Reeds

The type of reed makes saxophone playing easier and is an prime element of a good tone. The strength and type of cane depend on the player and his or her preferences. A reed that is to hard will sound stuffy or not respond at all. On the contrary, a reed that is too thin will cause a lot of squeaking and poor tone.

A beginner saxophone player should start out on a Rico Royal 2 or 2 ½. As the player gains muscle strength, the player should move to a harder reed. However having said that having a stronger reed doesn't make you a better or worse player. I play on different strength reeds depending on what horn and style of music. I usually play between 2.5 to a 3.

A La Voz medium or medium hard would be practical for a second year player. I suggest moving to a Vandoren reed. This uses a high quality French cane. The only disadvantage to a Vandoren reed is they tend to be harder than other brands and take much longer to "break in". However they last much longer, have a good sound quality, and won’t fray. Vandorens tend to be stronger so when you begin to use them make sure you go a half of a strength lower than what you were previously using.

There are other synthetic reeds that are on the market. Plastic reeds are popular, especially for marching band season. Fibercane is another type of synthetic reed that uses a combination of reed cane and plastic. I find these reeds last a long time but have a poor sound quality. Fibercell gives you the best quality of sound of all the synthetic reed. But it's still buzzy and bright sounding.

Containers are made to keep reeds from getting cracked and maintain the moisture within the reed. There are open reed containers and closed reed containers. I suggest the Vandoren reed holders. Inside are salts to maintain the moisture of the reeds. Each slot has ridges so the reed is not on a flat surface; this way the reed doesn’t warp. The reed can also be kept in Tuperware containers with orange peels to maintain moisture. The only disadvantage is the reed will mold. This method is not widely used.

These are some tips to choosing and keeping your reeds.

Assembling the Saxophone

Ok, for those of you who just got your saxophone and are opening it for the first time, here are some tips your should really take to heart. This can really save hundreds of dollars in damage if you take precautions on how you assemble your saxophone.

To assemble the saxophone, the case should always remain on the floor. This minimizes damage to the saxophone while it is being assembled. If the case is on an unstable surface it could tip or fall. After opening the case, the first thing you should do is put the neck strap around your neck. Make sure your neckstrap has a plastic hook with a spring lock so it cannot be disconnected from the saxophone when you don't want it to. Also it's nice to have padding around the neck so the wieght of the horn doesn't make playing uncomfortable.

Next pick of the body of the saxophone by the bell. Picking up the horn any where else will run the risk of bending keys or rods. The rods have some flex to prevent damage but to mch flex will not allow no movement in the keys. By holding the bell in one hand you can stand the saxophone upright in the case.

Assemble the neck to the body by gently twisting. If the neck is difficult to assemble, gently rub the joint of the neck and the jiont on the body with a rag. If this doesn't work wipe it with brass polish making sure the polish doesn’t touch the lacquor. The polish will rub away the finish. With a greased cork gently twist on the mouthpiece. The cork on a new saxophone isn't "seasoned". When you get your horn or when you have the cork replaced it is important to grease the cork every time you alloy the mouthpiece until the mouthpiece slides on easy without the grease. I usually suggest about 5 or 6 applications. Now you can attach the saxophone to your neck strap.

In another post I'll go into detail of how to properly align a reed and ligature on the mouthpiece.

Intonation Tendancies

When playing the saxophone there are many factors to consider when it comes to pitch. The mouthpiece, the changes in embouchure or oral cavity, pressure, temperature of the instrument, the brand of saxophone, and so on... But considering the conditions outside factors that change the pitch of the saxophone, there are certain tendency tones to be weary of.

Make sure you tune your F# (A concert on alto and E concert on tenor). This notes balances the tendency notes the best.

