Beginner Saxophones

For a beginner, we recommend the Trevor James 'Classic' Alto Saxophone. The saxophone has a warm and mature sound but is relatively easy to play and affordable for beginners. It comes with a 5 year warranty, a case (with backpack straps), reed and a pull through.

Alto Saxophone Reeds

Like most other things, alto sax reeds come in a variety of types, shapes and materials. Beginners are always advised to use reeds of 1½ strength (the strength is the thickness of the reed). As your embouchure develops, you will gradually use reeds of a higher strength to produce a warmer and rounder sound.

Rico is the world's most popular manufacturer of reeds - we recommend that beginners start with Rico Alto Sax Reeds in 1.5 Strength - they come in packs of 3 or boxes of 10.

Saxophone Stands

We recommend the investment in a sax stand which will ensure your new saxophone is not accidentally knocked over which could damage it and require specialist repair. Displaying your instrument on a stand also encourages you to play it more frequently as you pass by it every day.

We recommend the Hercules Saxophone Stand which is very well made, compact and will fit both an alto or tenor saxophone.

Saxophone Neck Strap

Of all the accessories that the average sax player owns, a saxophone strap (or sling) is one of the most overlooked - and yet it's one of the most important. It has to fulfil three functions;

• support the instrument securely,
• to increase comfortably
• to be adjustable

Whilst most saxophone student outfits come with a strap included, this is usually thin, providing little protection and support for your neck and shoulders.

This Neotech Soft Sax Strap is however different in that, although slightly more expensive, it distributes the weight of your saxophone more effectively removing pressure on your neck and shoulders - Neotech claim that their saxophone strap makes your saxophone feel 50% lighter! Neotech are world renowned for their unique technology of musical instrument straps and we highly recommend them.

Saxophone Reed Cases

Like most other things, alto sax reeds come in a variety of types, shapes and materials. Beginners are always advised to use reeds of 1½ strength (the strength is the thickness of the reed). As your embouchure develops, you will gradually use reeds of a higher strength to produce a warmer and rounder sound.

Rico is the world's most popular manufacturer of reeds - we recommend that beginners start with Rico Alto Sax Reeds in 1.5 Strength - they come in packs of 3 or boxes of 10.

Saxophone Pull Throughs

Over time, your saliva will build up inside your saxophone and eventually deteriorate the main body and pads underneath the keys - a weighted sax 'pull-through' used each time you finish playing will remove any excess quickly.

Saxophone Pad Savers & Neck Savers

By placing a pad saver (main part of the sax) and neck saver (sax's neck) into your saxophone whilst not in use, the absorbent material draws excess moisture from the pads preserving them for longer.

Using both the Rico Padguard for Saxophone and Rico Neck Saver will help keep your saxophones instruments pads preserved for longer so reducing servicing costs.

Saxophone Mouthpiece Saver

A mouthpiece saver works in the same way as the pad saver but is small in size to fit inside just the mouthpiece when it is not in use. The saver draws the corrosive saliva from the reed and inside of the mouthpiece, preventing corrosion and preserving the delicate reeds from deterioration.

A mouthpiece saver is a vital investment to reduce the frequency of purchasing new reeds.

Cork Grease

Putting the saxophone together and taking it apart will become a regular occurrence when you are cleaning it and putting it back in its case etc.

You need to always have the cork that connects each joint greased to prevent it drying out and cracking. The cork is vital to the saxophone, it keeps the joints held together and consequently the instrument air tight. We recommend Rico Cork Grease.

Abracadabra Saxophone

Abracadabra Saxophone guides a complete beginner from the earliest stages of musical education to become a competent and self-confident saxophone player. It is full of exciting musical styles and popular short songs. There is a CD included with certain editions of the book. Performed by professional musicians, the tracks demonstrate each piece, enabling you to hear how the pieces should sound. CD's like this are invaluable for building ensemble experience, offering all the fun of playing with other musicians in the comfort of your own home.

Team Woodwind Saxophone

Team Woodwind for Saxophone begins with a step by step guide that talks you through the instrument and basic music theory. It moves through the notes of the clarinet, gradually building up your ability to play the variety of short pieces included towards the end of the book. The book contains a wide variety of musical styles with which you can play along with the CD, from the Baroque and Classical eras to film, folk, jazz and Latin American. The variety makes it fun to learn and shows you how flexible the saxophone is and the opportunities that are available.

Saxophone Basics

Saxophone Basics starts at absolute beginner level and progresses to about Grade 2. There are 22 stages with each section including a wonderful variety of concert pieces from the great composers, traditional tunes and fun, original exercises, 'finger gyms' and 'warm ups' to help establish a sound technique, 'factfiles' and 'quizzes' to teach notation and general musicianship, helpful, clear 'fingering charts' and 'rhythm boxes' and great illustrations. The book/CD edition for Alto saxophone includes a separate accompaniment CD with which you can play along and listen to the pieces before you try them out.