Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [saxophone]

One of a family of single-reed woodwind instruments with a brass body

About

Saxophones are single-reed woodwind instruments, invented by Adolph Sax in 1840. They have 23 different keys.

Types of saxophone

There are four types of saxophones currently in common use. From highest to lowest, they are:

  • B♭ soprano sax
  • E♭ alto sax
  • B♭ tenor sax
  • E♭ baritone sax (commonly known as "bari sax")

The soprano sax is an octave above the tenor sax, and the alto sax is an octave above the bari sax.

More resources

Saxophone article on Wikipedia

Saxophone fingering chart and guide

Woodwind vs brass instruments

153 questions
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Saxophone and Dentures

Some years ago I was a pretty hot alto player but the guitar was always my first instrument and I have been a busy pro for much of my working life. I had to drop the horn. Now I am thinking of playing again. But time hasn't been kind to my teeth.…
Harry Kingaby
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How to get a darker sound on Tenor Saxophone

I currently play on a Cannonball Sceptyr Tenor sax, an Otto Link STM 7 and Vardoren Java Green box reeds. The sound is not what I am looking for as it is too bright and not that classy, warm, jazzy sound. What are some good ways to warm/darken up…
Bochur613
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Notes sound wet on Saxophone

I recently decided that I wanted to learn the saxophone and purchased one online. I've been working my way through the basics (embouchure, starting notes, etc) and I've noticed that the notes are not quite what I would expect. The notes, especially…
TailsFox88
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How did the saxophone come to be considered romantic?

The saxophone is often used in music and cinema to suggest romance or heart break, e.g. the saxophone solo at the end of Dan Fogelberg's "Same Old Lang Syne". Where and when did that association come from? Does it have anything to do with its…
Vivian River
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Not-quite-beginner beginner alto sax, how to select an instrument?

TL;DR: I need some guidelines for choosing a decent instrument for an amateur, at home, that isn't a complete piece of crap. I'm 44. 30 years ago, I was first chair alto saxophone in a marching bad. These days, I can barely read sheet music. I'd…
3Dave
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Saxophone pearl key is down by default

I am new to saxophone and I was just learning to play my first notes when I came across the G# where it needs a certain pearl key to be pressed in order to play but I already found that key to be down by default, is this a problem with my instrument…
Mina
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How does one play altissimo notes on an alto sax? specifically embouchure

Everywhere I look, it says something like "the embouchure needs to be modified" but never says how. so is there anyone who might be able to help?
Matthew Morrissette
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Tenor sax octave pads: both open or both closed

I play Tenor sax (Kessler Custom), and something has been bugging me: are both of the octave pads supposed to be open or closed at the same time? If you play C# (no keys pressed), both keys are closed. Pressing the LH thumb key raises the neck…
Clockwork-Muse
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If your saxophone is leaking spit, can it damage the pads?

My saxophone has been leaking spit all over the first three keys that you put your fingers on (don't know the names of them) and I'm worried that it will damage the pads. My parents are renting it used and it has a couple problems like the octave…
gt_isn't_canon-1234
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What's the Standard pitch for a Saxophone and its frequency?

I am new to Saxophone and music in general. We've been discussing the tuners applications on iOS and its pitch standards. All the applications I used had A4 = 440 Hz, but the tutor claims C4 to be 440 Hz and he showed me some-setting on Yamaha…
Shady Atef
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C Melody Saxophone

The C melody was part of the series of saxophones pitched in C and F intended by the instrument's inventor, Adolphe Sax, for orchestral use. Since 1930, only saxophones in the key of B♭ and E♭ (originally intended by Sax for use in military bands…
Jacob Swanson
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Fuzzy top A on saxophone

Some time ago, I picked up tenor saxophone and I'm learning to play in my (very scarce) free time. Recently, I've noticed that the top A sounds fuzzy compared to other notes. It's quite pronounced. G# and Bb seems to be unaffected. A is the note on…
Hubert OG
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If I have learned song in certain key for example F on my tenor sax and I want to play with the band who has to change key other instruments or me?

If I play sax alto or tenor and I have songs written in certain key that I learned for example F who in the band will need to change their key or I have to change to meet their sheet music? If I have to then I didn’t practice that song in different…
Mitch
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Plausible Instrument Partsfor Alto Sax to Play

I'm looking for music for my duet (flute & alto saxophone), but there is not a whole lot of music written for alto saxophone and even less for a duet. In terms of range and technique, what are some other instrumental parts that the alto can play?…
Michael Mshtc
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What does "Purple label" mean when people are describing a Yamaha YSS-62 soprano sax?

My title pretty much says it all. I recently purchased a Yamaha YSS-62, and I am in heaven. It sounds great and plays easily (I now have a full rack!). But when I do research on the model I repeatedly see references to purple label. Now, this horn…
Cary Jensen
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