How to Play the Tenor Saxophone Easily

Playing the tenor saxophone doesn't have to be difficult.

Notable for its curved "neck" and its smokey, mid-range sound, the tenor saxophone is arguably one of most-recognized and used of all jazz instruments. Because of its size, which is mid-way between the smaller alto and larger baritone saxophones, playing a tenor saxophone can seem difficult at first, simply for the amount of air required to produce steady, consistent tone. This being said, there are several tips that can make learning and playing the tenor saxophone easier for yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Tenor saxophone reeds

Instructions

1. Learn to play the clarinet prior to playing the tenor saxophone. In addition to helping you develop your embouchure -- the way you shape your mouth around the mouthpiece in order to best make sound -- and air streams, the fingering patterns for the clarinet are almost identical to those of the tenor saxophone. Furthermore, the tenor sax and clarinet are both instruments that play in the "B-flat" key, so you'll be able to play your favorite clarinet songs on the tenor saxophone without re-learning them without changing the key, or transposing the music.

2. Purchase soft reeds, which are the pieces of bamboo you attach to the mouthpiece to make sound. Reeds come in a range of numbers from one to five, with one being extremely soft and five being extremely hard. Buy reeds with a hardness of two, two-and-a-half or three to avoid overexerting yourself when playing.

3. Focus on playing notes in the saxophone's middle ranges when you start out. Extremely low notes whose respective keys are located at the bottom of the horn will require you to blow large amounts of air (something that might be difficult for you) through it, while very high notes will require you to manipulate your embouchure on the spot. Playing songs that are written primarily between the low-octave "G" and the high-octave "A" will help you develop basic playing skills without worrying about overexertion.

4. Try and play the melodies of your favorite songs from the radio or movies by ear. If you're not well-versed in reading music, attempting to do so can confuse and distract you while you're attempting to master your instrument. By focusing on the songs themselves, you can direct more of your attention to your skill with the instrument.

References

• TenorSaxophone.us: Tenor Sax Questions Answered
• Saxophone Reeds: Advice, Tips and Strength Comparison
• Connexions: Transposing Instruments

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Straight Dope: Why Are Saxophones Made in Different Keys?