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Step 1
Buy a neck harness specially designed for the larger, heavier baritone sax. The bari is heavier and more cumbersome than the soprano, alto or tenor. Baritone saxophone players who play in bands often have to stand up when playing tunes that feature either the section or when taking a solo.
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Step 2
Hook the harness securely to avoid it slipping loose and falling to the ground or banging into the music stand. Slide the harness around your neck after slipping it securely around the back, in a manner similar to the holster straps for a firearm. The strap should be adjusted to hold firmly without restricting movement.
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Step 3
Listen to several of the best saxophone players to pick up their style and copy some of their playing techniques, such as Jerry Mulligan or Tower of Power's Doc Kupka. Watching videos of great baritone saxophone players is a useful way to learn from the masters. Watch their hands and fingering and pay close attention to their embouchure as well.
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Step 4
Slur the end of a two or three note run and mute the final note. Slide the tongue forward a bit and gradually constrict the air flow. The reduced air flow across the baritone saxophone reed will cause the notes to blend together. Because of its large size reed, this technique is especially easy to do.
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Step 5
Bark the reed by blowing very hard. This barking sound is a good one to add to the end of a 12 bar run or to accentuate the downbeats of a hard driving line of bari music. The barking sound of the saxophone is one of its most distinctive sounds.
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Step 6
Turn up the volume and gain on the microphone. The baritone sax has plenty of power of its own, but the bari can produce melodious sounds when played soft and low. This method is used to tremendous effect on ballads and slow dance numbers, making the bari the acoustic equivalent of a tenor or baritone vocalist.
