Best
Budget-friendly Saxophone
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Overall: Its Body & Keywork Are Made From High-Quality Gold-Lacquered Brass
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Best Feature: Includes durable lightweight case with rucksack straps
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best
Overall
Saxophone
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Overall: Designed With A Gorgeous Gold Lacquer Finish With Engraving
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Best Feature: Offers bright sound and effortless playability
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TedScore™: 8.5/10
Best
Beginner
Saxophone
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Overall: Beautiful Look And Rich Tone With A Gold Lacquer Finish
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Best Feature: Includes case & high-quality 4C mouthpiece
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TedScore™: 9/10
When I first heard someone ask, “Can you play saxophone with braces?” I laughed because it sounded like a joke.
But trust me, it’s a real worry for anyone with braces who loves playing the saxophone!
Wearing braces is merely a rest in your musical journey, not the end. With some practice and patience, those metal brackets won’t stop you from playing.
Every time I see a saxophone with its shiny keys, I remember my struggles with braces, and I understand exactly how it feels.
As someone who’s been through the same experience, I recommend a soft mouthpiece to ease the transition.
Keep reading to learn how to keep playing your saxophone, even with braces! Let’s keep the music going together!
Embracing the Saxophone With Braces
Playing the saxophone with braces isn’t just possible; it’s an adventure that requires a savvy blend of knowledge and adaptability.
From carefully adjusting your embouchure to the strategic use of orthodontic aids, let’s navigate through the brassy journey of playing a wind instrument with a metallic smile.
Understanding the Impact of Braces on Playing
Wearing braces adds an exciting twist to my saxophone escapades. The metal brackets can alter how my mouth wraps around the mouthpiece, also known as the embouchure, which is crucial for controlling airflow and sound quality.
Woodwind players, such as saxophone and flute players, must maintain a specific mouth position to achieve normal playing. Lower lip pressure is crucial but it can lead to discomfort and strain, especially for those with braces.
You need to adjust your mouth position and explore techniques to alleviate mouth pressure to ease lip discomfort and lip strain.
It’s an adjustment period that calls for patience; I remind myself that practice makes perfect instead of rushing through complex pieces.
Adjusting Your Technique
To stay in harmony with my braces, tweaking my technique makes all the difference. I learned to go gentler on the reed—a softer reed can be more forgiving on my lips and braces.
Breath support is essential for producing sound on brass instruments like the trombone and saxophone.
I don’t skimp on practice, knowing that a consistent routine helps me adapt faster to the new sensations and maintain pristine sound quality.
Maintaining Your Instrument and Oral Health
Playing the saxophone with braces is quite a unique challenge.
But with the proper care routines and accessories, not to mention regular dental check-ups, we can keep our instruments and smiles in perfect harmony.
Daily Cleaning and Care Routines
Straight off the bat, let me tell you, a diligent cleaning routine for teeth and musical instruments is non-negotiable.
After every practice, give your teeth a thorough brush to rid yourself of any pesky food particles hiding behind those braces.
Now, keeping the saxophone spotless is equally crucial.
When it comes to woodwind instruments like clarinets or flutes, condensation happens!
So, make it a habit to swab out the inside after each use.
Choosing the Right Accessories
Finding the proper lip protection is like a quest for the Holy Grail.
But fear not; orthodontic wax is here to save the day!
A dab on irritating braces can make playing those high notes feel like a breeze.
If you’re using retainers or Invisalign, speak with your orthodontist about the degree of adjustment needed for your wind-wielding escapades.
Regular Check-Ups and Adjustments
Keep in mind that tooth movement is part of the orthodontic treatment package.
Regular check-ups are the unsung heroes here, ensuring our braces and retainers do their job without messing with our tunes.
Plus, those routine visits can also flag any need for adjustments in our practice – keeping the motivation and music flowing.
Recommended Saxophone Brands
Yamaha YAS280 Student Alto Saxophone
The Yamaha YAS280 Student Alto Saxophone features a lightweight design and an adjustable thumb rest, ensuring comfortable playability for beginners.
Its durable construction, precise intonation, and easy response make it an excellent choice for students aiming to develop their skills with a reliable and high-quality instrument.
