Alto Saxophone (E flat)

Which sax should I start with?

If you are a beginner to music and plan to play on your own for pleasure, I recommend the Windcraft/Esprit/Artemis for £10 per month to hire.

These are designed for beginners and are ideal to learn on.  However, if your aim is to play with others in bands etc or you have played an instrument before, you may wish to consider the Yamaha YAS-275E (£19 per month) as the tuning is better which is important when you are playing with others.

You would only need to upgrade from the Yamaha if you start pIaying professionally.  The hire scheme is completely flexible.  Many beginners start with an Esprit to keep the cost down and upgrade to a Yamaha on purchase.  The rental paid on the Esprit would count towards the price of the Yamaha.

Tenor Saxophone
(B flat)

I recommend that beginners to the sax start with an alto and transfer to the tenor later.  However, if the mellow sound of the tenor is what you love and you have a lot of puff, go for it!

Student

The Trevor James "The Horn Revolution II" (£39 per month) or Yamaha YTS-275EJ (£49 per month) are both excellent instruments, the build and tone quality are both superb.  You would not need to upgrade for years (if ever).   However,  if these are too expensive, you could start with a cheaper Artemis  for £25 per month and upgrade later.  The new Yamaha tenor is currently £29 per month for  parents hiring the instrument for a child under 18 years old having regular lessons.

 

Intermediate/Advanced:

Keilwerth & Yamaha YTS-475 / YTS-62  -Superb quality and tone, ideal for professional playing.

Soprano Saxophone 
(straight  B flat)

I do not recommend the soprano as a first sax unless you have played clarinet, flute or oboe to about grade 5 standard.  This is because the soprano is difficult to keep in tune for beginners.

The Yamaha YSS-475II is an excellent soprano.  It has a beautiful warm tone and the build quality is superb.

If this is too expensive (£55 per month), the Trevor James "The Horn Revolution II" is a good comppromise at £39 per month.  I have both the straight gold lacquer, all black, black and gold and a full silver plated one in stock.  The curved soprano is ideal for children too small to hold the alto. The new Yamaha soprano is currently £39 per month for  parents hiring the instrument for a child under 18 years old having regular lessons at school (or with me).

Not for the beginner! 

The Yamaha YBS-62 is my favourite baritone.  However, if this is too expensive, the YBS-32E is also an excellent instrument.