Playing the saxophone can be an exciting journey filled with soulful music, creativity, and fun. If you’re brand new to Saxophones For Beginners, you’re in the right place!
In this article, I’ll walk you through the basics, from choosing your first saxophone to playing those excellent first notes. We’ll cover the fundamentals like putting the instrument together, basic fingering, and getting that first wonderful sound out.
You’ll also learn about the best saxophone brands, affordable options, and some must-have accessories to get you started.
Ready to jump into the world of saxophone music? Let’s begin this exciting journey together!
Which Type Of Saxophone
Should I Choose?
SOPRANO
Yamaha YSS475II
Soprano Saxophone
Good mid-level soprano
-
Level: Intermediate
-
Ideal for: Experienced amateurs/students
- Good Yamaha build quality
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
- Reasonably priced for a pro-style soprano sax
- Includes a good mouthpiece (4C) and a travel bag
- Not as tonally sophisticated as full professional models
The soprano is the smallest of the regular four types of saxophone, and plays at a higher pitch than the other three.
When I first started playing the saxophone, I found the soprano to be the most challenging of the regular saxes. Mastering the higher notes demanded a high control over the mouth muscles, so I typically recommend something other than it for beginners.
However, I’ve encountered the exception of fairly advanced clarinet players, who may find it more manageable due to the similar level of control required for that instrument. Another thing to consider is that there aren’t many student sopranos available, so if you choose this instrument, you might have to splash out on a more expensive intermediate or pro sax.
ALTO
Yamaha YAS280 Alto Saxophone
Excellent studentalto saxophone for beginners
-
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
-
Ideal for: Beginners, students
- Excellent intonation
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
- Can be used from beginner up to ABRSM grade 8 level
- Includes backpack-style case and mouthpiece
- On the pricier side for a student saxophone
The alto is the second smallest standard sax, and is a great choice of saxophone for beginners.
As a saxophonist, I have found the alto saxophone to be an excellent choice for beginners due to its easier sound control compared to the soprano. Its lighter weight also makes it more manageable for players, allowing for better posture while playing.
Plus, I have come across a good selection of reasonably priced student instruments available for those looking to start their saxophone journey with an alto.
TENOR
Yamaha YTS280
Tenor Saxophone
Good mid-level soprano
-
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
-
Ideal for: Beginners, students
- Excellent intonation
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
- Can be used from beginner up to ABRSM grade 8 level
- Includes backpack-style case and mouthpiece
- On the pricier side for a student saxophone
Tenor saxophones are larger still, and are also a good choice for beginners, but only really for adults and older children.
The playing difficulty is very similar to the alto, but the added weight means it is likely to be uncomfortable to hold unless you are quite physically mature. There are a range of student tenors available at reasonable prices, though they are more costly than student altos.
If you’re interested in learning more about different models and reviews of tenor saxophones, I recommend checking out our article on the best tenor saxophones.
BARITONE
Trevor James
Classic II
Baritone Saxophone
Good entry level baritone
-
Level: Intermediate/advanced
-
Ideal for: Experienced amateurs/students
- Full baritone range of low A to high F sharp
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
- Very reasonably priced for a baritone
- Plenty of accessories included as standard
- Lacks the tone and intonation of a full professional model
The baritone is the largest and lowest of the regular saxes. It is a rarer choice for beginners, because its weight makes it quite physically demanding, and its size means it needs a lot of air to produce a sound.
However, it is not as technically challenging as the soprano, so if you yearn for a low sound and are in good physical shape you could consider it as a beginner.
Be prepared though, baritones aren’t cheap and not many student instruments are manufactured of this type.
What To Consider When Buying A Saxophone
Your size
As they are made of metal, saxophones are generally too heavy to hold just with your hands as happens with other woodwinds like clarinet and oboe. So most saxophonists use a neck strap or ‘sling’, which distributes most of the weight on the neck.
Obviously it’s important not to put too much pressure on this area for health and posture reasons, so choosing a sax that is suitable for your size is very important. In general, alto is best for beginner children, and adults/older beginners can choose between alto and tenor.
For young kids (around 7-10) who find a regular alto sax too heavy, there are special lightweight altos called Alphasaxes. These make playing much easier for this age group.
The maker reduces the weight by removing the keys for the highest and lowest notes, which players usually don’t learn for a few years. If you start on an Alphasax, you’ll need to switch to a standard sax later, usually after about three years.
