The saxophone market is awash with instruments marketed as the best saxophones for beginners. But when shopping for a beginner-friendly saxophone, you should always look beyond the marketing clichés. For a sax to qualify as beginner-friendly, it must, above all, be user-friendly.

[Read more…]

If you’re shopping for a saxophone – whether you’ve never played or played for 10 years – you know that there are lots of options out there.

One of the most common brands found in music stores and band rooms is Jupiter.

While Jupiter makes some excellent beginner – and pro-level horns, sometimes finding the right model can be a challenge.

If you’re in the market for a saxophone, and are curious about Jupiter’s offerings – read on! [Read more…]

It is one of the funniest moments in the beginning band. The newbie reed player slaps a reed on the mouthpiece, tightens the ligature with a “Vulcan Death Grip,” and then fires a stream of air through the poor saxophone like it is a tiny, tense latex balloon.

The resulting screech makes the hair stand on end. Within moments, the musician announces to the anticipating director, “I just cracked my reed.” [Read more…]

How do you pick a great saxophone from the list of tens of brands in the market?

Before choosing the best alto saxophone for students, it is imperative that we begin easy by defining what an alto saxophone is.

These are saxophones pitched to the E♭. Therefore, alto saxophones enjoy a pitch that’s slightly larger than soprano and smaller than tenor. Alto saxophones are used in various areas and functions; from military brass bands, to concert and jazz bands, or even in solo repertoires.

As a student, you should have a checklist before scouting for an alto saxophone in the market.

[Read more…]

If you’re shopping for a saxophone – whether you’ve never played or played for 10 years – you know that there are lots of options out there.

One of the most popular (and historic) saxophone manufacturers is one you’ve almost certainly heard on the radio, seen in a band, or run across in a music store – Selmer!

Selmer has been making saxophones for almost 100 years, and they manufacture instruments for every level of player – from a rank beginner to a seasoned professional.

[Read more…]