Choosing an alto sax can be a daunting task, especially if you are a beginner player.
If you’re looking for the best alto sax for beginners, in this article you’ll find our top tips to help you find the horn for you.
We’ll cover:
- The saxophone family
- Why the alto sax is a good choice for beginners
- What to look for in the best alto sax for beginners.
The saxophone family
As musical instruments go, the saxophone is the new kid on the block. Invented in the 1840s by Adolphe Sax, it has quickly become a popular choice for musicians, composers and music fans alike.
You might be familiar with these members of the saxophone family:
- Alto saxophone (small)
- Tenor saxophone (medium)
- Baritone saxophone (large)
Each produces a different sound and tone. In addition, the soprano saxophone is smaller and has a higher sound, and the fiendishly difficult sopranino is even higher.
As a beginner player, it’s easy to think that a smaller saxophone, such as the soprano, would be easy to play. But don’t be fooled – the soprano and sopranino are not a great choice for beginner players. With a tiny mouthpiece and reed it’s difficult to get a good tone and play in tune.
So the alto sax is a great choice for beginner saxophone learners.
Why Choose the Alto Sax?
It might be a relatively new instrument, but the alto saxophone has found its place in pretty much every style of music you can think of. So whether you’re into jazz or classical, blues or ska, pop, rock or gospel, you’ll find awesome music for saxophone to enjoy playing.
The alto sax is perfect size for young players, as it is not too heavy or difficult to handle. However, many adult players also chose to start learning on the alto saxophone, even if they later move onto the tenor, baritone or even soprano sax. If you are wondering whether to the tenor or alto sax is best for you to start learning on, this article will help you.
Challenges in choosing your first alto sax
Picking out your first alto sax from a sea of brands and models might seem daunting at first glance. Choosing a saxophone is a question we often discuss with our members inside Sax School.
On our blog you will find reviews for a range of alto saxophones, from beginner models through to pro standard horns. Plus there’s loads of advice on what to look for in the best alto sax for beginners. This article, with a free buyers guide, is a good place to start.
Things to look for in a Beginner’s Alto Sax
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing your first alto saxophone.
Quality vs. budget considerations
Instrument quality and budget often go hand in hand. With a higher price tag you can expect better quality materials, construction and accessories. For example, your sax may come with a named brand mouthpiece and better quality case.
However, there are some great student range saxophones out there that are perfect for beginner players on a budget. You need a horn which fits your pocket, but will be enjoyable to play. A poor quality instrument can be clunky and difficult to play, which will hold back your progress. So do your research, and where possible, try before you buy.
Importance of build quality
A cheaper saxophone usually means cheaper materials. A lower cost beginner saxophone will often be made from yellow brass, while a pro level sax will be made from gold brass which has a richer sound.
It’s worth considering a used horn, as you may be able to afford a higher quality used horn for the price of a budget new instrument.
Keywork design
The quality of keywork on your saxophone will have a big impact on how easy it is to play. The keywork includes all the buttons and keys on your sax as well as the mechanism which opens and closes them as you play. Your sax is a feat of engineering!
Good quality keywork will make playing your sax smoother and easier. It will make it easier for you to play those tricky fast passages as you progress in your playing. However, poor quality or badly maintained keywork can mean notes don’t sound correctly, which is very frustrating.
It’s always a good idea to get your saxophone checked over by an experienced repairer, especially if you are struggling with certain notes. It’s especially important if you buy a used horn.
Beginner Alto Saxophone Brands
To help you get started on your saxophone journey, here are some of the best alto saxophone brands that consistently produce excellent beginner alto saxophones:
1. Yamaha
Yamaha is renowned for manufacturing high-quality musical instruments, including saxophones. Their beginner alto saxophones are often praised for their durability, ease of play, and clear sound.
Yamaha Yas-280
The Yamaha YAS-280 is popular for beginners because of its easy playing and great sound. It has a solid construction, making it suitable for younger players.
2. Selmer
Selmer is another well-respected brand in the saxophone world. They offer beginner-friendly saxophones designed with attention to detail and sound quality.
Selmer AXOS
The Selmer SA280 alto saxophone is a refined machine with a warm and balanced tone. It is a good choice for serious students but also for more experienced players.
3. Jupiter
Jupiter saxophone is known for its affordability without compromising quality. They are a good choice for beginners on a budget.
Jupiter JAS710
The Jupiter JAS710 is an excellent entry-level alto saxophone with a warm, clear sound. It’s great tone at a good price makes it an ideal choice for beginners of all ages.
Final Thoughts
The alto saxophone is ideal for beginner sax players of all ages. While there are lot of different brands and models out there, these tips will help you make the right choice to suit you.
And when you’re ready, take a look at Sax School Online – from putting together your sax, to your first notes, your first song right through to advanced jazz tactics, there’s all the resources, support and inspiration you need.