When people want to start studying, they often ask me which saxophone is the best one to choose. I usually recommend the alto, but I understand that sometimes people have other preferences (like tenor or soprano).
Since this question comes up quite a lot, I thought I’d share the answer I gave to someone who asked why I didn’t suggest the tenor:
Hi Alberto:
Firstly, I’d like to reassure you that my recommendations are simply based on my experience as a teacher, with the sole aim of helping you to get the best start possible in your learning journey. Whatever saxophone you decide to buy will be an important investment, so I think you should decide based on what you want. I’d like to recommend the alto for a few practical and pedagogical reasons. I’ve listed some of my thoughts below, but ultimately, it’s up to you. If you’re not too swayed by what I’ve said, maybe my suggestion will work better for you. But if you’re head over heels for the sound of the tenor, you may decide that it’s the one for you and that will make you even more motivated. I’m sure you’ll make the right decision for you!
An alto saxophone is usually a bit cheaper than a tenor saxophone with the same features (like the brand or model), as well as the accessories (like the mouthpiece and reeds).
The alto saxophone is way more portable than the tenor saxophone (when you pick up the cases, they seem to be pretty similar, although you’ll notice the difference after walking a few blocks).
If you’re thinking of buying second-hand, it’s usually easier to find good-quality altos than tenors.
Most of the music for beginners is written for altos.When you’re learning to play, the alto lets you play in a lower register, which is great for getting used to an emission near the tenor’s, and a higher register, which is great for getting used to the emission you’ll find in the soprano sax. If you start with the tenor, your high notes might be too far from a soprano’s register, and if you start with the soprano, the low notes might be too easy for the tenor’s emission. So, if you’re just starting out and want to get into the saxophone family, the alto is a great choice. This works for both the position and the work on the larynx and the lips.
Apart from what was mentioned before, I’d like to add that I don’t usually recommend sopranos for a few reasons.
The differences in quality between brands, models and manufacture in general tend to be much more noticeable in sopranos than in other saxophones. So, my recommendation is always that if you’re going to buy a soprano, it should be of excellent quality (intermediate or professional level), as both the tuning and the mechanics tend to be very poor in the cheaper models.
The embouchure of the soprano can also feel a little harder to press down, which can make it more tiring, especially for those who are not used to it.
Because of all this, the soprano is usually a much more sensitive instrument to manipulations or imperfections in the player’s technique. This means that when you’re first learning, you might have some trouble with intonation.
The soprano, despite being the lightest of the four common saxophones, can actually feel quite heavy to play. This is because, when you’re playing, it’s your thumbs that hold the instrument (unlike the other saxophones, where it’s held with a hanger or harness). This can make your hands and arms feel tired more quickly.
When it comes to kids around 8 to 9 years old who are of average height and build, I’d wholeheartedly recommend the curved soprano saxophone. It’s a great choice because it’s really good for your child’s physical health, although they might miss a low register emission and will face tuning issues. With a harness, it’s like a light instrument that won’t strain their spine.
Just remember, these are just my thoughts. I started with a very old and rickety tenor, but it had a beautiful sound, and I didn’t want to change to an alto. But in time, I was grateful for the guidance of my teacher at that time. Although I still like the sound of the tenor better than the alto, I have come to understand that it was indeed the better choice.
I hope this information will help you to decide on more elements on the table. I’m so glad you asked about this before making your purchase.
Wishing you all the best,
Pablo Torrealba