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How to Buy Your First Saxophone |
Often times starting an instrument can a discouraging and frustrating experience especially with wind instruments. It can be difficult to produce the desired sound and students will begin to feel they aren’t musically talented enough to play, but the saxophone is know for being easier to create an appealing sound. The saxophone is not known for sounding flat or squeaking and is the perfect instrument for beginning  musician of all ages.
Now you’ve decided to purchase a sax what should you look for? If you’ve never played before what makes one sax different from the other? Well were here to help you. When purchasing your first sax you should consider 3 things the key, the materials used, and any additional keys on the saxophone. These three characteristics will affect both the tone and your growth as a saxophone player.
The first and most important decision you must make as a saxophone player is the key of your saxophone. There are 10 commonly seen saxophones but the most popular Alto Eb, Soprano Bb, Tenor Bb, and Baritone Eb. Of these the Alto Eb is the best fit for a beginning sax player for several reasons. Fist of all most saxophone music is written for the alto sax. This will provide you as the player with the greatest variety to develop and progress as a sax player. Also the alto saxophone is the perfect size. The keys are laid out relatively close to each other and the alto sax is small enough for even the youngest player to play without straining their lungs.
So now that you’ve decided on the key, the next aspect that needs consideration are the materials used in the sax’s construction. Most saxophones are made from brass and then coated with either a lacquer coating , a nickel plaiting , or a silver plaiting . A lacquer coat produces a warmer mellow sound where nickel and silver produce a brighter louder sound. Nickel and silver are more common in big bands or marching bands as the style of music requires is where the lacquer coating is more common in orchestral and small jazz ensembles. If you are unsure as to what style of music to play then the obvious choice is to go with whichever is more suitable to your price range.
The final part of your saxophone you should consider is weather to go with the additional high F# key . If you can find a saxophone within your price range that has this it is defiantly something you should purchase. This higher key will provide you with a greater range of play and more flexibility in what you play.
Well we at 2 Kool 4 Skool hope this provided you with the information you needed and we hope you find what you’re looking for. Be sure and check out our great deals on saxophones as well.
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