How to choose a saxophone and accessories?

Several types of saxophone are suitable for learning: soprano, alto, and tenor. Which to choose depends on the student’s age, build, and goals.

General recommendations

• For a child aged 6–11, it is most convenient to start on a curved soprano saxophone.
• For a child over 9–10 years old, an alto saxophone is suitable. Academic training in music schools, colleges, and universities is carried out on this instrument.
• For adults, we also recommend an alto as the first instrument: it is easier to master the basic skills on it.
• Tall adults with a large build may find a tenor saxophone comfortable, but it is still better to start with an alto.

The four main types of saxophone. Evgeny Krylevsky’s online saxophone course

More about the differences between soprano, alto, and tenor is in the article “Which saxophone to choose: alto, soprano or tenor”.

What is your current level and how deeply are you ready to study the saxophone?

Buy the instrument depending on your goal.

• If you or your child just want to try it and do not yet know how this interest will develop — buy an inexpensive instrument
• If the current instrument’s possibilities are already limiting, choose an instrument in the mid‑price category.
• And if you have decided to pursue the saxophone professionally and have the financial means — buy an expensive instrument.

And remember: the quality of the instrument and its accessories is only half of success. The other half is the level of the teacher you work with.

The saxophone is not the only purchase ahead. You should immediately include additional accessories in your budget.

Some accessories are sold bundled with the saxophone. But not all of them are of good quality. Below is a list of which bundled items can be kept and which are better replaced immediately.

Use from the kit:

Ligature

Cap

Replace if necessary

Neck strap

Case

Grease

We recommend replacing immediately

Mouthpiece

Reeds

Buy separately

Pads

Swab, 2 pcs.

Music stand

Metronome

To save time, use our selection “Budget saxophone and accessories kit”. It contains models for soprano, alto, and tenor with approximate prices and links to stores.