After positioning the reed and tightening the ligature, look at the mouthpiece from the side, and find the point at which the reed meets the mouthpiece. This changes for different types of mouthpieces.
YOur bottom lip (rolled over your bottom teeth) should touch the reed at this point. This gives you the best control of your sound.
Since the mouthpiece`s angle relative to the ground is slightly down, your top row of teeth should be slightly behind this point (you will find that they naturally go in this position).
A few other pointers:
- Do NOT put the sax in between your legs. Even though a band director may tell you to do this, he/she is wrong! The sax naturally contours into the shape of your hands if you place it outside of your legs.
- When playing for extended periods of time, you may start to feel pain in your lower lip. This is because the pressure you are applying from your bottom teeth onto is slowly creating a hole in your lower lip! It sounds scary, I know, but this can easily be avoided with dental cushions or the like. Just cut a piece wide enough for the teeth you press on the mouthpiece, and shape it around your teeth. You may wish to store this in a film canister or pill vile, and make a new one every two weeks or so (they start to degrade).
- Soak the reed in hot to warm water for a minute or so before playing, and then store it in a reedgard case after playing (this keeps the reed flat, and prevents warping). You can easily find these at a local instrument retailer/repair shop.
- And, for god`s sake, wash your mouthpiece regularly! I have seen many a beginner saxo not do this and the results are absolutely grotesque!!
If you follow these simple guidelines, it will dramatically improve your playing!
If you need any more pointers, I or any other saxo on this forum will be happy to answer your questions!
