25 Things Sax Players Need/Want

#bettersax #saxophone #sweetwatersound
Jay Metcalf lists his top recomendations for Saxophone gear
🎷 Jay's Sweetwater Gear List: sweetwater.sjv.io/eKj0Jg
🎁 Access the FREE BetterSax SHED with tons of sax lessons, pdf downloads and backing tracks HERE: bettersax.com/shed
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Each Item in This Video
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BetterSax Mouthpiece Cushions: geni.us/cushions
Vandoren P200 Neoprene Mouthpiece Pouch: geni.us/To59j2
Rovner MPM 1-1 Mouthpiece Manager: geni.us/71rQ0
Rovner Dark Ligature and Cap - 1RL: geni.us/cwBe
BetterSax Jazz Cut Reeds: geni.us/reed
BetterSax Ultimate Sax Swab Kit: bettersax.com/product/betters...
K&M 12287 Orchestra Music Stand Light: geni.us/ytog
BetterSax Geeklet: geni.us/geeklet
Manhasset Model 48 Symphony Music Stand: geni.us/bnmypa
Hercules DS630BB Alto/Tenor Saxophone Stand: geni.us/NS3r5
Jazzlab Saxholder Sax Shoulder Strap/Harness: geni.us/tfvt4cH
Yanagisawa BooStar Neck Screws: geni.us/RuYZc6g
BG S20YMSH Zen Leather Neck Strap: geni.us/D3nlA
Zither Handcrafted Wood Saxophone Stand: geni.us/eBz2
Protec BM304CT Micro Zip ABS Alto Saxophone Case: geni.us/GQPgtF
Apple AirPods Pro: geni.us/iCaIu4
BetterSax Burnin' Mouthpieces: geni.us/Burnin
Apogee MiC Plus: geni.us/4dvrwN
Yamaha YDS-120 Digital Saxophone: geni.us/D6rk
Odisei Music Travel Sax 2 Wind Synth: geni.us/9tBZ
BetterSax Alto Saxophone: geni.us/saxophones
BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone: sweetwater.sjv.io/MmWOkK
BetterSax Alto Bundle: sweetwater.sjv.io/xkLP7y
BetterSax Classic Tenor Bundle: sweetwater.sjv.io/LXE7X3
Beyerdynamic M 160 Double Ribbon Microphone: geni.us/GWYRs
Neumann MCM 114 Set Miniature Clip Mic: geni.us/ZXa58m
Xvive U3C Microphone Wireless System: geni.us/KB7hoA
AEA NUVO N8 Ribbon Microphone: geni.us/vfiMBYE
🔥 Join the Reed Revolution and try the new BetterSax Jazz Cut Reeds HERE ➡ geni.us/reed
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⚡️Featured BetterSax Gear
“Designed BY Saxophonists FOR Saxophonists”
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🎷BetterSax Saxophones: ➡︎ geni.us/saxophones
🎷BURNIN’ Mouthpieces: ➡︎ geni.us/Burnin
🎷Jazz Cut Reeds: ➡︎ geni.us/reed
🎷Must Have Accessories: bettersax.com/store
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🎓Want to Study Saxophone with Jay Metcalf?
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🔥 Join the BetterSax Studio for personalized video feedback from Jay as well as new lessons and downloads every month ➡️ bettersax.com/course/studio
💪🏻Get lifetime access to BetterSax courses that have helped 10s of thousands of saxophonists at every level around the world ➡️ bettersax.com/products/
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Connect with us!
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Subscribe and Listen to the BetterSax Podcast HERE:📱
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Our mission here at BetterSax is to help saxophone players improve steadily, while enjoying the process of learning. We aim to help people find sax gear for every budget that delivers exceptional value and performance.
This video is sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
Disclaimer: Please see the link for our disclaimer policy for all of our videos on the BetterSax KZbin channel. bettersax.com/termsDISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and then buy something, we may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

[@alejandrosantana5133]

I bet the better sax gear is good but it seems like there’s always a plug for it in every video, I miss the yani’s

[@bettersax]

They are great thanks. The supporters who buy them also support the KZbin channel which allows us to create all the free content like interviews with great sax players, tutorials, lessons, factory tours etc. thanks for your continued support.

[@HornetVR1]

@@bettersax what would you recommend buying for 20 bucks I would play alto

[@drronclark]

@bettersax When is the new BetterSax alto (pro model) going to hit stores? Really looking forward to this.

