THE SAXOPHONE GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND BEGINNERS
 What is saxophone?
Although saxophone is made mostly of brass, it is a woodwind instrument as it uses reed to direct the air into the instrument and produce sound. Saxophone has conical bore. It is the contrary of flute and clarinet where their bore is cylindrical (the diameter of the bore stays the same throughout the entire length). The diameter of conical bore gets wider and wider as one reach the end of the instrument. Generally, instruments with conical bore have warmer and mellower tonal qualities. There are several saxophones in the saxophone family:

• Sopranino Saxophone in Eb:
  • Highest pitched saxophone.
  • Play one octave above the alto and two octaves above the baritone.
  • Available in both straight and curved body.
• Soprano Saxophone in Bb:
  • Tone similar to oboe’s tone.
  • Play an octave above tenor saxophone.
  • More common in straight body.
• Alto Saxophone in Eb:
  • Most popular member of saxophone family.
  • Easiest to play and master.
  • Play a fifth below soprano saxophone and an octave below sopranino saxophone.
• Tenor Saxophone in Bb:
  • Very common in Jazz.
  • Play an octave below soprano saxophone.
• Baritone Saxophone in Eb:
  • Deep and warm tone. Sound close to the cello and human voice.
  • Play approximately an octave below the alto saxophone.
• Bass Saxophone in Bb:
  • Tone similar to bassoon.
  • Play an octave below the tenor saxophone.

Saxophone is a transposing instrument. For example, alto sax sounds a major sixth lower than written.
Saxophones can be divided into few main parts:

• Reed: Reed is attached to the saxophone’s mouthpiece by using a ligature and vibrates to create sound.
• Mouthpiece: The place where the reed is fixed on and where the players blow air into the instrument to produce sound.
• Neck: The neck is the joint between the mouthpiece and the body. It is a metal tube that allows the sound generated by vibrating reed to enter the body.
• Body: The sound vibrates within the body and is amplified. By pressing different keys, the length of air column in the saxophone’s body can be changed.  The longer the air column, the lower the pitched, and vice versa.
  
  

Is it difficult to learn the Saxophone?
Saxophone is actually quite easy to learn at the early stage of learning. The notes respond easily even with the undeveloped embouchure and breathing techniques. What stopping a young child to learn saxophone is the size and weight of saxophone. Saxophones, in general, are big and heavy, which means some strength is actually needed to support the instrument while playing. Big hand is needed to reach the key too, as saxophones are quite wide for a child’s small hand. Besides, due to the size of the instrument, it requires a certain lung capacity from the players so that sound can be produced easily. Thus, it is usually recommended for a child to start saxophone lesson around 9 years old.

However, in 2018, we became the first music school to offer Saxohophone Lessons from 5years old. With the betterment of instruments like Nuvo Jsax, we are able to cater Saxophone lessons to children as young as 5yo now. Since 2018, we have also created our housebrand curved soprano Sax (Baby Sax) for 6 – 12 years old to learn the Saxophone properly. With these equipment readily available at our school for rent/buy, we make Saxophone easier for children to start as well.
 
How to choose Saxophone?
Similar to flutes and clarinets, there are three levels of saxophones in general: student (entry level), intermediate and professional. The difference between the various levels of saxophones is the quality of materials used and the quality of craftsmanship put into the making of the saxophones. Student saxophones are usually machine-made, while professional saxophones are handmade.
Beginners will feel comfortable enough if they are playing on a good student saxophone, as sound can be produced easily. If one is still uncertain about saxophone, a student saxophone manufactured by reputable company will be a good idea. Intermediate saxophones will usually have key work and action similar to a professional saxophone, but they will not produce the same fullness of tone as the professional saxophones. There are usually a lot of handworks on the professional saxophone. The materials used are of the highest quality, which results in advanced playability with full expressiveness.

• Body Construction

Saxophones have either ribbed or non-ribbed construction. Every key is suspended up from the body of a saxophone by no fewer than 2 posts. These posts can be attached to the saxophone’s body via two ways:
1. Post to Body – Each post is soldered individually onto the saxophone’s body.
2. Ribbed Body – A group of posts are soldered together to a large plate of brass, which we call “rib”. This rib is then soldered on to the body.
The extra piece of metal, i.e. the rib, will make the instrument much heavier. However, ribbed saxophones will have warmer sound due to the added weight. Student saxophones usually are non-ribbed, as the tone production will be easier apart from the lighter weight.

