Adaptive Left-hand Alto Sax, version 2
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- The second left-hand-only sax to be modified here at the shop, this one is keyed to play all the way down to Low C using a combination of pinky keys (F#, F, and E) and thumb keys (D, Eb, C, and C#). That means this sax can play the full range of a regular saxophone except for Low B and Low Bb. The pinky mechanisms were set up several years ago by Brian Russell at Russell Winds, who mentored me on this sax and the previous one.
For more about the theory and mechanics behind these modifications, there are other videos on my channel that delve into greater detail on the other one-handed sax, which is almost identical to this one except that it can't play Low C or Low C#.
These modifications required about 100 hours of work to complete, from concept and design to final assembly and testing. All the parts except the minibals and screws were custom manufactured and installed in house from raw brass and steel.
That’s awesome John!!
Thanks, Katy!! Always nice to get a compliment from someone I admire 😄
Wow, what an amazing piece of work, very interesting! Two questions: The side B flat key is also just left on there for cosmetic reasons? Is it playable for a two-handed person like the low C and E flat seem to be? Also, how do you play a D in the upper octave? Do you have to press the octave key and also one of the new touch pieces?
The side Bb isn't in the way, so it's easier to leave it in place. It could be used by someone who has the use of both hands, the same is true with the side F#.
Upper octave D can be played with just the palm key (no octave key), which is how the owner of this sax has been playing it, however the intonation is spotty. Now he also has the option of fingering a low D and adding the palm key, which essentially acts as an octave key for just that fingering. You could also lip it up if your embouchure is strong enough. It's not really possible to reach the octave key while playing any of the other thumb keys.