Expert: Malcolm Dickinson - 6/6/2005

Question
Hello Mr Dickinson!   

I want to learn to play the soprano saxophone.  I want to know which brand you recommend for a beginner.  I have been playing the flute for more many years (15+) and I have been toll that the fingering of the soprano sax and the flute are very similar.

Thanks,

Adriaen

Answer
The fingerings on all saxophones are the same. They are very similar to flute, with the exception of a few notes.

If you have not played saxophone before, then you will definitely want to start learning with an alto saxophone.  It would be a real mistake to try and learn soprano saxophone without first learning the fundamentals on an alto.

Beware of budget-priced soprano saxophones. There are many available in catalogs, but they are horribly out of tune and are very poor quality.

Before you spend money on a soprano saxophone, play alto for a couple of years and think seriously about when you would use a soprano. Remember that
- jazz bands features only alto, tenor, and bari saxophones.
- concert bands and wind ensembles feature only alto, tenor, and bari saxophones.
- abut 1% of band pieces, and 2% of jazz band pieces, call for one player to play soprano saxophone.
- about 50% of saxophone quartet music calls for soprano; the other half calls for just alto, tenor and bari.
- most people who buy a soprano saxophone buy it because it's "neat" and then end up never using it. I personally have two and I haven't played either of them in over 10 years. Really a waste of money!

If you think you have a real opportunity to play soprano, then I would definitely recommend RENTING an alto sax, taking lessons, learning to play it, and then when your teacher says you are ready, return the alto to the store and RENT a soprano sax for a year. See if you actually use it. If you do, then buy one!

best,
Malcolm