Learn To Play Saxophone with the help of computers

Yes this is not difficult but the video control panels may be a bit different depending on your video card.




Setup Dual monitors with Windows

Download the instructions word Dual-monitors-xp.doc
http://learnsax.co.uk/docs/Dual-monitors-xp.doc
or open the .pdf file Dual-monitors-xp.pdf
http://learnsax.co.uk/docs/Dual-monitors-xp.pdf[/size]
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From Windows control panel display adjust dual monitor settings click on the 1 screen and set the resolution.
Set the resolution for screen 2
Observe screen two move the blue screen box to the optimum position.
Now to test Minimise any of windows applications slightly then drag the window over to the next screen (the drag does not work until minimized)
Another quick test moving the mouse pointer should move into the next screen.

Install the correct video driver.
The Nvidia control panel for the video card
GeForce 7800 GT
 
Install the desktop manager.
 From the toolbar at the top of the screen,
Right click on the black icon
Enables 7 options
(a) Maximise to desktop
(b) Send window to
(c) Send application to
(d) Transparent
(e) Always on top
(f) Visible on all desktops
(g) Collapse to this desktop
(h) Individual settings
 
To span the display over to two monitors
Select maximise to desktop
From the toolbar black button
 
Any image that normally fits the standard monitor will now stretch over to the next monitor forming a very large image.
For reading music notation Sibelius and Band In a Box by (PG) can now be spread over two monitors.
It makes reading and playing so much easier with Sibelius
You can now read ahead without hesitating waiting for the next note.

I'm having a bit of a problem reading and playing music
off the Sibelius notation I like to be able to read ahead
but sometimes I loose my place because of a moments
delay after a new line.
It would be nice to expand on the ribbon to another monitor.
Is this possible

Sue

Help

Is it possible to run Band In a Box with dual monitors
I would like a larger screen area for reading music.

Sue

Modify and fix a dead reed

I have just rejuvenated my stock of discarded reeds by matching with the best reed.

Testing the strength of the reed by bending the tip against a flat surface or your thumb nail,
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8518/8431540536_4ede243de9_m.jpg
if too soft use a reed trimmer. If you cut off more than 2mm you may have to move the ramp and heart nearer the file marking.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8431532674_dc7d3e0d7b_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8430450157_455be96f12_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8463/8431533078_b8bb4f4850_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8494/8434327544_50fdb4d785_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8431528736_682b523c94.jpg


The method with comparing the colours of the heart, tip, land against a lamp.
Using aluminium oxide sanding paper to reshape the reed progressively using finer grade of sanding paper.
Working down the grain to the tip not up grain.
For the final finish use flour grade wet and dry paper as used in car paint shops.

Check for swollen reeds (youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/v/WfDhaeePf6w

Vandoren reeds
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8434316482_462a71141a_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8433227125_8c2560ef78_c.jpg

To download the Vandoren magazine .pdf
http://www.whyvandoren.com/instructional/images/vandoren4us.pdf

Rico reeds for the Tenor Saxophone "Filed vs. Unfiled?What Does It Mean?" Filed
A reed that goes through one additional cutting process that removes bark from the reed?s shoulders. This allows for faster vibration.
http://www.ricoreeds.com/ricoReedSaxTenor.Page?ActiveID=4682

Filed reed


Unfiled

http://www.daddario.com/resources/Rico/pdf/reed_anatomy.pdf

Link to:   40 page paper by Timothy Nunnink
A COMPARISON OF THE TECHNIQUES USED FOR ADJUSTING THE
SINGLE REED ON THE SAXOPHONE
download:
http://doctorsax.biz/musical%20instruments/reeds/reed_adjusting_paper.pdf

pop-test

http://www.flickr.com/photos/learnsax/8430454427/in/photostream/
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8430454427_e4808a54a0_m.jpg
Check for leaks by using a pop test. Seal the Mouthpiece with the palm of your hand. Suck the Mouthpiece the reed will close creating a vacuum.
Pull your hand away and listen to the pop like a cork out of a bottle.
Count the milliseconds before the pop.

Youtube video by kcandfen. About Music Education For All.
http://www.youtube.com/v/siNg_mrkjIM

Why is this Tenor Saxophone reed so good?
Can I rejuvenate my discarded reeds.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/learnsax/8431528736/in/photostream/

The lower photograph shows my very favourite Tenor Saxophone reed (blue label Vandoren).
This reed sings, easy blowing good high notes and super low notes down to Bb with a Yamaha number 7 mouthpiece. Over a period of time the reed has been trimmed by about 2mm and has very slight wear at one side near the tip rail.
I have just rejuvenated my stock of discarded reeds by matching with the best reed.
Testing the strength of the reed by bending the tip against a flat surface or your thumb nail, if too soft use a reed trimmer. If you cut off more than 2mm you may have to move the ramp and heart nearer the file marking.
The method with comparing the colours of the heart, tip, land against a lamp.
Using aluminium oxide sanding paper to reshape the reed progressively using finer grade of sanding paper.
Working down the grain to the tip not up grain.
For the final finish use flour grade wet and dry paper as used in car paint shops.

Do saxophone ligatures really make and difference to the audio?

Quite by chance I found an interesting article by Ben Britton. Everything Saxophone by
http://everythingsaxophone.blogspot.co.uk

Ben talks about Enlightened Ligature and Pressure Plates

http://store.theowanne.com/products/pressure-plate-set


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwM-RinFatA
http://www.youtube.com/v/LwM-RinFatA

Ben Britton has recorded 9 sample audio tracks using various ligature pressure plates
[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/ben-britton-1/link-lig-vintage-1st-playtest[/soundcloud]
Link Lig (Vintage) 1st Playtest

[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/ben-britton-1/theo-wanne-lig-w-stainless[/soundcloud]
Theo Wanne Lig Titanium Plate 2nd Playtest

I had no idea that a ligature could change the sound of the saxophone.
For more information visit http://everythingsaxophone.blogspot.co.uk

Youtube video by tamingthesaxophone ligatures

http://www.youtube.com/v/nWGLMyCg04s