[@alejandrosantana5133]

@@drronclarkI think it’s only available on sweetwater

[@christiankirboe3165]

Any bettersax soprano available ?

[@patriciadrank6543]

I can listen to Jay play anytime! Jay has the clear, smooth sound that I prefer.

[@pixelatedaces7952]

I am one of the few fortunate people that live next to sweetwater. I cannot recommend them enough! I literally go there all of the time to demo any mouthpieces or reeds, and all of the products that they have are super high quality. I go there all of the time, and I love it! (I've bought everything besides my horn from there)

[@bettersax]

Lucky!

[@georgetucci9443]

How do they go about letting you demo reeds?

[@pixelatedaces7952]

@@georgetucci9443 they have quite a few in stock, but for normal wooden reeds, the ones you test, you actually can keep a hold of. For synthetic, they don't have much for demo, but you just test them and give them back. It's super nice when I need a reed for a gig HAHA

[@pixelatedaces7952]

@@bettersax I take it for granted so much 🤣 I wish I saw you when you went!

[@Joeybsmooth]

I play a Bari and really have to agree with the harness holder. Playing as I got gotten older it as helped.

[@Adamswelltroddenpathways]

I appreciated seeing the prices. Great stuff, and worth it. Thanks

[@sid_sagare]

Can't wait for video on Better Sax Tenor like Better Sax Alto

[@bettersax]

Coming very soon!

[@Lichoepicsax]

Thank very much ❤❤❤ you are awesome 🤩

[@TheMilesmckee]

I've had nothing but bad experiences with the "gripping" Hercules stands. I've found them flimsy and they've dropped both my alto and tenor when not placed on the stand perfectly. The regular, non overly complicated Hercules stands are my go to. Never had an issue with them and have one for most of my horns- from alto to bari, even my bass clarinet.

[@ubustudio]

Curious what you are doing for reverb on your mouthpiece demos? Maybe a topic for a separate video on simple recording set ups including how you process the sound. Thanks for these reviews.

[@senorpoopus2139]

this is perfect i stayed up late last night just watching sax gear vids i want a stand lol

[@AFN2750]

A good case. Seriously, me and ever other saxophone player I knew in university had the case that came with the sax, which was often pretty terrible

[@robakopas]

I love your videos! I noticed some saxophones have different necks and bells, can you make video about that? Want to know what kind of benefits to change those. While changing neck is it possible that one neck might not fit other neck even if both are for alto sax?

[@herrneumrich6876]

Talking about things sax players want: Better Sax Bari reeds when? 😂 I just received my Schagerl Model 66 Bari sax and since I was so impressed by the performance of the Alto and Tenor reeds, I immediately knew I'd need the Bari reeds too asap. Greetings from Germany! Keep up the amazing work. Love your videos!

[@flopa9928]

Hey Jay, I remember you saying in one of your livestreams once that you don’t like to do payed advertisements for your videos… This is clearly an advertisement. I can imagine the not so bad financial revenue you can get for a video like this, but it would be very very nice seeing a very honest, self-edited video from you again;) Have a great day!!!

[@nickbarrow2805]

Are you referring to him using Sweetwater as the retailer? It makes sense, they are the only major retailer in the US that (to my knowledge) carries his BetterSax line of instruments and accessories. To be fair, I do enjoy buying from Sweetwater, and when I must buy online, if I don’t buy directly from the manufacturer, I buy from Sweetwater. And he did mention that it was sponsored by them, so it all kind of works out.

[@bettersax]

This is a sponsored video. Sweetwater carries all of these items. All of them I own and use and find to be helpful. I edited this video myself though just like the other 300 or so. I do avoid doing videos that are sponsored by brands that make saxophone gear. Sweetwater is a retailer that carries all different brands. I hope you can see the difference.

[@flopa9928]

@@bettersax I’m sorry, my comment was a bit harsh and offensive! But I hope you can understand that to the viewer this video could seem a little like a listing of all BetterSax and other sax gear you can buy from Sweetwater. And I was also just wondering a little because you’ve done extremely similar videos showcasing a lot of the same stuff also available at Sweetwater in the past. Please don’t get me wrong. I love your products, I have your 21 major key expirations chorus with Eric Alexander and I ordered a box of your reeds myself. And about the editing part: I thought you started hiring an editor because the style of your videos completely changed around a year and a half ago or so. In my opinion, some of them feel a little rushed now.

