Testing Gimmicky Sax Gadgets 2023

[@KeyLeaves]

I love seeing your daughter maker her first sax sounds with the RULON Palm Key Removal Kit. Made my week! I send you the RULON rests in carbon fiber, raw brass, plastic, and gold so you can try the full finished on your saxes. The wood trial version is pretty dead feeling under the hand and you may enjoy using the pro versions on your low saxes. That's where it really helped my hand and wrist. Thanks for doing all you do, Jay!

[@bettersax]

Ok thanks Rulon. You can also just bring some extra for me to NAMM. great new products.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Congrats on the cool new decor Jay. Awesome! Super cute to meet your daughter as well. 😊

[@bettersax]

Thanks Jamie

[@nhr27]

The palm key removal is absolutely genius. That's a million dollar idea.

[@KeyLeaves]

Only if we can get a million new sax players learning! Glad you like the concept. Please help spread the word to music teachers and players you know.

[@nhr27]

@@KeyLeaves I am sure you have more than 1 dollar/unit of profit built in!

[@KeyLeaves]

@@nhr27 Yes. I meant it as my goal to help as many kids start playing as possible and one million has a great ring to it!

[@LorenzHargassner]

😂 Haha! If more people played the sax, that could be, though. It‘s really a great idea.

[@gabrielmarks7827]

Although, Jay lied to his little girl which really reminded me of the meme that said me helping my son find his Halloween candy the day after I ate it 😂

[@johnvaros8246]

Jay the tone of your playing in this video is actually incredible. Especially around 5:27

[@bettersax]

Thanks John!

[@abdulmajeedahmadi1990]

​@@bettersax I have a quick question should I play alto sax first and then go th bari sax or go straight to bari sax this is my first time playing sax.

[@_Matt8]

@@abdulmajeedahmadi1990 Not the person you are looking for but you should probably start on alto, its easier to produce a sound and play the range of the horn.

[@chrisbussell7903]

The phone-holding lyre works well. The University of South Carolina uses them in place of traditional flip folders. They also have an app that pulls up everyone's sheet music simultaneously! Crazy stuff!!

[@Rockplayer01]

I picked up several of the plastic Rulon thumb tests to try out. Inexpensive, easy to install and comfortable. The reason I picked one up is I have a joint issue with my right thumb and after 40 plus years of playing sax my thumb F&$@ing hurts, the metal hooks needed to go. A friend recommended this product. After using it for a couple weeks I got used to the change but just for experimentation I heated one of the plastic tests up with a heat gun and bent the upper portion up just a tad using a 1” diameter wooden dowel. PERFECTION! The slight bend helped keep my thumb stationary but didn’t add any pressure at all on my thumb - no pain and a bit better control. Very happy with this product!

[@chrisbussell7903]

Also, the palm key covers are a great idea. As a former band director I had a few small-handed students over the years. I would take their palm keys off and plug those holes with corks. Worked like a charm and at the end of 6th grade or beginning of 7th we'd put them back on

[@KeyLeaves]

Thanks, Chris. The RULON rest that comes with the kit also helps small hands avoid bumping the right hand side keys of C and Bb. Hopefully these kits can get more kids playing sax!

[@sineadandrews5147]

Over here in the UK we have the Trevor James Alphasax which is a lightweight sax without the palm keys, low B/Bb, some of the side keys, and other slight modifications. It makes it 33% lighter than a traditional alto sax.

[@anthonypierre2094]

Your daughter is soo cute! I'm surprised that was her 1st time playing. I love these videos, I'm a gear and gadget person. I think I'm going to get that sax arm for the chair. I have the Sax holder that you use and I like it way more then the traditional neck strap. I also have the swabs and they have been great!

[@Debukochi]

I started playing at 7 (perfect age) but broke my neck in a trampoline accident when I was 11. I'm now in my 60s and my neck has always been an issue when playing my tenors. Nothing has worked better than the combination of the Sax Seat and the Sax Holder. I play a minimum of 2 hours a day and no longer have any problems. The added benefit of the Sax Seat is improved posture. Set it up once for optimal posture and you'll maintain that posture throughout all of your hours of playing.

[@MattWillisBagpiper]

The BetterSax Tenor “reveal” was delightful!

[@garyboyd3255]

Love the underslung look again.

