD, WIND & REED. 106 Russell Street. Cambridge.
01223 500442
www.wwr.co.uk

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