#novelingviolinist

[musicalshards]

Hi, so I have a really old saxophone (tenor sax maybe??? I have no idea) that I want to start learning but it's been sitting in its case for years now and is pretty musty. I'd like to wash it or something but I don't know how to do that without damaging it, do you have any tips or anything for me? Also what kind of reeds should I get for it? Thanks in advance! 😊

OOHOHO this is a very exciting ask to answer!! >:D Warning: this may not be all you need to do, in terms of cleaning and function especially, so further advice may be needed (or feel free to send me further info).

Cleaning: I haven’t ever had to do a major cleaning job with any of my saxophones. I know you can bathe a french horn and all its gubbins, but I wouldn’t recommend that for a saxophone without further research because I’ve never heard it been done. If it’s just rusty on the outside, it’s probably okay but looks a bit crusty. Dust? Get a soft chamois cloth (the type glasses cleaning rags are made of) or even just a nice duster-cloth and give it a good polish. If you take the cap off the top of the body (if there is one) and it comes off in a big fluffy pipe-cleaner thing, wash that in really hot water + washing up liquid (plus rubber gloves if the water is super hot). Do the same for the mouthpiece if it’s black not metal, but NOT id it is metal, or the ligature. If it is metal, thoroughly get in there with some baby wipes and dry with kitchen towel. Leave the fluffy thing (if present) to dry for a day after patting it down with a towel before putting it back in the saxophone. Don’t use any reeds that might be in the case, and if there’s a little patch stuck onto the top of the mouthpiece, take it off before washing the mouthpiece and throw it away. If it comes with a pull through cloth (a soft polishing-style cloth with a weighted string attached to it), wash that too, wait for it the same amount of time to dry, then drop the weighted string down the narrow top, stick your hand down the bell and pull the whole thing through quite a few times (then maybe wash it again just that first time). If you don’t have a pull through cloth, I’d recommend you buy one.

Function of the instrument: I, obviously, do not know how well this instrument functions and neither do you (assuming you have no woodwind experience), so the advice here may not be totally accurate. There might be rods and keys broken or bent, which I can’t help you with and you’d probably have to take it to a repair person to find out, or ask someone who does play saxophone. The pads might also be faulty and thin, and this could render the instrument basically unplayable depending on how bad it is. A quick google search says you can tell if you somehow obtain a bendy light stick (???), like a flexible LED type one, stick it down the saxophone and close all the keys (bit by bit) and if you see light coming out there’s a leak? Idk about this one. Otherwise, it’s difficult to tell. If your instrument doesn’t function well (idk how you came to obtain it so honestly it could be anything), you won’t be able to go onto the next step until you get some advice for it.  

Reeds and shit: I use Rico reeds mostly. Lots of people say they’re shit - I like them, mainly because they’re a little softer than Vandorens (essentially meaning easier to play) and I’m still improving my technique and can’t play on reeds harder than 2.5. (Harder reeds essentially get a better tone that makes v. high and v. low notes easier and sound better). Rico’s are also significantly cheaper than Vandorens (for me) and are totally great for beginners. You should probably start on a 2 strength (the regular Rico ones are orange; there are Rico Royals in blue but I’ve never personally liked those) but if you find making a sound (more on that) really difficult, try 1.5. Try buying a couple of single reeds before buying a whole pack if you can. You also HAVE to know which saxophone you’re playing to know which reeds to get, so feel free to shoot me a quick photo of it and I can tell you what type it is if you’re not sure. 

Making a sound: You might find internet tutorial videos and books more useful than me saying this, but feel free to ask me any specific questions about “I’m doing this and it isn’t working” or “how do you do x or y”. Much of what you find for the clarinet will be similar, but look specifically for advice on the specific saxophone you’re playing (if it is tenor) because this does make a difference - tenor embouchure and air support is much wider and open than alto, and it would benefit to begin learning from a tenor perspective rather than a “generic saxophone” view - because that doesn’t really exist. Also take into account that make, model, mouthpiece, ligature (sometimes), reed strength or generally having an asshole reed will make a difference in this, so don’t be disheartened if it isn’t working out! If you have any saxophone or clarinettist friends who can help you, that would be invaluable (clarinets also use very similar single reed but remember their embouchure and mouth-things are generally tighter from the saxophone).

Other stuff: The proper function of the instrument will also depend on what brand it is, which I’m also happy to help/give advice on. To a certain extent this will effect how easy it is to play, but if you’re only beginning it should be fine. In terms of beginning to play, I personally advise buying The Standard of Excellence Book 1 for (insert saxophone type here) - it does teach you music itself from a basic level which won’t be useful, but it will teach you the saxophone fingerings and stuff. There are resources all over the internet you can find to help. If repertoire and music to play is what you’re looking for, try looking at some things by Rob Buckland - he has a great series running from simple and introductory music straight up and past Grade 8. 

Wfoof I hope this isn’t too long, but I hope this is useful! Again, I’m intrigued by this mysterious sax lying around so feel free to message me and I can help you identify model, make and such things and offer any other advice! 

[kindigo]

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: A Summary

Lucy: there's a magical world inside of this closet

Edmund: don't believe her

Peter: I don't believe you

Aslan: believe her

Susan: Jesus Christ, a talking lion

Aslan: you are correct in multiple ways