How to play the tenor saxophone

Content

Steps
Tips
Warnings
What do you need

The tenor saxophone is a woodwind instrument that is most prominent in jazz bands and is one of the main instruments in concert programs or marching brass bands, performing harmonious, iridescent melodies. It is larger and lower in sound than the "traditional" alto saxophone, but less bulky baritone, a unique instrument. The tenor scale is B flat. It has a lot in common with other saxophones as well as the clarinet. The tenor saxophone is a wonderful instrument, which, moreover, can be played, combining with your main musical, although learning to play it seems more difficult than it really is. With a little help, you will learn how to play it very soon.

Steps

1 Find the right saxophone and the accessories you need to play it. You can borrow one from the school for a small fee, rent from a local store, or buy one. If you have purchased a previously used or old saxophone, you will probably want to take it to a workshop to make sure it can be played. In addition, you will need to purchase the following:
- Mouthpieceif it was not supplied with the instrument. Don't buy the cheapest one, but also don't go for the professional one, especially if you haven't played before. A plastic or rubber mouthpiece will probably work for you.
- Ligatureif not supplied with the mouthpiece. Metal will work, or you can spend a little on leather, which will last you longer and sound better.
- Canes: Since you are just starting out, use reeds between 1.5 and 2.5, find a reed that will produce the best sound with less effort. The best place to start is with Rico and Vandoren reeds.
- Strap: The tenor saxophone is a heavy instrument and cannot be played without support. You can buy a relatively cheap and convenient strap at almost every music store.
- Wiping with a weight: Something as large as a tenor saxophone accumulates a significant amount of moisture when played. The wiper is usually made of silk and attached to a long wire with a weight at the end to run the entire length of the tool.
- Fingering: Fingering will tell you how to play the notes on the saxophone, you will definitely need it if you want to learn how to play.
- Methodological aids: While not necessary to purchase, if you are going to study on your own or need additional help, the manuals are the right investment.
2 Collect the saxophone. Attach the escu (a short, curved metal tube; its bend is an important tenor feature) to the top of the instrument and secure it with a screw. Place the ligature on the mouthpiece and place the reed under the ligature, then secure the reed with the screws. Attach the strap to the ring at the back of the instrument, put it around your neck and stand.
3 Make sure you are holding the instrument correctly. With your right thumb, grasp the metal protrusion at the bottom of the tool. The index finger, middle and ring fingers of the right hand are placed on the mother-of-pearl keys on the flaps, which are not that hard to find. Place your left thumb on the small, circular projection on the top of the back of the saxophone. You will see five pearlescent keys on the valves at the top of the instrument. Place your index finger on the second valve from the top, the middle and ring finger, respectively, on the third and fourth valves.
4 Shape the ear pads. Gently tuck your bottom lip over the bottom row of teeth, then touch your top teeth to the mouthpiece. When you start playing, you will feel how to act.
5 Blow into the saxophone without pressing any valves. If you do this correctly, you will end up with a C sharp (C concert tuning). If it doesn't work out or you get a squeaky sound, work with your ear pad until the sound gets better.
6 Play other notes.
- Pinch the second valve with the middle finger of your left hand, do not press the other valves. The result is the note C (concert tuning B flat).
- Pinch the first flap with your left index finger. The result is the note C (A concert tuning).
- Tighten the first two valves. This is the note A (Sol concert tuning).
- Continue pinching the valves as you go down. Three valves - G, four - Fa, five - Mi, six - Re (concert tuning E, F flat, Re and Do). In the beginning, you may have problems with low notes, practice more and you will succeed.
- Use the octave valve (the metal valve above your left thumb) to play the same notes an octave higher.
- Using the fingering chart, try playing altissimo (very high) and very low notes, as well as flats and sharps. Over time, you will learn to play all the notes your saxophone is capable of.
7 Find tunes. If you are learning to play in a school band, you will have something to play. Otherwise, go to a music store and buy sheet music and / or teaching aids.
8 Keep practicing. As you continue to work hard, you will improve your saxophone ... who knows, you might become a great jazzman.

Tips

Do not forget to take your saxophone to a music store for ČSN ("H" - cleaning, "S" - lubrication, "H" - tuning) to keep the instrument in good condition.
If you think you are making a harsh sound, you are most likely biting a cane. In this case, try to bend your lower lip inward, but not too much.
Once you learn to play one type of saxophone, you can easily learn to play the others. They have the same fingering, they differ only in size. Many saxophonists, especially in jazz, play more than one saxophone.
Make sure you adjust the strap correctly. You shouldn't strain your neck.
For the best sound, you need to tune your saxophone before playing.
If you're having serious trouble getting the low notes out, it's likely your ear cushion is the culprit. You may also need to check the tightness of the valves, this is one of the reasons for the incorrect sound. For the ear pad, try opening your mouth wide and lowering your jaw slightly. Keep practicing and you will eventually figure out how to do it.
Remember that the tenor saxophone is a transposition instrument. Despite the fact that its key is B flat, the notes for the instrument are written one octave higher than the sound. In musical terms, this means that when you play a note, you are actually hearing the note one big non lower (octave + big second).
The tenor saxophone can be a good second instrument for clarinetists (or vice versa) because they have a lot in common in fingering and tonality.

Warnings

Never play the saxophone (or any other wind instrument) right after a meal. Chemicals in the mouth left after eating can damage the instrument and in some cases it may not be possible to repair it.
The tenor saxophone is a great instrument. Both the suitcase and the tool itself may be too large and heavy for you to hold and operate (especially difficult for children). If you have a problem with this, try looking for a different, more comfortable strap, or switch to an alto saxophone.
Do not leave the saxophone on the floor or anywhere else where it could be damaged. If you need to put it down, you can purchase a stand that will keep your instrument upright in a safe place.