Step one
Take the reed out of it's case and put it into your mouth. This will moisten the reed, making it easier to play and get a nice sound out of.
Take the reed out of it's case and put it into your mouth. This will moisten the reed, making it easier to play and get a nice sound out of.
Step two
Put the neck strap on. Often, tenor saxophone neck straps will come with extra padding as it is larger and heavier than the alto saxophone.
Put the neck strap on. Often, tenor saxophone neck straps will come with extra padding as it is larger and heavier than the alto saxophone.
Step three
Attach the mouthpiece to the neck of the saxophone. Make sure that the open part of the mouthpiece (where the reed will go) is facing down.
Attach the mouthpiece to the neck of the saxophone. Make sure that the open part of the mouthpiece (where the reed will go) is facing down.
Step four
Put the mouthpiece, reed, and ligature together as shown. The flat part of the reed goes on the flat part of the mouthpiece, and the tip of the reed lines up with the end of the mouthpiece. Once you have the reed and mouthpiece lined up properly, carefully slide the ligature over the mouthpiece and reed. Be extremely cautious here, as you do not want to damage the reed with the ligature. The part of the ligature that has the tightening screws goes over top of the reed, and should be centered over top of it.
Put the mouthpiece, reed, and ligature together as shown. The flat part of the reed goes on the flat part of the mouthpiece, and the tip of the reed lines up with the end of the mouthpiece. Once you have the reed and mouthpiece lined up properly, carefully slide the ligature over the mouthpiece and reed. Be extremely cautious here, as you do not want to damage the reed with the ligature. The part of the ligature that has the tightening screws goes over top of the reed, and should be centered over top of it.
Step five
Now it is time to attach the neck and the body of the saxophone together. When you attach them together, be sure not to force the neck into the body. This could damage both the neck piece and the body, specifically the screws that tighten around the neck piece. Sometimes, you will have to loosen these screws to allow the neck piece to slide into the body smoothly. Once you have the neck piece attached, and before you tighten the screws, make sure that the bell and the neck are in line. you should be able to look down the top of the saxophone and not see either the bell or the neck piece stick out to the side. Once the neck is on and the screws have been tightened, do not try to adjust the neck piece in any way without first loosening the screws. This could also damage your saxophone.
Now it is time to attach the neck and the body of the saxophone together. When you attach them together, be sure not to force the neck into the body. This could damage both the neck piece and the body, specifically the screws that tighten around the neck piece. Sometimes, you will have to loosen these screws to allow the neck piece to slide into the body smoothly. Once you have the neck piece attached, and before you tighten the screws, make sure that the bell and the neck are in line. you should be able to look down the top of the saxophone and not see either the bell or the neck piece stick out to the side. Once the neck is on and the screws have been tightened, do not try to adjust the neck piece in any way without first loosening the screws. This could also damage your saxophone.
Step six
You are almost ready to play! Just attach the neck strap to the small loop near the center of the body of the saxophone, as seen on the inset picture. Once you have done this, adjust the neck strap so that the mouthpiece sits at about your mouth when you are in playing position. Once you have done this, you are ready to play!
You are almost ready to play! Just attach the neck strap to the small loop near the center of the body of the saxophone, as seen on the inset picture. Once you have done this, adjust the neck strap so that the mouthpiece sits at about your mouth when you are in playing position. Once you have done this, you are ready to play!