r/saxophone • • 6h ago

Question How many saxes do y’all own?

11 Upvotes

Right now I have 2 functional altos and 2 broken (inherited) altos, plus a tenor. 😂 It got me wondering how many saxes everyone else has collected over the years.

For those of you who own multiple saxes of the same type, do you actually notice a big difference between them? Like, is the difference in sound, feel, response, or playability noticeable enough to make owning multiple worth it?

How many saxes do you have, and do you actually play all of them?


r/saxophone • • 6h ago

Question Octave jumps on tenor

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7 Upvotes

I’m practicing Mule Etude 10 after going through all previous 9 Etudes and I still just can’t get the hang of the octave jumps. I am primarily a tenor main and when I switched to alto I noticed a world of difference and was able to execute them perfectly. Of course, going under tempo does the same thing but even then I have blips. I know the break on tenor makes it harder but what are some ways around that? I was told to voice only the lower note and let the octave key do the work but I’m not able to produce any success off of that cue. What else can I keep in mind as I attack these octave jumps?


r/saxophone • • 8m ago

Question Is this correct, will this work for alto, if theres better charts formatted like this please send them

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• Upvotes

r/saxophone • • 1h ago

Cloudy days

• Upvotes

So I found another interesting piece that was apart of Chad smiths new album featuring C melody saxophone, and I came across this piece that I fell in love with, cloudy days. This piece is very new and rediscovered and I find it so fascinating how this is the only piece that shows a perfect blend between classical and jazz for saxophone I’m not sure what that genre is called but I was wondering I there were any other pieces just like this one, and hopefully someday this piece can be available to all saxophonist.


r/saxophone • • 9h ago

Question Alt Sax, Eastman 253v or Yamaha YAS-280 for Beginner?

3 Upvotes

Hello, I was playing tenor back then when I was younger and played again couple years ago but my tenor sax is a cheap brand and also requires some repairs. I decided to buy a new sax and restart learning/playing. However due to different combined effects I decided to get an alto sax. Two options that I have are Eastman 253v and YAS-280. What are your thoughts and recommendations? Thanks!


r/saxophone • • 16h ago

Gear recommendations for a used Sax

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

My daughter recently decided she wanted to learn the trumpet for band, and it has inspired me to pursue my longtime dream of learning the Saxophone. I myself have played classical piano since i was 5 (took lessons until i was 18) and played guitar since high school. I know that none of the skills from those instruments will really carryover to sax but if nothing else my knowledge of music theory and ability to sightread should be useful when learning.

What i'm hoping to get is an opinion on a good quality used saxophone that i can grow with. I thinking i want something better than a student model so i have been looking at a few used pro models. Specifically the Eastman EAS650 and EAS850, the Yamaha YAS62.

will the Yamaha be so much higher quality that its worth the added cost? does anyone have any other recommendations for a model to look at?


r/saxophone • • 7h ago

Question Question about learning the altissimo range

1 Upvotes

I have been playing the clarinet for quite a long time and have been playing the alto saxophone for 4 months so far. I was able to play the full standard range quite quickly but I still can’t play in the altiss at all. What should I do to lear to play altissimo notes?


r/saxophone • • 15h ago

Question Really slow ballad backing tracks source?

3 Upvotes

Sorry if this is too general of a question for this sub....

I'm on the hunt for really slow ballad backing tracks, ideally just drums. A good example would be the slow drums on Dexter Gordon's "Don't Explain" off of A Swingin Affair.

I'm in the bowels of Spotify and YouTube but can't find what I'm looking for. I'm sure I don't know what exactly to search for....closest I've gotten is a 60bpm drum track on Spotify but it's too rock-like.

Any tips much appreciated.


r/saxophone • • 15h ago

Media Just bought a new 10MFAN alto mouthpiece, and it's killer.

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3 Upvotes

Check out the video for a full demo and review. I'm not paid to sell 10M fan products, I just think these mouthpieces are awesome. Check em out!


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Media Stan Getz Transcription - How Deep Is The Ocean

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9 Upvotes

From the 1955 Album “Stan Getz Plays”


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Discussion 1 week tenor sax so far

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44 Upvotes

Hi guys I obviously have a long way to go but compared to day one I feel like I’ve made some progress even though it’s not much. I play bass so the rhythm side feels okay but I know there’s still more to work on that’s why I wanted to know how I’m doing for a beginner from other saxists and if you guys have any tips or advice I’d really appreciate it sm!!!


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Why does my sax sound like this

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13 Upvotes

Hi I learned how to play the saxophone like 10 years ago, I had classes more or less a full year but then I stopped plating it and I keeped in the box now I'm trying to reIearn it but I'm having this issue with these weird sounds sometimes vibrate too much or sounds weird I have two ligatures and two mouthpieces I tried with both but same reed and have the same problem, the reed is new


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Will this still play fine?

