Beginner Saxophone Lesson 2 - Embouchure & Sound Production

[@tammyclifton5800]

I am a mom who did not have the opportunity to play in middle school/high school. All three of my children have been or are in band. My youngest is in high school and playing the Bari Sax and have been watching a friend (retired high school band director, when I was in high school) play throughout this pandemic and I decided I wanted to learn the sax. He found me a sax, it is currently being checked out for repairs. I haven't had the sax in my hands yet, but am getting the essential beginnings before starting. Thank you so much! I am glad I have come across your channel!

[@zarminaabbas3969]

Nice! How is your experience going?

[@KentoVanOmmen]

Howis it going?

[@persen1950]

Ive been playing sax for years, but thought it would be good to go back to the basics

[@bettersax]

hope this was helpful

[@stephengent9974]

This is what I expected when I took some lessons, but it did not happen. IMO it is so important to get this right form the get go, and establish good habits.

[@bettersax]

absolutely.

[@bordersw1239]

Yep, I came to sax as a professional flute player and was mostly self taught. Finally I found a great sax player and we discussed my poor sound. He handed me my mouthpiece and said ‘play a note’ - I couldn’t, in fact it took me two days just to produce a sound. What I was actually doing was making the sound somewhere in the crook. Once I mastered producing a reliable good note just on the mouthpiece my playing changed almost within a day.

[@micrasheep]

@@bordersw1239 self taught flute player (not played in 27 years...now wanting to give a sax a rip)

[@alanphillips8583]

This the key to sound good. exercise daily!

[@bettersax]

yes

[@ekkisoatima2449]

Dang it. I played from elementary through high school and despite private lessons, no one EVER told me I was rolling my lip in too far and biting too hard. 😡 I spent years with a painful indentation on the inside of my bottom lip from my teeth and, what's possibly worse, I constantly struggled with pitch. Anyway, after a decade break, I'm unlearning bad habits and am grateful for your help, Jay! Thanks!

[@bettersax]

glad this was helpful. It's rare that this stuff gets taught in elementary and high school. You're not the only one.

[@OneOfYourFrenchGirIs]

oh man, same... the indent was so painful, i thought I'd build up a tolerance to it or something 🤦

[@thomasmicalizzi9752]

@@bettersax Been recently trying to improve my sound but just not making much progress. Watching this video was the first time anyone ever told me not to roll my lip back too far. I can already feel and hear how much better it sounds. Thank you for enlightening me Jay

[@noahman3843]

19 years old in the military. These tutorials help a lot.

[@artichoke890]

Thank you. I'm 42 year old trying to learn. Your first two videos have been helping me so much. And i have the cheap amazon alto sax you did a review on.

[@rachaelbailey2080]

I was looking for an alto saxophone tutor and found one of your other videos. I liked how you taught so I started watching your saxophone lessons, I am glad I did as I have learnt so much already. What a great saxophone tutor I will be watching more of your videos.

[@bettersax]

Awesome, thank you!

[@LSMuglia]

Even though I could never afford a Saxophone, so I won't be using this knowledge so soon, I can't stop watching these. Great stuff, man.

[@nicholasritcey3324]

Just got my sax today, been really excited to start, my mouth is tired after 20-30 minutes. Gonna need to try again tomorrow! Excited to go through these videos

[@kingvideo-]

I played sax in a Chicago cover band back in the 70s !! Now in my somewhat golden years, I decided to get back to playing... So far so good, LOVE your videos, they are extremely helpful. I also am planning to purchase a new mouthpiece from your website today !! Thanks for the great videos..

[@bettersax]

Great to hear you’re back at it Jack. I’m sure you’ll love the mouthpiece too!

[@HurricaneTAZ73]

Beginner with the Saxophone. Took me a few minutes to get the sound to come out of the mouthpiece but finally got it. Excellent tutorial. Looking forward to moving on with Better Sax.

[@danielledevries3902]

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but I’m not getting any sound out of my mouthpiece

[@2.0groupllc8]

Thank you. It's been 20+ yrs a reminder to get more of my mouth on the mouthpiece fixed my pitch problem. This is a great video. Look forward to the rest of the series.

[@joeterra3660]

I am 74 and and just starting to read music. The Tenor saxophone is the instrument of my choice. Your first 3 lessons have been very helpful. Looking forward to practicing the techniques.

