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Saxophone Resources

History | Playing Techniques | Study material & Teaching | Sax Manufacturers | Reeds & Mouthpieces | Maintenance,Repair&Accessories | OtherResources(FAQ)

Saxophone History

Adolphe Sax, the Belgian inventor, patented the saxophone in 1846. His invention combined the single reed of the clarinet with the bore and fingering patterns of the oboe, producing unique tonal qualities.

Saxophones are made in seven sizes and pitch levels, spanning the entire spectrum

of wind-instrument pitches. The most common are the Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone saxophones.

Although composers of classical music have written for it, the instrument has been most effectively used in jazz and popular music, and the number jazz performers risen to fame playing the sax is ever increasing.

• Saxophone History
• Quartet of Saxophones by Adolphe Sax
• Introduction to Saxophone Acoustics An excellent and thorough Scientific study
• Parts of the Saxophone
• Saxophone picture gallery

Playing Techniques

• Tone Production for Beginning Saxophonists
  Tone and "Edge"
  Saxophone Vibrato
  Soprano Saxophone and Intonation
  
• Monthly Lessons with Tim Price
• On Being a More Interesting Improviser by Jody Espina
• Anxiety, Emotions and Performing Well by Neil Sharpe

Study material & Teaching

• NeffMusic - Saxophone and Jazz Improvisation Lessons
• Effective Practice Routines
• Beginner's Corner: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 - French translation
• Have More Fun in the Shed by Jody Espina
• The Five Gifts from a Teacher to a Student by David Hollingsworth
• Recommended Blues, R&B and Rock n' Roll Resources by Neil Sharpe
• Jazz, Pop and Blues saxophone lessons by Pete Thomas
• Music Hot-House Sax tutor, midi-files, etc.
• On line instruction for the Saxophone by Alastair Ingram
• Saxophone books
• List of Recommended Saxophone Repertoire
• Stars & Catz Music Teacher Network
• Anxiety, Emotions and Performing Well by Neil Sharpe

Buying a saxophone

• Saxophone Buyer's Guide
• What is the Best Vintage Saxophone for Me? by Pete Hales

Saxophone Repair, Maintenance & Accessories

• Saxophone Maintenance Tips
• Key Pad Replacement
• Cork Replacement
• Pad savers

Saxophone makes

• SOTW Discussion Forum >SaxophoneMakesandModels
• Saxophone (and Flute) Serial Numbers by brand
• Amati History by Dennis Gazarek
• JuliusKeilwerth
• Selmer
• Selmer Models, Years and Serial Numbers
• Strasser-Marigaux (SML) History by Peter Hales
• Yamaha Saxophones
• Yanagisawa saxophones
• Reviews from Sax on the Web Forum:

1. King Zephyr vs. Martin Committee II alto saxophones
2. Buffet 400 Series Professional alto saxophones
3. Selmer Reference 54 alto vs. Yanagisawa A992

[*]Old SML and Buescher Saxophone Ads [*]Vintage Saxophone Ads by Pete Thomas

[*]Contrabass saxophones by Wikipedia[*]Bb subcontrabass version of the Tubax by Benedikt Eppelsheim wind instruments

Reeds & Mouthpieces

• What are Saxophone Reeds?
• Custom Mouthpiece Work by Jon Van Wie
• Jody Jazz Mouthpieces
• Saxophone Mouthpiece Facing Charts by Jody Espina
• Saxophone Mouthpiece Comparison
• Mouthpieces Discussion
• Reeds Discussion
• Saxophone Tip opening vs. Reed strength

Other Resources

• Discussion Forum
• SOTW Outpost in Facebook
• 2005 SOTW Player Identification Challenge Results
• Useful Information for New SOTW Members and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) about the Saxophone

Frequently Asked Questions forthe SaxophoneDiscussionForum