Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

The alto saxophone is one of the most common saxophones in modern bands and is often the instrument that people imagine when they hear the term "saxophone" at all. It is tuned to E flat and more soprano sax, but less tenor sax. A great tool for kids and adults to learn how to play, the alto saxophone offers many opportunities for musical learning and expression.

Steps

1. 1 Purchase an alto saxophone and the accessories you need to play it. You are not going to go too far into classical and jazz music or calm or vibrant genres. You can borrow or rent a saxophone from a school or a record store if you are not absolutely sure that you are going to seriously study the instrument. Many beginners prefer models such as the Yamaha Student Alto Saxophone (YAS-23), the Conn New Wonder, which has been redesigned for the entry-level. They are all available from reputable sources like Sam Ashe or eBay and should work. You will also need the following accessories if they are not already included with the instrument:
   • Mouthpieceif it is not included with the instrument. Don't buy the cheapest and most affordable one, but don't spend on a professional one yet, especially if you can't even hold a tool. You can choose a saxophone made of plastic or ebonite.
     
     
     • The Claude Lakey 6 * 3 Original, Meyer 5, Selmer C * and S-90 series continue to be popular with educators and musicians of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Many other brands also offer good mouthpieces for beginners. The Yamaha 4C is also popular.
     • A good ebony mouthpiece will cost around $ 100-150. At the beginning of the training, do not worry about purchasing a good mouthpiece, a modest sample will suit the student.
     • Metal mouthpieces are not offered for beginners. The biggest mistake a newbie can make is to buy an expensive mouthpiece because of advertising, including professional endorsement. The preference for mouthpieces is very personal. What works for me may not work for you. What Dave Koz uses might not be suitable for a beginner or aspiring musician. Unfortunately, you just have to try a lot of mouthpieces to find what you like. And metal mouthpieces are expensive!
     • To find the best mouthpiece for you, do some research. Learn how shapes and sizes change response and sound. Large diameter mouthpieces react differently than small ones. It's easier to understand by playing both. Some mouthpieces are made to achieve certain tonal qualities, and if you don't already know what you are looking for, you must choose from mouthpieces that are not specifically designed for classical or jazz music, or for calm or flamboyant genres. Rousseau, Selmer, Vandoren and Meyer make good products.
   • Ligatureif not included. A ligature is a device that holds a reed on a mouthpiece. A metal ligature will work. Some performers prefer the sound of leather ligatures, which cost more than metal ones.
   • CaneA: Beginners usually want to experiment a little with reeds, but it's best to start with something between 1.5 and 2.5, which shouldn't be too light nor too heavy to get decent sound. Good brands to start with are Rico and Vandoren.
   • Neck strap (Gaitan)A: Alto saxophones are usually not heavy, but you need something to help support him as he plays. Neck straps come in a variety of styles and you should choose the one that is most comfortable for you.
   • Rubbing: Rubs are made of silk on a long string with a weight on the end to be pulled through the saxophone to remove moisture that has accumulated in the saxophone while playing.
   • Read note fingering charts: Fingering shows how to play all the notes in the instrument's range, you need it to learn how to play.
   • TutorialsA: Although not required, if you are studying on your own or would like more help, this is a great investment.
2. 2 Collect the saxophone. Insert the lead tube (short, straight and slightly inclined upwards) into the upper part of the instrument body and secure the lead tube with a screw. Remember that your octave valve (the long lever at the top of the esc) is very sensitive. Be careful when assembling. Place the ligature on the mouthpiece and slide the cane under the ligature, securing it with the screws.Attach the neck strap to the hook on the back of the instrument, place it around your neck and stand up.
3. 3 Make sure you are holding the instrument correctly. Your left hand should be on top and your right arm should be down. The thumb of the right hand rests on the stand on the back of the saxophone. Your right index, middle, and ring fingers rest on the main pearlescent keys, which are easy to find. Your little finger can move to other keys on the bottom of the saxophone. Your left thumb rests on the circular key at the top of the saxophone. You will see five pearlescent keys at the very top. The index finger is on the second from top to bottom, and the middle and ring fingers are on the fourth and fifth, respectively.
4. 4 Shape your ear pads. There are many different variations of the ear cushion. Beginners sometimes learn to screw both lips over their teeth (like a grandfather). Most people roll their lower lip slightly over their lower teeth, while the rest put their upper teeth on top of the mouthpiece. Some people even press their lips firmly without rolling them over their teeth. Each method produces a different tone quality. Play with what works for you. It is important to firmly tighten the lips around the mouthpiece so that air flows through the instrument and not from the corners of the mouth. However, the ear cushions do not have to be very tight.
5. 5 Without covering any holes or pressing any keys, blow into the saxophone. If you did it right, you will hear the note C sharp (concert mi). If the sound does not come out, or you make extraneous noise, adjust the ear cushion until the tone improves. You can also try playing with just the mouthpiece: sometimes it's easier to make your first sound with just the mouthpiece. Then just do the same with the mouthpiece and saxophone!
6. 6 Move to next notes.
   • Press the second pearl key with your left ring finger, leaving the others open. This is a note before (concert E flat).
   • Press the first pearl key with your left index finger. This is a note si (concert re).
   • Click on the first and second pearl keys. This is a note la (concert before).
   • Continue covering more holes as you go down the scale. Three closed - note salt, four - F, five - mi, and six - re (concert B flat, A flat, G and F, respectively). You may have a little trouble with the lower notes at first, but this will get better with practice.
   • Add octave key (metal key above the left thumb) to any of these fingerings to produce the same note, but an octave higher.
   • With the help of the fingering diagram, we will go to really high and really low notes in the range, as well as flat and sharp notes. Over time, you will be able to play any notes that your saxophone can reach.
7. 7 Find the sheet music to play. If you study in a school ensemble, you will definitely get sheet music there to study. Otherwise, visit a music store to buy sheet music and textbooks and start playing with them.
8. 8 Keep practicing. By taking your studies seriously and responsibly, you will play better and better. You can explore all types of music, especially jazz.