[@42beebop]

I have been practicing and stuggling for a few months now. Now I know why I was having a hard time when playing more than a few minutes. This video made me go back to the very basics and concentrating on my embouchure and training my facial muscles. So, thank you very much and keep making these helping and entertaining videos.

[@trout717oboeplayer9]

I'm mainly an oboe player, but I started playing tenor saxophone recently and your highly descriptive videos are really helping me with getting started

[@michaelprentice2687]

Thanks!

[@bettersax]

Thank You!!!

[@michaeldumessa]

Just bought my Alto , I am on lesson two trying to get a sound out without fainting 😬😬 based on your video, I definitely need a softer reed. Thanks for your much needed and helpful video!

[@Glundyn]

I've been playing for about a month and was really struggling with the high F, and sounding clear in general. Your clear and detailled instructions were a massive help! Thank you for your consideration and encouraging videos! I've still got a lot to learn, but you've given me the confidence I can do so

[@gundog4273]

I used to be top sax player in my school but I quit. After many years I really wanted to get back into it. This is very helpful. I need softer reeds to correct what you've talked about, but I can feel the muscles coming back.

[@diegogenovese7910]

thank you bud!... i always wanted to play saxophone... is one of my dreams...big hug from Argentina.. all the best,,

[@S3Tint]

I don't have a sax... yet I watched the whole video... damn you're good!

[@bettersax]

thanks for watching

[@rebeccareynolds2323]

As a flutist branching out onto sax, this was super helpful! Thank you!

[@ohDaniel_]

Same

[@joelrivera3500]

DUDE YOU HAD THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE EVER. PUT YOUR BOTTOM LIP AT WHERE THE REED MEETS THE MOUTHPIECE. I GOT INSTANT SOUND

[@craighelm3914]

Both the mouthpiece reed setup and Embouchure/lips/jaw information was very important and should relieve alot of frustration I was running into when attempting to play my tenor sax! - thanks much!

[@wonga0000]

Man, I couldn’t get the right sound out of my (rather expensive second hand) sax, thought the sax was the issue so ended up selling it and bought a brand new even more expensive one, same problem.... watched this vid.... no more problem! Wish I’d seen this vid sooner, would’ve saved me a load of cash! Thank you....

[@joycefredison8811]

Thanks for this course. My sax has been collecting dust for over 4 years. Time to give it another try.

[@ASbored]

Hey I'm coming from a bassoon and need to learn the saxophone for marching season thanks for this series

[@ejohnsondebaufre]

I just set up my first reeds and made my first sounds on the neck and sax. What a thrill to be starting on this adventure. Thanks for these videos, Jay!

[@quickref]

i wish my teacher 30 years ago would have told me all this. Excellent explanation

[@pas0003]

Extremely useful! Having just started playing the saxophone, I'm finding it extremely challenging to produce a consistent sound, with no squeaks. More so when heading lower or upper in the register (middle seems to be the easiest). Thanks!

[@gvgvhk.jg.4579]

maybe you should try a mouthpiece with bigger tip opening - when I started (as everyone on yamaha 5c) I've had the same problem (squeaks), but it has disappeared after I switched to otto link 7

[@wheresmahat345]

@@gvgvhk.jg.4579 bigger space between the mouthpiece and the reed at the tip require more pressure and air, so it should have been easier with a smaller tip opening. How is it going so far?

[@sboles66]

This is the perfect tutorial for adults! Appreciate the simple but thorough explanations, instantly made my playing significantly better!

[@alvarocarranzatapia9640]

Excellent way to start the sax journey!! thanks!!

[@kristindowner9897]

You are a good instructor. Thank you for reworking this!

[@bobpanxoa5752]

Thank you Jay to speak not too quickly and to articulate clearly, my english is not very good but I understand well! Panxoa, from France

[@donnasaud5108]

BEST COURSE EVER!!! the quality is perfect and how Jay explains the sax makes it simple to understand. Thank u that was a great lesson I've learned a lot!

[@esfahan1961]

Love the idea of improving on your earlier lessons Jay. Very consistent with asking your students to improve too.

[@bettersax]

I wanted this collection of videos to be consistent. It never hurts to have another good embouchure video here either.