• Materials:

Saxophones are the only woodwind instruments that are made out of yellow brass. The brass can be polished or brushed. Saxophones are also made from materials such as copper, bronze, silver, plastic and gold. The body of the saxophone is usually finished with some protective coating, such as spray applied lacquer and metal plating. This is to protect the saxophone’s body and parts from oxidation and tarnishing.
 
Whether or not the coating is affecting the tone of the saxophone is a big debate among saxophone lovers. The tonal difference is minimal across various materials used. Thus in general, the coating is mainly for appearance purpose and to protect the raw base material from oxidation.
 
Perhaps it is the roughness or smoothness inside the bore that affects how sound wave vibrates. The vibrations will contribute additional harmonic content to the resulting sound that we are hearing. A saxophone with more harmonic content will sound brighter. Usually, student saxophones will sound brighter and edgier as they are made of lightweight metal.  On the contrary, the heavier and softer the metal is, the lower the harmonic content, and the warmer and darker the saxophones will sound.

The keys are usually made of brass or nickel and touch plates are often covered with real mother-of-pearl (usually “plastic pearl” for student models)

• Geometry of the Saxophones:

The geometry of the saxophone will affect the saxophone’s sound more than the material. Small-bore saxophones (for example Selmer Paris Serie III, Yanagisawa and Yamaha) have a brighter sound. For soprano saxophones, curved designs have a darker and throatier sound while straight designs have more pure sounding.

• Mouthpiece:

As we mentioned before, mouthpieces make the biggest impact on producing a sound. For beginners, the mouthpiece’s role is simply to get a sound easily. For intermediate players, the mouthpiece needs to serve the purpose of developing one’s own style of playing; while for the professional players, the mouthpiece needs to be able to produce refined sound and able to bring out the different characteristics of sound that the players want.
Mouthpieces are made from all types of materials these days: plastic, ebonite, rubber, glass, wood, metal and so on. Most professional mouthpieces are made of hard rubber or metal. Hard rubber tends to dampen higher-pitched sounds hence the sound produced will be warmer. Metal mouthpiece will produce brighter sound. Plastic mouthpieces (usually acrylic), are usually made for beginner student and are generally more free-blowing and cheaper. However do take note that there are exceptions too as one need to take into account the different size or cuts of other parts of the mouthpiece that will also has impact on the sound produced:

• The Chamber:

The chamber is the internal volume of the mouthpiece. A large chamber will has lower air pressure and therefore darker sound will be produced. A smaller chamber on the other hand has higher air pressure and brighter sound will be produced.

• The Facing Curve:

The face of the mouthpiece is the part where one attach the reed too. The face needs to be curved and has even surface, as it needs to give the precise space for the reed to vibrate freely. If the facing curve is uneven closer to the table, it will be more difficult to produce low sounds. On the other hand, if the facing curve is uneven closer to the tip of the mouthpiece, it will be more difficult to produce higher sounds.

• The Table:

The table is the part where the back of the reed is held by using a ligature. Different mouthpieces might have different length of table. Longer table means there is more contact between the reed and the mouthpiece, which means the reed will vibrate less, hence producing a darker and warmer sound. On the contrary shorter table allows more vibration from the reed, hence leading to a brighter sound.

• The Baffle:

The baffle is the part behind the tip rail of a saxophone’s mouthpiece.  In general, the closer the reed to the baffle, the higher the air pressure, the brighter the sound and vice-versa.

• The Tip Rail:

The tip rail is the part of the mouthpiece that goes into the mouth. Thicker tip rail is generally easier to have more stable and softer playing.  Thinner tip rail is much difficult to control, as it has lesser resistance. The sound produced will be edgier and brighter.

• The Tip Opening:

The tip opening refers to the distance from the tip of the reed to the tip rail. A smaller tip opening allows harder reed, which will produce brighter tone while a larger tip opening allows softer reed, which will produce darker tone.
Most mouthpieces for student saxophones are made of plastic, with a small tip opening and no baffles.

• Other parts of the Saxophone:

1. Additional Keys

Most modern saxophones have a high F# key. Some of the soprano saxophones will offer a high G key as well. However, those notes are actually playable as well even without those additional keys.

1. Rods (steel)

The rods support and facilitate all of the movement associated with playing the instrument. A weak rod will not stand up to long hour or rigorous playing.

