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Putting Your Alto Saxophone Together
Put on your neck strap
Put your neck strap on before taking the saxophone out of its case. Adjust it so the mouthpiece will come comfortably to your mouth without you leaning or stretching.Get your reed ready
Gently moisten the thin end of the reed in your mouth while you get ready. Handle the reed by the thick end or sides whenever possible.Prepare the mouthpiece and neck
If needed, use a small amount of cork grease on the neck cork. Gently twist the mouthpiece onto the neck.Add the reed
Place the flat side of the reed against the flat side of the mouthpiece. Line it up carefully and secure it with the ligature. If the reed is chipped, cracked, or split, don’t use it.Take out the saxophone
Carefully lift the saxophone body from the case and clip it onto your neck strap right away. Keep at least one hand on it whenever it is out of the case.Add the neck
Loosen the neck screw slightly. Carefully insert the assembled neck into the top of the saxophone and gently twist it into position. Tighten the screw just enough to hold the neck securely.
⭐ Saxophone rule: Put your neck strap on first, and attach the saxophone to it as soon as the instrument comes out of the case.
Making Your First Sound
Start with just the mouthpiece and neck.
Place your top teeth gently on top of the mouthpiece and let your bottom lip rest lightly over your bottom teeth, creating a soft cushion for the reed.
Bring the corners of your mouth in gently around the mouthpiece so that air doesn’t escape.
Take a relaxed, full breath and blow a steady stream of air through the mouthpiece.
💡 Try it: Check that your reed is lined up correctly, keep your air steady, and make sure you aren’t biting down on the reed.
Videos to Help You Get Started
After You Play
Remove and safely store your reed.
Remove the mouthpiece and neck.
Swab the neck and saxophone body to remove moisture.
If your saxophone has an end plug, put it back in.
Place the saxophone and all accessories securely in the case.
Unclip your neck strap once the saxophone is safely in the case.
Close the case completely before you pick it up!
Stop & Ask Ms. McDonald
Please ask for help if:
The neck or mouthpiece won’t go on or come off easily.
A key looks bent, loose, doesn’t move normally, or a pad is sticking.
The neck cork is loose, torn, or damaged.
The octave key looks bent or isn’t working properly.
The saxophone suddenly becomes much harder to play.
The saxophone is dropped or damaged.
Please don’t use force, tools, glue, or tape to try to fix your saxophone yourself.
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