• The low Bb is almost always sharp.
• The low C, C#, D, and Eb run a little flat. Some models have the low E run flat as well.
• The middle B on Yamaha instruments is really flat.
• Middle C can run sharp on tenors. Be careful if a group tunes their Bb.
• The middle C# is flat on all horns.
• Middle D, Eb, and E are all sharp.
• Tenor players find G to run a little sharp.
• The high A tends to be flat.
• Anything above high B is sharp except for baritone players where the palm keys are flat.

The best way to know about your individual intonation tendencies is to make a intonation chart. Tune to your F# at A=440. Then get another person and have them write down the intonation of each note of the horn. If you as a player were to look at the tuner, you would automatically adjust. This is why it's recommended that you have another person assist you.

Transposition

The saxophone is a transposing instrument. The reason it was created is so that a saxophone family can cover the full range of a piano and that a player can move to one type of horn to another without learning a whole new set of fingerings. There are two sets of saxophone families.

The Bb and Eb family and the rarer the C and F family. The Bb and Eb instruments are commonly used. The four most common are the Bb soprano, the Eb alto, Bb tenor, Eb baritone. Other instruments in this family include Eb sopranino (which is an octave above the Eb alto sax), the Bb bass saxophone (which is an octave below the tenor saxophone), and the Eb contrabass saxophone (which is an octave below the baritone saxophone).

The saxophones pitched in C and F are not used in bands or as solo instruments. The C melody saxophone is used sometimes in rock bands for players who don't want to transpose parts. But the C/F family can be found in quartet groups. The reason for these horns not being used as much is their intonation. The player spends more time trying to play in tune then they do playing musically.

The written range of all saxophones are Bb below middle C to an F three ledger lines above the treble staff. Some saxophones, namely the intermediate and professional line, have keys that allow the saxophone to play up another half step (F# three ledger lines above the treble staff). Also some soprano saxophones have another key yet that will allow them to play a G four ledger lines above the treble staff!

When transposing the saxophone this is how you go about doing so. Let's start with the Bb soprano. When playing a C on the saxophone, the sounding pitch or the note that is sound on the piano is a Bb. So if you want to transpose a C part and you are playing a Bb instrument you must go up a M2 (major second) or 2 half steps. Since the instrument sounds M2 down you must play a M2 up to make the pitch sound the same. You use the same process for the Bb tenor however for the tenor it will sound an octave lower.

To transpose an Eb alto sax you must play a M6 or 9 half steps below written. I will also suggest to play up a m3 (minor third) or 3 half steps and having the sound be an octave lower than the piano.

Saxophone Models

This is a continuation from the last post about choosing saxophone models. This entry is more detailed about individual saxophones and how they play. When choosing a saxophone make sure you try them out and see what fits you best. Ebay is another source for instruments. Be weary about what you buy because most horns you do not know the condition before you buy it. But this can be a cheaper option than buying it from a music store. Prices are based of Woodwind Brasswind or otherwise noted. Prices are subject to change.

Bandnow brand is a low quality band instruments for a cheap price. They don't play in tune very well and you should be cautious if you decide to buy this horn. The metal alloy doesn't have a lot of overtones which makes the overall tone of the instrument poor. You may like this horn because of the cost.
The alto saxophone costs $319 and the tenor saxophone costs $379 for a new instrument.

LA Sax brand can be a decent horn depending on what you want. The horns tend to be heavier. The tone quality is brighter and more edgy. The lacquer on these horns are colored. Although they look cool, they don't play very good. The tone is poor and intonation is mediocre. The intonation of the soprano saxophones are extreme. Some of their professional lines horns (the jazz series) are nice. If you exclusively play jazz these horns may suit you.
Alto:
700 series (beginner)- $900
750 series (colored)- $1,325
Chicago Jazz series-$1,399
Model six- $2,395
Tenor:
850 series (raw, non-lacquered)- $1,497
Chicago Jazz series- $2,399

Allora brand is a new brand out there. Their horns have a nice sound but have a lot of resistance compared to other brands. These German made horns have a big sound and a little on the bright side. Again if you are exclusively a jazz player these horns would work well. The finishes on the horn are unique as well.
Alto:
649 series- $829
869 "big boss" series- $1,199
501ET (sand finish)- $1,210
502 series- $1,270
Tenor:
679 series- $1,195
879 "big boss" series- $1,695
Sand finish- $1,799