Yamaha YAS280 Student Alto Saxophone
PERFECT FOR: Student saxophone players
FEATURES: Beautiful look and rich tone with a gold lacquer finish
OTHER INFO: Easier response from lower notes with the improved, stronger B-C# mechanism
Yamaha YAS280 Student Alto Saxophone
- Register for a 5-year extended warranty and 3-month Tomplay Premium
- Includes case & high-quality 4C mouthpiece
- Yamaha quality creates the best student saxophone
- You might want to upgrade as you advance your playing skills
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Jupiter JAS700 Alto Saxophone
The Jupiter JAS700 Alto Saxophone features a robust brass body and adjustable thumb rest, offering durability and comfort for students.
Its precise keywork, excellent intonation, and rich, warm tone make it an ideal choice for advancing players seeking a reliable and high-quality instrument.
Jupiter JAS-700 Alto Sax
PERFECT FOR: Players up to grade VII standard
FEATURES: Its body & keywork are made from high-quality gold-lacquered brass
OTHER INFO: Excellent sound projection and tone
Jupiter JAS-700 Alto Sax
- Includes durable lightweight case with rucksack straps
- Designed to provide intermediate players with cleaner, fuller sounds
- Some experienced saxophonists may find the sound quality to be lacking compared to higher-end models
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Conn-Selmer PAS380 Premiere Alto Saxophone, Lacquer
The Conn-Selmer PAS380 Premiere Alto Saxophone in lacquer features a durable brass body with a beautiful lacquer finish, providing a rich, resonant tone and an attractive appearance.
Its ergonomic key design and precise intonation make it an excellent choice for advancing students and intermediate players seeking a reliable and visually appealing instrument.
Conn-Selmer PAS380 Premiere Alto Saxophone, Lacquer
PERFECT FOR: Advancing student saxophone players
FEATURES: Designed with a gorgeous gold lacquer finish with engraving
OTHER INFO: With adjustable mechanisms and keys
Conn-Selmer PAS380 Premiere Alto Saxophone, Lacquer
- Offers bright sound and effortless playability
- Includes Rousseau JDX mouthpiece and Rovner ligature
- Produces a warm and rich sound which can be used for all genres of music
- The vintage unlacquered finish may require more maintenance to keep it looking its best
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Can you play Saxophone with braces:
Final Thoughts
Playing saxophone with traditional braces is doable, and I’ve found it quite the adventure. If you’ve got braces and are keen on jamming out on your sax, no worries, you’re not alone.
The critical bit is to use orthodontic wax; it’s a game-changer. This nifty wax can be molded over those brackets and wires, sparing your cheeks and lips from discomfort.
Adjusting your embouchure is part of the journey—and it’s a brilliant one at that. You’ll be soaring through your favorite tunes before you know it with a bit of patience and perhaps a smidge of creativity with your technique.
Keep playing your sax, care for your teeth, and practice. Before you know it, the braces will come off, and you’ll have a great smile and excellent saxophone skills!
Wait! There’s more…
Discover the best saxophone brands for high-quality instruments and exceptional musical performance.
Quick shoutout to Hannah for highlighting the importance of regular check-ups and adjustments. Had a nightmare scenario once where my neglect led to some pretty bad damage to my sax. Lesson learned the hard way, folks.
While the Yamaha YAS280 Student Alto Saxophone is indeed a fantastic recommendation for beginners, one shouldn’t overlook the significance of personal play style and ergonomic comfort, particularly for those with braces. Each saxophonist’s journey is unique, and the choice of instrument must resonate with their physical requirements and musical aspirations. Thus, I urge fellow enthusiasts to also consider try-before-you-buy programs offered by many music shops to ensure the best fit for their needs.
any advice on the best ligature for a beginner with braces? gotta make playing as smooth as possible
is it expensive tho?
saxo_geek42, I swear by the Rovner Dark. Super comfortable and makes a huge difference in sound control. Worth every penny!
Really appreciated the part about adjusting your technique when playing the saxophone with braces. I got my braces a month ago and was super worried it’d mess up my progress. The tips Hannah shared gave me a good starting point to adapt. It’s a relief to see you can still play and adjust instead of having to take a long break. Gonna try these out, thanks!