TRAVELLING WITH A SAX TRAVELLING WITH A SAX Tracy Heavner looks at the When on the move, there are several accessories. They range from examples factors that saxophonists should consider made of inexpensive nylon to more pros and cons of different in order to avoid problems and arrive expensive ones made of leather. prepared for the performance. Keeping Perhaps the biggest advantage to using kinds of instrument case the instrument protected, packing a gig bag is its weight and the way it is appropriate equipment and understanding carried. Anyone who frequently travels and offers tips on surviving airline baggage policy are all important will appreciate a bag that is lightweight aspects of travelling with a saxophone. and equipped with a shoulder or backpack a flight with a saxophone strap, putting the weight on the back and Gig bags shoulders while freeing the hands to carry other items. The biggest disadvantage One of the most important factors is is protection. Since the bag has a soft keeping the instrument protected. outer shell, the only thing protecting the There are many saxophone gig bags and instrument is the thick foam padding sewn cases currently being manufactured, all into the lining. While this may protect designed to offer protection, convenience against minor bumps, there is an increased and style. When performing locally, the chance of the instrument being damaged method of transporting a saxophone is by a major bump, by being dropped or not nearly as important as when travelling by having something fall on it. Therefore, longer distances, since the performer has when using a gig bag, the saxophonist more control over how the instrument must be very diligent in overseeing the is handled. However, when travelling handling of the instrument. longer distances, there is a greater chance of instrument damage due to increased Cases travel time and less control over the instrument, especially when using public Hard shell cases are designed primarily for transport. protection but also include other features When selecting a method to store and such as pockets for storage and various transport a saxophone, the first decision methods for carrying. Hard shell cases to be made is whether to purchase a gig are constructed with a variety of rigid bag or a hard shell case. Gig bags are exteriors, one of which is wood, covered soft-sided, thickly padded bags, designed either with vinyl, nylon or Cordura. Other primarily for convenience and style. They exteriors are made from polyethylene are lightweight and have a soft, durable or ABS, a strong, temperature-resistance outer shell constructed of nylon, Cordura plastic that is easy to mould. Hard shell or leather. They are closed with dual cases can be contoured with shoulder zippers and designed with shoulder or or backpack straps or rectangular with backpack straps in addition to handles, briefcase-style handles. If a hard shell case making them easy to carry. Gig bags is contoured, storage room may be limited. are also contoured to fit the form of the However, case covers can be purchased for saxophone, which makes them small, additional storage pockets. Other options and come with built-in pockets to store include cases that are closed with dual 32 Clarinet & Saxophone, Autumn 2017 www.cassgb.org TRAVELLING WITH A SAX zippers or latches, while some are even Boarding an aircraft Larger aircraft usually pose fewer designed with wheels and a telescoping with a saxophone problems for saxophonists (unless their handle. instrument is a baritone saxophone) and Like gig bags, hard shell cases range should be used whenever possible. These from inexpensive wood and vinyl to On occasion, saxophonists may need to aircraft include the Airbus A319, A320, more expensive ABS exteriors. Their fly to a performance venue. Saxophonists A330, Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, biggest advantage is the protection they should always attempt to bring their McDonnell Douglas MD 88 and MD 90. provide, offering much more protection instrument on board with them as hand Before booking a flight, saxophonists and peace of mind than gig bags. The luggage, since allowing it to be put in the should review the hand luggage biggest disadvantage is weight. Even hold will almost certainly guarantee that it restrictions for the airline. Most airlines when carrying these cases with a shoulder will be damaged. However, with increased have information on their website devoted or backpack strap, there is a noticeable airport security and new airline baggage to this topic, with special information difference in weight to that of a gig bag. policies, attempting to board an aircraft regarding musical instruments. Passengers Before selecting either a gig bag or with a saxophone can cause problems. are often allowed one hand luggage bag a hard shell case, performers should Fortunately, with careful research and and one personal item such as a briefcase consider their