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Watch the videos on this page and go through the steps to review how to get started on your alto saxophone. Hopefully I've had a chance to show each of you how to make a good sound on your alto saxophone mouthpiece by now. Now, make sure to practice all of the things below every day and watch the videos if you need any help. Send me a message on Google Classroom or an email if you're having trouble!
- Putting your mouthpiece, reed & neck together
Before you can start even making a sound on your saxophone, you need to know how to properly put your mouthpiece, reed and neck together. Watch the video to review the steps. Take your time and don't skip any steps!
Follow these steps:
Follow these steps:
Put the thin end of the reed in your mouth with the flat side on your tongue while you put the mouthpiece on the neck
2. Gently twist your mouthpiece onto the cork on the neck of your saxophone. Apply some cork grease on the cork if it's hard to twist the mouthpiece on.
3. Lay the flat side of the reed on the flat side of the mouthpiece (thin side of the reed facing the tip of the mouthpiece)
4. Loosen the screws on the ligature a little and gently slide the ligature over the reed
5. Adjust the reed slightly so the tip is exactly in line with the top of the mouthpiece
6. Tighten the screws on the ligature
This video will show you how to set up your mouthpiece
Step 2: Gently twist your mouthpiece onto the cork
Step 3: Lay the reed on the mouthpiece & line it up
When finished, your mouthpiece, neck, reed and tightened ligature should look like this
2. Making a sound on the mouthpiece & neck
2. Making a sound on the mouthpiece & neck
Now that your mouthpiece, reed and saxophone neck are put together, let's practice making a good sound. Watch the video and follow the steps to review:
Follow these steps:
Create a "flat chin". You should firm the corners of your mouth and you bottom lip so they press against your teeth.
Open your mouth slightly and curve your bottom lip over your bottom teeth. Don't bring your lip in too far!
Insert the top 1/3 of the mouthpiece into your mouth at an angle (see the pictures)
"Click" your top teeth firmly down onto the mouthpiece. You should feel it click and you shouldn't be able to wiggle the mouthpiece at all.
Seal your lips around the mouthpiece like you're closing up a garbage bag. But don't squeeze too tightly.
Take a big breath and blow a strong, steady stream of air.
This is what it should look like when blowing into your mouthpiece & neck
This video will show you how to play a sound on your mouthpiece & saxophone neck
Step 2: Curve your bottom lip over your bottom teeth
Step 5: Seal your lips around the mouthpiece
3. Assembling the entire alto saxophone
3. Assembling the entire alto saxophone
Now that you've made some good sounds on your mouthpiece, let's practice putting the rest of the alto saxophone together. Watch the video to review the steps.
Follow these steps:
Follow these steps:
Put your mouthpiece, reed and neck together (instructions are above). Then, put it down.
Put your neck strap over your head. Pick up the alto saxophone body and clip the neck strap into the small metal ring.
3. Loosen the neck screw at the top of the saxophone. Gently slide the neck onto the body with a twisting motion. Make sure that the mouthpiece is pointing the correct direction so you don't bend the small metal rod. Tighten the neck screw.
Watch this video to learn how to put together your entire saxophone. The first half will review putting together your mouthpiece, reed and neck.
Step 2: Put the neck strap over your head
WARNING: Make sure that the small rod on the body is underneath the "hoop" on the neck. Be careful when putting these parts together so nothing is accidentally bent! It should look like this:
4. How to hold your alto saxophone
4. How to hold your alto saxophone
Watch the video to review how to hold your alto saxophone.
A few tips:
A few tips:
RIGHT thumb goes under the thumb rest
Hands should be in a "C" shape and curve around the saxophone, with your fingers on the keys
Adjust the neck strap so when you push the saxophone forward the mouthpiece goes directly to your mouth
Keep the saxophone against your right leg
Adjust the mouthpiece so your head is straight and level
Watch this video to learn how to hold your saxophone
5. Caring for your alto saxophone
5. Caring for your alto saxophone
It's important to care for your alto saxophone by using your cleaning swab and applying cork grease when necessary. Watch the videos for more information.
Cleaning Swab: used to remove moisture from your saxophone when you finish playing it. Swab out your instrument before you put it back in the case.
Watch this video to learn how to swab your alto saxophone
Cork Grease: use a small amount of this if you have trouble putting your neck and body together. Over time, this will get easier as the cork absorbs the grease and compresses.
This is cork grease. Please don't put this on your lips!
Watch this video to learn how to apply cork grease to your saxophone's neck
Work on these things every day this week. Try to spend around 15 minutes a day making good sounds, putting your alto sax together, holding with correct positioning and cleaning. We'll start to play the full instrument next week!
Work on these things every day this week. Try to spend around 15 minutes a day making good sounds, putting your alto sax together, holding with correct positioning and cleaning. We'll start to play the full instrument next week!
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