I want to start playing the saxophone but I don't know anyone who plays it so I am pretty clueless on the instrument. Im 14 and also play the electric guitar (working towards grade 3) though this doesn't offfer much music theory so basicly I'm starting from scratch with the whole notation thing.

I played the piano for a few years when I was little but gave up as I never seemed to be reaching my Grade 1 and I couldn't understand how to read the notes (also we were moving house and had to change teachers anyway). Then when I was 9 I played the Cornet for a while but I got no enjoyment out of it at all. I've stuck with the guitar for almost two years now and I love it and am willing to learn how to properly read music again.

So I'm stuck on choosing which saxophone, like soprano, alto, tenor etc. I'm drawn towards the alto quite a bit. The only thing that bothers me is the price so does anyone have any suggestions of cheap but good makes?

Any help please?

go to www.saxontheweb.net, you'll find all your answers there.

ok the best saxes to have are yanigasawa but lets be real thoses cost to much(2000-4000$.). dont get a sax from china there cheap dont look on e-bay 4 1 u have 2 know what ur buying 1st.conn's vito's yamaha's selmer's are good stater saxes. just feel what u play and have fun with it.

Selmers are good starter saxes! Lol, very educated post victorious.

Hey Sheep, You are getting some very bad advice here.

For example, some selmer models are the most desirable professional saxes to be had, ie Mark VI. I don't care for the new Selmer-Conn models. Alot of people say the Ref 64 is very close to the Mark VI, I've never played it. But your are in the 5000.00 range with the 64. Stay away from low end saxes like the Yamaha 23 series or Jupiter (no matter how Lera spells it, it's junk.)

Yannagisaw makes some nice saxes and they are getting a better reputation all the time. Their low end model is the 901 and can be had for less than $1900.00. Some good buys right now are the B&S models. B&S is out of business and there are companys selling off their products at a discount. Find a Medusa or La Sax Chicago series. They are both made by B&S.

Personally, I perfer vintage saxes. My main sax is a '47 The Martin Tenor. There are some great buys in the vintage market and there is nothing like the sound of a vintage horn. But make sure you have someone to help you that knows saxes.

This is just a start. Take my earlier advice and go to www.saxontheweb.net and do some searches. all of your questions have been answered there. You'll find some very useful advice regarding brands and models.

<Added>

Sorry, I spelled Yanagasawa wrong.

I mostly agree with bob, and if you havn't looked at that sight yet, let me just throw out that my first beginner sax (still use it for marching)was a selmer bundy, and let me say I am very happy with it. While obviously a student sax, it gets decent tone, it plays as well as you do (ie. if you push it it will go as far as you take it, unlike vitos for example) and the action, while not the best, isn'd bad. a bundyII is also nice. You can find these horns in good condition forarounf $500, I got mine for $250. So thats the cheap end, if you go pro, my pro alto, a keilwerth shadow, cost around $3700.

course, thinking about it, bob and mvspur (spelling?) could still play me down (at least i'm pretty sure, (I mean i'm good, but I'm not amazing or pro yet) any day on any sax, so keep that in mind; the player makes the horn.

Oh, I agree. The player is the most important part of the tone. But I don't think it is productive for a beginner to struggle with a horn that is not very well regulated or of poor construction. A student will get frustrated and may even end up giving up because of an instrument that is difficult to play.

well in my opinion i think that practice is the key to success u can have the best sax in the world but if u dont practice u will still sucks so just go with what u thin is right for you adn your wallet adn ull be fine. i have a glenn edward sax i dont know id anybody knows it but in my band it has the best sound from what my teacher says

Tis a shame the french horns students don't give up... But tis true bob about the playability, though sometimes, the mouthpiece plays a very big role in that as well. course you know that

Has anyone ever heard of a Sax made by Weimar?
Is this a good Sax for a beginner?

Anyone out there regarding a Weimar Sax? This is my first Sax and I haven't purchased it yet. I really have no clue and I would rather not waste my $$ on a garbage Sax. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thank you

I need to log off for now but would you please email me at michael@wellnethealthcare.com.

Thank you

Avoid Zeus in my opinion. See my relevant sax article titled "The truth about Zeus".