Daily saxophone maintenance
is the most effective way to prevent mechanical problems from occurring quickly and frequently. There are some small problems you can fix yourself, but there are some issues that require a professional woodwind repairman. This can be expensive.
What is the proper daily maintenance for a saxophone?
Always swab your horn from the bell to the top
. Don’t place your saxophone in a closed case after playing, as there will still be a little bit of moisture lingering in the horn. Always keep your mouthpiece in a bag; never place your mouthpiece directly in the accessory compartment of your case.
How much does it cost to service a saxophone?
| SAXOPHONES Average for Playing Condition *Repad | E Flat Alto $80.00 $490.00 | B Flat Tenor/ C Melody $90.00 $500.00 | E Flat Baritone** $125.00 $630.00 |
|---|
How much does it cost to get your saxophone cleaned?
The cost to get it cleaned and repaired, and have new pads and corks put on, is around
$350-400
. There are additional cost for extra accessories and luxuries.
What happens if I don’t clean my saxophone?
If they don’t clean out their instruments on a regular basis,
black mold can build up inside and cause a condition called “Saxophone Lung.”
Do saxophones need to be tuned?
When playing a saxophone, whether in a small ensemble, full band, or even solo,
tuning is very important
. Good tuning makes for a clear, beautiful sound, and it is essential for every player to know how to tune and adjust their instrument.
How long do pads last on a saxophone?
Most saxes need a “refresher” play condition which replaces the palm key pads (sometimes high E and F#) and the low Eb pad once every
1 to 2 years
. It is these pads that collect the most moisture when the sax is played, no matter how careful the player is about cleaning.
How do you clean a sax after playing?
- First take care of the mouthpiece and neck. …
- Completely remove the moisture from the pads. …
- Clean the inside of the tube with a cleaning swab. …
- Remove dirt from the surface with a polishing cloth. …
- Carefully clean the octave key.
How do you clean a saxophone?
How much does it cost to have pads replaced on a saxophone?
| Service Plans description Alto/Soprano cost | Play Condition 4 Playing Condition Repairs & Adjustments Up to 15 Pads Replaced $375.00 | Comprehensive Repad Playing Condition Repairs & Adjustments All Pads, Corks, & Felts Replaced-Includes Cleaning; $600.00 +$75.00 polish nickel/silver keys |
|---|
How much does it cost to replace sax pads?
The following is a list of repair services offered and prices for those repairs. *Pad sets cost between
$90-$150
. Special resonators may cost more.
How do you clean a moldy saxophone?
Mold is highly toxic. Throw the case out immediately. Have the sax completely disassembled, rip all pads, felts and corks off off.
Bathe the body,neck and keys in antiseptic-chemical solution to kill the mold
.
How many pads does an alto saxophone have?
1set of
25 Pads
Alto Saxophone Pads Black Complete for Saxophone Accessories.
How long does it take to overhaul a saxophone?
It usually takes around between
30 to 40 hours
to do a total refurb this includes total stripdown getting the silver plate finish up to scratch, re-padding & re-corking the whole works including some spring replacement … it’s hards work & can be done ….
Can playing on a moldy reed make you sick?
Unless they’re mouldy or mildewy and have been kept well,
they shouldn’t make you ill
.
What is a saxophone lung?
Saxophone lung is
a rare type of hypersensitivity pneumonia, in which patients develop allergic pulmonary disease when they’re exposed to fungi that invade instruments
— and are never removed. Basically, the musicians have allergic reactions to the mold that won’t let up, Shams said.
Why does my saxophone squeak?
The most common reasons for saxophone squeaking include,
playing with too much tension in your mouth/embouchure, improper/high tongue position inside your mouth, a broken or unaligned reed, or saxophone disrepair
.
Why is my saxophone flat?
Often
blowing very loud
causes the saxophone to go flat so tune at a moderate dynamic. Using vibrato may cause the sound to be slightly flatter.
How often should I change reeds?
A good rule of thumb is you should replace your reed
every 2-4 weeks
, no matter how often you’re playing your instrument. You may want to replace your reeds more frequently if you’re practicing several hours each day. Some reeds also may not last as long as others, every reed plays slightly differently.
How long does it take to learn saxophone?
Realistically, playing the sax should take
between six months to a year
to really learn. That means maintaining the skill long after you have stopped playing regularly. However, once you start, you won’t want to stop.
How do I know if my saxophone needs new pads?
you’ve got the basics —
severe discoloration, hardness, rips, sticking, tears, mold
…. But the real key is that they don’t seal — or retain an adjustment — anymore. A pad can be quite hard and moldy and still be working just fine, assuming no leaks.
How can you tell if a saxophone pad is good?
If it is worn, but not leaking, then don’t replace it
. If it is leaking, but not worn, then the leak most likely has some other cause. I would take the saxophone to a repair person to get it checked out, but don’t assume that the pad needs replacing if the pad doesn’t have visible wear and tear.
How do you seat saxophone pads?
Why does my saxophone sound airy?
An airy sound is
usually caused by a reed which is either too hard or unbalanced
. It is also common for an airy sound to be caused by leaks in the instrument.
Can you use Brasso on a saxophone?
Brasso is designed to remove tarnish from a variety of different metals but
with all the intricate contours and metalwork with a saxophone, it would be much more work than you signed up for
.
