Which saxophone to choose: alto, soprano or tenor?

Before choosing an instrument, you need to decide on its type. Several are suitable for learning: soprano, alto, and tenor. Which one to take depends on the student’s age and goals.

Soprano saxophone — for children

The soprano saxophone can be straight or curved. A curved soprano saxophone is convenient for children aged 6–11. It has the following advantages over a straight soprano and an alto:

Weighs less — no extra load on the neck and shoulders;
Keys are close together — a child’s fingers can easily reach all notes;
Sound is produced with less breath effort.

The straight soprano saxophone is suitable for students with experience — usually in grades 5–7 of music school, as well as in secondary and higher educational institutions. Used in ensembles as a solo instrument and sometimes in orchestras.

The straight soprano is not suitable as a first instrument for a child, as it is long. To reach the keys with the right hand fingers, a 6–11 year‑old pushes the right shoulder forward and may spoil posture.

Curved and straight soprano saxophones

Of all types, the soprano has the highest pitch.

Альт-саксофон — для взрослых и детей от 9–10 лет

У альт-саксофона удобное расположение клапанов, которое помогает правильно и без лишних усилий зафиксировать постановку рук и пальцев. Как правильно это сделать изучайте в моем онлайн-курсе. Также для него подходит мундштук среднего размера, на котором легко и быстро можно сформировать звук.

Выбирайте этот вид саксофона, если:

начинаете обучение самостоятельно или с частным педагогом;
планируете учиться в академическом музыкальном образовательном учреждении: школе, колледже, институте, академии, консерватории. Именно на этом инструменте проходит обучение и принимаются все экзамены и зачеты.

Альт-саксофон

Тенор-саксофон — для взрослых

На тенор-саксофонах играют в ансамблях и оркестрах. Как сольный инструмент их часто используют в джазовой музыке, а в классической, наоборот, — редко.

Этот вид может быть удобен для взрослых высокого роста и крупной комплекции. Однако первый год мы все равно рекомендуем заниматься на альт-саксофоне.

Тенор-саксофон

Звучание тенора ниже, чем у альта и сопрано.

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For children

As a first instrument for a 6–11‑year‑old, a curved soprano saxophone is suitable.
A teenager 9–18 years old with playing experience should choose an alto saxophone — especially if they plan to receive academic education in a music school, college, or university.
As an additional instrument, you can buy a straight soprano or a tenor saxophone, but only from age 13.

For adults

Most adults will be suited by an alto saxophone. It is easy to master basic skills on it. Academic training in music schools, colleges, academies and conservatories is carried out on this instrument.
For a tall adult with a large build, a tenor can be comfortable. But we still recommend starting with an alto.
You can buy a tenor saxophone as an additional instrument if you want to play jazz and like a lower sound.

In my online course there is an opportunity to learn on alto as well as on tenor and soprano saxophones. First free lesson you can take for free, but you need to authorize.

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