How to Create Tone From a Saxophone Mouthpiece

When you correctly form your teeth and lips around the mouthpiece of your alto sax, you eliminate squeaky, pinched-off tones. As you practice playing your alto sax, you should experiment to determine how much mouthpiece to keep in your mouth.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Place your lower lip over your bottom teeth just enough to cover them completely.

2. Contract the muscle on your bottom lip. This will act as a cushion and help to absorb the vibrations of the reed.

3. Insert about an inch of the mouthpiece straight into your mouth, with the reed resting on your bottom lip.

4. Keep your top teeth directly on top of the mouthpiece. Let them rest on whichever part is most comfortable.

5. Seal your top lip and the corners of your mouth around the mouthpiece. Keep moderate and equal pressure around the entire mouthpiece of your alto sax.

6. Blow into the mouthpiece and keep your cheeks flat. If air escapes between your lips and the mouthpiece, tighten your lips around the mouthpiece slightly.

Tips & Warnings

• Start with short practices. Creating tone on the alto sax may cause discomfort to your mouth and facial muscles.
• Try blowing to the mouthpiece and the neck alone. Once you can produce a steady and strong tone, attach the sax body and practice again.
• Don't bite down on the mouthpiece. This pressure may injure your bottom lip or make it difficult to blow into the saxophone.