Instrument Study

Tenor Saxophone!

The instrument that I am playing in school is the "Tenor Saxophone", the tenor is part of the woodwind family and is made of brass, and is the only woodwind that is not made out of wood, and has a single mouthpiece.

                                                 

The tenor saxophone has 10 parts, and those parts are...  

1: mouthpiece

2:ligature                                               

3:cork

4:neck

5:neck screw

6:octave key

7:left thumb rest

8:body

9:right thumb rest

10:bell


The tenor saxophone(B) plays in treble clef and was invented in 1845 and was invented by a Belgian man named Adolphe Sax. Adolphe was born in 1814 and studied the clarinet and flute. He was looking for a sound between the woodwinds clarinet and the brass trumpet.


The tenor makes a sound of a low pitch and you create sound by placing your mouth about 2/3 way on the the mouthpiece. Then just like you would with your hand, Inhale through your corners of your mouth and then whisper "too" while you exhale.

To assemble the tenor you...

1.Gently place the thinner end of the reed into your mouth and moisten it thoroughly.

2.Hold the saxophone by it's upper and gently loosen the neck screw and twist the neck in place. Then tighten the neck screw gently.

3.Gently twist the mouthpiece on to the cork so half the cork is still showing, then place the reed onto the mouthpiece then the ligature.

4.Put the neck strap around your neck and attach the hock on to the ring on the back of the saxophone. Adjust the strap until your comfortable so you are able to put the mouthpiece in your mouth.

5.Place your right thumb on the thumb rest and you left thumb diagonally on the left thumb rest, your fingers should curve themselves. Hold the saxophone correctly!

6.Have Fun!

To sterilize the mouthpiece of the tenor, there is a special cleaner your teacher has mixed with soap and water followed by just water....

1.Place the mouthpiece in the cleaner and swish it around for a few seconds.

2.Place the mouthpiece in the plan water then dry the mouthpiece thoroughly.

To properly maintain the tenor saxophone before you play is to...

1.Make sure the instrument is properly put together. Wiggle the neck to make sure it's tight enough and make sure the neck strap is properly connected.

2.Make sure you have sterilize the mouth piece because you don't want to spread germs

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To properly maintain the tenor saxophone after you play is to...

1.Take the tenor apart carefully just like you were putting it together but the other way.

2.Make sure you have closed the case properly so that the "YAMAHA" is facing up.

3.DO NOT leave your reed in your case or else you will not hear the end of it! (I'm serious!)