How to Play Alto Saxophone
If you are an aspiring musician, one of the instruments that you can begin to learn in order to boost you forward is the alto saxophone. This is a versatile instrument, used in everything from classical music to jazz to contemporary bands. Knowing how to approach the instrument and learning the basics is your first step towards becoming a renowned saxophone player.
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Instructions
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Understand your instrument. The first step to learning the alto saxophone is to understand how it works. This instrument is a part of the woodwind family, meaning that you will need to use reeds every time you play. This is combined with pushing down on different fingerings in order to make the correct notes sound.
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Start with the mouthpiece. Start by taking a saxophone reed and moistening it in your mouth. You can then place it on the mouthpiece. You will tighten it with the screws that are around the mouth piece. The reed should be aligned with the edge. Make sure that you don't tighten it too much, as it will cause the reed to strain and break.
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Get some sound. After the reed is on the mouthpiece, you can practice by blowing into the mouthpiece. Your mouth should be wrapped around the edge of the reed and mouthpiece. Make sure it's not too far into the reed or not too far out, or you won't be able to make the right sounds. It should sound like a duck call or a horn.
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Put it together. After you get used to blowing notes into the saxophone you can put the rest of the saxophone together. You will start by putting the mouthpiece to the neck, or the curved piece. This will attach to the body of the saxophone. Everything should be aligned to the back key, so that it is straight and easier to use. Don't force the instrument together, but keep everything loose and use the screws on the side to tighten it after everything is aligned.
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Play notes. When you have the saxophone aligned, you can use the same technique with the mouthpiece and use it with different notes. You can do this by pressing down one key at a time in order to get the different notes on the instrument.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a fingering book in order to find the best ways to play the notes. By doing this, you will be able to combine the notes with the fingerings in the correct way.
Be careful of the way that you form your lips around the mouthpiece. By not doing this correctly, you will squeak and won't be able to get the right notes.
