Saxophones Bad practice to leave sax on a stand?

ChrisC

Member
Folks

Another newbie question...

is it bad practice to keep my new sax on a stand? My thought was to be able to pick it up whenever I could for an impromptu practice which I think I would be less likely to do if i kept it in its case?

Will keeping the mouthpiece on the neck damage the cork and affect tuning?

I cant find answers to these questions if you wouldn't mind helping.

Thanks

Chris
 
Some guys do, others don't.

Downsides: Sax may get knocked off the stand (or fall off if it's a cheapie stand) and bust. Also the sax tends to fill up with dust/gunge which gets stuck inside. One old sax I bought had a thick furry lining inside from being out like this. Wasn't playable, so I don't know what happened to the sound.

Many leave the mouthpiece on. Downside - dry, possibly warped reed which won't blow at first. Build up of gunge in the mouthpiece/neck and possibly mould growing on the back of the reed. However it doesn't seem to affect the cork.
 
I wouldn't worry about it. Mine stay on stands for weeks at a time - usually I pull the mouthpiece off after a session and dry it and the reed out, but if I don't, no lasting damage seems to occur.
 
I keep my alto on a stand (in the corner of a quiet room) and sling an old pillowcase over it. No dust.
But take the mouthpiece off (and the reed off the mouthpiece) and keep them clean. No gunge.
 
I have my saxes on stands after they are dry/cleaned. I let the pad savers stay in my saxes. I cover the sax with a sack/plastic bag. I keep the necks in the a pouch in the bell and the mouthpieces in another pouch. Reeds in a reedgard.
 
All 3 of my saxes stay on their stands all the time. I take off the reed and put it in a case / holder.

I used to sling a pillowcase over the alto the keep some dust off, but I'd need a duvet cover to go over the bari, so I just don't bother now. If they collect a bit of dust, you can easily wipe it away with a cloth or a pull through.

I'm not aware of any of my saxes suffering from this treatment.

They only go away in the case when I'm off with them to a band rehearal or a performance.
 
I recommend always removing the mouthpiece from the neck whether or not the sax is put in a case. It allows the compressed cork cells a chance to expand a bit, and keeps the fit snug for a longer period of time. I have even seen a case where the cork had permanently adhered to the inside of the mouthpiece shank and had to be scraped to get it off.
 
I have even seen a case where the cork had permanently adhered to the inside of the mouthpiece shank and had to be scraped to get it off

Sounds like that sax was trying to become part of the fossil record
 
Last edited by a moderator:
After a long practice or playing session the sax is better on the stand to dry out. Many strange mould and mildew problems can arise from a damp instrument in a closed case. It is vulnerable so best to decide if your arrangements suit. I have mine in the spare room to keep the German Shepherd Dog at bay.

A good wipe through and a careful wipe over while still warm and wet will stop water marks drying on.

You need to reset the reed before you play each time. It will dry onto the mouthpiece and stick. Sometimes I leave the mouthpiece on and sometimes not.

Remember to twist it on and off slowly and to use a little cork grease.

When you pick the sax up from the stand to play I find flexing all the pads and keys especially the spring closed ones, G#, palm and side keys to make sure everything is opening and closing and not dried stuck before playing helps.
 
Mine sits on a stand for a day or two then will go through the swabbing and cleaning process and sit in the case with its pad saver. As I am using syth reed atm it doesnt dry out. Every time It goes in the case it gets cleaned and often wiped before it goes in. The more rehearsals and gigs the more it gets cleaned. Back to 3 rehearsals a week and first concert of the year is in two weeks.
 
I always leave mine on the stand, sometimes with the reed still attached, though I usually remove the reed, rinse it and keep it in a pot of water till I next use it.

I hadn't considered tbe possibility of dust sticking to the saliva that inevitably gathers in the instrument. I might have to cover it with a cloth or something. But I do like to have the saxophone ready for even a few minutes of play when I hear it calling my name. Now and then I will give it a proper clean, swabbing thoroughly and washing the mouthpiece, but I will always reassemble it so it's ready for next time.
 
I leave mine out for ease of use, but do clean them regularly

IMAG1211_zps460bd4b7.jpg

Ps.... The 1st tenor from the left is not mine, it's been well looked after John ;}
 
My saxes go in cases only when they're being transported. Mouthpieces taken off, reeds in case. They get cleaned when they get serviced. I rarely have problems with them. My sop's suffered this treatment for 30 years and it's fine.
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

Members' Blogs

Trending content

Forum statistics

Topics
29,563
Messages
512,470
Members
8,729
Latest member
Richgroup
Back
Top Bottom