The saxophone is a very popular instrument, and when played well, is a beautiful one to play and listen to. Having made its way from jazz clubs into rock music, it’s now a staple of popular music, and is a relatively easy instrument to learn. The only problem is that there are many different manufacturers of saxophones around, and also different types.
In this brief article we’re talking about the Alto Saxophone; this is the one that is recommended for learners, and also one that many top players continue with. A versatile and easy to handle instrument, the Alto sax is a sensible size for youngsters. If your child – or you – have chosen the saxophone as their instrument of choice, then we’re here to help!
How to Choose an Alto Saxophone
It’s not easy to decide for beginner and intermediate students which saxophone to buy, especially if you are not familiar with the brands or the instrument. We recommend that you stay with known brands in the first instance. It is tempting to buy a very expensive instrument in order to have the best, but what happens if the learner decides it is not for them after all? You’re left with a saxophone you paid a lot of money for, that you can’t sell for its retail price.
There are many guides to choosing a saxophone that are more in-depth than this article, and we recommend you check them out. What we will say is that Yamaha makes a very good range of alto saxophones that are aimed at beginners and players who are not too experienced, and are priced in the right area too. They are very good indeed for the price – Yamaha is a highly regarded maker of musical instruments as well as being famous for motorbikes!
Your starting point should probably be the Yamaha YAS range, but there are other makers you should take a look at. Conn-Selmer is a long-standing maker of fine musical instruments and has saxophones that may be within your budget, and Jupiter is another name to look for when considering the options. One piece of advice we will give is that if you or your child are serious, look to the upper ends of your budget, and ask a saxophone teacher or musical instrument retailer for advice. A good saxophone will always have a better tone than one that has been put together cheaply, so it is also worth having a go on one, or listen to it being played.
Get the Best Deal
When you’re looking for an alto saxophone, you also need to make sure that you get a good deal with regards to accessories. You need a case – preferably a hard one for protecting your new instrument – and you also need a strap with a saxophone. These should come as standard as part of the package. You should also check that you can get the parts needed to keep your saxophone in top working order easily – preferably at a local music shop – and it should come with a cleaning kit too.
There are great variations in the prices of saxophones – as you will see when you start looking at the market – so be very careful when you’re searching for the one for you. Don’t be tempted by the very cheap model that undercuts the others by a large amount, as it will be disappointing. Stick with the name brands, set yourself a sensible and affordable budget, take all the advice and read reviews, and you’ll soon be on the way to learning to play one of the most satisfying instruments of all.
