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Saxophone Basics by Vince Deluca

This document provides instructions for assembling a saxophone, proper care of the instrument, and basic techniques for playing including hand position, posture, embouchure, and breathing. It outlines the 10 step process for assembling the saxophone parts and attaching the neck, mouthpiece, and reed. Care instructions emphasize proper storage in the case and avoiding water exposure. Proper hand position involves forming a "C" shape with the fingers on the keys. Good posture is described as sitting on the edge of the chair with back straight and feet flat. The embouchure involves placing the top teeth on the mouthpiece and hugging it with the lips. Breathing is done by opening the lower jaw while keeping the top teeth

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Vincent Deluca
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240 views3 pages

Saxophone Basics by Vince Deluca

This document provides instructions for assembling a saxophone, proper care of the instrument, and basic techniques for playing including hand position, posture, embouchure, and breathing. It outlines the 10 step process for assembling the saxophone parts and attaching the neck, mouthpiece, and reed. Care instructions emphasize proper storage in the case and avoiding water exposure. Proper hand position involves forming a "C" shape with the fingers on the keys. Good posture is described as sitting on the edge of the chair with back straight and feet flat. The embouchure involves placing the top teeth on the mouthpiece and hugging it with the lips. Breathing is done by opening the lower jaw while keeping the top teeth

Uploaded by

Vincent Deluca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SAXOPHONE BASICS

I. PARTS & ASSEMBLY PROCEDURES

NECK

UPPER PART OF SAX

BELL

1. With case on the ground, open case with latches facing down (or company name on
top of case)
2. Put on neck strap
3. Grab the bell of the saxophone with your right hand and the upper part of the
instrument with your left hand. Set instrument on lap.
4. Connect neck strap to the body.
5. Take out neck. While holding neck, twist mouthpiece ½ way onto cork.
6. Place ligature onto mouthpiece and loosen screws if necessary.
7. Wet reed and (without touching the tip) slide the “butt” end of the reed through
the ligature.
8. Line up the tip of the reed with the tip of the mouthpiece and tighten screws ( not
too tight - screws will face the reed).
9. While gripping upper part of saxophone (away from the keys), align neck and turn
side to side while pressing down.
10. Line up grove on bottom of neck with stem on body and tighten screw.
11. While holding the neck, twist on the mouthpiece.

II. SAXOPHONE CARE


1. Always pick up horn by the bell
2. When not using sax, sit it in sax case. …NOT ON CHAIR!
3. When put sax away, cap needs to be connected to body
4. Avoid leaving instrument in car for extended time.
5. Room temperature is best for your sax.
6. Can clean sax with dry cloth. WATER + SAX = BAD!!
7. Mouthpiece & Reed
a.) Wipe mouthpiece after every use.
b.) Rinse mouthpiece couple time per week
c.) Don’t leave reed on mouthpiece after done playing. It must be placed
back in reed case.
d.) Wipe reed after done using
e.) Replace reed once every 2-4 weeks (depending on use)

III. SAXOPHONE POSITION


1. Sax should hang from neck
2. Place thumbs on the thumb rests (note: right thumb cuticle should line up
with center of thumb rest. Left thumb at an angle)
3. Hands need to form the letter “C” with the pads of your fingers touching
the white keys.

IV. POSTURE
1. Edge of the chair
2. Head forward
3. Back straight
4. Both feet flat on the floor in front of your body

V. EMBOUCHURE
1. Place top teeth ½ way on the mouthpiece
2. Naturally rest your bottom lip over your bottom teeth
3. Hug the mouthpiece with the corners of your lips

…your mouth should be like a rubber band around the mouthpiece with equal
pressure all the way around. See diagram below…

(EQUAL PRESSURE ON ALL SIDES)


VII. BREATHING
When breathing into the mouthpiece, always keep your top teeth on the
mouthpiece. As your teeth are on top of the mouthpiece, take in air by opening
your lower jaw. Never take in air through your nose.

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