Saxophone tuning – Finding the right tuning spot on a saxophone neck

Kim Bock /

To find the correct tuning spot when trying out saxophone necks, try comparing the new one to the neck you normally play.

On you own neck, with your mouthpiece in the same spot on the neck cork where you always have it, play 3 notes in the second octave – G2, B2 and D3. Use a tuner and make notes of exactly how the intonation is on each note. If they are sharp for instance, note down by how much.

Do not try to adjust your mouthpiece on your neck if you realize some notes are sharp (or flat). This is the setting you are used to and automatically adjusts to while playing.

Next, to find a good starting point for tuning/mouthpiece placement on the new saxophone neck, use the same three notes (G2, B2 and D3) and the tuner to get as close to the same intonation results as with your own neck. This should be a good baseline.

Never go by how much cork is showing on your own neck as a reference for mouthpiece placement. Neck cork length vary greatly.

This process should enable you to find a good tuning spot on your neck.

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