[@clarinetninja]

This video made my day! You have an elegance and ease when modeling the sax harness. I didn't know how much joy that was going to bring me! To follow that up with your daughter - that is a level of adorable that is hard to take. My daughter appeared in one of my videos and "daddy are you filming me?" checks out. My daughter surrounded herself with all her stuffed animals and told a Frank Wess story about "cats" - in the story they were cats who invented the clarinet. In her telling they were actual literal cats. The palm key removers are genius - and your daughter is a wonderful representation of their usefulness. Thanks for making my day

[@dont-feed-ben4833]

I'm teaching an incoming 5th grade saxophone player and her hands are TINY and the palm keys are a major issue. I don't like any gimmick products that can reinforce bad habits, but having hands that can't reach far enough to play G without pushing any palm keys is a major setback that is beyond her control! I'm glad that there is a product that can help her, I don't want her to give up. Sax should be for everyone.

[@benbaldwin9365]

the *subtle* hint at the bettersax Tenor is really exciting!

[@garyzimmer8061]

Jay your daughter is a sweetheart, wish my dad had a Yani when he started me out. I had an old Buescher 30's vintage. When I was still working as a tech w/a larger, family-owned retail chain, I brought my daughter in to rent a horn. The owner said, "aren't you going to let her play your horn?" I told him there's no way I was going to let a 5th grader play my '57 King Super 20! Especially after I serviced a gold-plated Selmer 26 in an alligator skin case, which was given to a beginner who dropped it on the steps. Every post on the body tube was pushed in!

[@enoffz8021]

I would recommend the Reed Renew from Robinson's Remedies. I've been using it for more than a year and none of the dozen reeds I've used it on have worn out yet. It doesn't hurt the playability of the reed. No more ugly gray mold that I would get occasionally. A bottle can last pretty long because I just use enough that it soaks in, and after a reed has been treated a few times you don't have to keep applying it every time.

[@sreeser3512]

At first I thought the Sax Seat was hilarious, but yeah, that would be fantastic for people with injuries/disabilities. I know a player who had to give up bari entirely due to an injury and can only still perform on alto. He still plays tenor but only at home. I'm going to give him a call and tell him about it.

[@royharrison9471]

Thanks as always, Jay. For the Bolero I can visualise a short cord with a ring at one end and a saxophone hook at the other to just allow the sax to come forward away from the body a little. You may have to then raise the placement of the main cord against the waistcoat part to compensate for an increased drop. Perhaps this would overcome the main problem you highlight.

[@sidneiramalho]

Great video Jay, adorable your daughter. I had used the jazz lab strap for 2 years on my alto, but it didn't work for me on the tenor. I got the Balam back strap and it's the most comfortable sax strap I've ever had. I can play for 3 hours no issues.

[@Moritmusic]

For me, the most beautiful part of this video was when your pretty Angel picked up the saxophone and made her first notes😊🥰🥰🥰

[@thesunalsorise]

I got my sax seat as a Christmas present. I set it up at the lowest seat height, but my heels barely reach to the floor. So, I placed a small foot stool to resolve this problem. Now my knees are high enough that saxophone can be laid down on my knees when I need both hands free for such as changing music sheet. I place tenor sax on my right side on the sax holder table when I play the sax. I still use the sax leash loosely attached to the sax, so that there is absolutely no pressure on my neck. The leash is a security purpose for not dropping the sax. I play about one hour without neck pains everyday.

[@sandrarogers4899]

Thank you Jay for sharing all the gadgets. I like the one for small hands, as my fingers have difficulty reaching the odd keys.

[@thomaskipfer1008]

I do swab my pro horns every time. The blower for the bell, great solution. Condensation- a problem especially the straight sop! Wonderful Vid!

[@angelskyd]

I ordered my bettersax a couple months ago and on the same day I also ordered the Bettersax ultimate swab kit. Absolutely love it. I have peace of mind that I have a recommended product from a player/teacher that I admire. After every single practice session, I pull out my swabs and it is almost a therapeutic time for me. As i'm swabbing out my horn, i'm reflecting on how the practice session went, the goods and bads and what i'de like to focus on the next session. I have a military background and after every field exercise, we had an AAR (After Action Review). This swabbing time, is essentially that for me.

[@11d7th]

11:58 great playing!

[@frankgerace5997]

As a former music teacher, my favorite part of the video was you giving your daughter a lesson.

[@chribm]

Love these gadget reviews. Some are (I think) a bit silly, but some seem really neat. Great to meet your daughter. What a cutie! My two daughters are now grown up beautiful young ladies. My older played Flute, younger played Trumpet. All my kids play as well as myself and my wife. We love music.

[@timwallace7561]

Superb unbiased analysis Jay, love all the gadgets for either their use or fun factor - thank you (excellent playing by your daughter too).

