How to Hold a Saxophone in a Neck Strap

Never let your sax hang from your neck strap unsupported.

The saxophone is a woodwind instrument made of metal. A neck strap is an imperative accessory to hold and support the heavy saxophone whether you play seated, standing or marching in a band. It prevents the instrument from falling and allows you to play for long stretches without tiring. Correctly holding the saxophone in a neck strap improves your physical comfort and mental alertness and thereby augments quality of tone, technique, intonation and interpretation.

Things You'll Need

• Neck strap
• Cork grease

Instructions

1. Put on the neck strap. Adjust it so that the hook is at chest level.

2. Seat yourself on a chair without arm supports. Rest the instrument body on your knees.

   Attach the neck strap securely to the neck strap ring--a metal loop sited some inches over the thumb rest at the saxophone's rear bottom--by sliding the clip into the ring. Remove the saxophone body's end cap.

3. Loosen the neck screw slightly. Push the neck deep into the saxophone body with a backward-forward movement. Ensure the octave pin simultaneously enters the octave key loop. Tighten the neck screw.

4. Stand or sit erect but tension-free while playing the instrument. Allow the neck strap to hold the instrument's weight entirely, using your arms only to steady the sax.

   Place your right thumb on the thumb rest at the saxophone's bottom section. Curl the rest of the fingers of your right hand on the keys on the instrument's bottom. Rest your left thumb on the top portion's black button and place your fingers on the keys at the top.

   Hold a small saxophone like a soprano in front of you pointed outward. Hold a tenor saxophone against your body. An adult can comfortably hold a saxophones in a neck strap in front of his body, while a younger player likely will find it easier to hold the instrument to her side.

5. Adjust the neck strap to bring the mouthpiece to mouth level. Altering the neck strap's tightness will enable you to move the saxophone toward your body rather than moving your body to the instrument.

Tips & Warnings

• Padded or harness neck straps may be more comfortable than hard cord straps.

• If the clip does not close completely, it will slide off the strap ring under the weight of the horn, causing the instrument to fall down. Use swivel hook straps. Avoid open hooks.

• Never let the saxophone suspend freely from the neck strap.

References

• Saxophon-Lessons: How do you hold the saxophone
• Saxophone: Saxophone Basics
• The art of saxophone playing By Larry Teal: Playing Position (page 31)
• BBC: How to Play the Saxophone
• Amro Music: The Skinny on Saxophones: FAQs, assembly, and More

Resources

• Basix Sax Method: Book & CD
• The United States Army Field Band Presents: Saxophone Basics