Buying a Sax for a beginner [need help]

gracehopper

Lads,

Myself and the bro are buying my sister a sax for her 21st only i know nothing about Brass or even were to start looking. I know its gonna be expensive but i dont mind.

We'll spend about 6 or 7 hundred i'd say.

So does anyone know what is the best place to buy?? both web and normal retail around dublin and also which type (ie soprano, tenor, alto etc) to go for.

any help would be greatly appreciated

cheers
David(Gracehopper)

Rustar

See This thread for some hints & tips.

As far as type goes, I'd have to pick out the Alto as the perfect beginner instrument. It's not extremely large (like the tenor), and is a well-tuned instrument (unlike the soprano). Being an Eb instrument, you can play along in the key of C with guitarists who play a half-step down.

There are many good student models that I'm familiar with like Selmer Bundy, Olds, Conn, and Juno. There are a lot of new sax manufacturers that I'm not really familiar with. You probably can't go wrong sticking with someone like E.M. Winston or Jupiter.

A very important point though, is after you get a sax, have a pro or a teacher check for air leaks in the pads. Even expensive saxes can be shipped from the factory with air leaks, and it will make sound production much harder.

Edit: Yes, they're made of brass, but they're part of the Woodwind family.

gracehopper

Rustar,

Thanks for the help!

Rustar

Welcome. I'm currently edging towards picking up one of the dreaded soprano saxes meself.

JoandMa

Rustar wrote:

See This thread for some hints & tips.

As far as type goes, I'd have to pick out the Alto as the perfect beginner instrument. It's not extremely large (like the tenor), and is a well-tuned instrument (unlike the soprano). Being an Eb instrument, you can play along in the key of C with guitarists who play a half-step down.

There are many good student models that I'm familiar with like Selmer Bundy, Olds, Conn, and Juno. There are a lot of new sax manufacturers that I'm not really familiar with. You probably can't go wrong sticking with someone like E.M. Winston or Jupiter.

A very important point though, is after you get a sax, have a pro or a teacher check for air leaks in the pads. Even expensive saxes can be shipped from the factory with air leaks, and it will make sound production much harder.

Edit: Yes, they're made of brass, but they're part of the Woodwind family.

I would agree with Rustar, the Alto would be the one to start off on, for size and easiness as explained above (re:tuning, embosure). You've not many shops to go to, you probably won't have to many options in that price range but will be able to get a starter sax. The only really reputable shops that I know are:

http://www.joelynchmusic.com/woodwnd/saxalto1.html

http://www.paulryanmusic.com/instruments.html/saxophones.html?subsection=Alto%20Saxophones

You can buy tutor books and sheet music online, don't forget the lessons, and a good teacher.

crosstownk

Browse through this > http://www.thomann.de/ie/saxophones.html