Price
Alto saxophone prices on music shop websites range from around $300 to over $8000. The wide price range is mainly due to differences in design, precision, and materials. However, you can get an excellent student instrument for $500-900.
Avoid spending less than $500 on a new saxophone. Cheaper instruments often have leaks and issues that may prevent them from working properly. They also use lower-quality materials, leading to faster wear and tear.
You only need to spend up to $900 if you want to. Pricier saxophones offer better tone and tuning, which is essential for professionals and advanced students. As a beginner, you likely won’t reach the limits of your first sax for at least four to five years.
New vs Second-Hand vs Rental
All of these are valid options, but there are some things to be aware of.
New saxophones are the easiest choice. You buy from a good supplier, it works well right away, and it has a warranty, but they’re the most expensive option, and if you later quit, you’ll lose money when you sell them.
Secondhand saxes can be a great value, but there are risks. Saxes can last long, but certain parts wear out and need fixing or replacing. Pads, for example, can harden, leak, split, or grow mold over time. Fixing this can cost over £500.
So, it’s essential to know the used sax you’re buying is in good shape and will be okay with expensive repairs soon. Buying from a reputable music shop is best, as they often have a repairer who ensures used instruments are in good condition and offers a warranty.
Renting allows flexibility if you later quit, but it can be costly in the long run. Using a good music shop is smart, as they provide well-maintained instruments and fix problems. Some shops offer “rent to buy” deals where part of your rental fees can go towards buying a new sax later, which is an excellent option if you don’t want to commit to buying immediately.
Materials and Finish
Most saxophones are made of brass with a thin layer of lacquer on top, which prevents the metal from tarnishing and keeps it looking shiny. Instrument manufacturers do experiment with other finishes and materials, ranging from different colours of lacquer to silver and gold plated, unlacquered and even solid bronze, silver and gold construction. Most of these will be more expensive than the standard finishes, and they don’t provide any really tangible benefits for a beginner saxophonist. There is nothing wrong with them, and if you’re willing to pay more for cosmetic reasons then be our guest – but they are not necessary.
Extra Options
New saxophones very commonly come with the most important accessories, such as mouthpiece, reeds, sling and cleaning cloths, and some come as a ‘beginner’s pack’ including things like books and instrument stands. Apart from the crucial accessories I’ll discuss below, these additional elements are not strictly necessary.
Our Top 3 Saxophones
ONE
Trevor James
Alphasax
Eb Alto Saxophone
Gold Lightweight alto sax for younger beginners
-
Useful for: beginner - ABRSM grade 3 level
-
Age range: 7-10
- Key layout designed for small hands
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
- Keywork designed specifically for small hands
- Considerably lighter than a standard alto saxophone
- Accessories included to get you started
- You’ll probably need to upgrade after a few years
This is basically an alto with some of the keys removed to make it lighter. These instruments are great for younger beginners, approx. 7-10 years old, for whom a full-size alto is a bit too heavy. They also come with a ‘harness’ type sling, which can be fiddly for younger students to put on, but does spread the weight across the shoulders and torso rather than concentrating it on the neck, which is also helpful for smaller beginners.
The missing keys are only really needed above ABRSM grade 3 level, which means students are unlikely to outgrow the Alphasax for at least 3 years in most cases. The keywork has also been tweaked to make it more comfortable for small hands, which is a nice touch.
In our experience these saxes are well made, easy to play on and are a very good choice overall. The only downside is the need to switch to something else a few years down the line.
TWO
Yamaha YAS280 Alto Saxophone
Excellent student saxophone-
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
-
Ideal for: Beginners, students
- Excellent intonation
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
- Can be used from beginner up to ABRSM grade 8 level
- Includes backpack-style case and mouthpiece
- On the pricier side for a student saxophone
The best saxophone for beginners is the Yamaha YAS-280. It offers excellent playability, durability, and sound quality, making it perfect for new players.
With its easy fingerings and responsive keys, the YAS-280 ensures a smooth learning experience that helps beginners develop their skills effectively.
Yamaha have been making excellent student saxophones for years, with previous models including the 23, 25 and 275, and they also make a range of more expensive professional instruments.
The YAS 280 has good build quality. They are on the pricier side for a beginner instrument, but you are getting a lot of sax for your money, and if you buy one, you won’t need to upgrade unless you’re seriously thinking of turning professional.
