← Saxophone · Start here · about 20 min
Hold it & make a sound
Posture, hands, embouchure, and your very first note.
Stand (or sit) tall
Good posture lets air move freely. It also keeps your neck and shoulders from getting sore.
Feet and back
If you stand, put your feet shoulder width apart. If you sit, sit on the front half of the chair with your feet flat. Keep your back straight but loose.
Strap height
Adjust the strap so the mouthpiece comes to your mouth. Your head stays level. Do not lean toward the horn. Bring the horn to you.
Horn position
The sax rests on your right side. The bell points slightly out to the side, not between your knees.
Hands
Left hand on top
Left thumb on the octave key (the small thumb rest with a key). Left fingers 1, 2, 3 (index, middle, ring) rest lightly on the three top pearls.
Right hand below
Right thumb goes under the metal thumb hook. Right fingers 1, 2, 3 rest on the bottom three pearls.
Relax
Fingers stay curved, like holding a small ball. Use the pads of your fingers. Tension is the number one thing that slows beginners down.
Embouchure (your mouth shape)
Embouchure is the way your mouth wraps around the mouthpiece. A good one is firm but not tight.
Top teeth on top
Rest your top front teeth on the top of the mouthpiece, about half an inch from the tip.
Lower lip cushion
Roll your lower lip over your bottom teeth, like a pillow for the reed. Your teeth never touch the reed.
Firm corners
Close the corners of your mouth around the mouthpiece, as if you are saying “oo.” Think of a drawstring bag pulled gently shut.
Flat chin
Keep your chin flat and pointed down, not bunched up.
Your first sound
Do this in three stages. Each stage is a win. Do not rush.
Mouthpiece only
Take a relaxed breath and blow warm, steady air, like fogging a window. You should hear a clear, buzzy note. Stop if it squeals. Open up your mouth a little and try again.
Mouthpiece and neck
Put the neck and the mouthpiece together, and blow the same way. The pitch gets lower and the sound gets fuller.
The full sax
Add the body. Press all three left-hand fingers down (low G) and blow a steady note. Hold it for four slow counts.
If it doesn't work
It squeaks.
Usually too much bite or not enough air. Relax your jaw, take more mouthpiece into your mouth, and blow warmer, steadier air.
No sound at all.
Check the reed is flat on the mouthpiece and the ligature is snug. Make sure no keys are being pushed by your hands. Check that you took in enough mouthpiece.
It sounds airy or fuzzy.
Firm up the corners of your mouth and make sure your lower lip is covering your teeth. Keep the air steady.
My lip hurts.
That is normal at first. Stop when it is sore and try again tomorrow. If it really hurts, loosen up. Biting hurts and does not help.