Hi everyone!
You know, there’s a reason why musicians play music – we LOVE it! I don’t think there’s anything that gives me greater pleasure than to show off my talents at an event, gig or party and blast music from my light up saxophone non-stop!
However, as anyone would tell you, playing an instrument for the first time can seem daunting and tricky to master. But as the old saying goes “practice makes perfect” and if you’re truly passionate about music, with the drive to learn and improve, then you’ll be on your way to musical success.
So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, here are a few saxophone tips and tricks for all you fellow saxophonists out there!
Remember to breathe
Sometimes playing the saxophone can feel like you’ve just ran in a marathon and it’s easy to feel out of breath!
The best thing is to do diaphragmatic breathing exercises for the flow of breath to be at a constant pace and more importantly for you to keep playing. One thing to learn is making sure your throat is always open and pushing down on your abdomen as you tense your diaphragm for an excessive amount of air to be expelled once built.
Invest in a quality mouthpiece and reed
For quality sound, you need a quality mouthpiece and reed. A cheap plastic mouthpiece will make your music sound average, but if you’re looking to rock the world with your amazing tunes, upgrading to a better mouthpiece will help improve the tone and melody.
The reed itself is made of arundo donax (scientific name for cane) or other natural materials and no two are the same! Similar to the mouthpiece, the reed largely influences the sound of your saxophone and you don’t want to fall flat. It’s also handy to change it often as the quality reduces the older it gets.
Good posture and position
This isn’t only taught in terms of etiquette, but posture and position can also affect the way a saxophone can be played or changed. Keep a straight back!
I’ve learnt to be mobile as I play whilst keeping the perfect vibrato or tone with every beat which this takes A LOT of practice but once you’ve got the hang of it, it will be easy as pie!
Find the perfect setting
As a travelling saxophone player, I love to play all over the world and against some of the most spectacular scenic views! From beaches and lakes, to forests and cities it really brings the music to an out-of-this-world level!
Being able to express myself in such beautiful and inspiring environments is an incredibly powerful feeling and even in Ibiza’s best nightclubs or bars, the party atmosphere lifts my saxophone and spirit up.
So, try to find a comfortable and open space for you to practice or play in, where you won’t be silenced, and you get to blast your music out loud.
If you’re looking for a bespoke saxophone player to make your event’s entertainment an unforgettable one, then hire the one and only Girl on Sax by emailing [email protected] or calling 07740 192973. Check out my website for more information.