Recommendations for beginners learning the saxophone
LikeIf you're starting to learn how to play the saxophone, it can sometimes seem difficult to know where to start with finding a saxophone to play and where you can find saxophone tutors. As a saxophone tutor myself, I have gained years of experience in playing different types of saxophones with different mouthpieces and reeds. In this blog I´ll provide you recommendations from my own personal experiences.
Purchasing your first saxophone
Once you´ve decided to start learning the saxophone, it´s important to invest in a good saxophone to play. This doesn´t mean that it has to be the most expensive model, but you should pick one that feels comfortable to play and that produces a good enough sound quality that will motivate you to keep on playing this beautiful instrument.
As well as a saxophone, you´ll also need a mouthpiece and reed brand of good enough quality to learn on. Of course, this is very difficult for a beginner to assess, so it's a good idea to talk to your tutor, or to anyone you know who plays the saxophone to a reasonable standard.
Searching for a saxophone and mouthpiece
There are many student instruments on the market, some very cheap, and of varying quality. I always recommend that my students go for the Yamaha student saxophone. It's been on the market for many years, and the latest vesion is the Yamaha YAS280 (Yamaha Alto Saxophone 280 - the tenor sax version is the YTS280). They both come with a standard polymer mouthpiece which is a good one to get started on. Usually the mouthpiece size that comes with the sax is the Yamaha 4C, which refers to the tip opening. In my experience this tip opening is too close, and I recommend that you ask the instrument store to swap it for a 5C in the case of alto sax, and for tenor sax either a 5C or 6C.
Recommendations for reeds
For reeds I suggest getting Vandoren Java (Green Box). It's a good idea initially to get a few reeds of both Grade 2 and Grade 2.5 strength. Often beginners are offered 1.5 strength, but these are usually too soft for anyone, unless they are playing on a mouthpiece with a very wide tip, which I don't recommend for beginners. There are other brands of reed of course, but going for Vandoren Green Java is a safe bet. They are what I use all the time - I regularly try other reeds, but I usually revert to the Green Java reeds.
How do I find a saxophone teacher?
While it may be a little more difficult to find a tutor for the saxophone than it might be for other more popular instruments such as piano or guitar, it´s not impossible. It´s definitely worth it to take the time to find an experienced tutor who can help you learn and develop a love for this magnificent instrument.
- Ask for recommendations from friends and family. Perhaps you already know someone who plays the saxophone? It´s always a good idea to ask if anyone you know has personal recommendations for a saxophone teacher. This way, they can also give you more information so you can find out whether this tutor will match your learning style.
- Check local music schools or tuition centres. Most towns and cities have local music schools or centres where they teach a variety of instruments. These centres often offer both private tuition and group classes, so you can find lessons that suit your specific needs.
- Have a look on online platforms. There are many online platforms like FindTutors where you can search for saxophone tutors near you, or you can find saxophone teachers online. The profiles of these tutors often include their price, availability, as well as reviews and testimonials from past students, allowing you to check whether it´s worth investing your time and money before booking a class.
I hope these tips help!
If you´re in need of a private tutor for the saxophone, flute or clarinet, I offer music lessons for these instruments. Don´t hesitate to contact me if you require further information or would like an initial lesson.