Conn brand is what I call a "vintage brand gone downhill". They have a lot of vintage instruments that are collectibles now. Since they were bought out by Selmer, the quality of the instruments are not very good. I don't suggest buying a new Conn. The tone is thin and edgy, the intonation is poor, and the horn is not durable and get out of adjustment often.
Alto:
Director- $570
24M Series- $659
Vintage Wonder- $1,059
Lady Face 6M- $1,858
Tenor:
10M Series-$1,799

Jupiter brand is a popular instrument among unexperienced saxophonists. The horn is cheap but yet is reasonable in quality. If you decide to get a Jupiter, they make good beginning/intermediate horns. I suggest the 767GL/787GL for beginners.
Alto:
767GL- $949
869SG- $1,515
969GL- $1,539
Tenor:
787GL- $1,169
889 Artists- $1,739

King brand horns are similar to the Conn. Their quality isn't that good and the tone/intonation is poor. However, these horns are cheap to buy. King currently only produces one alto sax.
Alto:
665 Series- $680

Yamaha brand is one of the two leading companies of saxophones. I highly recommend all the instruments with a Yamaha name. Their beginner model all the way through their custom line are all really nice horns. The YAS-23 (beginner horn) is durable, in tune, and has a good tone. From my experience, the tone of a Yamaha doesn't drastically change from a student model to the professional line. The big difference is how they play and respond. Of all the student model horns, the YAS-23/YTS-23 is the most used and recommended. The price of these horns are also very reasonable. You can find used 23's everywhere. However I offer a word of warning, be careful about the previous condition of the saxophone. Young students sometimes are not careful how they treat their saxophone. The intermediate horns are also nice to have. A student who is in middle school or high school would upgrade to a YAS-475 or an Allegro (which is not in production an longer). I highly recommend the professional line horns; they play like butter. I would bypass the YAS-62 and go for the custom series. The ribs are light, the horn responds with ease, there is little resistance, the intonation excellent, and the action quick. The horns are a little on the bright side compared to a say a Selmer, but can be altered by playing style and mouthpiece/reed combination. This horn is great for both jazz and classical playing. The downside to this horn is it's hard to find a mouthpiece to work well with it. The stock mouthpiece works well but to find another mouthpiece, try before you buy. Woodwind Brasswind gives you the option sending mouthpieces to your home and allowing you to send back what you don't like.
Alto:
YAS-23- $400-$500 used on ebay
YAS-475- $1,585
YAS-62- $1,961
YAS-82Z- $2,683
YAS-875- $2,683
Tenor:
YTS-23- $500-$750
YTS-475- $1,758
YTS-62- $2,305
YTS-82z- $2,735
YTS-875- $3,219

In a future entry I'll continue a write up on more saxophone models.

Selecting a Saxophone

Whether you just starting out or have been playing for many years, choosing a saxophone that plays well is important. There are different brands of instruments, some better than others, with different models and styles.

If you have an interest in playing the saxophone, there are some things you should consider about what you get. The first choice is to decide whether to rent an instrument through a music company or to go and buy one. If you are a parent who is considering renting an instrument, here are some things to consider:

THE PROS:

• It gives your child (or yourself) the chance to decide to buy an instrument without committing to purchasing one.
• You have the ability to play on a brand new instrument without buying a new instrument.
• You don't have to pay the high cost of a saxophone up front.
• Most rental companies have insurance on the horn from an damages that occur (and trust me they do occur!).
  

THE CONS:

• If you pay the rental fees until you own the instrument you pay twice or more of what the horn is worth new.
• The instrument loses it's value quickly; student models over saturate the saxophone selling market so the value goes down.
• Buying a used horn is much cheaper.
• You have the choice of what kind of horn you want to buy.

