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Step 1
Begin with a rental program. Before making the commitment and investment, call the instrument company that deals with your school and ask if they offer a rental program. This way, you'll know if your child plans on taking lessons and practice seriously before you pay for an alto saxophone.
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Step 2
Borrow an alto saxophone from a friend. When you begin the process of choosing a sax, borrowing from a friend who has a sax that she no longer uses can give you a better idea of what manufacturer you prefer.
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Step 3
Tap into your local musical resources. Before you choose an alto saxophone, ask the advice of the school's music teacher, your local music store or a private music teacher. If a particular name or brand keeps popping up, that's usually a good place to start looking.
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Step 4
Start with a student saxophone. Alto saxophones typically fall into three categories: student, intermediate and professional. The student saxophone is a great choice for anyone starting out because of its affordability.
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Step 5
Invest in a used saxophone. If you'd rather not worry about monthly payments or caring for someone else's instrument, then consider buying a used alto sax that's in good condition. With a minimal investment, you can own the sax and buy a new instrument after deciding if you like playing and if you like the brand.
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Step 6
Consider the price. Although it's tempting to buy a cheaper saxophone, the more expensive the instrument, the better the quality. You may want to buy a cheaper model especially when just beginning, but keep in mind that you might end up spending more money to make the instrument playable.
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Step 7
Remember the accessories. When you take up the alto saxophone, you'll need to buy reeds, a neck strap and a music stand. After spending the time to choose just the right sax, it's imperative to have the right accessories.
