Tips on Choosing a Saxophone

How To Choose A Saxophone

For many decades, saxophones have captured our attention with their brassy and deep sound as well as delicate unique silhouettes. Mainly associated with jazz, they also take a significant place in pop, classical, experimental, and rock music. No wonder, the number of people who are inspired with the idea to learn to play this instrument isn’t decreasing. Whether you’re a student who is just beginning to play the sax or parents who don’t know much about what might work better for their children, our ultimate guide will help you choose the saxophone that fits a specific skill level and music genre.

Different Types of Saxophones

No matter if you’re a student moving to a higher level or a hobbyist looking to upgrade, you should realize that there are a few types of saxophones, each differ in weight, size, and adaptability for specific needs.

Alto Saxophone: This is the best starting point for beginners. It’s smaller, lighter, and easier for maneuvering. It doesn’t engage muscles as heavy as other types, which makes it the best option as the first saxophone to learn to play. It has a bright, clear sound and is frequently used in classical, jazz, and popular music genres.

Tenor Saxophone: Jazz greats such as John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Dexter Gordon played a tenor saxophone that earned this sax a reputation as a jazz instrument and one of the most versatile instruments in the woodwind family. A tenor saxophone is larger and heavier than alto saxophones, which will demand more effort right from the start. However, its deeper, richer tone compensates for any challenges. If you want to learn to play the sax because you’re inspired by famous jazz and blues musicians, this instrument will become your ideal companion.

Soprano Saxophone: This instrument shares more similarities with clarinets and is known as the smallest model among other saxophones. Although you can come across curved soprano saxophones, this type of the instrument mostly features a straight shape. A soprano saxophone has a tight embouchure due to the smaller size of the mouthpiece, requiring serious engagement of your muscles to produce the sound. Moreover, it’s higher-pitched and more difficult to control, which makes it better suited for advanced players rather than beginners.

Baritone Saxophone: This is the largest instrument in the family of saxophones, known for its deep and powerful tone. While it’s perfect for playing impressive bass lines due to its low voice, it’s the least suitable option for beginners. Baritone saxophones are expensive and heavier in weight due to their bigger size.  Moreover, they are trickier to maintain the balance between high and low notes, and they are more difficult to produce a good sound. Baritone saxophones also require heavy muscle engagement, which makes them better suited for experienced players.

Tips on Choosing a Saxophone

As a saxophone is a complex instrument, each component of its construction and build contributes to the playability, sound, and your personal experience as a musician. Here are things you should consider when buying your first sax or looking for an upgrade: 

Materials

Most saxophones nowadays are made from brass, coated with high-gloss lacquer or clear-coat lacquer. Older models of instruments feature silver, gold, and black nickel finishes.

Brass saxophones with clear lacquer are the standard types of saxophones used by beginners. They offer a more traditional bright tone. Silver-plated saxophones stand out due to their more resonant sound, while gold-plated instruments offer more warmth and depth in sound, however costing higher. 

You can also find saxophones (mostly professional models) featuring special alloys or thicker metal that helps the instruments sound more complex in tones. While the materials affect the sound only subtly, they have a greater impact on the instrument’s aesthetics. 

Saxophone keys can feature brass or nickel and even be covered with mother-of-pearl in areas where your index, middle, and ring finger touch the instrument. Saxophone rods can be silver while the rest of the body features a gold color. This is commonly present in student models. 

Saxophone pads are mainly made of leather and feature light brown color, with metal or brass discs on them, also known as resonators. Often, you can find saxophones with brown plastic resonators, serving as a good alternative to metal resonators.

Brands

There are many outstanding brands, offering high-quality saxophones, particularly suited for specific skill levels:

• Yamaha: This brand offers a wide range of beginner-friendly saxophones and models with great intermediate options.
  
• Selmer: These saxophones are highly appreciated for their top craftsmanship and rich tone, which makes them popular among professionals. 
  
• Jupiter: From this company you can buy affordable student models. 
  
• Yanagisawa: They produce all the range of saxophones. One of the most unique offerings of this brand is the curved soprano saxophone.
  
• Trevor James. This brand is famous for their raw brass saxophones, featuring a coat of wax but no lacquer. This allows instruments to age over time like antiques, which is especially valued by musicians who are searching for something unique.

