History and Information
Unlike many instruments, the history of the saxophone is well-known. It was invented in the 1840s by Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax. There are several different varieties of saxphone, including soprano, tenor, baritone, and bass, but the most common is the alto sax. Because of its late introduction, there is not as much classical repertoire for the saxophone as there is for other instruments. However, the sax is featured heavily in military band and jazz music. There is also a lot of repertoire in the blues, funk, and rock genres.
When to Start
Students can start saxophone lessons as young as age 7, depending on hand size and lung capacity. Most students begin on the alto saxophone, and then later branch out into other varieties.
Getting a Saxophone
There are many brands and models of saxophone available for rent and purchase. For very young students, it is recommended to rent instruments for two reasons: 1) they will most likely grow out of instruments quickly and 2) they may lose interest (although we hope they don’t!). When you rent a saxophone or buy a used one, we strongly advise that you buy a new mouthpiece. Most places that rent instruments will also provide repair services for their instruments. We can give you recommendations for places near you to buy or rent your saxophone. Please contact us, and be sure to include your location!
Books and Supplies
Most rented saxophones will come with items such as a case and cleaning implements. Your instructor can tell you which books and other supplies are appropriate, especially which type of reeds you should purchase. Most books and many supplies, including reeds, are available online. We can recommend stores near you where you can purchase supplies and music, if you prefer to do so in person. Please contact us, and again, remember to tell us where you live!
**Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We can help provide you with additional resources.**