Why does C# sound extremely flat when saxophone is tuned to G? The Next CEO of Stack...

Return of the Riley Riddles in Reverse

What's the point of interval inversion?

How should I support this large drywall patch?

What do "high sea" and "carry" mean in this sentence?

Are there languages with no euphemisms?

What happens if you roll doubles 3 times then land on "Go to jail?"

Is a stroke of luck acceptable after a series of unfavorable events?

% symbol leads to superlong (forever?) compilations

How do scammers retract money, while you can’t?

Was a professor correct to chastise me for writing "Prof. X" rather than "Professor X"?

How to write the block matrix in LaTex?

Can the Reverse Gravity spell affect the Meteor Swarm spell?

How to safely derail a train during transit?

Describing a person. What needs to be mentioned?

Only print output after finding pattern

When did Lisp start using symbols for arithmetic?

Customer Requests (Sometimes) Drive Me Bonkers!

Why were Madagascar and New Zealand discovered so late?

Grabbing quick drinks

Trouble understanding the speech of overseas colleagues

Apart from "berlinern", do any other German dialects have a corresponding verb?

WOW air has ceased operation, can I get my tickets refunded?

Anatomically Correct Strange Women In Ponds Distributing Swords

How do I construct this japanese bowl?



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












5















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?










share|improve this question

























  • Are you using all open C# or low C#?

    – Peter
    2 hours ago











  • @Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).

    – Pikachu the Purple Wizard
    2 hours ago
















5















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?










share|improve this question

























  • Are you using all open C# or low C#?

    – Peter
    2 hours ago











  • @Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).

    – Pikachu the Purple Wizard
    2 hours ago














5












5








5








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?










share|improve this question
















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






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 2 hours ago







Pikachu the Purple Wizard

















asked 3 hours ago









Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard

23114




23114













  • Are you using all open C# or low C#?

    – Peter
    2 hours ago











  • @Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).

    – Pikachu the Purple Wizard
    2 hours ago



















  • Are you using all open C# or low C#?

    – Peter
    2 hours ago











  • @Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).

    – Pikachu the Purple Wizard
    2 hours ago

















Are you using all open C# or low C#?

– Peter
2 hours ago





Are you using all open C# or low C#?

– Peter
2 hours ago













@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).

– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
2 hours ago





@Peter open C# (the note on the third space in treble clef, just to avoid confusion).

– Pikachu the Purple Wizard
2 hours ago










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















5














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 quit 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.






share|improve this answer


























    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "240"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });














    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f82095%2fwhy-does-c-sound-extremely-flat-when-saxophone-is-tuned-to-g%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes








    1 Answer
    1






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    5














    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 quit 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.






    share|improve this answer






























      5














      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 quit 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.






      share|improve this answer




























        5












        5








        5







        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 quit 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.






        share|improve this answer















        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 quit 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.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited 2 hours ago









        replete

        3,787928




        3,787928










        answered 2 hours ago









        PeterPeter

        2,671420




        2,671420






























            draft saved

            draft discarded




















































            Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f82095%2fwhy-does-c-sound-extremely-flat-when-saxophone-is-tuned-to-g%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            VNC viewer RFB protocol error: bad desktop size 0x0I Cannot Type the Key 'd' (lowercase) in VNC Viewer...

            Couldn't open a raw socket. Error: Permission denied (13) (nmap)Is it possible to run networking commands...

            Why not use the yoke to control yaw, as well as pitch and roll? Announcing the arrival of...