Tips for Mastering the Saxophone
It is always good practice to refrain from putting the mouthpiece more than halfway into the mouth, when playing the saxophone. During this the lower lip gets support from lower teeth which in turn makes contact with the reed. Very light pressure should be made from the upper teeth which rest on the mouthpiece. In order to make it air-tight, upper lip should be completely closed.
Generally, the quality of the sound of the saxophone will depend on three things. One is on the air that you blow into it, which should directly come from the diaphragm. Second – on the vibration of the reed. And last is on the position of the tongue in the mouth. This provides focus to the player while he plays the instrument.
One key element for efficient and successful practicing is the concentration. To master the saxophone it is important to be able to focus your mind. Short practice sessions are infinitely more productive when you can devote your whole attention to the workings of your tongue and fingers. It is definitely much easier for anybody to maintain concentration for shorter periods of time rather than for longer periods. In this way you end up learning more in less amount of time.
If you are serious to learn playing the saxophone, then you should practice for at least one hour daily while to become a professional 2-3 hours per day is what you will have to spend on your practice. As learning any musical instrument is an art requiring considerable practice and focus, the dedication to learn must remain vibrant even when it seems to be monotonous and boring. Most of the students of Saxophone start with an objective of playing it like the pro but the initial learning saxophone lessons can be really tough and challenging to any novice. It will be better to schedule your practice on those times when your level of concentration is higher.
How you divide your practice sessions will play a large part in eliminating the boredom that comes naturally with repetitive practicing. Avoid playing the same tone the entire practice time. You can divide your practice sessions into three main areas which include- tone, technical facility and music. Since tone activity include long notes, it makes it the hardest tone to concentrate on. If you can focus on this tone and don’t let your mind wander here and there, then you can get the most out of it. You should always try to play these long notes in the starting since in the starting your mind is fresh and you are also able to concentrate well.
If you make a mistake when practicing, it is important for you to know the reason behind that mistake. Once you know what is going wrong with the tone then you can easily overcome that. Remember to define a limit to the number of hours you practice and stay within those limits. Keep a pen or pencil handy at rehearsals to jot down problems or solutions to problems that you have encountered.
Try closing your eyes while playing to encourage a more focused concentration. Don’t forget to practice just because you don’t have the time. People often forget past memories. So it is essential for you to make notes while you practice. They will serve you well in times when you have to remember the things that you have learned and make mastering this instrument a lot easier.
One-handed (toggle-key) saxophone by Stelling Brass & Winds
