Sax Lessons: How to Hold the Saxophone

Step By Step Instructions on How to Hold and Blow Into the Saxophone

Now that you have your saxophone and have assembled your saxophone, follow these steps to learn where to place your hands, fingers, and mouth on your instrument.

Step 1: Hand Position

Start by placing the left hand on the top area of the saxophone and place your index, middle, and ring fingers on the pearl keys. CAUTION: on some saxes, the very top key is a pearl key or metal key. If it's a pearl key, place the index finger below first pearl key (see image on left). Let the pinky finger hover above the four keys. Place the thumb on the thumb rest and use a rolling motion when pressing the octave key.

On the right hand, use the index, middle, and ring finger on the right hand pearl keys. Place the thumb under the thumb hook. Let the right pinky finger hover over the two keys.

CAUTION: On both Left and Right hands, make sure that the sides of the hands DO NOT REST ON ANY KEYS! Arch your fingers as if you're holding a cup when you are positioning your fingers on the saxophone. Also, make sure fingers are hovering over the keys when not being pressed. Try not to lift the fingers too high, as that will take more time for the fingers to go down.

Step 2: Position the Neck Strap

Next, adjust the neck strap height by sliding the mechanism up or down. To find the correct height, make sure the tip of the mouthpiece is touching your top lip. This way, you don't have to tilt your head forward or backward. Also, make sure the neck strap is bearing the weight of the instrument.

Step 3: Mouth Position

First, make sure the top teeth are resting on top of the mouthpiece. Try to make sure that the teeth are about ⅓ of the way on the mouthpiece. CAUTION: Do not place mouth too close to the tip of the mouthpiece or too far onto the mouthpiece as you will affect the tone quality and response of the saxophone.

Next, have the top lip cover the top teeth, which should act as a curtain to keep air from leaking out,

The final step is to bring the corners of the mouth inward as if you are saying the syllable “oo”, or as if you're drinking from a straw. This will keep your jaw relaxed enough to support the reed and to keep the embouchure (mouth muscles) from straining. Use the lower lip to support the reed. Try not to roll the lip inwards over the lower teeth, as this may cause pain on the inside of the lower lip from the teeth. Instead, have the lower lip act as a cushion for the reed.

Step 4: Articulate Notes by Using the Tongue

When we play notes, make sure we just don't blow into the saxophone but instead pronounce notes with articulation of the tongue. The easiest way is to use the syllable 'ta'. By dong that, the tongue would start on the bottom of the tip of the reed and drop down. Practice by saying 'ta' without the mouthpiece in the mouth at first then add the mouthpiece.

Step 5: Blow Into the Saxophone With Consistent Air

When you play a note, make sure the note starts with the ‘ta’ articulation from the tongue then is supported by fast air moving from your lungs. Try using your diaphragm to push the air with your stomach muscles and move air through the mouthpiece and instrument. CAUTION: try not to overblow by putting too much air through the mouthpiece at once and also try not to use a small amount of air. Try to keep a steady and fast stream of air going through the instrument so that you can have a strong and clean tone and response.