Evergreen Music Studio - Saxophone for Beginners: Tips and Tricks to Play the Top Saxophone Music and Songs

For most saxophonists, there cannot be any better musical instruments out there. There is not one musical instrument that catches the fancy of music lovers with a blast of different melodies as much as the sax. The range of sounds it produces cuts across different genres, from Pop to Rock to Jazz to Classical, with a collection of unique playing modes, emotions, and moods. In fact, it is correct to assert that the saxophone is one of the best musical instruments the world has ever known and one that is very beginner-friendly at that. Without the appropriate guidance and step-by-step instructions, playing the saxophone can be a little intimidating the first time. The truth remains that there is no better time to start learning and playing the instrument of your dreams than now. An excellent reason why a book like this will come in handy!

Before buying a saxophone, most people are confused about what exactly they need to look for. Because of its extreme ease of use, some may key into the idea of buying a student saxophone. But while most of them are very easy to use, they do not have the requisite quality, plus they were not built to last forever. At some particular stage in the future, they will certainly need to be upgraded. If you are looking to settle for something that lasts longer, then it is in your best interest to settle for a more professional saxophone. Perhaps the best saxophone for a beginner is the commonest one, the Alto Saxophone.

After choosing whether to go for a student saxophone or to settle for a professional one, your next decision is to decide upon the exact size of the saxophone that you need. There are different sizes and shapes of saxophones, ranging from the high-pitched and very small Soprillo to the monstrous Contrabass that is much larger than the others. Most saxophones are categorized into four; the Alto, Soprano, Baritone and Tenor saxophone.

Unboxing your Saxophone

After making a good saxophone purchase, the next thing to do is to unbox it and put it together. Putting it together may not be very straightforward, especially if you are doing it for the first time. But when youve done it a few more times, it will not be quite as difficult. Before you unbox it, there are a few things to consider. It is very easy to damage a saxophone if you do not handle it correctly, i.e., grabbing it by the rods or notepads, two parts that can easily be broken.

1. When you remove the saxophone from its case, place it carefully onto a protected surface. A best practice is to carefully position your right hand inside the bell while grabbing it as it gives you the opportunity to have a firm hold, plus it is the safest thing to do.

2. Use your left hand and feel the bottom of the sax, the part where it is curved, and prepare to grab it from there.

3. When you have firmly held it using both your hands, carefully have the sax tucked in the space between your body and your arm. This will help you place the other hand on the neck of the saxophone to put it together.

Putting the Saxophone Together

When you have successfully grabbed your saxophone with both hands, it is now time to place the pieces together. If you are not acquainted with doing so, this may prove a little difficult for you. It is a very easy and simple thing to do, but there are certain things you need to understand first. As you put the upper part into the opening at the saxs top, it should be neither too loose nor too tight. You have the option of loosening the screw if you feel it is too tight. This is best done by a professional so, when you purchase your saxophone, ask them to show you how to assemble it. Once you are comfortable with this, you will be able to tighten or loosen the screw yourself to ensure it fits properly.

Secondly, it is important to know that it is not a best practice to hold your saxophones by its bell and tug on it as you are trying to put it together. The pressure that builds is sufficient to misalign your sax, meaning that you may have some expenses that you may not have anticipated if you damage the instrument. When you have finished attaching the neck onto the sax, a screw on the side needs to be tightened. From the saxophones top, firmly grab the neck with the right force to keep it in place and to stop it from moving side-to-side.

Never make it a part of your practice routine to pull your sax by the bell when you want to slide the neck into place. This is because it has the potential for misaligning your sax. You may also find that assembly instructions are clear in the manual that you received at the time that you bought your sax, and its useful to follow the instructions given to the letter.