Introduction and common mistakes
As with any hobby or skill, it is really important to get suitable equipment before taking your first saxophone lesson. Well selected equipment will make it much easier for the new player to produce a sound, and the experience will be overall far more enjoyable. Unfortunately there a few mistakes I see over and over again when new students come to me:
-second hand instruments bought from eBay / overly cheap unknown brand instruments (often from Amazon)
-reeds which are too hard / low quality
-inappropriate mouthpiece selection (tip opening too large etc)
-money wasted(!) on fancy gadgets / high level gear
Instrument selection
A good quality saxophone will play evenly through the range of the instrument, with a nice easy response and intonation. Unfortunately instruments at the extreme low end of the price range (such as you might find on Amazon) will have problems with leaks and regulation, and will not be enjoyable to play. High quality instruments can sometimes be found on eBay at attractive prices, but it is inadvisable to buy an instrument you cannot test yourself - and the beginner player doesn't know how to assess an instrument effectively.
I would strongly recommend that all beginner players start by hiring their first saxophone, before seeking advice on purchasing after a few months of playing.
Music Corner offers entry level instruments delivered to your home for monthly hire - contact me for information on how to secure your first month of hire for free.
For purchasing second hand instruments I can recommend Howarth or Sax.co.uk - aim at mid or high range brands like Yamaha.
Reeds
Any saxophonist will tell you quality reeds are essential to making a good sound on the saxophone - it is definitely not worth trying to save money here with cheap unknown reed brands - opt for high quality cane reeds made by Rico, D'Addario, or Vandoren, or synthetic reeds like Légère. Beginner players should start on soft reeds of strength 1.5 or 2 while their embouchure and air develops.
Mouthpiece
You can spend £100s on saxophone mouthpieces - but for new players the Yamaha 4c remains king. Don't be fooled by the marketing of more expensive branded mouthpieces - a 4c is ideal to get you started and will actually produce a sound much more easily than pro level pieces with larger tip openings. For players with a little more experience, the Jody Jazz or Meyer (jazz), or Selmer Concept (classical) pieces can be a good option without breaking the bank.
Expensive Extras
Many beginners succumb to the temptation of buying expensive gadgets that make little to no difference to their playing. The most common places I see beginners wasting money are in fancy ligatures, "tone stones"/neck screws, and other gadgets that promise to enhance your sound. (Unfortunately) no instrument or accessory will allow make you sound better than you really are, despite what the marketing may tell you.
The accessories I would recommend spending some money on include a comfortable next strap (Cebulla, Jazzlab make great ones), and a decent case to look after your instrument (and back) when transporting it.
If you are interested in taking saxophone lessons or have any questions about saxophone equipment etc, please send me a message now to discuss!
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