Practicing

 

The following methods of practicing are guaranteed to help! The three most important ways to practice are: slowly, in small sections, and with lots of repetitions. Be sure you are playing all of the correct notes, rhythms, and articulations. Also make sure you are using correct fingerings, particularly chromatic fingerings when necessary. The more you practice correctly now, the less you will have to fix later! Add trills and grace notes after all rhythms are solid. Vibrato, style, and dynamics can be added as technique improves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Saxophones

 

Please contact me personally if you are looking to upgrade to an intermediate or professional saxophone. Many times the music stores will try to sell you something that may not work for you or will try to sell you an off-brand saxophone that I would not recommend. The models I do recommend are Yamaha and Selmer, both intermediate and professional models. Always be sure to have the student try out the saxophone, and I highly recommend having me try it out as well.

 

High school students who upgrade to a better saxophone should keep their student saxophone for marching band!

 

Maintaining Your Saxophone - Dos and Don'ts

 

Do: Clean your mouthpiece with lukewarm water and mild soap on a regular basis

 

Don't: Put your mouthpiece in the dishwasher

 

Do: Take your reed off the mouthpiece when you are done practicing (this keeps the mouthpiece clean and

protects the reed)

 

Don't: Leave your reed on the mouthpiece after playing (mold will form)

 

Do: Swab your saxophone out on a regular basis with a silk swab

 

Don't: Use a shove-it (that big fuzzy thing) - it will keep moisture in the saxophone

 

Do: Treat your saxophone carefully when placing it back in the case

 

Don't: Drop your saxophone back in the case (this will cause misalignment)