BASIC TIPS by Sheryl Laukat

KEEPING THE INSTRUMENT CLEAN

 

FOR THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR SAXOPHONE

1.  Wash your hands each time before playing.

2.  After playing, carefully wipe the horn down when needed with a soft cloth or cotton T-shirt.

3.  For silver plated instruments, the use of silver protectant paper strips is helpful in reducing the

     chance of tarnish.  These protectant strips can be purchased at fine silver stores and should

     be replaced every six months.  Also, keep silver plated instruments in their case when not in use.

 

FOR THE INSIDE OF YOUR SAXOPHONE

1.  Brush your teeth or rinse your mouth each time before playing.

2.  After playing, wipe the inside of the horn and the neck each time with weighted stringed swabs.

3.  Keep the tenon of the neck and the body receiver free from all dirt, grease and debris. 

    (This is where the neck is put into the body) Having a clean and tight connection will improve the sound.

 

FOR YOUR MOUTHPIECE

Keep your mouthpiece clean by occasionally using lukewarm soapy water and a brush.  Water that is too hot

could discolor your mouthpiece, or even dislodge a baffle if you have one.

Carrying and lifting the Saxophone

When the saxophone isn't attached to your neck strap, carry the horn by the bell.  We strongly advise not ever carrying the horn by the neck.  This is asking for trouble!

 

Placing the Ligature on the Mouthpiece

For a free and open sound, place the ligature at least on the line or behind the line on the mouthpiece.  Then, don't tighten the ligature screws too tight.  The object is to have the ligature hold the reed in place, while allowing the reed to be free to vibrate.

Achieving a Better Tone

Compare the sound of a little ukulele to a big acoustic guitar.  Of course the big acoustic guitar has a much bigger sound.  While it is somewhat simplified, the same concept is true for your mouth and throat cavity when playing the saxophone. If you can make them open and big inside, especially towards the back of the throat, it will increase your sound.  Also, breathe deeply down low, and remember that there are no air holes under your arms, so keep your shoulders down and relaxed. :)  If you are breathing correctly, your abdomen can actually develop some firm muscles.  Then practice playing long tones.  Put some AIR through the horn!  No matter how advanced you become, this is still a good thing to do.  Find a note which you think sounds the best on your horn.  Play that note for 8 counts, then slur to a note next to it.  Go back and forth until the note next to it sounds as nice as the first note sounds.  Keep doing this and you will be surprised how great you will start sounding.  I am always much more impressed by someone with a great tone who plays simple lines, than I am with someone with an unsupported tone who plays everything very fast!

To learn all you need about how mouthpieces affect sound production (and be entertained at the same time) check out the book, Woodwind Mouthpiece Selection by Bob Scarff.