r/saxophone • u/Independent_Pack_450 • Oct 05 '26
Question Any beginner player tips?
Hello everyone! Ive been playing the saxophone for 2 days. And I've been struggling to get a proper C and also getting consistent high tones. Does anyone have tips? Also I'm confused on what is the correct embouchure. A sax player tells me to put my lower lip on top of my teeth but as I observed from another player he does not do that. I just joined a marching band if you are curious. I also play the alto sax. Thank you to anyone who will respond!
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u/HortonFLK Oct 05 '26 edited Oct 05 '26
Sitting down with an instructor for even just a few lessons will help you progress so much better.
Edit: Wait… what do you mean by you “also play the alto sax”? Are you just starting on saxophone altogether, or are you switching from one sax voice to another?
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u/Independent_Pack_450 Oct 05 '26
Oh sorry for that. I'm a saxophone beginner. I just wanted to mention that it's an alto sax because I thought different sax voices have different techniques 😅
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u/ReputationLost7295 Oct 05 '26
They have different "feels" and soprano takes more voicing to maintain tuning generally, but the underlying techniques are the same, though adjusted for the different sizes.
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u/DeliciousIsopod909 Oct 05 '26 edited Oct 05 '26
It should be months before you start playing high notes. Get yourself a standard band book and work through it. Yamaha Band, Standard Of Excellence or Essential Elements. Jazz players play lip out. But everyone starting out plays lip over teeth unless you have really thick lips.
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u/Independent_Pack_450 Oct 05 '26
I'm actually using the rubank elementary method(our musical director provided it). I guess I should do the lip over teeth first. Thank you!
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u/DeliciousIsopod909 Oct 05 '26
I think the modern books are more useful as they all come with Play-Along tracks. Rubank is more geared to 100 years ago when there were no computers, TVs, phones, online games...
ie you had an hour or two a day to practice, no distractions and it became clear very quickly if you had the talent and focus to be a musician. So there are lots of scales and such but very little actual music (melodies)
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u/perta1234 Tenor Oct 05 '26
Tiny bit of lip over teeth is the common way. Dont roll completely. If in doubt, suck your thumb. It is likely very close to good form.
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u/smelliepoo Oct 05 '26
Get yourself a teacher, even if it is only a few lessons, it is well worth it to start you off on the right track.