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.
1. Embouchure
Embouchure is how you put your lips around the mouthpiece. Here's a diagram and a step-by-step walkthrough:
Curl your bottom lip over your teeth. This is where the reed will rest.
Bite on the top of the mouthpiece with your teeth.
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.
Visit Yamaha's page below for an interactive way to see all fingerings visually.
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).
Songs Using The C Major Scale
You can play Cantaloupe Island along with this backing track:
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