Hello,

I want to start playing a sax but I don`t know what type to choose.

Tennor, Alto, Bass...

Well I know all have different pitch of notes, but how do I choose one?

What is the most popular, common or the most heard one?

Are they all a Bb ?

Which one is harder or easier over the other?

Any tips on choosing one over the other would really be helpful!!

Thank You Very Much
Dave

First off, you should either choose between an alto, tenor or Baritone Sax. The Bass Sax is far too expensive and most of the times doesnt even have music written for it, unless your in a jazz ensemble or a Sax ensemble. Almost all beginners start on the Alto because it is the easiest one of them all. But you can still play a different one. I would say the most popular(besides the alto) is the tenor, but i wouldnt say that is the most easiest to play. The Soprano, Tenor, and Bass are all in Bb, and the Alto and Baritone sax are in Eb. So, having played all of them, i would say, if you are a beginner, play the alto. It is the most affordable and popular one to play. However, after a year, 2, or 3 years, you may decide to switch from alto to tenor or Bari. Its all up to you.

The Alto saxophone is what most people start on, I didn`t though. My first sax was a Tenor. The Alto may be an easier one to start on, but I found that once I started to play, I could easily switch from one sax to another. My Uncle, who taught me to play Tenor, said that the Alto`s embrouchure is the easiest to get. So I`m not sure which one is better to start on; Alto or Tenor, but I do suggest picking one of them. The Baritone is going to harder to learn on because it is so big and an heavy. The Soprano is smaller but the embrouchure is so much harder to get. Anyway, whatever you choose to do I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you for the advise people, I guess I`ll choose between tenor and alto.

Dave

Hi Dave~ Let me tell you something I know.

I had my first Saxophone lesson 4 years ago, and so far, I`ve been using a cheap Jupiter alto which, I could tell you now, is just awful!

No matter which you will chose, an alto or a tenor , buy one as good as possible . YOU PAY WHAT YOU GET . And having a nice instrument will do so much good when you start learning.

P.S.

Is any one feel happy to explain the speciality of each tone of different type ? I`m also a "beginer" as I have said ...........