Sax Saxophone
Learning The Saxophone – Get Started Today
About The Saxophone
The sax was originally created by a Belgian instrument designer by the name of Adolphe Sax in 1843. The sax was made chiefly to be played with armed forces bands but has nowadays come to be more familiar with Jazz, Big Band, and a lot of different styles of mainstream music today.
The saxophone, is a woodwind type instrument, despite the fact it is constructed of metal. It has a cool, sexy tone that is very distinctive. The saxophone is fairly easy to pick up and is a good instrument for any person greater than the age of 12 who desires to be able to play a few basic tunes aside from having any ample musical comprehension. It has a single vibrating reed connected to one end of a long horn via a mouthpiece which is narrow at the reed end and broadens out down its length into a wide ‘bell’ at the other end. To make the sax easier to handle, the horn is curved into that characteristic ‘S’ shape construction, except the very small saxes, such as the soprano, which is straight resembling a clarinet.
The original saxes had a range of about two octaves. With a present day breed of sax the range is now about two and a half octaves, although with particular playing skills much greater notes can be attained. Current saxes also have a better designed key construction making them a lot easier to play.
First Steps
It is advisable that you begin learning with the alto sax. A soprano is also ok for a beginner, but it is not recommended that you begin with a tenor or baritone saxophone – get an alto to begin with, you can always swap later. The change will be a lot easier.
As the saxophone isn’t one of the more difficult instruments to pick up and play, when you put the effort in you will actually be playing tunes very quick.
To play the saxophone you must have arms capable enough to support the instrument and hands large enough to get to the keys. There are no small instruments especially for new starters, but of course the small soprano saxophone is less difficult in this respect. It is not unusual for children of 11 or 12 to start out on the saxophone. Please be aware that acquiring a sound embouchure (the shape of your mouth around the mouth piece) from the start is an absolute requirement in that this will influence the general tone character of the sax, so it is not recommended that young people that still have their first teeth pick up the saxophone as your teeth have an important part of an excellent embouchure.
Practice, And More Practice
You will certainly need excellent resource material which give lessons in fingering, scales, lessons which aid you to attain a good embouchure etc.
Beginning to play the sax will require you to commit a lot of effort in consistent practice. Shaping your abilities so as to play like a pro comes with persistence and hard work, also with training and practice on a regular basis. Allow yourself a good amount of time to practice your technique and be aware of how to improve the deficiencies.
It is highly recommended that you look up a reputable tutor in the area which you live who will be able to consider your development and help you stay disciplined to keep you focused.
Are You Properly Equipped?
Buying a good quality sax will give you the right start on this musical journey, remember you will always get what you pay for, you will be tempted to purchase the cheapest but you’ll by all odds pay out in the long run or become dissatisfied with its tone quality extremely fast. See it as a long term investment not an expense. Purchasing a good quality horn from a reputable manufacturer will put you in good stead long term, as well as having a better tone and a more accurate intonation. Other essential kit include-
a firm case (not a soft gigbag)
a good stable stand
a neckstrap
cork grease
a swab (pullthrough) to clean out the inside
Books, dvd’s and cd’s for scales and fingering technique exercises etc.
Sheet music. Begin with basic musical pieces
About the Author
Seeing that you’re serious about getting started, you’ll want a sax. For the best student alto saxophone go HERE, you’ll also discover other good saxophone things to help get you up and playing in very little time.
Eric Prydz – Pjanoo feat Syntheticsax saxophone improvization sax club mix
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