How to choose the right saxophone to match your skill level and budget.
· Which Quality level of saxophone is right for me or my student?
· Need to know more?
You might be in the market for a new or reconditioned saxophone for a number of reasons. Maybe you’re looking for a great beginner’s model for yourself, a family member, or a student. Perhaps you’ve been playing for some time and are considering an upgrade. Or maybe you’re an alto or tenor sax player looking to broaden your range with a second sax-family instrument.
Whatever your reason for buying a new sax, the selection process can be overwhelming. This guide will help you sort out the possibilities and find the instrument that best meets your needs.
· Long-term rental fees can add up quickly. A very playable student-level saxophone can often be purchased for less than the cost of a year’s rental.
· A well-chosen reconditioned student instrument that is well cared for will retain its value and usually return a substantial part of its purchase price when sold used or traded in for an intermediate saxophone.
· Rental instruments may be a bit worse for wear with nicks, dents, and scratches.
· We offer a 14 Day Approval and a 70% 6 Month Buy-Back on all our reconditioned instrument sales.
The alto saxophone — tuned to Eb, two-and-a-half steps higher than the tenor saxophone—is far and away the most common starter instrument in the saxophone family. Its more compact key layout and need for a little less air make it a solid choice for the younger student. Altos typically represent the largest share of the saxophone section.
Other factors making the alto a popular first saxophone is its generally lower cost as well as the wealth of classical repertoire written for the instrument. Moreover, most of the skills that will be learned on the alto are readily transferable to other saxophones.
Intermediate and professional players looking to expand their skills would do well to consider the alto sax as well. Even jazz players who have little interest in the alto’s status as a classical mainstay will find a lot to love—many jazz greats have found their signature sound in the instrument’s higher range. Charlie Parker, whose fleet-fingered technique and inventive phrasing still sets the standard for modern jazz players, helped shape the sound of bebop nearly exclusively playing an alto sax.
Even though the cost of an alto can be lower, it’s important to remember that craftsmanship and materials are critical to the instrument’s tone, intonation, playability, and durability. While these factors might seem less important for those who are just starting out, just the opposite is true. Keep in mind that an instrument that doesn’t stay in tune, is difficult to play, or breaks easily can quickly discourage a student from progressing on the saxophone and enjoying their experience.
The Tenor Saxophone is the one most closely associated with jazz players, as it is a mainstay in that genre. It is tuned to Bb and has the familiar, curved body style. Since it is not as large or heavy as the baritone or bass sax, the tenor is somewhat easier for young beginners to play. However, with its relatively large, curved shape, it still is quite susceptible to damage, so it’s important to make sure the body is built from durable materials.
Although there are saxophones capable of producing even lower frequencies, bass and baritone saxophones are the lowest-pitched instruments in the saxophone family that you will find commonly played.
The bass models are tuned to Bb, one octave below the tenor sax. They are very large and almost always played in a seated position.
While it’s less common to hear bass saxophones in pop or jazz music, you can find them in classical arrangements or as part of saxophone ensembles. So while their use is rarer, you might find your skills in high demand if you can learn to play the bass saxophone proficiently.
Baritone saxophones, on the other hand, make a regular appearance in several types of music. They are often used in classical, and a number of jazz players have incorporated them as a primary or secondary instrument for a distinct solo sound. Their honking, deep tones continue to be an important part of the sound of old-school R&B and rock ‘n’ roll.
Baritone saxophones are tuned to Eb, two-and-a-half steps higher than the bass saxophone’s tuning.
For players who are just starting out, bass or baritone saxophones have the advantage of being relatively mobile, compared to other bass-clef brass and woodwinds such as tubas. However, they can sometimes be difficult for younger players to reach the complete range of keys, particularly with bass saxophones.
Baritone saxophones are often played standing, using a strap to help the player position this larger instrument. With their large bodies, baritones are particularly prone to taking some damage, so it’s important to look for a model that is built for durability—typically one made from quality lacquered brass. With bass saxophones or baritones that you plan to be playing in a seated position, it also might be wise to look for a model that includes a sturdy floor peg, as this will support the instrument and protect against damage from contact with the floor.
Like the alto, the Soprano Saxophone can be a somewhat less costly instrument than other members of the saxophone family. This is in large part because its smaller body requires less material to construct. However, it’s important that you don’t base your decision to pick up a soprano sax on cost alone, especially if you are a beginner. Because the soprano sax is a smaller, higher-pitched instrument than its alto cousin, it can be a considerably more difficult for a beginning player to produce a good sound from. Achieving good intonation and staying in in tune are skills that usually develop somewhat more slowly in soprano sax players.
That said, the soprano saxophone is an excellent choice for those who want to produce a rich, full sound in the higher registers. The soprano is tuned to Bb, two-and-a-half steps higher than the alto, and it fits in particularly well with orchestras and concert bands. Notable jazz players such as John Coltrane have included the soprano saxophone in their repertoire as a means of expanding their tonal coloration options.
Although soprano saxophones are more typically built with a straight body, curved instruments are also available for those who prefer them.
Which quality level of saxophone is right for me or my student?
Regardless of which type of saxophone you settle on, you will need to choose among three instrument quality levels: student, intermediate, or professional.
Manufacturers have put a lot of attention into producing starter instruments that are affordable while offering the musicality that will keep a student committed to developing his or her skills. Good student saxes feel comfortable to beginners and are capable of producing pleasing tone quite easily. If your child’s commitment to the saxophone is uncertain, a student model makes sense. In three years or so, you will be ready to trade up to an intermediate instrument, and provided the student model is still in decent shape, its sale or trade will help to underwrite the cost of the new saxophone.
Keep in mind, of course, that lower cost does not mean dirt-cheap. Make sure you buy a reputable brand of instrument constructed with musicality and playability in mind. Nothing will kill a student’s interest in playing more than an instrument that doesn’t sound good or is unusually difficult to play.
As the name implies, intermediate models straddle the area between student and professional instruments. Although the key work and action may feel similar to a professional instrument, the intermediate horns usually do not produce quite the fullness of tone typical of pro models. They usually have less handwork than professional instruments and lack the deluxe cosmetic detailing of their higher-end brethren.
Professional saxophones offer a significant step up in tone, response, and intonation. There is usually a lot of handwork, such as hand-hammered keys and elaborate hand engraving, on the bell. The metal alloys, solders, and other materials used are of the highest quality, resulting in advanced playability and full expressiveness.
We’ve covered the different saxophone voicing and levels to consider. Now let’s take a look at some common details to look for in a sax and some additions to consider.
Most saxes are made with yellow brass bodies. Some instruments are available with bodies, bells, and/or necks made of bronze, copper, or sterling silver. These alternate materials darken the tone, add cost, require careful handling, and are geared towards the professional player seeking a distinctive tone and look.
The standard finish for most saxophones is a clear lacquer. Today, the saxophonist can choose from an array of alternate finishes including colored or pigmented lacquers, silver plate, “antiqued” or “vintage” finishes, nickel-plate, or black nickel-plate.
Most modern saxophones have a high F# key, though it is possible to play the note without the key. A growing number of soprano saxophones offer a high G key, though again, the note is playable without the key. Selmer Paris Series III altos include a C# resonance key for improved clarity of middle C#. Low A keys are now seen on most baritone saxophones.
If you are still unsure which saxophone best fits your needs, give one of our friendly team members a call on 01202 667320. They will answer all your questions and help you find the saxophone that’s right for your situation.