Tips

• Remember, practice creates perfection! You develop hand-eye coordination and muscle memory. Learning something the wrong way will make it harder to fix later on. Find a teacher and learn the basics properly.
• Clean, lubricate, and tune your saxophone about once or twice a year, just to make sure it is in good working order.
• Make sure you sit up straight and breathe with your diaphragm and not your throat (if you do this, your stomach should swell when you breathe in and deflate when you breathe out).
• Once you've learned one saxophone, you can learn to play one of the others quite easily. They all have the same keyboard systems and fingerings, but they are larger or smaller than the alto.Many saxophonists, especially in jazz, play several saxophones.
• You can extend the life of your mouthpiece by purchasing a mouthpiece cushion that is glued to the top of the mouthpiece to prevent indentations from your teeth. These pads will also protect your teeth from instrument vibrations.
• Note that the alto saxophone is a transposition instrument. This is rendered in the key of E flat Eb, that is, you hear sounds nine semitones (large sixth) lower than what is written in the notes.
• You should always be calm and comfortable while playing the saxophone.
• Don't assume that you can learn to play a musical instrument quickly and easily. Learning to play a musical instrument can take years of patience and practice.
• Join a school or local orchestra. There are also community orchestras.
• For the best sound, you need to tune in before you play. Check out our saxophone tuning articles for more information.

Warnings

• Under no circumstances you shouldn't play the saxophone right after eating. The enzymes in your saliva will cause your saxophone to deteriorate over time. Make sure you rinse your mouth with water before playing, just in case.
• Not Lift the saxophone by the esca or the top of the body. Many students flex the keys when doing this. Lift from a location where there are no moving parts.
• Be sure to wipe clean your saxophone every time you play. If you don't clean it, the gaskets inside will swell from your saliva, causing the valves to not close. If this happens, take the saxophone to a service center immediately.

What do you need

• Alto saxophone.
• Mouthpiece and ligatures.
• Walking sticks. (1.5 - 2.5 to start)
• Neck strap.
• Wiping
• Fingering
• Textbooks and sheet music