Alto Sax 101

[binny]

Musical instrument question number 2 for today


DS wants to start playing the Alto Sax this year in jr High. I got very lucky and found him one at a yard sale for $40. last weekend so I was happy about that!

Same questions as the piano thread. What does he he need to do to take care of it. Im assuming we will need to take it in and get it looked over The guy said the pads were not all that old but I want to make sure its ok. I know he will need reeds but is there anything else I need to know for maintenance purposes?

 

[golfgal]

There isn't much to keeping the sax in working order. Yes, have the pads checked out and once that is done just general cleaning should keep it in good working order.

Our twins have these microfiber cloth things that have a string and a small weight on one end that they run through their horns when they are done playing. They have a bottle brush type thing to run through the neck, etc. It is also advised to get a reed case to keep the reeds longer. They also have a mouthpiece guard which is a little rubber thing that adheres to the mouth piece to prevent teeth marks on the mouth piece. They are about $2.50 for a pack of two and last for years.

 

[Galahad]

Musical instrument question number 2 for today


DS wants to start playing the Alto Sax this year in jr High. I got very lucky and found him one at a yard sale for $40. last weekend so I was happy about that!

Same questions as the piano thread. What does he he need to do to take care of it. Im assuming we will need to take it in and get it looked over The guy said the pads were not all that old but I want to make sure its ok. I know he will need reeds but is there anything else I need to know for maintenance purposes?

He will need it looked over as you say. If the pads need to be replaced and or the mechanism adjusted, it could cost you as much as $150 for basic maintenance. He will need a mouthpiece that is suited to a student. I would recommend a Yamaha 4C. It is very inexpensive and will be relatively easy for him to blow. He'll need reeds. Basic Rico Alto sax reeds of a strength of "#2" should probably be what he starts with. The mouthpiece will need a ligature (they will sell them at the same store right next to the mouthpieces) to hold the reed on. He'll also need a neck strap. He may need a neck/mouthpiece swab (looks kind of like a bottle cleaner). He may also want a cloth to keep it polished.

 

[koopa]

Played Alto from Elem. to High School and agree with Galahad on the #2 reed. The higher the number the thicker the reed (takes more air to play). A size 2 1/2 worked for me too. Need to keep it dry after playing by using a swab (cloth tied to a string with a weight). Like you said Binny, the music store can evaluate the pads to see if they're ok.

 

[amid chaos]

Reeds are cheaper online. www.wwbw.com You will want number 2's or 2 1/2's.

We also found that if the instrument is kept on a sax stand in his room, it gets practiced alot more. Needs to be kept somewhere safe, where it won't get bumped or knocked over, though.

Like the piano, we found a sax teacher with an emphasis on jazz and improvisation. At this point, as long as he knows the key and the beat, he can pick up an improv solo with the point of the conductors hand.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My 15yodd plays the Alto Sax.
We just had it serviced. Make sure you get it to a place to look over and they can give you a price. My dd's music store is running 5 weeks for an appt.
Where we are in Texas we have so many kids that play instruments it is unreal.

 

[KidAtHeart1]

Good luck with the alto. I played the alto from 5th grade all the way through high school and had a blast. Used a 2 1/2 reed myself. Along with the other items suggested by others, I would also suggest cork grease (looks like a tube of chapstick).