Alto Sax Learn More
What does it feel like to hold an Alto Sax? It is supported by the right thumb, upper teeth, and strap
The saxophone is held in three places when played. The lower lip covers the lower teeth.
How it Feels to Hold it:
Saxophone players always wear a strap to help hold the weight and support playing when your fingers are active. Your left thumb goes under a plastic rest that supports weight of it also.
The Structure of the Saxophone
Learn the names of the parts
Four large sections
The saxophone consists of four fundamental parts: the neck, the body, the U-shaped bow, and the round, flared bell. Along the length of the instrument, there are 25 tone holes.
Saxophone components
Use care when assembling the instrument!
Apply cork grease to the joint of the neck before assembly. When assembling, please be careful not to put pressure on the neck or keys.
The pads are made from circles of felt covered with sheep leather.
Because a number of parts work together for a single function, a single saxophone comprises about 600 parts.
A staggering 600 parts!
Though there are 25 tone holes, a person has far fewer fingers, so keys and levers are provided to enable the player to close distant holes simultaneously with others.
The round tone-hole covers are called pads. The largest pad on an alto saxophone is five centimeters in diameter. Of course, this large pad covers an equally large tone hole.
The pads are made from circles of felt covered with sheep leather.
Because a number of parts work together for a single function, a single saxophone comprises about 600 parts.
14 different saxophones
Originally there were 14 members of the saxophone family. In fact, Adolphe Sax conceived of an orchestra consisting solely of saxophones, and so he made saxophones in a range of sizes.
Yet today, there are only 6 types in widespread use. In pitch order from high to low, they are the sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass.
Why We Play Alto Sax versus other Saxes
The alto saxophone is easier to play than the soprano saxophone and the bigger saxophones, and so it is a good choice for beginners.
A simple comparison of the length of the soprano and alto saxophones shows that they are about the same, 70 centimeters long. However, the alto has a bend, so the alto saxophone is about 1.5 times longer overall than the soprano saxophone, and because of that it is heavier as well. When performing, most of the weight of the alto saxophone is supported by the strap, and from the point of view of maintenance as well, the alto saxophone is a good first choice. The alto sax is sometimes too heavy for a younger 4th grader. The Tenor and Bari are too heavy for almost all 4th-6th grade beginners.
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