Top 9 Best Tenor Saxophone (2023)

The best type of tenor saxophone is probably the one that meets your needs at the time. Buy a beginner instrument as a professional, and you might find yourself searching for that elusive intermediate tenor saxophone sound that you hear from your favourite professional players. But on the other hand, if you’re a new starter who isn’t sure how long their saxophone journey will be, then you won’t want a huge initial outlay. Don’t get sucked into the idea that the more you spend, the better your playing will be – practice is everything when it comes to learning an instrument, and as long as you’ve got a reliable horn that works, the rest is down to you.

When it comes to describing the best tenor saxophone sound, it really depends on the sort of music you want to play. The Theo Wanne Narayan tenor saxes have a very contemporary sound, which would be ideal for pop or modern jazz. They are one of the best tenor saxophones on the market. If you’re after the sound of a vintage Selmer, you might want to try the Conn-Selmer, which has some extra resistance for a warm tone. Classical musicians often play on Yamaha saxophones, as the ergonomics of those instruments mean the saxophones feel under control and as a result the sound production is easy.

The price of a good tenor saxophone can vary widely depending on factors such as brand, quality, and materials. You can generally expect to pay at least a few hundred pounds for a beginner or intermediate model or student model and several thousand pounds or more for a professional or top-of-the-line model.

It’s important to note that while price can be a good indicator of quality, it’s not always the case. It’s important to do your research, read reviews, and try out different brands of saxophones before purchasing to ensure you’re using good quality instruments and getting a good value for your money.

It could be argued that there’s no particular brand to avoid because most new saxophones produced these days will make a reasonable sound, and a cheaper saxophone might be the right saxophone for you if you’re a beginner. However, you might want to avoid buying an instrument from a second-hand website such as eBay, as this can be a false economy. You can never guarantee how well an instrument has been looked after, and you might find that you’re spending more than you bargained for in repairs. But if you want a great list of the best tenor saxophones, then read this article!

Although the fingering systems of the alto and tenor saxophones are broadly the same (only really differing when you get into the altissimo register), there are other differences to consider. The tenor sax is bigger and heavier so it might not be suitable for children or even smaller adults. The alto sax is a great instrument for beginner and intermediate players though, and it’s a little smaller so you can store it more easily. As the tenor sax is bigger, the sound is slightly lower and more gravelly, whereas the alto is higher and brighter. The alto is often used for classical music, whereas the tenor sax features more and tends to be focused on jazz, rock and pop.

The cost of a tenor saxophone can vary widely depending on the brand, quality, and materials, but generally ranges from around £/$500 to £/$5,000 or more for professional-level instruments.

Beginner or student models tend to be more affordable, while high-end or custom-made saxophones can be quite expensive.

The weight of a tenor saxophone can vary depending on the specific model and materials, but generally ranges from around 6 to 10 pounds, with some larger or heavier models weighing up to 15 pounds or more. It’s important to consider the weight of the instrument when selecting a case or strap for transport.

A tenor saxophone is typically around 33 to 35 inches in height, with some models measuring slightly shorter or taller depending on the specific design and manufacturer.

The lifespan of a saxophone reed can vary depending on factors such as the player’s technique, the quality of the reed, and how often it is used. On average, a reed can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before it needs to be replaced.