All too often the saxophone is portrayed as a 'cool' or 'sexy' instrument, easy to play and which looks 'good'. With the mid 30's upwards age group this tries to re-kindle past memories, with children this just looks a good instrument to play.

The youngest age for a person to play a saxophone is generally 11 years old. This is due to the hands being large enough to reach the keys and also to take the weight of the saxophone. The most common beginner saxophone is the Alto.

Sound production

A saxophone player produces a musical note by creating the reed on the mouthpiece to vibrate, which creates a column of air inside the instrument. The player placing their top teeth on the mouthpiece then covers their bottom teeth with their lip and places this on the reed. Air is pushed between the thin gap between the reed and the mouthpiece, which then vibrates down the instrument creating a sound.

Reeds
Reeds are an essential item on the instrument as you are aware these classified in different strengths from strength 1.5 - 4 in half sizes. As a rule a beginner will usually start on strength 1.5 as this reed is thinner it will make it easier for the reed to vibrate and create a sound. At Trevor James & Co. we include a strength 1.5 reed with out student saxophones. As the player progresses they will move up reed strength as their technique and tone improves.

Mouthpieces



On the S1 and Horn saxophones we have a specially developed mouthpiece manufactured in Germany with precision machinery. The mouthpiece has been designed to help beginners to play with ease. It has a size 4-tip opening and has a unique chamber to enhance the quality of the sound the saxophone produces. The material that the mouthpiece is made of is extremely durable. We also provide a lacquered Cap and ligature. Mouthpieces come in different sizes of tip openings this creates a different sound and will suite certain players as they advance. Most student mouthpieces are a type of plastic, as you move on ebonite and metal mouthpieces are also common.

Crooks



We feel at Trevor James & Co. that the crook is an extremely important part to the saxophone all of our saxophones have a unique modification made to the crook at point of manufacture to enhance the sound production of the saxophone. The saxophone crook is a vital constituent to a fine sounding saxophone. A different finish, bore diameter, taper, plating or heat treatment can really change the tonal quality.