[@bettersax]

No worries, thanks for watching. This video is exactly what you said. A list of saxophone gear I recommend that is available on Sweetwater. I find this sort of video helpful for things I don’t know much about. The intention is to help people learn about what’s available and useful.

[@Top_Gun_Maverick_Enjoyer]

Cant wait for the tenor video!

[@bettersax]

Coming very soon!

[@bronzetrash1817]

When are you going to release the Yamaha factory video PLEASE it’s all I’ve been waiting for for weeks

[@ThreeMoonsArc-ye6yz]

What metal mouthpieces would you recommend for an alto or tenor sax? I play both and I’m thinking about buying one for each instrument.

[@fredrickofficial]

another need is a ybs-82😩💯👏🙏

[@drronclark]

When is the new BetterSax alto coming out? Holding off on buying the student model because of the prospect of how legendary the new one will be.

[@SimplySax23]

BetterSax bari saxophone coming soon? 😂 I’m a Bari player and I was wondering if you were going to make one?

[@user-hw6qq4lm2r]

Thanks Jay for making me spend more money ... lol ... great video

[@lotuses9178]

Do you have any recommendations for cheaper but still quality alto saxes for beginners?

[@thatoneguy4372]

Have you heard of SaxRax stands? I use them all the time and they can hold my sax in almost any position.

[@Saxophone_reed_annihilator]

7:44 It would be amazing if I could buy that air pod case

[@coin777]

Thanks for the video Jay. Could you write a little bit about the difference between m160 and N8 microphones?

[@bettersax]

I’m planning on doing a comparison video for my favorite ribbon mics. You get a better value from the M160 since the price is so much lower. The N8 is my current all around favorite though.

[@coin777]

​​@@bettersaxthat's a great idea! Throw the king of affordable ribbon mics in there too: SE Electronics VR1 Voodoo

[@coin777]

​@lamedonmcborough3255yes

[@kurasoe]

@bettersax does the saxholder still have issues with playing to the side with tenor and bari? Assuming yes do you recommend the other neck strap over the balsam you recommended a few years back?

[@Fr0ak]

I use a sax holder for Bari and it works great to hold it on the side

[@noahshupenko]

Hi Jay, teenage bari sax player here. What is the timeline for the release of the better sacks baritone? Just wanted to ask as I’m thinking about buying my own in the near future.

[@bettersax]

We are looking at a 2024 release.

[@adalyman773]

I want to know where you got that saxophone statuette. I need it for my nerd shrine. Lol.

[@waynewojnarowski3697]

Jay could you tell me how to get in contact with Yanigasawa to get the Yany sixs ligature i just saw your video on it , also you were playing your yani alto with a silver neck , info on that as well, the website is in Japanese. I have a yanigasawa metal the diameter is narrow wondering if it will fit? Thanks Jay!

[@bettersax]

If you are in the US reach out to Conn Selmer. They are the distributor of yanagisawa products for USA

[@waynewojnarowski3697]

thanks jay@@bettersax

[@criscris2571]

I want to get the better sax to replace my current sax the Yamaha has 23 is the better sax better Than my current sax ?

[@bettersax]

Yamaha makes very good instruments. I prefer the BetterSax alto to the YAS-23 though.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

Hmm, I had been ignoring the digital sax yet, not clicking with my alto vs my low brass background, could possibly reconsider the Yamaha for a quieter, cheaper way to practice fingerings with the sound of a bari sax without making that big of an investment. Plus, I'm moving to an apartment soon, so a real sax wouldn't be something I could play much.

[@icecold6118]

Better sax I can’t decide witch sax I sould start out on the Yamaha Yas 280 vr the better sax alto I need to know what’s better to start out on

[@bettersax]

BetterSax alto!

[@tctc2470]

Hi Jay. I’m a frequent purchaser of your products and have loved them…I’m definitely also going in on a BetterSax alto but considering that I currently have 5 other saxes (including a Yani, per your recommendation), I am going to wait for another $699 sale like you had this Fall. Any thoughts on doing that again? Thanks

[@bettersax]

Keep an eye out on Friday morning 😉

[@tctc2470]

@@bettersax thanks Jay! I’ll be the first one logging on!

