Upgrades

Accessories/Gift Ideas

Saxophone Stand - A great gift for all sax students. If a student's instrument is out they are more likely to practice.

Alto Sax Case - A sleek case that is less bulky than a stock case and has a shoulder strap so students can easily transport their instrument home for practice.

Tenor Sax Case - A sleek case that is less bulky than a stock case and has a shoulder strap!

Reed Case - Students need a way to store and protect their reeds.

Mouthpiece Patches - These allow students to place their teeth on the top of the mouthpiece with comfort.

About Reeds

Reeds are at the forefront of how the clarinet speaks and how we make our sound as saxophonists. It is of extreme importance to understand that there are very bad reeds and we should avoid certain brands at all costs. How a reed is made and how it is balanced has a lot to do with how well it will play. There is nothing the saxophone player depends on more, than the condition of his/her reed and reeds are sensitive and delicate.

Reeds are expensive and they need to be cared for in a case. I recommend this reed case (Reed Case) This case helps keep reeds safe while not in play and does not allow the reeds to warp. It is important for students to rotate reeds and the humidity packs within this case help lengthen the life of a reed (saving you money) and also preserves its playability. I also keep extra humidity packs in the band room should students need to replace them (for free!).

Recommended Reed

Alto Vandoren Reeds / Tenor Reeds / Baritone Reeds - these are the best value and most consistent for our students. It is best if they begin using a strength of 2 once they are playing everyday in 6th grade and consider moving to a 2.5 if they have upgraded their mouthpiece or continue playing into 7th grade and beyond. I have various strengths they can try before purchasing a full box. The strength of the reed is mostly dictated by the mouthpiece and embouchure.

Ligatures

Ligatures are what attach the reed to the mouthpiece so they are obviously next on our upgrade list. Stock (what came with the instrument) ligatures tend to put too much pressure on the reed and do not allow it to vibrate and sing with that great characteristic clarinet sound.

Here is a list of recommended ligature upgrades.

Alto Rovner Ligature - approx. $28 / Tenor Version / Baritone Version

Alto Vandoren Leather Ligature - approx. $52 / Tenor Version / Baritone Version

Alto Vandoren Optimum - approx. $75 / Tenor Version / Baritone Version

Mouthpiece

Mouthpieces are third on our list and again are a definite upgrade if students are looking to continue playing saxophone and are committed to becoming better musicians. The mouthpiece makes a huge difference in the sound students are able to produce. Mouthpieces also can get very tricky and sometimes it is best for students to try various mouthpieces to see which one they prefer. We will be doing mouthpiece demonstrations with students in the fall and send home which was a best fit for them. With mouthpieces should also come a mouthpiece patch so that students teeth is not in direct contact with the hard rubber. You can buy them here.

Here is my recommended mouthpiece upgrade.

Alto Vandoren V5 A27 - approx. $110 / Tenor Version

Alto Selmer S80 C* - approx. $160 / Tenor Version

Alto Meyer 5 - approx. $120 (for jazz)

Alto Meyer G - approx. $135

Instrument

The last thing to do as you progress is to upgrade your instrument. Student model instruments only allow you to go so far in your musical endeavors and an intermediate or better instrument will help you achieve much more and with more ease. Also intermediate models hold up better and need less maintenance (they should still be sent to the shop once a year for a tune up). I recommend yamaha saxophones and believe you should play instruments before making a purchase. Please contact Mr. Rafter (trafter@delranschools.org) if you are considering making a new instrument purchase.

Good Yamaha 480 Alto Saxophone / Yamaha 480 Tenor Saxophone

Better Yamaha 62 Alto Saxophone / Yamaha 62 Tenor Saxophone

Best Yamaha Custom Z Alto Saxophone / Yamaha Custom Z Alto Saxophone