[@xxczerxx]

That "loading time" for each segment in the top left corner is genius. Such a clever idea!

[@David.pianomann]

it was so awesome to see your daughter play sax

[@MiniPandaWolfYT]

That Sax arm is genius!

[@grantkoeller8911]

We would buy 100 % cotton men's white handkerchief at K-Mart, Wal-mart, Target, Sears or Pennys to pull through the mouthpiece after playing session.

[@myaccount6784]

Thanks!! This is so informative

[@gerritraupach9059]

I received the saxholder of the saxseat today. Easy fixing and super holding my Tenor without any neckpain anymore...thanks Jay!! (Only the company doesn't give any information about the shipping, ☹️ only after I asked them if they sent it or not, even then no complete information...not customer oriented)

[@artgutierrez5745]

If I may ask…where did you get the sax seat and arm? Thanks

[@rurieldiego]

9:27 is that the better sax tenor 😮

[@spencerjones552]

You’re daughter is adorable brotha!!!

[@martindavis3239]

I am a pretty solid bloke 86 y.o. and I find the traditional chair back rests tend to get in the way of my right elbow on occasions . Firstly I didn't realize that there was seat already available [I live in QLD AU } . Secondly Re the shape of the seat it would be best IMHO if it was more ergonomically shaped. I am like you after a 45-60 minute practice session I usually break for 20-30 minutes because of back ,neck and most likely old age problems. Very instructive and helpful video Jay.

[@paoloalbano4690]

Great video, Jay ! Bth I'm really looking forward to study your Melodic Etudes I have just purchased. 😊

[@bettersax]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@richiegomez2769]

My issue is arthritic thumbs. And that looks like it would help,,,,a lot! I mean theSax Seat. Very cool.

[@xrgiok]

I love your swab kit!

[@mohammadsartagh6829]

WOW verey nice and lovely sweet girl good playing...GOOD Job I liked so much....

[@DynamixWarePro]

I have back problems so I bought a Saxhlolder a few years ago (the original version) and while it has taken the weight of my neck and makes playing the saxophone more comfortable, I have issues when I sit or bend down and I have to constantly re adjust the stomach rest and shoulder arms which I do not like. While I haven't tried one of those Keyleaves thumb rests, I have tried a few different Woodstone type II thumb hooks on my Yanagisawa AWO2 alto saxophone and noticed that the weight and position of them has affected how the low notes come out for me and I found with with original thumb hook, the saxophone played the best in the low notes.

[@knndyskful]

Congrats on your daughter playing the Sax for the first time 👏 🎷

[@tclark2302]

I'm not going to lie. That Bolero looks very intriguing. But also very interested in the new lesson.

[@kenjarczyk8535]

Thanks for another very interesting video! On the Sax Chair - does it only afford “in front” playing? No chance of a support off to the side of the player?

[@bettersax]

Yes you can put the little sax seat anywhere you want. I just play in front.

[@tmcnelis]

I'm generally anti-gimmick, anti-consumerist in all aspects of life, but the Sax Holder is really what makes it possible for me to play the tenor. It's much less restrictive than a harness and you don't feel the weight at all. Yeah, it looks a little robotic, but I don't mind. The only issue is that you have to be careful bending over with the sax on because it can come off of your shoulders.

[@barisaxx4493]

I use Sax Holder every day. For my Bari, I use nothing else-non ideal but by far the best harness I have tried. Also own a Sax Seat. Also a good tool for the Bari especially for rehearsal. Agree with your criticism of the seat pan and tempted to try the arm with other options. The real snake oil is that silly heavy neck screw (featured in your other video). That is a poor man’s version of cryogenic treatment.

[@dimitriosavouris8453]

"How about a smaller saxophone?" Brilliant

[@katoniofm]

1:35 Thanks for the video! Just wanted to know why you don’t recommend reading chord changes?

[@arthurschwieger82]

Back when I started learning sax, it was on bari. At the time, I was able to sit in a normal chair in the band room and the bari sat on the floor just at the right height. Unfortunately, I grew out of that quickly. With the reed renew, you could apply it to half of the reed to see if that side stayed better?

[@bettersax]

Hah that’s a good idea.

[@michaelrowe1907]

I use a Line trimmer harness with my tenor sax . It works with my height and size

[@grantkoeller8911]

Are you filming me? No Hahaha!!!!!

