The Basics of Learning Notes on the Saxophone
The multitude of keys stretching down a saxophone can be bewildering if you don’t know the basics of learning and playing notes on the instrument. As a member of the woodwind family, saxophone tones are produced by air passing through the reed in the mouthpiece. Tones can be adjusted higher or lower by pressing the keys of the instrument with the fingers of the left and right hands.
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Producing Notes
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The most basic aspect of producing notes on a saxophone is the process of breathing through the mouthpiece to cause a note to sound out. The precise method of holding your mouth and producing notes is referred to as your “embouchure”; many players work to perfect theirs for several years. Place your mouth over the mouthpiece, resting your top front teeth on the top of the mouthpiece and a lot of the weight of your head resting on it. Purse your lips in a loose “kissing” motion, and force a concentrated jet of air down the mouthpiece. Working on keeping an even flow of air is important to the tone you produce.
Left Hand Notes
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The saxophone has four notable circular pearl buttons on the top half. Slightly lower on the body is an oval-shaped key that is operated with the pinky finger. The highest of the four circular pearl buttons shouldn’t be covered by your fingers. The saxophone also has three levers to the right of those buttons, which are designed to be operated with the palm of your hand. These are all valves that can be pressed to change the note produced by the instrument.
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Right Hand Notes
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Towards the bottom of the saxophone, on the right hand side, there are five pearl buttons that control valves, and another oval key to be controlled by the little finger. The three pearl buttons that must be covered by the fingers are the lowest two, and the second one from the top. These are the larger three buttons. Hold your hand so that your index, middle and ring finger operate these three pearl buttons and your little finger rests on the oval key. There are also rectangular notes near the back of the instrument designed to be operated with your palm. With both hands in position, different combinations of keys are pressed to change the notes produced.
Thumbs
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Your thumbs have an important job to do when playing notes on the saxophone. Your right thumb sits under a looped thumb rest on the back of the instrument, which is used for support. Your left thumb should reach naturally around to the back of the instrument if the fingers are in the correct positions. Feel for an oval key at the back of the saxophone. This is the octave key, used to produce higher notes on the saxophone.
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