The Saxophone Page

Care of the Instrument

• Always open with case on the floor .
• Assemble in the manner shown by your teacher to avoid damage
• The reed and mouthpiece tips are very fragile, take care not to break them
• Swab the instrument with a saxophone swab after each usage
• DO NOT oil the keys unless instructed to do so by your teacher
• Saxophones can be damaged by too much moisture, do not wash instrument
• Clean only in the manner described by your teacher
• To keep it working properly, it must be played each day
• Keep the cork greased regularly to avoid drying out and breaking
• Keep 2 or 3 reeds "broken in" and rotate your practice time between them
• Care should be taken not to bend the keys when assembling
• Keep the plastic plug in the top when not assembling
• Do not try to repair your instrument without contacting your teacher or the music store

embouchure:

Top teeth should lightly touch the top of the mouthpiece about 1/2 inch down, with top lip pushing down around mouthpiece. Bottom lip should roll slightly over bottom teeth and give solid support (touching about 1/3 to 1/2 way down the reed). Teeth and lip should form a firm seal around complete mouthpiece (like a draw string pouch)with equal pressure from sides. There should be no puffing of cheeks or lips. The chin should look flat and pointed. Air should be blown in a constantly supported, steady stream. Remember to keep the corners of the mouth clenched but not smiling. This is similar to the clarinet embouchure with the following exceptions. A little more mouthpiece is inserted into the mouth. The direction of the air stream is slightly different. The drawstring pouch effect will not be quite as firm and the angle of the mouthpiece will be at a higher angle as if blowing into the mouthpiece between the reed and the tip.

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