How to Learn the Saxophone
Whether it's classical music, jazz or rock 'n' roll, the sound of the saxophone is distinct. There are four types of saxophone -- soprano, alto, tenor and baritone -- that are roughly equivalent in tone to the four stringed instruments of the orchestra: violin, viola, cello and bass. Although there is no substitute for one-on-one instruction from a qualified teacher, you can get started on your own by learning to read music in the treble clef and learning basic fingering of the sax. All four saxes have the same fingering, which helps when transitioning from one type of instrument to another.
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Things You'll Need
- Saxophone
- Neck strap -- unless playing soprano
- Mouthpiece and ligature
- Reeds
- Sheet music or book for beginning saxophone
Instructions
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Set Up
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Buy the best instrument you can afford. Cheap instruments found at flea markets and on the Internet are made of inferior material, and even the best players can't get a good tone from them. Used instruments are not necessarily less expensive; classic horns, in fact, can cost thousands of dollars. Expect to pay at least $800 for a good student model or used horn in playable condition.
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Choose a mouthpiece if your sax does not come with one. Beginners generally find a hard rubber mouthpiece, size 5 or 6, to be easiest to use. If you have a metal mouthpiece and you're bothered by the vibration against your teeth, you can apply a small rubber mouthpiece pad. You'll also need a ligature, which holds the reed onto the mouthpiece. These are available in metal or leather. If you ask around, you'll find every sax player has a preference for one or the other.
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Select some reeds. Many brands of reed are available, and you'll probably play with a number of them until you find a favorite. Reeds are made of bamboo, although there are some synthetic ones on the market, and are rated by hardness from 1 -- soft -- to 5 -- hard. Beginners usually start with a reed marked 1-1/2 or 2. A reed needs to be wet before it will play. Saxophonists usually moisten their reeds by keeping the flat end in their mouths for a few minutes before playing. Alternatively, you can put a reed in a small glass of water.
How to Play
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Learning a few tunes is easy, but saxophone mastery is a lifelong pursuit. Get a fingering chart. You can find free ones on the web or in a beginner's book.
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Blow into the mouthpiece without puffing out your cheeks. It should feel as though you're pushing air with your diaphragm, not with your mouth.
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Remember the old joke about the best way to get to Carnegie Hall -- practice, practice, practice? At first, you'll feel winded and maybe even a bit lightheaded after playing for 15 minutes or so. With time and dedication, your breath support, and your tone, will improve.
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Learn to read music written in the treble clef, if you don't already know how to do so. You can play by ear, but if you take private lessons or want to play with a band someday, it's good to know how to read.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit saxophone image by SADIA from Fotolia.com girl with saxophone image by Galyna Andrushko from Fotolia.com
