Comments on: How to Begin to Play the Saxophone

on 3/20/2008 Anybody please tell me where to find an online video teaching beginners how to play tenor saxophone ?

Here's my e-mail : eliasawad75@yahoo.com

Thanks y'all !

on 3/20/2008 Anybody please tell me where to find an online video teaching beginners how to play tenor saxophone ?

Here's my e-mail : eliasawad75@yahoo.com

Thanks y'all !

E.

on 7/7/2007 I would appreciate some of you experienced players share how you break in your reeds. If you soak your reeds, how much of the reed do you emerse in the water?

on 1/19/2007 When starting to play an instrument, always tune it first. It makes playing a lot more enjoyable, as it will sound better. You can use a piano to tune, or another instrument. You can also buy a tuner at most music stores. This also makes you music more beautiful, as it won't "repel" the sounds from other correctly tuned instruments.

on 9/20/2006 Always practice the music you hate or music that is hard first. Then when you get really stressed out, play the "fun music." It makes practicing a lot more enjoyable.

on 9/17/2006 You should choose a mouthpiece based on the style of music you want to play. For classical music you will probably want to use a good, hard rubber mouthpiece, whereas metal mouthpieces are more suited to Jazz. Some mouthpieces produce brighter tones than others, depending on what style of music they are made for. If you plan on investing in a high quality mouthpiece, you should make sure to try out many mouthpieces to see which one is the best for you. Evaluate the different mouthpieces on tone quality, tuning, dynamic range, and range of notes you can play. Be careful, as different mouthpieces of the same model can still be slightly different.

For beginners, I recommend the Selmer c* mouthpiece. This mouthpiece makes an okay all around mouthpiece, but it is great in a classical setting. I myself use a c**.

While I definitely recommend investing in a good mouthpiece, good mouthpieces range in price from about $70 to about $200 for alto sax mouthpieces, and more for tenor or bari sax mouthpieces. If you are not prepared to make such an investment however, you should definitely not use the mouthpiece which comes with the saxophone. Major saxophone companies also make cheaper, not as high quality mouthpieces for beginning students. These mouthpieces range in price from about $15-$30. I would recommend the Selmer Goldentone, although it is still a good idea to try out each of these cheaper mouthpieces.

on 4/19/2008 Producing a good tone while playing the notes below a low D can be tough...try this and you'll see better results. Holding each note 2 counts begin on a low F; Slur down the chromatic scale stopping at the first note that gives you trouble. First just focus on slurring down to that note successfully. When you can finally slur down to that note, in the same breath, hold/sustain that note for 2-4 counts and then, also in the same breath, tongue the note 4 more times with a legato (connecting) articulation. Repeat this process, beginning on the low F and move down through all of the remaining lower register notes to low Bb. Recap: Just remember once you get the difficult note to sound, hold it, then in the same breath legato tongue 4 more times.

on 8/8/2006 It is very important when playing the saxophone to keep your cheeks in, for good tone production. Don't puff out your cheeks!

on 8/8/2006 Remember to have your fingers positioned correctly; on the top three and bottom three, using your index, middle, and ring fingers.

on 6/30/2006 I am a Middle School student who plays alto saxophone. The most important thing is you have to like playing to be good. I suggest you start out with a Rico strength 2 reed. They are cheap and fine for beginners. As you advance you may want to try Rico Royals for reeds. I also suggest that you have a concert reed for concerts and practice reeds for every day use. Invest in some cork grease, also. You put your sax together correctly by first taking you reed out of your reed guard. Then get out your mouthpiece and place the reed so the top is at the top of the mouthpiece. The take the metal clip and slip the larger opening over the mouthpiece while holding the reed in place. Tighten the screws until reed is secure. Take out your cork grease and rub it on the cork on the neck. place the mouthpiece on the cork and leave about 1/2 inch of the cork still showing. Place the neck on the body. Finally, clip on your neck strap and adjust!

on 3/21/2006 Make sure that if you are in music class at school, or in the school band, that you always put your mouthpiece cap on, and your reed is secure in the reed guard. Make sure your pad saver is inserted and that your case is securely shut if you will not be holding on to it or if you need to carry it by the handle.

on 4/19/2008 When you finish a song or warm up, don't use your tongue to press against the reed, this makes the ending of your song end on a bad note. Instead, on the final count of the note take a quick breath in without pausing between the exhale and inhale of air. This will provide a far better tone and sound quality.

on 3/8/2006 I found one of the best ways to improve your sound and technical abilities is through the use of scales. Buy a book of scales and exercises and take your time with it don't rush through it. No matter what you skill level scales are an excellent way to work on tone, vibrato, and key signatures.

on 3/8/2006 Try this: Get a straw and a cup filled with water. Fill your mouth with water and blow it out horizontally through the straw. Do this until you can easily keep a steady stream of water. This should help beginners hold a steady note without wavering, and should also teach them to control their breath.

on 3/8/2006 There's a lot of good information here; I'm a grade school and middle school band director, and would recommend just about everything mentioned thus far, stressing the following, as some have already mentioned:

1. Long tones are critical; they develop your embouchure, your ability to play in tune, and your stamina.

2. Get an inexpensive tuner to practice with. I have all my beginners (and experienced players) purchase a Sabine MT9000 when they first start. You'll need to know how to read the result as all saxes are transposing instruments. When alto saxes play their "G", an A# or Bb will show depending on the brand of tuner.

3. Find a teacher. As someone mentioned already, this will cut down on short-term frustration as well as prevent poor playing habits that will be very difficult to break down the line.

4. Remember that you can't play anything fast until you can play it slow. Start at slower speeds and gradually increase with the use of a metronome.

5. Find some fun music to play. If all you work on is your lesson book you will loose interest.