How much does a saxophone cost? (2023)

FAQs

How much does a good saxophone cost? ›

Beginner saxophones usually range in cost from $800 to $2,700. Intermediate, or step-up saxophones usually range in cost $2,000 to $3,000 and entry level pro saxophones (still largely played by advanced students) around $3,000 and up.

Properly maintained saxophones can last a lifetime, which makes them an excellent investment and potential heirloom. If you do feel confident that buying a saxophone is the right idea, then you should talk to your (or your child's) music teacher about which instrument they'd recommend for you to start with.

The cheapest alto saxophones cost around $200-$500. A quality student alto sax will usually cost $1,000-$1,500. The tenor saxophone is the second most common saxophone. The top-quality student tenor saxes can easily cost $3,000-$5,000.

If all factors that can influence how good a used saxophone is, are met, you should expect to pay between $4,000 and $11,000 for a used saxophone. That's an approximate price range. It can of course be lower or higher depending on the type and level of sax you are looking for.

The alto saxophone is easier to play than the soprano saxophone, 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.

Is saxophone hard to learn? In terms of learning the saxophone, it's one of the easiest instruments. The scales run up and down the keys, making it perfect for beginners or people who are switching from the piano or other woodwind instruments with similar technique.

Of course, a used sax will have a bit of wear and tear. But you should avoid dents or signs of major repairs. Look for a model that's a proven, great saxophone. On eBay, make sure you look for a seller with good feedback and some selling history who's happy to take payment using Paypal.

Saxophones can last up to 100 years with proper care as they're very durable instruments. Most saxophones are made of brass, which can last up to a century with frequent exposure to moisture before it starts to rust and fall apart. With proper care, some saxophones can last well over a century.

1. Strengthen your breath. Playing a woodwind instrument will force you to become conscious of every facet of your breath, from relaxed and open inhalations to sharp and controlled exhalations. Woodwind instruments will absolutely give your lungs a serious respiratory workout.

Today, the saxophone has become an important part of almost every genre of popular music: jazz, funk, R&B, blues, reggae, ska, soul, rock, pop, etc.

Is alto or tenor sax easier? ›

For younger players, I always recommend they learn to play the alto saxophone because it's easier to manage. It's smaller, and it's lighter. It's easier to carry and handle. If you're a smaller person, you might find the alto suits you better too.

There is no consensus on whether saxophones sound objectively better with age. Some experts swear a difference in sound can be ascertained as a saxophone ages. Detractors point out the metal or plastic material itself does not change in tone as it ages, unlike guitars and wooden instruments that do.

The alto saxophone is by far far the most popular choice when it comes to learning saxophone – especially for younger players who might find the tenor too heavy.

Highest quality vintage horns like the vintage Selmer saxophones will hold their value very well and generally slowly appreciate over time. This has been the trend for many years and even in the face of recessions, the value over time seems to go up.

The Alto Saxophone is the #1 type in terms of worldwide sales. It has become very popular due to the size and versatility of tone. The Alto is used in all types of musical scenarios, from jazz to classical. It has a higher 'voice' compared to the Tenor, but is not as high pitched as the Soprano.

Soprano Saxophone

It is the smallest of the four main saxophones. It can be either straight or curved. The soprano is known as the hardest saxophone to play.

The sopranissimo saxophone (also known as the piccolo or soprillo saxophone) is the smallest member of the saxophone family. It is pitched in B♭, one octave above the soprano saxophone.

Guitar is harder to learn for a beginner than saxophone. This is because a guitar has more fingering positions and allows for up to six notes at once, compared to a saxophone, which only plays one note at a time. Guitar music also requires knowing a bit more theory to read than music for saxophone.

It is harder to learn the saxophone than it is to learn the piano, especially for people who have never played an instrument before. The saxophone is a lot more complex than the piano because it requires you to memorize fingerings, practice breath control, and learn proper embouchure.

Is sax or clarinet easier? ›

Saxophone is simply an easier instrument than clarinet overall, and is more commonly used in rock music. It's the natural choice. That being said, oboists often find clarinet easier because the embouchure is a bit firmer, which they're used to.

We typically recommend seven or eight as the minimum starting age for saxophone lessons. Alto saxophones are best suited for younger students due to their size, roughly two feet in length. The alto sax is also the most popular type of saxophone for beginners, due to its compact size and lower weight.

The finish of the instrument is only the first step for determining the instrument's legitimacy. Look closely at the engraving on the bell of the saxophone, and compare the brand mark, model, and any other distinguishing marks on the instrument against a verified photograph of a Selmer Paris saxophone.

In most circumstances, it is damaging for a saxophone to get wet. Unwanted effects include: The pads and corks can fall apart or deform. Additionally, the metal components can oxidize.

Indeed, a saxophone can get out of tune for various reasons, including extreme shifts in temperature, reassembling issues, mouthpiece placement, and dents produced across the body due to mistreatment. If a saxophone is played before a warm-up, it's also prone to deliver out-of-pitch notes.

