OVER THE RIGHT SIDE.

hey,
yeah, i`m a ninth grader and i`d agree that it`s personal preference. i`m not sure if it`s true, but some people say that you will get a better tone by playing in the middle b/c it`s easier for the air stream to get through. at my middle school everyone played in the middle, but now that i`m at a high school away from my old friends they all play to the right. i prefer middle cuz that`s how i started, i also have noticed that when i play to the right every once in a while it will move too far and my octave won`t work and it will squeak. i HATE that. it makes me sound bad so i always play in the middle. do what`s comfy for you tho!

This is interesting... I placed it in front of me on top of the chair in beginner band, for a year. At the very beginning, I was so short that I had to stretch way up, but then I got taller. Anyway... When I got to 7th grade, one of the other saxes was complaining about me holding it in front of me, so I changed. Sometimes, very rarely, when the sax is hurting my hands from practicing too much, I have to switch back to playing it in front of me, but I prefer it to the side. And my back does hurt while playing to the side, but it`s usually only when I`m standing up. I thought that was just the way the sax works... for it to hurt unless you have a really strong back.

At band camp, all of the other saxes held the sax in front of them, but my teachers have NEVER said that it has to be one way or the other, even my sax teachers.

krissy_007 is correct to my understanding

to prevent the sax from hitting the chair.. sit at the edge of your seat and sit up straight.. that should prevent most problems

I played to the side all through middle school, but then when I got to highschool we had a small band room and I pretty much was forced to play it in front because there was no room on the sides. I also find it easier to hit my palm keys and pinky keys with the saxophone in front. I dont think there`s a right and a wrong way but I see most people playing in front.

Saw the debate on where to put the sax when playing. Many pro alto players, because of the small size, play with the horn in front. But check out all the pix of the great tenor players sitting in jazz bands. The tenor`s so heavy and large it`s unfeasible to position it in front while sitting; when soloing, yeah. Another point: If you`re serious about practicing, take my advice and practice on the tenor, get a shoulder strap to get it off you`re neck.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ISN`T THE POSITION...... YES, THE POSITION HAS IMPORTANCE, BUT NO SO MUCH. iF PUTTING THE SAX ON THE SIDE DOENS`T HELP TO YOUR SOUND IS BECAUSE YOU DON`T STRENGTH THE DIAFRAGM MUSCLES, AHD DON`T HAVE CORRECT EMBOCHURE....