Saxophone Reed
Ways To Overcoming Challenges In Learning The Saxophone
A saxophone or “sax” is a musical instrument which is commonly used in playing jazz, classical and reggae music. Learning how to play the saxophone can be challenging because of the complexity of the different parts of the instrument and the varied techniques that are known to properly play it. The difficulties that may be encountered especially for someone new to playing this instrument are:
CHALLENGE 1.
Learning how to assemble the parts of the saxophone. Assembling the parts of the sax may be a bit tricky to someone not familiar with it. Parts of the saxophone are the main body, the neck the mouth piece, reed, and the ligature. There are many types of saxes that are available and steps in assembling them may not be the same. Common steps in assembling the saxophone are as follows:
1.First step is to hold the body of the sax firmly, then attach the neck of the sax to the body by applying a little pressure. You need to loosen first the screws, usually two, on the upper part of the body before you can properly fit the neck to the body. Tighten the screws afterwards.
2.Attach the mouth piece to the neck of the saxophone. If the mouth piece won’t slide in easily, try putting a little cork grease to do the trick. Do not force the mouth piece in or you will cause damage to the sax.
3.Attaching the reed and the ligature must be done extra carefully to avoid miscalculations which could damage the very expensive mouth piece. Place the reed in first, making sure that the flat side of the reed is facing the flat side of the mouth piece. Slowly slide it in then secure with the ligature to hold the reed in place. Tighten it firmly and its ready to be played.
CHALLENGE 2.
Learning how to do the embouchure. The embouchure is a technique needed to play the saxophone. It is done by rolling your lower lip over your bottom teeth far enough that you cover the entire front row. Very much like the shape that your lips make when you are getting ready to whistle. With this technique, the sound of the sax is enhanced and less spit would flow into the sax.
CHALLENGE 3.
Proper breathing and blowing of the saxophone. Since the saxophone is an instrument that is played by blowing, strong lungs and diaphragm is needed. Breathing by the diaphragm is what helps you play the saxophone better. The stronger the breath is held, the longer a tone can be played. Long tones require a good breathing skill when playing the saxophone. Although there is a technique called the circular breathing which is particularly for playing long tones.
This technique will enable you to play long tones without the need to pause for breath. Learning this technique will be difficult for beginners, but taking music lessons particularly saxophone lessons may help a beginner learn this technique that if the teacher will teach it. Sax lessons may help a beginner learn fast in playing the saxophone but learning how to play it on your own is easy if a saxophone instructions manual on playing it is obtained.
CHALLENGE 4.
Fingering skills and note reading. The best part of having your saxophone is when you begin playing it. However, playing the sax is not all pressing keys, you have to learn the notes and their individual sounds to be at least a decent player.With just one or two sax lessons, plus continuous practice and some experimenting, a person can be expected to learn enough of the basics to be able to play adequately. Even notes that are played randomly may create the most wonderful kind of music when played by a very artistic and soulful person.
Mastering on how to play the saxophone takes time and a lot of effort, but once learned and became good at it, everything will be worth it.
Saxophone Parts & Exercises : Saxophone Reed Assembly