ERGOsax BariBass
The ERGOsax support for the baritone sax and bass sax is a very much needed addition to the ERGOs playing support family. It really removes the weight off the player’s body but unlike some other pegs, the ERGOsax allows you to move very freely while you play.
The key word is free and flexible manoeuvrability. The heavy instrument can be turned with a minimum force in all directions, so it accommodates the player’s movements seamlessly.
The other very important feature is the extreme simplicity in using the ERGOsax. It really is just one click to plug the support to where it belongs, the neck strap ring and you are ready!
And another great feature: It works just the same whether you play sitting or standing. Just adjust the sturdy telescope for your needs.
The BariBass when sitting
Place the telescope on the left side of your right thigh. Adjust the telescope roughly to the needed height for you, then attach the aluminium support head to the neck strap ring. Do the fine tuning of the needed height by lifting or lowering the instrument and then fixing it to the desired height with the screw.
Now the instrument floats weightlessly but you can turn it very easily in all needed directions, left or right, back or forth. It is as easy to keep the baritone on your right side or in the middle. Or change between these positions just the way you like.
Because the baritone has a very flexible connection to the support you can turn it easily and smoothly while you play. Even if you use a low big band style music stand it is easy to read from the bottom line!
It is easy to rest and take your hands off the instrument when you learn to balance it even without holding it with your hands. The barisax stays in place when your thigh is in the middle and the sax is on the right side. You could even grab a side instrument like a clarinet without putting the baritone down!
Watch this introduction video to see the ERGOsax BariBass in action.
How to attach the ERGOsax head to the ring
Place the support head on top of the rod.
Plug the ERGOsax head to the neck strap ring of your instrument. Press the black button, this opens the slot lock and you can put the neck strap ring inside the slot, then release.
Put the support rod inside the telescope and adjust the height and fix it in place with the screw.
The “2nd neck strap ring”
Even if it is quite possible to play the sax with the ERGOsax support only, we suggest that you use your neck strap or harness as well. That way you can feel more secure and it helps you if something unexpected happens while you play.
Therefore, there is in each ERGOsax a plastic piece which you can slide in place very easily. Just open the screw of the support head, push the piece in place and tighten the screw back in place after you have inserted the head back in the support rod.
The ERGOsax on Bass Saxophone
The ERGOsax BariBass also works with the Bass Saxophone. If you set the telescope leaning towards your body, you can keep the bass very comfortably for you to play. You can still move around very freely.
Using the ERGOsax BariBass is in fact balancing the instrument between the support, your body and your hands. The weight is off, but you still need to use your hands for having the instrument in perfect position and angle for the embouchure in each playing situation. Learning to do that is in fact a little like learning to ride a bike: if you have never done that, it feels awkward and insecure in the beginning, but soon you’ll feel it very comfortable and secure, you know how to turn the sax and how the new balance works for you.
Experiment with different settings to find what you like best.
“Congratulations, It work great for me! The sound projection is better. I always have been in search of a better sax support. That’s it!
Of course it is big change in the proprioception practice. But in a first time I will balance between my Vandoren neckstrap and your material.
From soprano to baritone the result is really impressive.”
Claude Delangle
Professor of Saxophone
National Superior Conservatory of Music,
Paris, France