Tips in Playing the Saxophone
The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax to get the produce the best of woodwind and brass instruments. It is an ideal instrument for both adults and children to learn to play. Children, however, do better at learning it due to the fact that they have less responsibilities and more time to devote to their hobbies.
The Type of Sax
The first thing you need to do once you have decided to take Singapore saxophone lessons is to choose the type of saxophone you want. There are different types and sizes of this instrument and you hear them played in varying types of music. The most common saxophones are the baritone, alto, tenor, and soprano. They are also sometimes classified as those that are played in a military band or in an orchestra. Playing the different types of saxophones uses the same finger mechanics, so if you have learned one type then you can invariably play all the other types of saxophone.
Purchase the saxophone you can afford and get the accessories you need to play it too. Before you purchase it do a little research and find out which one is best for the type of music you are interested in. Most music stores have baritone, alto and tenor saxes in stock. Do a round of the stores and canvass the price. The less common saxophones are not usually stocked in most music stores, so locating one will be a little harder than usual.
Other Accessories
You will also need a mouthpiece, if the sax does not come with the instrument. These can be found at the local Singapore Saxophone store. Don’t purchase the cheapest one but a mid priced mouthpiece will do just fine.
Get a ligature if it does not come with the instrument. The metal ones are fine, but the leather ones produce a better sound and last longer. Make sure that the size is right for your sax.
You will also need a reed which comes in several strengths and is rated between 1 and 5 with 1 being the softest, and 5 being the hardest. As a beginner, try first the middle strength one. Later you will experiment and find the one that produces the right tone for you.
The neck strap is an essential accessory in playing the saxophone. Every sax no matter what the size needs a neck strap which allows you to support the instrument and free your fingers. These come in many materials, so you need to find one that is comfortable for you.
Get a swab, made of cotton or silk. This is pulled through the instrument to get rid of any leftover moisture from playing. The length of your swab really depends on the type of sax you have. It has to be long enough for the entire length of the saxophone.
A fingering chart is another thing that you will need. This will tell you where to put your fingers to produce a particular note. You can find many from the internet, or your sax may have come with a method book.
A method book is also a key accessory. This is needed so you can refer to it and emphasize what you are learning in Singapore Saxophone class, and you can use it to practice with. They contain short passages of music that start from easy to more complicated as you advance in the saxophone lessons.
Hodge Products Reed Case and Alto Sax Swab Review
