Playing the saxophone First year on tenor sax

[Verenice]

Hello there, this year I play tenor saxophone for my high school band, I originally played clarinet. There's only one other person in my section and he's already perfect on it as he used to play alto. I have been in and out of tenor for the past 2 years and I was wondering how I can get better? My director says I have pretty good tone but I really want to improve 😀

 

[skeller047]

Hello there, this year I play tenor saxophone for my high school band, I originally played clarinet. There's only one other person in my section and he's already perfect on it as he used to play alto. I have been in and out of tenor for the past 2 years and I was wondering how I can get better? My director says I have pretty good tone but I really want to improve 😀

Forget everything you learned on clarinet about your embouchure. Saxophone embouchure is very different. You still need strength, but it has to be loose and controlled. Firm muscles but very low pressure on the reed.

Remember everything you learned on clarinet about breath support. Solid support and control of your air is everything.

3rd tip - practice your technical exercises slowly and with a metronome. Your aim should be relaxed precision. Like everything good in the world, music takes time to become proficient. Be patient.

 

[Tuppertn]

They made my daughter play clarinet before she was allowed to play saxophone. This is a a terrible disservice to future sax players.

@skeller047 is 100% correct about the embouchure. Pay particular attention to the angle the mouthpiece enters your mouth. The saxophone mouthpiece enters the mouth at a much straighter (more horizontal) angle than a clarinet. You can typically spot the clarinet player on saxophone because they tend to hold the horn at a crazy backward angle to get the mouthpiece pointed up toward the palate. Don't do that. Also the corners of the mouth tend to be more relaxed for saxophone. Picture saying "eh" instead of "oo". The lower lip does not need to roll back over the bottom teeth.

Oh, and don't bite the mouthpiece.

 

[PigSquealer]

Hello there, this year I play tenor saxophone for my high school band, I originally played clarinet. There's only one other person in my section and he's already perfect on it as he used to play alto. I have been in and out of tenor for the past 2 years and I was wondering how I can get better? My director says I have pretty good tone but I really want to improve 😀

Welcome to the Café. Keep practicing and apply the advice above. I’ll add to practice the way you play in band. Standing or sitting can make a difference too.

 

[JayeNM]

Hello there, this year I play tenor saxophone for my high school band, I originally played clarinet. There's only one other person in my section and he's already perfect on it as he used to play alto. I have been in and out of tenor for the past 2 years and I was wondering how I can get better? My director says I have pretty good tone but I really want to improve 😀

Congrats, sounds like you are making the transition OK. Second tenor is an important chair.

To all of above I say....take some private lessons if your family can afford it. Nothing beats face to face lessons, even if you can only do twice a month.

Also, preferable if the teacher is a sax player as their primary instrument...as opposed to, say, a 'reeds' teacher who teaches sax, clarinet, oboe, etc...and may not play sax as their primary.

Can you find any teachers near you ? Does the first tenor player have private lessons , if so can he recommend his teacher ? Can your band instructor suggest any ? Any local music stores give lessons ? Are there any colleges in or near your town with music programs who may have some sax players who might teach ?

An experienced teacher who has an established lesson plan can help you improve in all aspects of playing...doesn't take too long for most either, I mean at 3-6 months of private lessons 2-3 times/MO. there would already be notable improvement (assuming you practice 😳

 

[ghostler]

Welcome to the forum, @Verenice !

I have been in and out of tenor for the past 2 years and I was wondering how I can get better? My director says I have pretty good tone but I really want to improve 😀

You are fortunate because IMO it is easier for a clarinet player to adapt to sax than it is for a sax player to adapt to clarinet, although we have people here who have done it both ways.

And, as you gain more proficiency on the tenor, you'll find that you'll have an easier time transitioning to the other saxes, because they all have the same fingering although play in different keys. I started on clarinet in 1965 as a 6th grader. Now I have all the saxes.

Other folk here have given good tips. And like all things in music it is practice, practice, practice. Keep plugging away and hope to hear more from you!