Why is the strength of reed so important to a saxophone player?

If the reed is too hard the saxophone player will not be able to make the reed vibrate, if the reed is too soft the reed will close onto the mouthpiece and not vibrate. Getting the right strength of reed is essential to producing a good sound.

When should I buy to a metal mouthpiece?

As a guide when you have been playing a few years and feel comfortable with your technique a metal mouthpiece will create diversity to your playing. Metal mouthpieces are commonly used for playing Jazz and Pop.

My bottom notes don't sound properly?

There could be a number of reasons for this problem. Firstly are the pads sealing to the bottom of the saxophone. Is your reed too hard or soft? Are you using your diaphragm to create a large force of air?

Which hand goes at the top and why?

The Left hand goes on the top of the saxophone as the sax is designed for your left thumb to go onto the black touch piece at the back of the instrument. your fingers to fit onto the white plastic buttons. Your right hand thumb will go under the black thumb rest towards the bottom of the sax and again your fingers fit onto the white plastic buttons.

I have learnt the clarinet - is it the same fingering?

Not exactly the clarinet uses two different types of fingering as it has a 12th key on the back of the clarinet, because the sax has an octave key you use the same fingering virtually throughout the instrument. If you were to play the clarinet in the 2nd octave it uses roughly the same fingering.

How often do I need to change the reed?

This depends on how often you play the sax. A reed eventually wears out and becomes quite thin and translucent in colour, you will also find that your sound is becoming quite thin and also becoming more difficult to play, at this stage your reed needs changing. Also if there is a chip or your reed is split it obviously needs changing as the reed will not be able to vibrate at its optimum.

How do I clean the instrument?

We recommend that you clean your instrument each time you play it, by using a pull through on the inside of the sax and a micro fibre or lacquer cloth on the outside to remove all finger prints.

How do I get the instrument in tune?

The instrument is tuned by the position of the mouthpiece on the crook, by moving the mouthpiece along the crook this will eventually get the instrument in tune.