The purchase of a new instrument should be an enjoyable and exciting process, but with so much choice on the market, it can also be a daunting one. Here, we have put together some tips on how you might go about testing saxophones to help you find the perfect instrument for you. This advice is mainly aimed at players who are looking to up-grade their instrument from their current model.
1. Do some research beforehand
Take a look at our website before you arrive to get some information on the range of instruments we offer and what we have in-store for you to try. This will give you an idea of brands, models and price points to suit both your taste and budget. Feel free to call us to check stock availability before you arrive if there is something you are particularly interested in.
2. Use your own mouthpiece/ligature set up
This is a really important point. When testing a new saxophone, you want to test the instrument itself. Testing new mouthpieces and ligatures as well as the new instrument means that it can be difficult to tell what exactly is making the difference. Using your usual set up takes away that variable, leaving you to judge the instrument itself. Even if you decide to purchase a new mouthpiece later on (and of course, the new instrument will be supplied with its own mouthpiece), always start with your own first. Also try to use a reed that you have blown in a bit rather than a brand new one.
3. Bring your current instrument with you
Again, this is an important point. Comparing directly to your current instrument gives you a frame of reference – you want to make sure that any new instrument you are considering is going to be an improvement on what you already have! The environment that you test the saxophone in will be different too, so playing your current saxophone in the store surroundings will give you a more realistic comparison with a new instrument.
4. Listen to Tone
It is a good idea to play long notes, simple scales, and arpeggios when trying out the tone or response of any instrument. Notice that we have not mentioned playing any repertoire yet – this is not a test of you, but of the qualities of the saxophone! Playing technically demanding music is not actually that helpful in testing a saxophone because you want to choose an instrument that makes a good sound and responds well. Long tones or easy scales will mean that you can really listen to the core tone of any instrument. Slow scales and arpeggios are also useful to test the instrument’s evenness from note to note and across the register changes.
Long tones are great for testing the dynamic range. Try playing from very quiet to very loud to see how much you can push it and how flexible it is.
5. Test the technical qualities of the instrument
Having thoroughly tested the tonal qualities across the range of the saxophone, now is the time to play something more technically demanding to see how it feels and responds under your fingers. You could try playing a piece that you have been working on to see how the new saxophone compares to your practice with the same piece on your current model. You will want something that has a smooth action and that feels better under your fingers.
6. Keep an open mind
Prepare to be open-minded about the instruments you test and try to be realistic about what an up-grade can offer. A new instrument won’t fix any shortcomings in your playing – only careful practice will do that. What a new instrument will give you, however, is the tools and potential to improve your sound across the whole instrument.
7. And finally…remember to enjoy the experience!
Purchasing a new saxophone should be exciting, so remember to take your time and enjoy playing some fantastic new instruments. Hopefully, you will find something you really love!
