Saxophones Lightweight Alto Saxophone

mdingli · Jan 2, 2019

Hello All. I have just started to learn the saxophone so I am very very green. I am using a loaned alto sax for the time being but I do intend to buy my own in the future. However, I have a problem with the weight of the instrument. I have back, neck and shoulder problems and would like to find a lightweight sax, as well as a good harness/sling. Any tips and or recommendations on lightweight alto saxophones would be appreciated. Cheers

Pete Thomas · Jan 2, 2019

You may want to have a look at the sax holder, takes a lot of weight off your neck:

Saxophone Strap Reviews

Stephen Howard · Jan 2, 2019

You won't have much luck trying to find a lightweight alto, as they're all pretty much with the 2.2 - 2.6kg range.
Some vintage altos creep in just under the mark, but the lightest modern horn is the Yamaha 280 (2.3kg).
There are two other options: the Vibratosax - which is an all-plastic instrument, and is dismal...and the TJ Alphasax, which is a 'reduced-feature' horn intended for young students. It's incredibly light at 1.9kg but it has fewer keys.

You could perhaps consider a curved soprano...or, as Pete suggested, have a look at some advanced slings/straps.

MandyH · Jan 3, 2019

I think most altos weigh similar amounts.

I know others rave about the JazzLab sax holder, but I highly recommend a FreeNeck harness.

I use mine primarily for Bari and Tenor, but when doubling I play my Alto and Soprano on mine as well.
I know they are not cheap, but to avoid exacerbating (or even causing) back and neck problems, surely anything effective is worth the cost? (And compared with the price of my Bari, its a drop in the ocean!)

I’ve had mine 6 1/2 years, and play Bari every day for 2-3 hours. No neck problems, no back problems 🙂

Tenor Viol · Jan 3, 2019

I mostly play tenor and when I started that I found the pressure of a conventional sling such as a Neotech on the nape of the neck too painful. I initially tried a Cebulla strap, which actually worked quite well, but I also bought a Jazzlab Saxholder as mentioned above. For tenor, which is significantly heavier than an alto, it works well for me.

I've recently acquired a bari and I'm borderline with the Jazzlab working with that - although I think the issue is mostly one of it needs adjusting more precisely for the Bari.

I would have guessed that a Jazzlab would work for you - I cannot comment on Mandy's option of the FreeNeck - it's one I'm investigating as an option for the bari but I've not got there yet.

6441 · Jan 3, 2019

I initially ordered a cheap harness thing on Amazon but it took like 20 minutes to adjust each time and thenslipped while playing. I've been using the Jazzlab and find it to be perfect for my needs. I practice standing up 3-4 hours a day.

Colin the Bear · Jan 3, 2019

Who was it that played with the saxophone suspended from a hook in the ceiling?

Vetinari · Jan 3, 2019

There is a tall Hercules stand which may work.

Ps. Yes it is a conn c-mel.

trimmy · Jan 3, 2019

Vetinari said:
There is a tall Hercules stand which may work.View attachment 12129
Ps. Yes it is a conn c-mel.

Being a short arse a normal stand works for me 😛

Tenor Viol · Jan 3, 2019

There is something called a 'saxophone stick' which is aimed at baritone players - you need a separate one for standing or sitting as they're different...

SAXRAX Standing Sax Stick for Baritone

JayeNM · Jan 3, 2019

I agree with all of the replies above. The issue will not be the weight of the horn (or rather, it may be the weight - but the weight of an alto isn't all that variable) but rather how one chooses to hand it from their body....or stand it on the floor.

Colin the Bear · Jan 3, 2019

Lots of baritones have a built in peg for playing sitting down.

JayeNM · Jan 3, 2019

JayeNM said:
I agree with all of the replies above. The issue will not be the weight of the horn (or rather, it may be the weight - but the weight of an alto isn't all that variable) but rather how one chooses to hand it from their body....or stand it on the floor.

*hang it

Stephen Howard · Jan 3, 2019

Vetinari said:
There is a tall Hercules stand which may work.
Ps. Yes it is a conn c-mel.

A cautionary tale.

I had a client who used a tall stand, so he could quickly switch between horns on a gig. He had a MkVI alto perched on the stand...and it toppled over.
He brought it in to be fixed...and it needed a lot of work. When he came to pick it up we had a 'chat' about the risks of using a stand that raises the centre of gravity so high.

A few months later he contacted me again. He'd been using the tall stand again...and the inevitable had happened.