1. Pads

Pads cover the holes on the saxophone so different sounds can be produced. It is important for the pad to cover the holes completely; otherwise the saxophone will not be able to play properly. Generally, pads should be soft to touch, and will commonly have metal, brass or plastic discs on them called resonators. The material and shape of these resonators will determine the characteristic of the sound.

Essential Accessories for Saxophonists

• Reeds

By choosing the correct reed, sound can be produced with lesser effort. There is a need to replace the reed regularly, as a chipped reed will make the instrument more difficult to play.  Same as clarinet, there are different strengths of clarinet reed, indicated by numbers. Typically there will be numbers like 1-5 in ½ steps – 1, 1 ½, 2. 2 ½ and so on up to 5. Usually 1 is the softest and 5 is the hardest. A harder reed typically gives a heavier, thicker and fuller sound. However, it is also more difficult to play low pitches softly with a hard reed. On the other hand, a softer reed makes playing easier but the sound produced is generally lighter and brighter. The strength needed depends on the individual player and the player’s mouthpiece. The teacher will help deciding which reed strength works the best for oneself. Beginner student typically starts with a strength 1.5 to 2.5 reed.

• Reed Case

Having a good reed case can ensure longer lives for the reeds. A good case has a flat surface which the reed rest on, so as to reduce warping (wavy tip).

• Ligature

Ligature holds the reed to the mouthpiece. It is important that the ligatures is a good fit for the mouthpiece and is holding the reed firmly. Ligatures can basically be divided into 2 main types: metal and fabric. The fabric type is more suitable for beginner as it is easier to put on and forms readily to the shape of the mouthpiece and reed.

• Neck Strap

A good neck strap helps to support the saxophone in a position that is comfortable for the neck, wrist, and hands. It is important to choose a material that is comfortable, as the strap will be around the neck for a period of time.

• Cork Grease

Cork grease lubricates the neck corks so that the cork will not be damaged in the process of putting on the mouthpiece. It also helps to keep the corks from drying out and crumbling. Use cork grease sparingly. Remember to wipe clean your hand before touching the saxophone.

• Saxophone Stands

Saxophone stands are typically designed to hold the saxophone on the bell in an upright position. This is to reduce unnecessary stress on the keywork.

• Tuners/Metronome

Tuners to check on the pitch of the saxophone (modern pitch A=442Hz). Saxophone Tuning is achieve by pulling out (flatten) or pushing in (sharpen) the mouthpiece on the neck.

• Saxophone Case

The saxophone case is important for the protection and transport of the instrument. Always ensure that the case is properly latched or zipped up before lifting up the case. 

• Cleaning Supplies

1. Neck brush (optional)
2. Swab
3. Mouthpiece brush (optional)
4. Polishing cloth (Microfibre for general wipe down and lacquered saophone, Silver Cloth for Silver Plated saxophone)

Additional Tips

1. Brush your teeth before you play. This helps to keep the instrument free of acids and sugars, as these substances might damage the metal and the pad.
2. Moisten the reed in your mouth while assembling the saxophone.
3. It is good to have two swabs for one’s saxophone: one for the neck and one for the body. Ensure that the Swab is free and not tangled before inserting. Wash these swab with detergent and dry it well every few months.
4. Swab your instrument every time after you play. Also, remember to always swab it from the bell to the top. The top of the saxophone will be the wettest part after playing.
5. Rinse your mouthpiece with running tap water after playing. Never use hot water for cleaning a hard rubber mouthpiece. That will warp and damage the mouthpiece.

 
Why buy from Flute and Music Academy?

1. As a woodwind specialist, Flute and Music Academy provides saxophones and accessories of all ranges and top brands at reasonable prices. We do not carry cheap but unplayable saxophones that would be better off as lampshade-stands. We take our core values integrity, respect, expertise and excellence seriously. Buying unknown brand of saxophone from a music shop that has limited support and/or knowledge of winds will be at one’s own risk.

How much am I looking for?
These are the Saxophone brands that are available and recommended by Flute and Music Academy:

Student Range Alto Sax (from $1090 - $2800)
Buffet Crampon 8101: Eb Alto Sax w Lacquer,High F# Key, Front F Key
Yamaha/ YAS-280: Eb Alto Sax w Lacquer,High F# Key, Front F

Click here for the full list