How to Play a Baritone Sax

The saxophone is a woodwind musical instrument that is played in many bands in the Western world. The concept of how a saxophone works is identical, no matter if the saxophone is a soprano, alto, tenor or baritone saxophone. For purposes of this article, the baritone saxophone (also called "baritone sax") is what we will be referring to, although the procedure is nearly identical for all saxophones.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baritone sax
• Baritone sax reed
• Baritone sax mouthpiece and ligature (retaining ring)
• Cork grease
• One 8 oz. cup of water

1. Submerge the thin front edge of the baritone sax reed in water, and let the reed soak for about two minutes. (You can also place the reed in your mouth for about two minutes to allow saliva to soak the reed.)

2. Holding the neck of the baritone sax, apply a light film of cork grease to the cork. Slide the baritone sax mouthpiece on (blunt end toward saxophone, open end down). Take reed out of water and place the reed on the bottom of mouthpiece, covering the exposed channel. The reed should be placed flat, wide side over the channel.

3. Align the reed so the narrow edge is aligned to the bottom of the narrow end of the mouthpiece. While maintaining this alignment, slide the ligature over the mouthpiece and reed, so that it holds the aligned reed-mouthpiece combination in place. Tighten the screw on the ligature so that the ligature and reed do not slide around.

4. Hold the saxophone with your right hand placed near the bottom of the saxophone. Your right thumb should be placed under the thumb rest, with your index, middle and ring fingers placed above the fourth, fifth, and sixth keys (finger pads) from the top. With your left hand, place your index, middle and ring fingers on the first three keys. Your thumb should rest below the octave key (a mechanical lever on the center-top of the saxophone. Place the mouthpiece and reed combination on your lips about a fourth-inch into your mouth.

5. Press the first key and blow into the saxophone without allowing your teeth to touch either the reed or the mouthpiece. The note you have just played is B.

6. To play other musical notes, you will have to press the keys in specific sequences as you blow. The sequences for other notes are as follows:
   
   A is the first and second keys pressed at the same time.
   B is the first key only.
   C is the third key only.
   D is all six keys pressed at the same time.
   E is the first, second, third, fourth and fifth keys pressed at the same time.
   F is the first, second, third and fourth keys pressed at the same time.
   G is the first three keys pressed at the same time.

References

• Basic Fingering Chart for Saxophone