[@nicksavage4763]

I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR JAYS CLASSIC SAX TONE🎶 Might try the Vest strap And the 🎷Chair for home Studio And Carly,,,Your mouth will take some time to not get tired or sore. A dab Lip gloss or Flavored chap stik on your reed helps lips to not get rubbed raw. After you get past the awkward feel of the mouthpiece, Have some of dads recordings handy to Hear his tone to try and Copy his sound as closely as you can. Not a bunch of Fancy notes, just whole and half notes. Even 15 minutes a day will help but if you can Practice an hour each day the progress will come faster. Any mistakes, stop and start Over, if you learn mistakes will keep making them. You have the best of teachers I had myself. Only musician in the Family. Me and the Record player🎷away from band class. You’ll be Great IF your ❤️is in it. That same your Dad has for it. Be Great!

[@ranthony7180]

It was deja vu for me hearing Jay tell Carly not to puff her cheeks! When I began sax lessons in 1961, my teacher was always reminding me to not puff my cheeks. Whenever I see sax players on television playing with cheeks puffed out, I yell at the TV, "Don't puff your cheeks!!". Curiously, when I started out at age 8, I never had an issue with the palm keys, so I can't relate to this problem. I would be curious to know if the transition from hole plugs to keys presents any ergonomic or fingering problems in these young players. When Carly suggested a smaller sax, I was thinking "curved soprano" !

[@bettersax]

Yes that’s what she meant.

[@jurgenstrelizia9261]

I directly ordered the phone lyre. It’s the gadget I looked for very long and didn’t now it exists. I already scanned all my sheets and have to carry a lot of marching notes for Bari, Tenor and clarinet. So I can have all my sheets everywhere end every time on my phone.

[@grantkoeller8911]

For sax neck swab , use clarinet handkerchief swab

[@benl9993]

I feel like the sax seat would also be useful for bass clarinet players. I play with a bass clarinet player who has to use the clarinet bass as a stool because their peg isn't long enough. Does the stand part still work if you try to set it up so that you can still play the bari or tenor off to the side or will the instrument slide off? Even if it doesn't slide I think trying to play an open C# would be problematic.

[@claypufahl6074]

I’ve tried the reed renew! I think it may help keep the reed stable and from thinning out from drying out completely, but I was not a fan of the slightly odd taste the reeds adopted after treatment. I’d say the strength is more in keeping the reed stable than lasting longer, although I guess if it stays more stable I could see using it longer. But I couldn’t get past the odd taste.

[@bounderby99]

Idk how well it works (but it seems to work anyway), but I find a bit of Listerine useful. Also makes the reeds taste minty (solving the taste problem) 😂

[@enoffz8021]

I use Reed Renew on all of my cane reeds. The taste doesn't bother me, I rinse the reed before I play it. It's going to get wet anyways.

[@frankzona5459]

What is the brand of the stool you normally use? I could use one on certain gigs. Looks a lot better than my current cheap and uncomfortable stool.

[@bettersax]

K&M link in description.

[@grantkoeller8911]

For mouthpiece swab, use 12" X 12" piece of old 100 cotton t-shirt material.

[@marcelafisterova8803]

Hi, like your videos, I was thinking for a while about the reed renew product, can't find where I could buy one. Any advise???

[@minty_lint]

One issue with the saxseat is that it's HEAVY. Heavy enough that I don't take it to gigs if i'm playing baritone. I'll already have too much to bring to lug that beast around.

[@bettersax]

True it is very heavy. That’s why just the arm is a good way to go.

[@q12aw50]

I just stand when I play. That simple.

[@Mrtcoltpilot56]

It's been awhile, as I've been super busy. The prostate cancer surgery ended with some blood clots in legs and lungs. More practice to come to where I've been.

[@ItsWaks]

9:27 BetterSax Tenor reveal?

[@davidespalin700]

It sure looks like that tenor has a BetterSax logo on it haha

[@stephenwhitney2666]

How are you supposed to hold a saxophone without a thumb rest? Maybe on alto but playing bari I have to support a lot of weight with my thumb and it hurts after playing. I’m also thinking about getting an new bari harness but am reluctant to get one without play testing it (like ordering online) and my local music store has very poor options.

[@bettersax]

The thumb hook should not support any weight. The neck strap holds the sax. If you change the way you hold the instrument your thumb pain will likely subside.

[@stephenwhitney2666]

@@bettersax thanks for responding, your effort that you put into your videos pays off and the comments is appreciated by a lot of people. but the sax kinda falls away from my mouth, I’ll try getting a better harness as mine is prolly to loose and meant for a larger person than me.

