Saxophone Lessons
in the area around Mannheim, Heidelberg and Ludwigshafen

The Right Instrument

Because it is a modern instrument and in great demand the saxophone has created a unfathomably vast market: The established brands for the professional are nowadays complemented by an assortment of quite decent amateur instruments. Mostly these are Asian products which nonetheless are very often quite soundly manufactured and also have good sound and intonation qualities. Generally we recommend you to seek the advice of your saxophone instructor since there are always some bad apples.
For example the fragile keys can more easily be deformed on cheaper models, also corks and padding can be maladjusted.

Children and adolescents from the age of nine or ten usually opt for the mid-sized alto sax tuned to Eb to start with the lessons. For physically taller players it is often possible to start already with the larger tenor sax. Also the personal taste concerning the sound and style (e.g. classic, rock or jazz) plays an important role when it comes to choosing the right instrument.
We recommend you to seek the advice of your saxophone instructor at TonArte Mannheim before purchasing an instrument.

The Saxophone – A Popular Instrument for Beginners

During the first few saxophone lessons students learn the typical embouchure technique and to produce a full pressure free sound. Once this obstacle is taken , the students are usually within two months able to play a range of two full octaves. Through special exercises students attain stability and clean intonation in the high positions. In order to develop these skills to an optimum students should practice at least o three to four days a week otherwise the lip musculature loses strength and tension too fast. The saxophone lessons can then deal with or deepen other more advanced subjects.

Taught Styles

Many players are fascinated by the saxophone sound of blues, jazz, rock, or pop. Numerous modern teaching methods and text books for saxophone lessons deal with all styles right from the beginning. Apart from all that the basic work is essential and we at TonArte in Mannheim pay great attention to dynamic playing and proper tongue technique.
In more rural regions the saxophone is also used in traditional wind music and here the playing follows completely different rules as opposed to more free musical styles such as blues or jazz. This exemplifies the fact that a different choice for e.g. the mouthpiece can lead to a completely different sound.
Of course you can also learn a classical late romantic repertoire if you like. The proper choice here would be the alto sax.

Saxophone Lessons for Adults – Requirements

As mentioned above, for satisfying results with regard to the embouchure technique it is necessary to practice at least on three to four days a week. Usually half an hour is sufficient. The appropriate environment(apartment, working schedule) in this case is more crucial than it is with quieter instruments e.g the German flute or the clarinet. In order to practice successfully without pressure, you need to be able to play the relatively loud saxophone at full volume.
If a backing track from a CD is needed to be played for practice purposes, a playing device with enough volume has to be available.
In favor of a health body posture a high enough music stand is essential. We gladly give you advice on all necessary accessories.

Saxophone Ensemble

You always have the chance to participate in one of our ensembles. If you wish to do so, please apply at our office in Mannheim at info@tonarte.de.