Ok, so you've got some money together, decided on what saxophone you want...what next? What brand should I buy? and what price? There's a rule of thumb whenever you buy most things these days...and that's "you get what you pay for and buy a brand you can rely on!" Well that's much the same when buying a saxophone or any other instrument for that matter, but unlike other products like electricals, cars and sofas for example, you can try them out, test drive them or see how comfortable they are! When buying your first saxophone, you're a beginner and most probably won't know what the instrument performs like and therefore it can be harder to make an informed decision.

Categories of instruments come in beginner/student, intermediate and professional models, ranging from £150 to £3000+ (approx). You can get a saxophone outfit (a range of items to get you started, instrument/books etc) from as little as £150 brand new and they will look really great! On the other hand you could pay over £3000 for a vintage horn that looks terrible, so where to start?

WHAT BRAND?

On the internet and on some auction sites you will find a host of cheap saxophones. They claim to be named after highly sort after and regarded brands, but don't be fooled! Most, if not all, are cheap, poorly made imports from countries like China. They can be bought direct or some business's import them and market them with their own brand. A vast majority of these instruments are generic and as long as you've got the cash, you can market them in whatever way you wish with your own brand name! So, in my opinion, these instruments don't even make it into the "beginner/student" model category, as they proclaim they should be. Reasons why are:

• Poor build quality: Anything from solder joints coming apart, poor fitting neck, poor rods and springs, pads not sealing, felt pads falling off etc...things like this can make the instrument unplayable.
• Built with low grade metal: These instruments are usually made with a soft and low grade metal. This means keys can bend, not only from accedental bangs, but from the normal playing of the instrument.
• Porr intonation (tuning): These instruments can be so out of tune that as a beginner you will find it impossible to keep it in tune...even experienced players could find it equally impossible!
• Bad design: We've talked about the saxophone being a comfortable instrument to hold and play, well, these instruments can be so badly designed that keys don't sit properly, therefore this can make it less comfortable, if not awkward to play.

Ok, to the question of what brand will give you the start and performance you're needing as a beginner? Well, being totally independent and giving you examples from a few leading companies, you're never going to be disappointed with brands like Yamaha, Trevor James or Jupiter for example. These companies offer excellent student models, along with other companies of course. They know what the student needs and deliver it in reliable and well designed instruments. I would strongly advise going down to your local music store or even making a trip to a specialist woodwind store to get advice and the opportunity to hear, feel and look at the choices available to you. Try and avoid the urge to buy an attractive/dazzlingly coloured instrument you've seen on the internet...the chances are, you'll be regreting your decision very quickly!

WHAT PRICE SHOULD I PAY?

The price of an instrument is very subjective and I won't even try to be specific on what you should or shouldn't pay for a saxophone. That decision is down to you, simply because there are so many factors that will come into play...such as what model you're buying (alto/tenor etc), sales, promotions and the instrument being 2nd hand. What I can do is give you current figures from leading suppliers to guide and inform you as to the sort of price you're looking at for excellent student saxophones.

Below is a range of prices for some brands of alto and tenor student saxophones. These are based on various UK distributers prices and rates inc VAT:

JUPITER:
• Jupiter 567 Alto Sax Outfit: £453
• Jupiter 587 Tenor Sax Outfit: £1010
  YAMAHA:
• Yamaha YAS275E Alto Sax: £816
• Yamaha YTS275EJ Tenor Sax: £1061
  TREVOR JAMES
• Trevor James Horn Classic Alto Sax-Pack in Gold Lacquer: £499
• Trevor James Horn Classic Tenor Sax-Pack in Gold Lacquer: £699

SAXOPHONE HIRE?

Another way to approach purchasing a saxophone is to find companies that hire the instrument to you. This usually works on a month by month or quarterly basis and allows you to try the instrument before commiting to buy. You will pay a set price each month over a certain period for example. At the end of the specified time (e.g, 3-6 months), you will have the choice of either returning the instrument or buying it minus the payments you've made.

This can be an excellent way of trying out the saxophone without the initial outlay of money, but with the option of purchasing a suitable model that you've got used to over the time you hired it. Companies who do this sort of thing usually stock excellent student saxophones, as they obviously want you to progress your learning and buy the instrument at the end of your hire period. Some also throw in a "starter" lesson when signing up, along with beginner books/DVD's...so I would give this option some serious thought!...good luck and remember, if you want to comment, add in any way to this section or have any questions, then please contact us via the details below.