performance needs. If planning, most issues can be avoided. or laptop computer. Soprano and alto travelling only limited distances, a gig bag saxophones are normally allowed as hand should be fine. However, when travelling Larger aircraft luggage due to their smaller size, while longer distances or in situations where tenor saxophones are typically allowed if the instrument cannot be personally When planning a flight, it is very important they are carried in a contoured case. monitored, a contoured hard shell case for saxophonists to know the type and is recommended. Even though this may size of aircraft they will be travelling on, Smaller aircraft be less convenient due to the additional since hand luggage policies vary from weight, it is worth it to arrive one aircraft to another. This information On some routes airlines use smaller at the performance with is posted as part of the flight itinerary aircraft. These are most often used for an instrument that is not and can be easily viewed on an very early or late flights, while larger damaged. airline’s website. aircraft are flown at more popular flight times. This information is important because smaller planes tend to have Protec contoured sax case more restrictive hand luggage policies, with only small backpacks, briefcases and laptops allowed in the cabin. These smaller planes, which should be avoided if possible when booking a flight, are the Canadair Regional Jet 200 (CRJ), 700 (CR7), 900 (CR9), Embraer 145 (ERJ), 170 (E70), and 175 (E75). ➡ Things to keep in the case When travelling, saxophonists must be prepared for unexpected events. Just before going on stage and even while on stage, equipment failure could happen, potentially delaying or halting the performance. Although some emergencies cannot be solved, by carrying certain items in their case, saxophonists may be able to overcome many unforeseen predicaments. Items that could be carried pertaining to reeds and reed adjustment are a reed clipper to adjust reeds that are too soft, Protec contoured sax reed rush, fine grain sandpaper and a reed case interior knife to adjust reeds that are too hard, a small plastic film canister for soaking reeds, at least eight reeds that are ready to play stored in a reed guard, and a box of reeds. Other helpful items are two completely Although some emergencies cannot assembled mouthpieces with ligatures and reeds, two neck straps, cork grease, be solved, by carrying certain items a pencil, a set of ear plugs, and a small screwdriver for instrument adjustment. in their case, saxophonists may By carrying these items, saxophonists know they are doing everything possible be able to overcome many to avoid performance problems, allowing them to focus on making music. unforeseen predicaments www.cassgb.org Clarinet & Saxophone, Autumn 2017 33 TRAVELLING WITH A SAX Gate-checked luggage Gate-checking a bag refers to taking a hand luggage item, labelling it with a INSTRUMENTS ON PLANES special tag and checking it in at the gate just before boarding the aircraft. Gate- It is possible to obtain further advice about taking instruments on planes checked bags are placed underneath the by contacting the Musician’s Union or the Incorporated Society of Musicians. plane by airline personnel and do not Both organisations have lobbied airlines to adopt more reasonable luggage travel on a conveyor belt like other large policies for musicians, with some success. Advice given by these organisations bags checked in at the check-in desk. is most relevant for musicians based in the UK, and information can be found When arriving at the final destination or by searching both organisations’ websites: when connecting to another flight, the passenger picks up a gate-checked bag www.musiciansunion.org.uk at the gate immediately after exiting the www.ism.org aircraft. Even though gate-checked bags are not treated as roughly as checked-in bags, there is still a risk of the instrument being Passing through security damaged. Saxophonists travelling with an instrument in a hard shell case might be Passing through airport security with a otherwise identical flight, depending able to sustain no instrument damage, but saxophone often attracts extra scrutiny. upon the gate agent and flight crew. If if a gig bag is used, damage is more likely. Sometimes an explosive residue test a saxophonist is told their instrument Saxophonists should avoid having their is performed on the saxophone case, will need to be gate checked, permission instrument gate-checked if possible by especially if flying internationally. This to carry the instrument on board may booking flights that use large aircraft. consists of swabbing the inside of the case in some cases be granted by speaking and performing an analysis of the results with the gate agent. Explaining that the Choosing seats and to see if any explosive material has been instrument is valuable and could be packing for travel in contact with the case.