[@ladybonser6306]

Very interesting exercise. Good to know I've had good embouchure.

[@juanortiznito4373]

As a clarinet player who is experimenting with Alto, this a great resource. I am glad I found your KZbin Channel

[@dawnhiscock3089]

This is a fab video - thanks. Clear and concise and perfect for a beginner. Just about as good as you can get without being in the same room to teach in person. I was getting the cushioning on the bottom lip not quite right before watching your version of the technique.

[@AlanGCarvajal]

These videos are pure gold! Thank you for highlighting the wrong positions, and how they would sound like. I think all of us beginners need to know what we are doing wrong and why, and how to correct it. This is hard to pinpoint when no instructor is present.

[@sg990]

This was really helpful! I'm an alto player switching from classical to jazz after 9 years of break, and I was told to change my embouchure by rolling my lip out more. I wasn't sure what 'more' meant, but after watching this video (and another one) I realised I don't need to change all that much at all. Focusing on applying less pressure while still keeping a part of my lip on my bottom teeth was the key piece of advice. Thanks!

[@100john4]

Thank you for this. At 51 I am picking the saxophone back up after 30 years. I realize now all the things wrong with a brass band instructor teaching woodwinds :) I don't know how many things I need to unlearn, but this is helping.

[@josephallencherril3198]

Very informative and easy to understand video for beginners like me. Thank you very much Sir.

[@bettersax]

Glad to hear that

[@yahrong]

Thankyou, thank you, thank you. I started with so many video but today after watching you i got my first sound and it was impressive. I even replaced so many reeds and make many adjustment to the reeds but to no avail but after listening to you and i tried it i got my first sound and i shall continue to practice and practice until i get well verse with it and master it. So as a gesture of gratefulness i subscribe you and save your video.... Stay blessed.

[@bettersax]

Wonderful!

[@joshwoofter4789]

Currently in the start of my adventure in doubling saxophones. I've mostly played bari, and after a few months of getting good at tenor this is helping me relearn fundamentals to get a good start on alto. Thanks, man!

[@artyommakuchshenko1019]

Mr. Jay, you’re the BEST TEACHER!!! Thanks for all your videos and tips!!! My best Regards!!!!

[@Timelesshero1711]

If this is an enhanced version of your old video, that means this is a Better Better Sax tutorial?

[@bettersax]

haha, yeah I guess. I know many people already watched my original embouchure tutorial, but KZbin likes stuff to be recent and I wanted the course to have consistency so I made another one. I'm glad you consider it an improvement.

[@jakejab711]

Better Sax ah yes that is why KZbin recommends me 8 year old videos

[@thelookingcat]

@@jakejab711 lol yes

[@sheilaforde836]

Thank you for taking so much time to explain the embouchure.

[@1segzyo471]

This should be the first video on KZbin without a thumbs down

[@bettersax]

haha thanks, I'm sure there will be some though.

[@freeplaysmp9533]

Wow this is my first day playing alto instead of trombone and its going really well thanks!

[@adamwills1783]

Excellent. Superb explanation thank you.

[@ameg6432]

I started playing in 5th grade, I'm in 9th grade this year, and although I've improved on the basics at a regular level, I've been trying to work on new techniques. it takes me about 15 minutes to get good embouchure and it really screws the band up since I'm always wonky and goosey for a bit. thanks!

[@bosnuts7058]

Your an awesome teacher, Jay!

[@roberthanisee7342]

loving these videos man! Ive been playing the guitar for 9 years and ive never really tried another instrument. My sax comes in on monday! these videos are very informative!

[@ricardoali100]

Hi Jay. I decide to start again tô play sax and with your lessons I saw a lot of mistakes that I was doing. Thank you for share your knowledge with us. Now I am on the right way. Take care yourself.

[@rickpick9058]

Amazingly helpful to a beginner! I can’t imagine anything better. If this had been available years ago, I wouldn’t be a beginner now!

[@djstixtrix]

Love it, so much detail and easy to understand. I am also ready happy that I can walk into the woods near me and just practice with the mouth piece and neck.

[@robertmac7833]

I appreciate the detail and tips you include in your instruction!

