Tenor Saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family. Adolphe Sax, who lived from 1814-1894 invented the saxophone in the 1840s. He specifically designed the tenor sax to be played in military bands. Along with the alto sax, the tenor sax is the most common size of sax. The sound of the tenor sax is deeper than that of the alto sax. It is pitched in the key of B?, and is a transposing instrument. What this means is that it sounds a major ninth lower than the written pitch.
You can easily tell the difference between a tenor sax and an alto sax. The tenor sax has a crook in its neck close to the mouthpiece. It also uses a slightly bigger mouthpiece, reed, and ligature than the alto sax does.
You can notice the tenor sax in many different ensembles such as concert bands, jazz band, and marching bands. When the tenor saxophone is in a concert band, it plays mostly a supporting role. You’ll sometimes notice it sharing parts with the horn, trombone, and euphonium. It plays a more important role in jazz band, often sharing parts with the alto sax.
If you’re thinking of playing a tenor saxophone, you need to understand what is meant by the word “embouchure.” Basically, it is the way your lips and mouth form around the mouthpiece. To be good at playing the saxophone, you need to have a good mouthpiece and a strong embouchure. This creates the building block you need to become a good saxophone player.
The saxophone is an instrument that as a general rule is easier to play than the flute or clarinet. Even someone who doesn’t have the embouchure down right or the breathing technique can still usually hit the right notes. Unlike clarinets, saxophones don’t produce annoying squeaking sounds, making them easier on the ears of parents.
If you want to play the tenor saxophone, check with your local music school, band director, or private tutor about brands and models to try. If you have a private tutor, see if he would mind checking out a few instruments for you. Relying on the advice of experts can stop you from making a purchase you’re not happy with down the road.
Start yourself out with a quality used student tenor sax. More frequently, manufacturers have been taking steps to lower the cost of the instruments while still making sure you’ll enjoy playing them. You can usually get a pleasing town relatively easy and a student tenor sax feels pretty comfortable in the hands of a beginner. If you’re getting the saxophone for a younger player, make sure they can close each key without too much trouble.
Another good reason to start off with a used student tenor sax it to make sure the saxophone is really the instrument you or your child want to play. If you stay committed for a few years, you can then move on to a better instrument. You can always trade-in your used horn towards the purchase of another one.