This is not the entire list of famous brands, however when sticking to instruments made by these companies you can ensure that you get the best possible build quality for its money.

Saxophones for Various Skill Level

Now let’s explore which saxophone type fits for a specific skill level. 

For beginners:

When choosing your first saxophone, your priority should be the comfort as you are just getting used to playing the instrument. Your first model should be easy-to-play while being able to produce a good sound with minimal effort. The best option is to select entry-level and student models. 
Student saxophones feature a simple build, and what's more they are lightweight allowing beginners to feel relaxed while performing. They are also available for an affordable price. The best beginner option is the alto saxophone. 
Although student saxophones are made with materials that resist wear and tear, they won’t last forever. At some point you will need an upgrade and it’s a natural process as you acquire knowledge and refine skills. 
Expect to spend around $800 – $2000 on these saxophones.

For intermediate-level players:

If you already have some idea of how to play a saxophone and have learned basic techniques, there’s no point in sticking to beginner models. Select intermediate saxophones, offering a noticeable step in sound quality and construction. 
These saxophones feature better craftsmanship, more refined intonation, and greater dynamic range. They sound richer and fuller, as well as offering more options for fine adjustments. 
Featuring copper, bronze or silver bodies, intermediate saxophones often have engravings on their bell and genuine stone inlays on keys such as mother-of-pearl or abalone stones. They are more reliable compared to beginner saxophones and serve longer. 
Expect to spend between $2000- $3000 on these models.

For advanced players:

Professional-grade instruments stand out due to their superior tone, build quality, and tuning precision. These are often handcrafted with high-end materials. 
Professional saxophones are available with the bodies made of brass, silver or gold plating. You can even find models with vintage-vibe designs or unlacquered finishes. 
Professional saxophones are all about impressive, eye-catching design as they are aimed at musicians who are constantly in the spotlight, with regular performances on big stages. Compared to student models, these instruments have additional keys, allowing a higher range of notes. 

High-end saxophones cost around $5,000 and more.

Which One to Buy: New or Used Saxophone

You don’t necessarily need to buy a new saxophone when deciding on your first instrument. However, every decision has its pros and cons. 

New Saxophone

Pros: 

• It doesn't have any sign of wear or tear. 
  
• Its finish is perfect and the pads are new. 
  
• Mechanisms are based on the latest techniques. 
  
• You get a warranty from the company and the music store.
  
• The idea of owning something new and only yours that looks perfect. 

Cons

• It’s expensive (can cost up to 10 times higher than used alternatives).
  
• Because of the mass production, there’s the risk of the lack of consistency in quality. 

Used Saxophone

Pros:

• It costs not so high: you can buy a desired model for a more affordable price. 
  
• The materials and craftsmanship can still be superb. 
  
• You can buy older saxophones with vintage vibes and unique engravings.

Cons: 

• The lack of knowledge about the real condition of the instrument. 
  
• Some people may take advantage of you and sell you not what you expect to get.
  
• It may have minor rod or key damage that affects its sound. 

Additional Saxophone Accessories

To make your practices more comfortable right from the start and protect your instrument and its parts from damage, you may need the following accessories for saxophonists:

• Saxophone neck strap: This accessory distributes the weight of the instrument, reducing strain on your neck and shoulders during practices, rehearsals and performances. 

• Mouthpiece pouches: They effectively protect saxophone mouthpieces from damage during contact with other essentials in your bag. They also shield the mouthpieces from environmental factors, such as temperature extremes and moisture.

• Saxophone neck pouches: This accessory protects the saxophone neck from damage and scratches during travel and on tours.

• Gig bags. They accommodate the instrument, keeping its surface and mechanisms highly secure during travel around the town and abroad. 

Final Word

Choosing the perfect saxophone for your needs is an achievable goal, if you consider your skill level, brands, budget, and desired condition of the instrument. The process may require time to do some research, explore the range of offerings in your local music store, and read the feedback from other customers. A properly chosen saxophone will help you sound better and inspire you to practice more that is crucial for your achievements. 

Recently we’ve shared Tips On Choosing Saxophone Neck Straps. Feel free to read it to get helpful insights 

You can explore the full range of our leather accessories for saxophones in the category of WOODWIND.