[@bettersax]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertmac7833]

@@bettersax One thing I’d like to ask: Before I make my fledgling attempts at blowing my first notes, I own a used sax that was given to me as a gift. How in the world do I tell if it’s an alto or tenor?? And what is the difference between the two? Does the alto play in a different key than the tenor? Or is it possible to play in any key with both instruments? This instrument has hung on my wall for years! Mainly because no one has ever been willing to answer simple beginner questions I had! Years ago, there was a guy set up in the foyer of my local grocery store. He had the sax plus a small sound system for his backing tracks. I stopped to listen and was fully taken in by the magic of his sound, so I stood and listened for a long time. After he was through I expressed my enthusiasm and wanted to know simple basic things to get me started. Well, long story short, he acted like a snob and didn’t even answer my questions!

[@ethiobeat360]

Wow ! You a great instructor 👍

[@AlexTerrier]

Excellent tutorial :) if I may add, the note to be played with the alto neck is an a-flat, and with the tenor neck it's the note e-natural. good to practice with a tuner or a piano to check the pitch.

[@Metqa]

Thank You! I've been trying to figure this out. I'm new and I just got my horn, but I can't get it to sound in tune, and I didn't know what I should be shooting for. I'm learning on my own, so this tutorial along with knowing what key it is SUPPOSED to sound like helps me feel less crazy. A new tuner and this advice proves what my ears have been telling me: I'm totally OFF! LOL~ Kudos for such a useful comment!

[@seciumnagapi5167]

Great video, I'm coming back after three years and decided to start from scratch. I'm liking your vids and considering the courses.

[@colinsburghlibrary2632]

Excellent common sense, well presented. A useful check that you're STILL doing it right, as well! Great presentation skills Jay.

[@Narwhalco]

Wow, this really helped me. Recently I just got a new saxophone with no idea how to play, now I can play just fine, thanks.

[@craiganderton5445]

Great tips and techniques for a learner, very new to playing and these lessons are helping me to get off to a good start, thank you

[@Alcapon3711]

The best teacher ever! Thank you for your amazing job👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@bettersax]

thanks

[@joed8896]

@@bettersax yes you teach well.

[@anitagraves4716]

Am so Excited to play.. Thank you so much.

[@bahaykubo8250]

This is the best beginners guide for Saxophone. Im just a beginner and thank you Jay for putting this up.

[@marymissmaximus]

Wow! Thank you!!!

[@redj62]

I am thrilled to get this practice. Seems pretty basic but when you start like me you don't want to skip any step in order to become good and get sound you are looking for. It's like the flute, practice with only the neck first and when you get a continuous good sound you can start to add notes to it.

[@Driekess]

You are very professional AND great to watch!! Love your vids!!! 👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks for all the tips and tricks! :)

[@bettersax]

thank you

[@bonfacendede9357]

Am gaining a lot in the lesson as an absolute beginner 🔰

[@DrRocketTurner]

It is truly remarkable that when I rented my first tenor sax from a music store owned by the band teacher that he mentioned NONE of this! He sold me 3 1/2 reeds with a wide tip opening as well. I could have saved weeks of time/energy if your videos had been available then! Thanks for your work, critical for beginners!!! 🚀🙏

[@bettersax]

Most sax players start out and don't have the benefit of this information. My goal is for that to change thanks to KZbin. I hope these videos get a lot of views.

[@lillylithgreen3216]

Love your videos! I have already learned 3 new things about the mouthpiece placement that I had never been told before. Thank you!

[@DeogratiusJrMichael]

Tutorial like this u must pay a lot of money but here u get for free plus instructions in all areas and a good quality video.... I can't thank you enough

[@MikefromMOMichaelTurner227]

Just recieved my better sax alto sax 😆 this is a beautiful saxaphone! Im 57,,always the sound guy, never playd,,but this seems like a perfect fit for me and my musical desire and expression 😊,,thank you, mike from mo...

[@bettersax]

Thanks Mike! I would so appreciate it if you could leave a review on Sweetwater for your purchase!

[@ihfadzsabili9002]

I am just getting started playing saxophone and all your videos are helpful. Thank you for sharing. New subscriber here.

[@HolyDawit]

It's crazy how embouchure is something you need to be constantly working on, regardless of how much you've improved. I have been self learning for the past three years now and if I mess up my schedule for a while the sound will loose quality. I have been struggling getting a good sound for very high and very low notes still and thought maybe my sax needed to be doctored. But I guess it won't make much of a difference if my embouchure is weak. I still don't know when to take a break and will insist on playing on a tired jaw, bitting the MP just like you showed in the video. Thank you for the lesson! You are great.

