# 1. Introduction to Saxophone

## How To Make A Sound

This video is a great explanation of how to play your first notes. The concepts are explored in writing below.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6uDocQRYqU>" %}

### 1. Embouchure

Embouchure is how you put your lips around the mouthpiece. Here's a diagram and a step-by-step walkthrough:

![](https://bighorn-static.myshopblocks.com/images/2020/02/original/6c765871ab939db6ef835ad1249e6faa.jpg)

1. Curl your bottom lip over your teeth. This is where the reed will rest.
2. Bite on the top of the mouthpiece with your teeth.
3. Form a seal around the mouthpiece with your lips by bringing the corners in.

### 2. Fingering

This is where your fingers should rest, left hand on top, right hand on bottom. Keep your fingers slightly curved. Your left thumb knuckle should rest on the black dot with the tip of the thumb hovering over the octave key.&#x20;

![](https://bettersax.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LeftHand-1.jpg)

Visit Yamaha's page below for an interactive way to see all fingerings visually.

{% embed url="<https://www.yamaha.com/en/musical_instrument_guide/saxophone/play/play002.html>" %}

Print off a fingering chart. Practice by playing long tones and controlling your breath, dynamics (especially try playing softly), and tone. Start with the notes from the C Major Scale (below).

{% file src="/files/-MBqRXgemOwFlBJEcqnf" %}
Alto Saxophone Fingering Chart
{% endfile %}

![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/qMmV6YTFJMzWKg3DdV261CEOeXOJvUD9P1_hpRyarLFAmDTr_CXT6C41-oWa6VpbAumReJSWuecVpK8paYE_uGbXKCyjCJJKLDULMP_QFJ6ZAJu0NZCUooZ98yLLvZUZPpQJxFS2VnTClsns8zWVfRYFJQ)

## Songs Using The C Major Scale

{% file src="/files/-MBqpsgJKEjaHNDWooXq" %}
C Major Songs
{% endfile %}

{% file src="/files/-MBqpwVki9C3gZjTJ09J" %}
Cantaloupe Island (Herbie Hancock)
{% endfile %}

You can play Cantaloupe Island along with this backing track:

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuoM8OgGcXw>" %}


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