How to Move From an Alto to a Soprano Saxophone

The ability to switch from alto to soprano saxophone makes for a more versatile musician.

Alto saxophone is a popular wind instrument with beginner students. The instrument is relatively straightforward to learn, fits in well with a student ensemble and has the versatility to be used in both jazz and classical ensembles. Many people who have played alto sax for some time decide to try their hand at soprano saxophone, which is played at a higher register. Fortunately, a background in alto saxophone allows for a relatively easy switch to the soprano version of the instrument.

Instructions

1. Adjust the amount of air you blow through the horn. While the alto saxophone requires quite a bit of air in order to get a good amount of volume out of the horn, the soprano saxophone is a smaller instrument and requires far less. One of the best ways to adjust to blowing the correct amount of air through the soprano saxophone is to practice taking smaller breaths than you would if you were playing alto sax.

2. Spend time getting used to the difference in pitch between the alto and soprano saxophone. Those who have played alto will undoubtedly recognize the fact that the soprano saxophone can sound both flat and sharp, depending upon which notes you play. Learning to play the instrument in perfect tune will take practice, and is best done by spending time playing along to a tuner. Practice varying your embouchure (the placement of the lips, teeth and tongue) and the amount of air you blow through the horn in order to affect the intonation of the instrument.

3. Shift your embouchure so that it is more focused and tightly held. The mouthpiece on a soprano saxophone requires a tighter embouchure because it is smaller than that of other horns. Focus the corners of your mouth inward (without biting the mouthpiece), placing downward pressure on your upper lip.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice moving between alto and soprano saxophone in order to increase your versatility.

References

• Texas School Music Project: Take the Soprano Challenge
• The Saxophone: Different Types of Saxophones
• CNX: Transposing Instruments

Resources

• Sax Quest