If you decide to rent, make sure you do it for a short period of time. If your child likes playing, buy them an instrument. It is much cheaper in the long run. Now what to buy...

There are many brands of instruments. I'll go through the majors ones and explain their popular models. Be aware that many of these companies that make instruments change their models frequently so the exact model listed might not be currently made. However they usually make a model that will be equivalent. These will be general descriptions but in a future entry I'll be more specific.

Selmer USA: These horns are student models. They are very durable and are good for young students (5th or 6th grade). Later on once they get a more advanced instrument, these horns make get instruments for marching band. The models to look for are the AS300 for alto sax and 1244 for tenor sax.

Selmer Paris: These horns are professional grade horns. These are much more fragile and are not suggested to be used for young students. These horns are a dark tone and varied tone by the model. There are lots of customizing features for each horn like the type of brass and springs. The brands to look for are Model 72KBSTD (alto sax), 72KBLTD (alto sax), Model 74KBLTD (tenor sax), Series II- Model 52, 62, 72, (alto saxes), Series II Model 54 (tenor sax), Reference 54 (tenor sax- highly recommended), and Reference 36 (tenor sax). There are also vintage Paris models that need to be mentioned. The Selmer Mark IV and Mark VII are classic vintage instruments that are still desired. They have a dark, meaty sound that hasn't been replicated by newer made instruments. The Reference 54 is a replica of the late Mark VI but most say that although the Ref 54 is a nice horn, it doesn't replace the classic Mark VI. The Mark VII came after with larger tables and keys. It's not as desirable as the Mark VI but still has a great sound.

Yamaha: Yamaha has student, intermediate, and professional. The student models are highly desirable because of their durability. In my own opinion, I find these horns to be more durable than the Selmer brand. Many music stores rent these horns to students. They have a great sound, even for a student model. The models to look for are YAS-23 (alto sax) and YTS-23 (tenor sax). If you get these horns used- BEWARE! Depending on the previous owner, check and make sure the horn works properly. If you can't tell yourself, take it to an instrument repair shop and have them look it over. These horns are notorious of being abused. The intermediate horns to look for are YAS-52 (alto sax- no longer in production), YAS- 475 (alto sax), YTS-52 (tenor sax- no longer are in production), and YTS-475 (tenor sax). The professional models are very high quality horns and compare with the Selmer Paris. These horns are YAS- 62 (alto sax), YTS-62 (tenor sax), the custom Z series for tenor and alto sax, and the custom series for alto and tenor sax.

Cannonball: I highly suggest not purchasing these horns. They tend to be out of tune, have a less desirable tone, and are heavy. They tend to be cheaper to buy, but you get what you pay for. The models are the Excalibur for the students and Big Bell series for the pro line.

Yanagiawa: These horns have a great professional line but only a mediocre student/intermediate selection. If you intend to buy a lower model you're better off getting a Yamaha for the same or less money. The models are Silver Sonic for both tenor and alto. The pro line is very high quality but for a very high price. If you have the money to spend, go for it. The models are A-991 (alto sax), T-991 (tenor sax), A-992 (alto sax), T-992 (tenor sax), A-9930 (alto sax), T-9930 (tenor sax), A-9937 (alto sax), and T-9937 (tenor sax). Those are called the bronze series.

Conn: The vintage Conns are cool instruments but not for every day playing. Most of the instruments that Conn made were not of good quality. Even after Selmer bought out Conn, the quality never got any better. I highly suggest not to buy Conn.

Lastly but not least my disclaimer about buying instruments from Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Kmart, etc... DON'T BUY INSTRUMENTS FROM THESE PLACES! The instruments are built extremely cheaply and break easily. These instruments don't play in tune, are headaches for band directors, and can't be repaired. Most instrument repair shops won't even take in these instruments. They are known not to last very long- meaning they break within a short period of time of purchase. Please save yourself the headache of yourself and the band directors and purchase a real horn!