Hi Newbie

[FastFred]

Hi
Newbie here, hello.
Decided to buy a tenor sax this morning (from Richard at saxhire) after speaking to an orthopaedic surgeon (who plays alto) at a conference in Vienna on business last week. Didn't waste any time....
Have been working my way through the 'Book one Complete sax player' this afternoon and getting a decent sound.
I have a couple of questions.
1. Is any puffing of the cheeks considered bad practice (since it should come from the diaphragm)?
2. Should it be the tip of the tongue that touches the reed or further back on the tongue when making the 'tu' sound for note initiation? I can get sounds by both. Is the whole mouth position supercritical or providing one maintains soft lower lip and teeth on upper is it fine to find your own way?

Don't want to get into bad habits but there does seem many ways to smouth the mouthpiece..
Thanks

 

[justin_chune]

Don't puff your cheeks. It looks so uncool. The edge tip of a reed is easily damaged. Touching the reed, in from the tip, is the way I do it. You seem to have the idea. Breathe through the sax, Don't blow. Happy practice.

 

[Linky Lee]

I've been taught both ways of using the tongue.

I tend to mix it up as some articulations are better one way than another (how I perceive them anyway).

Enjoy it.