[@frankzona5459]

Great informative video Jay. I have many of these items. But I want to know where did you get those wooden parts bin cabinets? Gotta have have!

[@bettersax]

thanks, got them at the hardware store.

[@frankzona5459]

A hardware store in France I assume, great, I live in Texas. LOL.

[@westonashe5941]

Are you planning on making another mouthpiece, possibly slightly more affordable?

[@bettersax]

We do have a very affordable mouthpiece coming soon. You can see it in the background of this video.

[@Obviously_not_mars]

Is a Martin saxophone good to play for intermediate players?

[@adogtm8532]

Which Martin is it? The older ones can be a bit more finicky and some of the later ones made by Yanagisawa were decent. Would recommend trying the horn if you can.

[@HornetVR1]

I have $20 and all I have is my saxophone a music stand mouthpiece a tooth guard thing and lots of reeds also I ahve AirPods what would you recommend me buying with my $20 (I’ve been playing for about 3 years and I’m 12)

[@HornetVR1]

I have a neck strap aswell its nice for 1-3 hour sessions

[@bettersax]

The most important first upgrade is a good mouthpiece. Best to save up for that.

[@fdeangelq]

What mouthpiece would you recommend for church gospel music???

[@bettersax]

BetterSax Burnin would be perfect.

[@ianhigham3875]

When is the tenor coming to the UK?

[@bettersax]

Early 2024

[@Lord_Vile29]

My only problem whith saxophone/ music is that it costs so much to start

[@user-hv4nl9rn8t]

What you need to play saxophone: 1. Reeds 2. Ligature 3. Mouthpiece 4. Saxophone 5. Case 6. Stuff to clean your horn That’s it.

[@marquettsmith2975]

Overall great video… missed the mark by suggesting microphones that cost as much as the saxophones that you showcase… just sayin. Overall I enjoy your videos and solid advice.

[@MrDavidFitzgerald]

I found that BG neck strap horrible. I'd recommend a more yoke type design like the Boston Sax Shop strap

[@MrDavidFitzgerald]

@lamedonmcborough3255 They definitely are. Having owned both I can tell you that having a straight strip of synthetic material around your neck (the BG strap) is way worse than having a padded leather strap that's shaped to sit lower on your neck.

[@LucaszJazz]

Jay I wish you would emphasize that the alto and mouthpiece were your products. There are many parents and friends that are new to your vidoes like this that have no idea, especially for holiday shopping guides. Not a nock on the products

[@bettersax]

Thanks for watching. Don’t see how it could be more clear that I designed the BetterSax instruments but if anyone isn’t aware please tell them!

[@LucaszJazz]

@@bettersax yeah i know its in the name but most new people dont really check the channel name before clicking

[@LucaszJazz]

@lamedonmcborough3255 im not saying its poor quality, just would be a bit misleading for anyone to put their own product out there as a professional and not be transparent that it’s theirs. I know he has mentioned it often, but christmas lists are viewed by parents and friends who are new to the channel

[@iceeyeditz]

I watched the whole video even thought I play bass clarinet Edit: yes I did like my own comment

[@timwhalen3840]

If you’re a doubler the Hercules pegs are too close to the sax. I prefer the cheapie ones. It’s something they should look at. Also the yellow shows up on stage. All matte black would be better.

[@MrGuto]

You lost me at the snake oil #13

[@itsburrg]

No offence to Jay but I'm just saying that I would highly recommend getting a used saxophone instead of new (unless you have loads of money) because you can find really good deals everywhere. I got a P Mauriat Le Bravo tenor sax for about $1300 (less than the better sax tenor.) Believe me, I love Jay and his content and this is not hating on his saxophones, but I just wanted to let everyone know that buying used saxophones is a much better choice than it sounds. But at the end of the day, you use your money how you want, it is your money.

[@samstaton7215]

You don’t seem to have anything to with the baritone sax. Why is this?

[@aaronchilcott9284]

First

[@grrregetienne8401]

commerce, commerce, and commerce .

[@normalizedaudio2481]

girls, money and weed.

[@theresonator3356]

A $71 neck screw? If the neck fits tightly enough, it should have approx. the same effect as adding the mass of 1/128 Inch of brass directly to the tenon. Complete and utter bs product.

[@okanepara159]

Unnecessary shoppings 😂 focus on playing folks. Stop artsy-fartsy-ing.😂