Why does C# sound extremely flat when saxophone is tuned to G?












4















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
















4















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














4












4








4








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 2 hours ago









Pikachu the Purple WizardPikachu the Purple Wizard

22614




22614













  • 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
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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 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.






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    1 Answer
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    active

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    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 1 hour ago









        replete

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        answered 1 hour ago









        PeterPeter

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