THREE
Trevor James
‘The Horn’
alto saxophone
Reasonably priced student alto
-
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
-
Ideal for: Beginners, students
- Consistent, reliable construction
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
As well as the Alphasax, Trevor James make a range of full-sized student (and professional) instruments. Whilst they don’t have quite the same pedigree as the Yamahas, these saxes are well built and will work very well for a beginner, whilst being a good bit cheaper than the Japanese brand.
- Good value for a new instrument
- The supplied case is nice and sturdy
- Doesn’t play quite as well as some of the other student instruments
Essential Accessories to Also Spend On
Mouthpiece
Yamaha 4C
Saxophone Mouthpiece
Available for both alto and tenor sax
-
Designed for: beginners and students
-
Material: plastic
- Reliable, consistent construction
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
- Reasonably priced
- Good quality
- Sound not as refined as a professional model
It should be said that if you are buying a new sax, a mouthpiece is often included, and if it is a good quality saxophone then the mouthpiece will likely be fine to get you started. But if you are in any doubt, this small additional purchase will likely make all the difference.
Reeds
Juno by Vandoren
Alto Sax Reeds
Good quality reeds
-
Designed for: beginners and students
-
Material: cane
- Specially designed for ease of playing
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The reed vibrating against the mouthpiece produces the sound of a sax. Don’t skimp here – bad reeds mean a lousy sound.
New saxes may include a few reeds, but reeds are natural products (thin bits of wood) and will wear out over time. Beginners also tend to break reeds often, even by gently brushing them against clothes while checking finger positioning.
The two important reed factors for beginners are quality and strength. Quality is easy to achieve by choosing established brands like Rico or Vandoren. Strength refers to reed flexibility and how easily it vibrates, usually measured on a 1-5 scale (1 being softest).
For child beginners, use strength 1.5. For adults, strength 2 is good. After a few months of playing and developing mouth muscles and breath control, gradually increase reed strength for a warmer tone and more power.
Initially, avoid reeds that are too hard. The effort to produce sound can cause tension in your playing technique, which can be difficult to correct later. If your new sax comes with a strength three reed, save it for later.
- Good tone production
- Trusted brand
- Not always as consistent as other brands
Sax Neck Strap
BG Sax Strap
for alto & tenor
Good quality standard sling
-
Useful for: Alto and tenor players
-
Age range: 12+
- Sturdy, easily adjustable
The TedScore™: 8/10
The professional musician who wrote this article combine many things, from the product build,
manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Most new saxes come with a decent neck strap, but there are a few things to watch out for.
Bouncy neck straps are to be avoided at all cost. Straps made from elastic might seem more comfortable, but all they do is make the sax bounce around as you’re trying to play on it, which is a nightmare when trying to develop a consistent technique. Some padding for comfort is fine, but make sure your neck strap does not bounce or flex.
The other thing to check is whether the strap is easy to adjust. You should be able to adjust the strap to get the sax’s mouthpiece right up to your mouth, with no additional lifting with the hands or stooping with the neck required. If the adjustment is fiddly or broken, younger students often won’t bother, leading to compromised posture and technique.
Our standard recommendation is a BG sling. They are solid and relatively easy to adjust without being overpriced.
For younger students or those playing a heavier sax, you might want to consider a sax harness.
This goes around your shoulders and spreads the weight more evenly and comfortably. It is more inconvenient to take on and off, and can get irritatingly tangled, but if you are finding the weight around your neck uncomfortable it is a good option.
- Reasonably priced
- Soft Edges
- Suitable for most types of saxophone
- Places all instrument’s weight on neck area
Saxophones For Beginners
Summary
Starting with the saxophone is one of the most rewarding musical journeys you can embark on. I’ve had a blast sharing these insights with you!
Each saxophone type has unique charm and sound, from the soprano to the baritone. Whether you choose the common alto or tenor saxes, you’re guaranteed an exciting learning experience.
Remember, practice is key. With dedication and the right guidance, you’ll master the saxophone in no time. Happy playing, and may your saxophone journey be melodious and delightful!
Best All-Round Saxophone
YAS 280
The YAS 280 is the best alto saxophone for beginners that will give you great results for many years.
Best Value Saxophone
Trevor James ‘The Horn’
The Trevor James ‘The Horn’ is a solid instrument for students, at a very competitive price.
Best Beginner Alto Saxophone
Trevor James Alphasax
The Trevor James Alphasax is a very good instrument, and much less physically demanding for smaller, younger beginners.
Can’t wait to play the Saxophone like a pro!
Enjoy Glen! Keep us posted with your progress.