Cultivating Good Habits For Young Saxophonists

Hand Position

Both Hands:          1.    Fingers are curved and slanted slightly

2.        Pads of fingers on keys

Left Hand:             1.    Not touching side keys

                                2.    Thumb “rolls” to octave key (does not jump)

Right Hand:           1.    Not touching side keys

2.        Thumb not too far under hook

Instrument Position

1.        The saxophone is held between the legs and forward away from the body, or forward and to the side of the body

2.        Allow neck strap to support the instrument

3.        Head should be held in normal position

Posture

1.        Sit on the front edge of the chair

2.        Feet flat on the floor

3.        Back and head are erect

4.        Elbows held slightly away from the body

Embouchure

1.        Place top teeth firmly on the mouthpiece

2.        Place the reed on lower lip over the lower teeth just enough o cover them

3.        Natural chin position (or pointed down)

4.        Cheeks are held in

5.        The band of muscles around the mouthpiece must feel like a circle with equal pressure on all sides

6.        Embouchure does not change when moving from one register to another

Breathing

1.        Breathe in through the bottom of the mouth

2.        Expansion is at the belt

3.        Shoulders do not rise when breathing

4.        The complete breathing procedure should be accomplished without tension

5.        Take breaths quickly and quietly

6.        Full, comfortable breaths

Throat Position

1.        Throat should always remain relaxed at all times as if saying “oh”

Tonguing

1.        Front of the tongue touches almost the tip of the reed

2.        The movement is quick and light

3.        The tongue must be relaxed

4.        Movement only occurs at the front of the tongue

5.        Use the syllable “taw” when tonguing

6.        Chin and surrounding area does not move when tonguing

General Reed Treatment

1.        Wet the reed thoroughly from end to end, front and back

2.        After the reed is wet, lay the tip on the flat part of the mouthpiece and rub it gently with the thumb to smooth out the wrinkles

3.        For general use. Line up the tip of the reed with the tip of the mouthpiece, and place it even side to side

4.        Never leave the reed on the mouthpiece

5.        Store reeds in a metal reed guard

6.        Place the ligature on the mouthpiece first, then slip the reed under the ligature

Use Of The Ligature

1.        For general use, the ligature is about 1/8” below the cut part of the reed

2.        Screws are just barely tight enough to hold the reed

Changing The Strength Of The Reed Without Reed Adjustment

Too Soft:               1.    Raise the reed

2.    Lower the ligature and tighten the lower screw

Too Hard:              1.    Lower the reed

2.    Raise the ligature and tighten the upper screw

Tuning Procedure

Flat:                        1.     Push mouthpiece in

2.         Firm up embouchure

3.        Reed may be too soft

Sharp:                     1.     Pull out mouthpiece

Care Of The Instrument

1.        Wash the mouthpiece gently once a week with mild soap and cool water

2.        Clean the mouthpiece after use

3.        Store the mouthpiece separately in a cloth bag (never leave on the neckpiece)

4.        Swab out the neckpiece after each use

5.        Use a soft polishing cloth on the saxophone often

6.        Use Q-Tips to get dirt from under keys

7.        Use pad savers