About the Xaphoon

The Xaphoon is a patented instrument.
The original MAUI XAPHOON
®
is produced from bamboo in Hawaii in
the United States by the inventor, Brian Wittman.
The CLASSIC XAPHOON
®
, the standardized version, was also developed
by the inventor and is produced in Indiana in the United States.
Your local specialized retailer
(space for company stamp)
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15
Compilation and production of this manual and Xaphoon general sales for Europe:
© Copyright 2003
Xaphoon Europe ∙ Matthias Kraft
Adinda - Flemmich - Straße 14 ∙ 79100 Freiburg ∙ Germany
[e-mail] ∙ www.xaphoon.de
Music is the bridge between people and culture.
The Xaphoon was developed as an instrument to carry along with you.
So play the Xaphoon wherever you are and greet those, who don't understand
your language, with your Xaphoon music.
A Patented Instrument
Conclusion
Gather inspiration from your surroundings and the people you meet.
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3
Table of Contents Page
Looking for the Problem
No Sound
• The mouthpiece is not far enough into the mouth.
• The tenor saxophone reed is not completely covering the opening.
Poor or Unclean Sound
• One or more holes are not correctly covered.
• The tenor saxophone reed should be replaced.
• The mouthpiece is not far enough into the mouth.
• Too much lip pressure. A typical mistake for someone who plays the clarinet.
Lots of Screeching Sounds
• Mouthpiece is too far into the mouth.
• and/or too much lip pressure.
Fluctuating Pitch
• Lip pressure is not constant.
The Instrument Sounds Too High
• Too much lip pressure.
The Instrument Sounds Too Low
• Not enough lip pressure.
The Instrument Only Produces Very High Sounds
• The mouthpiece is too far into the mouth.
• and/or there is too much lip pressure.
The Reed Is Wavy, When It Is Wet
• Wet the entire reed for a long time
• or change the reed.
The Reed Has Cracks or a Corner Is Missing
• As long as it sounds accepdtable, you can continue to use it.
• If the quality becomes poorer, change the tenor saxophone reed.
The Cover Does Not Fit Correctly
• The bamboo does not grow exactly round and therefore the cover may
only fit correctly in a certain position.
The Xaphoon .................................................................... 4
The Construction .............................................................. 5
Playing Instruction ........................................................... 6-7
Finger Position Tabels ..................................................... 8-9
Overblowing, Lip Pressure, Pitch Adjustment ................ 10
The Reeds ........................................................................ 11
Care of the Maui Xaphoon .............................................. 12
The Origin of the Xaphoon .............................................. 13
Looking for the Problem .................................................. 14
Conclusion ....................................................................... 15