Saxophone

The first thing to be aware of is that some of the keywork (rods, keys etc.) can get bent. Normal light pressure is fine, but if you have to force anything then this is when things could get bent out of whack. During any of the assembly, if you are in doubt, wait until you are with the teacher,

• Grasp the middle of the body firmly with one hand (I suggest your right hand if you are right handed, left if you are left handed)
• Make sure that the screw at the top has been loosened to allow the neck tenon to fit into the top of the body. Note that there are usually two screws at the top. One of them has a square hole next to it which is used to hold a lyre (marching band music stand). You need the other screw
• Holding the neck in your other hand, slide it down into the body. A slight twisting motion might help. If this is very stiff you could try a small blob of oil or cork grease, but if it really does not want to go in, don’t force it – take the saxophone back to the shop or to a good repairer.
• Check that the loop of the (octave) key mechanism on the neck fits over the extending octave pin at the top of the body. These should end up being very close but not quite touching. The middle of the back of the neck should be lined up with the extending pin.
• Rest the saxophone down in its case or on a stand
• Pick up the mouthpiece and loosen the ligature
• Wet a reed in your mouth, being very careful not to chip the very delicate thin end
• Place the reed on the flat table of the mouthpiece with the curved end (the thin delicate bit) so that it lines up exactly with the curved tip of the mouthpiece
• Slide the ligature over the reed, being very careful again not to damage the tip, until it is approximately halfway between the end of the shaved part of the reed and the bottom (straight thick) end
• Tighten the ligature screws so that it is just tight enough to hold the reed so that it cannot slip around
• Push the mouthpiece onto the cork at the end of the saxophone neck, being careful not to catch the tip of the reed on anything. You may use a twisting motion to help get the mouthpiece firmly on the neck. How far you push the mouthpiece on depends on the tuning of the saxophone, so for now don’t worry, just make sure it is covering more than half of the cork and is a firm fit.

The saxophone is now ready to play

Finally attempting to play the saxophone

Disclaimer: This section is not meant to be a lesson in any shape or form, merely a jumpstart to getting a sound out of the instrument. Unless you get a teacher, you could well end up with some bad habits that may take longer to cure the longer you put off realtime lessons.

• Put straphook through ring on back of saxophone
• Place your right hand thumb under thumbrest (a few inches below the straphook)
• Place left hand first finger on the B key – (this is the one just above the little key (see illustration)
• Curl lower lip back over lower teeth
• Place top teeth on top of mouthpiece about half an inch back from the tip so that the reed rests on your lower lip
• Blow
• Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t sound great, or, if after a while, you feel some pain in your lips (this is normal and will get better, but don’t overdo your initial practice sessions to the point where you cannot stand the pain)
• Please don’t be sad if you cannot play a tune immediately. Some people can actually do quite well straight away, but most of us do need a little more help…
• You did book a proper lesson didn’t you? If not at least find a good tutor book or DVD.