How to Assemble an Alto Saxophone

Learning to care for and assemble your alto sax properly will increase the life of your instrument. It will also help you get the best performance from your sax. There aren't many pieces to deal with, so learning to put a saxophone together is relatively simple.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Place a reed in your mouth to get it wet while assembling your sax. It needs to be fairly saturated before putting the mouthpiece together.

2. Apply a thin layer of cork grease to the cork on the neck piece and slide the mouthpiece on. The grease will help the mouthpiece slide easily into the neck without your exerting much force.

3. Lay the flat side of the wet reed over the opening on the flat side of the mouthpiece. Holding the reed with your thumb. Gently slide on the ligature and screw it down so that it holds the reed in place. The tip of the reed should be flush with the tip of the mouthpiece.

4. Put on the neckstrap and remove the bell of the alto sax from its case. Then attach the neckstrap to the body of the sax, using the hook on the back of the saxophone.

5. Attach the neck to the body of the sax using a gentle back and forth motion. When it's all the way on, tighten the neckscrew.

6. Adjust your neckstrap to find a length that suits you and turn the mouthpiece so that the body of the sax is at an angle that feels comfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• When removing an alto sax from its case, always pick it up by the bell, not by the keys.
• Store your saxophone in its case to protect it from damage and to keep it clean.