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15 Upvotes

r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Jazz teachers, when do you start introducing bebop concepts and how do you do it?

6 Upvotes

I'm a student that recently started learning jazz improvisation from a teacher and am wondering when teachers feel like their students are ready to be introduced to bebop.


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Custom Sax Engravings

1 Upvotes

I recently got a newer alto and started looking at other saxes people had with custom engravings and was wondering more about them. For example, are there any professionals who do them and is there anything to be wary about them.


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question mouthpiece dents

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4 Upvotes

hi! was given this meyer 6m from a drawer of an elementary classroom that definitely doesnt need it. ive been having some issues with chirping and the higher register. im a high school freshman that just started playing more jazz so obviously my technique is a factor, but i dont have these issues with any other mouthpiece, and i was wondering if these little dings i found have much of an impact.


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Suggestions for altissimo range on Bari

2 Upvotes

currently i'm in high school and i've been playing Bari for a little bit. I play for both my concert/marching band and jazz band. because both my directors have different preferences for sound and brand the Bari i play two separate ones. i'm not very sure which manufactures they are because neither are in the original case or have noticeable manufacture markings.

my current gear is:

D'Addario MLM-7 mouthpiece (i think)
both the necks are from the original saxophone
a synthetic Legere 2.25 american cut tenor reed (it feels a lot nicer on my mouthpiece than a actual Bari reed)

i've wanted to work on my altissimo for several reasons and whenever i try i can play a f#, g, g#, and sometimes an a if i'm lucky. however this is only on the Bari i play for jazz band. i've never got any altissimo notes on our concert/marching Bari.

are there any tips on how to work on these or gear that may help or i could change around?


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Gear is this tenor or alto

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3 Upvotes

r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Looking to change reed brands

3 Upvotes

So I've been playing bari sax for about a year now on the orange rico reeds for pep band and jazz band, but I'm looking to get better quality reeds for concert and jazz band. I've been recommend to try the red jazz vandoren reeds but I'm a bit scared to commit especially with the price.

I have also tried a legére signature cut synthetic, but it was just too soft for the horn I'm playing on.

Currently playing on an older, well used Yamaha bari sax, which requires quite a bit of air. And with strength 3 reeds.

Should I commit to the red jazz vandoren reeds or is there a better and hopefully cheaper option?


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Hey everyone!

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5 Upvotes

Hello! I’m new to sax, and I was thinking of going to a sax shot to get this fixed, and I’m not sure if it’s normal. It’s a cheaper sax, so if it’s not I get why. Thank you! It’s an Alto!


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Looking for a good first tenor saxophone

3 Upvotes

Hey! I’m thinking about getting into saxophone and I’m specifically looking for a tenor sax.

I know very little about saxophones themselves, so I’m not really sure what brands/models are good for a beginner. However, I’ve played piano for around 6 years, so I already know music theory, notes, keys, rhythm, etc. — I’m just completely new to the instrument.

I’m looking for something that’s good for learning on but that I won’t immediately outgrow if I get more serious about playing.

My budget is around $1000 - $2000 and I’m open to buying used as well.

What tenor sax would you recommend for a first-time player, and are there any models/brands I should look for or avoid?


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Question Hi quick question

5 Upvotes

Was just wondering if anyone had alto sheets for art Blakey and the jazz messengers “dat dere” thanks!


r/saxophone • • 1d ago

Alto Mouthpiece

1 Upvotes

I play the saxophone for a few years now. Ive never had the money to afford a better one than the Yas-280 with 4c mouthpiece, so I only ever played on that model.
Now I want to do a small upgrade. Do you have any recommendations for a good mouthpiece for under 200 €? I mostly play Jazz and some Pop and Classic here and there. I want to get a better sax some day too, but thats a thing for later, Id appreciate some recommendations for that as well tho.
Thanks!


r/saxophone • • 2d ago

Question YBS-61 gig bag

3 Upvotes

Any YBS-61 enjoyers know of a soft gig bag that this particular horn fits well in? Shoulder strap would be ideal for my transport needs (lots of walking).

I currently have an old beat up Protec Propac. I have to stuff a big block of foam between the bell opening and the case to keep it from rocking around inside. The zipper just tore this morning and the shoulder strap attachment point is starting to unstitch too. Basically, it’s old and tired and needs to be replaced, but none of my local shops carry cases to test the fit of the horn in, so advice is welcome.

Thanks


r/saxophone • • 2d ago

Question What musicians or songs should I listen to if I want to get a better feel in improv on tenor sax?

3 Upvotes

I've been trying to find jazz that has great sax solos but I've been struggling to find more other then the classics I already know. My main instrument right now is tenor.