[@christone1989]

I have a lot of respect for saxophone players now. I never knew exactly how much effort it takes to produce a good sound. Thanks for this video, it helps out a lot.

[@jacquesdeghorain3162]

LE BON SON EST CELUI QUI NE TE DEMANDE AUCUN EFFORT MAIS QUI EST NATUREL POUR TOI !!!

[@abigailjackson9837]

Trumpet player here, just bought a tenor sax and i have a good amount of respect for tenor sax players.

[@supergamingdino634]

This video really helped me, for a simple reason. I was trying to play the sax starting off today, and I got discouraged. I couldn’t get the sounds to come out to save my life, no matter what I did. I almost quit and just accepted that I might just have to listen to saxophone and not play. I then watched this video and realized that my mouthpiece was upside down.... I was putting my teeth on the reed instead of my bottom lip. I’m probably the only one that has ever made this mistake but thanks for the help anyway!!!

[@rileybutler3850]

When I started out, I did that too. Don't give up!

[@MMMagix]

bruv im in 7th grade i chose sax for music

[@MMMagix]

its so hard

[@since1876]

This guy looks and sounds exactly like what I would expect a saxophone player to look and sound like.

[@peterhorah7884]

This is great - and didn’t realize how to use the tuner the way you recommend!

[@peggycollins3543]

Great video! Very clear and understandable. Just got my sax so you're my go-to guy now!

[@Saxessor]

Hi Sir Jay! Thank you for your free lessons. I learned a lot from you. I just started learning sax last December 2020. I just bought my alto sax from China. I hope someday I can upgrade or buy sax base on your sax's brand review. Thank u so much.

[@brianpite0893]

I always have a spare neck and mouthpiece setup for practice while watching TV. Thanks Jay.

[@bettersax]

Good way to build up embouchure strength.

[@bassgirl_denalia9087]

Thank you so much for this information! It makes so much more sense now. I'm a guitarist and pianist, but it's been a long-term goal to learn saxophone. Recently got one as a gift by a loved one. This is so helpful!

[@santamanta69]

I love "Better Sax" this helped me so much starting my new Tenor Saxophone as I progress into other saxophones leaving the "Alto Gang" lol. Seriously though, I Sincerely thank you so much sir and you deserve much more subscribers and views you have right now. The embouchre lesson really helped a lot I'm still squeaking but not as much as I was before just a little bit so it defently helped and I will practice this more and more! Thank you!

[@marypeters5103]

Best saxophone teacher

[@emmasayers3945]

So, so helpful. Your tutorials are fantastic... Thank you!

[@NyanPoptartCat]

Word to the wise. Don’t quit!! I’m back after 20 years, and trying to find my old embouchure is HARD. Everything else has come back in a snap. I didn’t even forget the keys, not one of them. I’m trying so hard to remember but the muscle memory is just gone. Don’t make this mistake. 😭

[@olusojiomowaye3367]

I am a music novice, but just got myself a brand new saxophone. I am ready to learn.

[@duanearcher7576]

These seem truly excellent, sir! As soon as I finish my book on Music Theory I plan to purchase a student sax and sign up. I played drums as a kid from 4th-12th grade but always wanted to play the saxophone.

[@justsomeguywithoutanose6199]

Thanks so much I just started the Alto sax about a few days ago at school! I missed a lesson so thanks for helping me catch up!

[@pixamite1]

Great information, can't wait to get back home to my new Jean Paul and some off time so I can get started. Thank you Jay

[@bettersax]

thanks, glad it helps.

[@elamorales8473]

You guys should really listen to this guy he help me play my sax the Second day after I got it

[@williamcollazo4796]

I'm 63 years young I want to learn how to play a saxophone just to relaxed and I love the sound of a saxophone.

[@KentoVanOmmen]

Good luck!

[@someonesomewhere1100]

Do you have any advice on which saxophones to avoid? Thank you! You're channel helps us so much! 😇

[@revmsiew]

Simple and details explanations... as a beginner I repeatedly watching this video and found improvement on achieve better sounds...

[@Gawroon7]

this content is epic, this man is legendary.