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Deciding to learn how to play the saxophone is one thing. Figuring out where to start when it comes to actually buying your first saxophone is another. As you may have guessed, the world of saxophones is vast, and tempting as it might be to go all out and splurge on a top-of-the-line Coltrane-level sax, we’d advise you to start a little smaller.
Certain instruments are made specifically to appeal to student sax players (not to say more experienced musicians won’t have luck with them as well). These tend to be a little lighter, easier to handle, and don’t come with any extra keys you won’t need until you level up. But just because it’s a starter sax doesn’t mean quality doesn’t matter — you’ll still want to be sure you’re getting the best possible tone from the instrument.
What You Should Know Before Buying a Saxophone
Before taking the plunge and buying your first saxophone, there are several factors to keep in mind, from basic types to quality.
Type of saxophone: Saxes come in five basic varieties: Alto, tenor, soprano, bass, and baritone. The tenor is perhaps the jazziest of the bunch, but the alto is the real classic. It is also the sax most people find easiest to learn on, and teaches skills you can transfer to almost any of the other tones if you eventually decide to level up.
Quality of materials: A poorly-made instrument will never produce the kind of sound an excellent sax should, no matter how proficient you become. Make sure your purchase is well-constructed from solid materials and isn’t going to fall apart in your hands to moment you put mouth to reed.
Used vs. new: Many beginners choose to buy a used saxophone rather than new, which can certainly be a viable option. But as with any used purchase, there are risks. Always be sure of the condition of the saxophone you’re buying. Damage like dents in the body or poor pads will damage the sound, and you could end up spending hundreds more on repairs than you did the actual sax.
Whether you’re just starting out on the sax, or need a reliable second instrument for practice or travel, here are some solid saxophones to pick up.