Never lift your saxophone from the keys or neck. Always swab your horn from the bell to the top. Don't place your saxophone in a closed case after playing, as there will still be a little bit of moisture lingering in the horn.

If you are at all serious about learning the saxophone, a minimum daily requirement would be 30 minutes practice, but ideally at least an hour. If you intend to become professional then at least 2-3 hours daily is appropriate.

As a rough guideline, you should be looking to average about 3-5 hours of practise every day (even more some days) if you want to be the best of the best.

Why is there no sax in orchestra? ›

The composers and conductors were unwilling to fight with the orchestra members, and the orchestral saxophone was cast aside. So, the next time you see a saxophone in an orchestra, remember that its presence in the ensemble is a very contentious issue.

It is NEVER too late to learn how to play the saxophone. I have a few students who are over the age of 70. One of these students has never ever had anything to do with playing music in her entire life. She has wanted to learn saxophone for the last 60 years and finally has summoned up the courage to start.

The good news is that the saxophone is much easier to learn than other instruments, and it's a whole lot of fun! Like many instruments, the saxophone isn't too difficult to begin playing but challenging to master. Many people say that it's easy to make a sound on the saxophone but harder to make a good sound.

Typically, a saxophone would weigh between 4.5 pounds, while adding the case would make the whole setup weigh around 10.14 pounds. For transportation, alto saxophones are a bliss and don't require too much effort.

With its rich and warm tones, and its relatively lightweight body, the Tenor Saxophone is considered the mainstay instrument in the genre, and has been widely associated with some of the world's most popular jazz musicians such as John Coltrane and Charlie Parker.

Kenny G plays the Selmer Mark VI soprano, alto and tenor saxophones. He has created his own line of saxophones called "Kenny G Saxophones".

Conclusions. Playing a wind instrument can influence tooth position and facial morphology in both children and adults. Aspects that stand out are overjet, arch width, facial divergence/convergence and lip thickness.

Sensitive Sounds

While you might not be able to hear a certain sound or won't hear it as loud, your pet could pick it up and the sound might become highly irritating. Saxophones can have exactly this high-pitch sound, causing your pet to perhaps feel discomfort while you play.

Realistically, playing the sax should take between six months to a year to really learn. That means maintaining the skill long after you have stopped playing regularly. However, once you start, you won't want to stop.

Best saxophone for high school students: Yamaha YAS-280

The Yamaha YAS-280 boasts a lightweight, yet sturdy build, forgiveness if you tighten the screws too much (a common beginner issue), and the angles between keys and fingers are just right, so as not to cause aching hands.

What should I look for in a used sax? ›

Silver plate is less common than gold lacquer and is more hardwearing, though it does need frequent cleaning due to oxidisation. It creates a brighter sound and is usually a bit more expensive to buy. As the name suggests the Vintage finish aims to recreate the look and sound of older saxophones.

Tenor is the usual saxophone for rock, and it makes very little difference what make. You just need a good one as with any style of music. The mouthpiece is a more important piece of kit as far as making the sound goes.

Not only does playing the saxophone require more breath than most instruments, but the flow of breath needs to be constant. Unfortunately, this isn't a natural process for most. In order to control the flow of air you'll need to “train” your throat and diaphragm.

Fortunately, problems with saxophones typically fall into one of the below categories: broken or missing neck cork, air leaks, stuck keys, and dents. Generally, these problems are easily addressed by a qualified repair technician.

Keep Your Saxophone Out Of The Heat and Cold

Many instruments are sensitive to extreme temperatures, and saxophones are no exception. It might be tempting to leave your sax in the backseat or trunk of your car, but this is not recommended. In the warmer months, the inside of your car can get extremely hot.

The Alto saxophone is the go-to saxophone for new beginners, and the one we typically recommend learning on!

For beginners and students, alto saxophones can be available around the $300 to $400 price point. What is this? Whereas professional players who want all the highest quality features can access saxophones costing well over $3000.

Beyond the aesthetics, the size of the two instruments makes a difference in the notes that they produce. Since the alto sax is smaller, its notes are higher and brighter than those of the tenor sax. The tenor sax produces a mellow, rich, and deep sound.

Is it okay to buy a used saxophone? ›

Of course, a used sax will have a bit of wear and tear. But you should avoid dents or signs of major repairs. Look for a model that's a proven, great saxophone. On eBay, make sure you look for a seller with good feedback and some selling history who's happy to take payment using Paypal.

Of course, the great old saxophones are still great, as long as they are properly maintained, they just really aren't better in general than modern horns, and definitely not as easy to play.

Several problems stand out with a high percentage of mild cases but very few severe cases; most notably eye strain (42.86% mild, 2.96% severe) and noise induced hearing loss (26.60% mild, 0.99% severe). Michael Davis is a saxophonist who began his saxophone career at the University of Iowa.