[@tomaszszlapanski5988]

Hey Jay, another brill video. What about reedjuvinate container and natural Listerine. Since I have it reeds last for several months! Also, instead phone , a tuner could be clip on so keep the tunning up on comfortable position? Really like the bolero strap! Take care!

[@tomaszszlapanski5988]

@Bettersax.... Thank you

[@robstevens9590]

I usually play my reeds for a long time, but I'm curious if the Reed Renew could make them last even longer. When I play alto & soprano a regular neck strap is sufficient, but if I start playing tenor the Bolero Harness would definitely be something to consider. Most of the comfortable sax straps are pretty ugly. Cute daughter!

[@artgutierrez5745]

Where do you get the sax arm? This is genius!

[@ekaufman4800]

I have a sax seat. I don't use the sax holder arm, I think I'm too short, was never able to adjust it correctly. But I love the chair!

[@thesunalsorise]

I am 5’4” short, but I am able to adjust the sax holder for tenor sax on my right side. I hope you can adjust yours.

[@EliahHoliday]

Curious what the reed renew liquid is composed of. On a different note, wondering if you've tried the BG France leather yoke strap? Seems like it would more evenly distribute weight away from the neck and thus be more comfortable but I do wonder about the potential bulkiness of the strap.

[@SaxSpy]

essential oils

[@lukekelley3093]

@Bettersax... don’t talk to this guy he’s a scammer impersonating bettersax

[@jscottdalton4970]

Question: On the K&M stool you are using, is the seat portion the swivel type or stationary? (And reasons to favor one over the other?) If it is the swivel type, does the sax seat arm swivel with the seat? Thanks in advance! PS looks like a bit of a motorcycle seat shape. Is this more comfortable for you than the round for longer sessions? And how are the ergonomics of the motorcycle seat shape as it relates to holding various sized saxophones? :-) your insight is very appreciated!!!!

[@opaulofranco]

I got making my reeds last 3x longer by simply washing them with soap every time I finish playing (or at least by the end of the day).... a tooth brush and dishes detergent, that's it.

[@lyntedrockley7295]

Jay, try this. Dilute some PVA to a milky consistency. Let an old blownout reed soak in it overnight. Dry it out. Now try it. It puts the spring back. Try different consistencies of PVA and multiple soakings. The reed may need light sanding to smooth out any raised grain for comfort. Easy done with a small plastic food dish, soak several saved used reeds and get a lot more use out of them. I want to try this with an acrylic based solution. Like a sort of varnish. Anyone know what they used on the Rico Plasticovers?

[@cherylmgschaefer]

Do you have a video or photos of a woman trying the Bolero harness? There are a few others I haven't used because they look a little vulgar on my frame. I trade off between the JazzLabs SaxHolder you showed and the Vandoren Universal Harness. Pluses and minuses to them: V is harder to get on, but stores/carries well, good for doubling. JL without the sax weight it pushes up on my chin and I can't play other instruments and sometimes gets caught in my hair taking it off, but it's much cheaper and more straight-forward to use. I generally use V when standing or doubling and JL when sitting.

[@saxman7131]

I bought your swabs and they are great.

[@allanjmcpherson]

I like the palm key removal kit, though I also kind of have mixed feelings. It is a bit of a challenge, but I've yet to have a student really seriously struggle with them. And I will say that the palm keys force a good hand position. I have to work way harder to get my students consistently curving their right hand fingers.

[@maccarryn]

Have you tested those little devices that are supposed strengthen your embouchure? Thanks

[@ВікторіяТеліженко-ж5з]

I once bought a pads renew extending serum on TaoBao and it good works. Pads really served longer. Does anyone know of something similar elsewhere?

[@reneschoon8428]

'how about a smaller saxophone?' lol

[@rickwilliams967]

The best gadget you could use is the one that takes it apart 😂

[@q12aw50]

I’m crying. Did we all sound that bad when we first played?

[@hyeldahumphrey39]

Awesome

[@xrgiok]

I hope your lil beaty will inherit your love for saxophone!

[@collinboyce4007]

The sax lyre may be good to see mouth to ensure no movement.

[@arnaudchasset8024]

Not agree about the 5/10 on the "lyre" for smartphone, used with Tomplay and Bose S1 in bluetooth, for me it's juste a perfect combo...

[@jrgenhernborg5624]

Care to introduce us to the Better Sax Tenor Sax?

[@j3ff232]

Hey Jay I love your content but can we start seeing more soprano content like improving your sound or getting low notes out without gurgling? Or just seeing soprano sax content in general?

[@bettersax]

Noted!

[@DouglasHampton]

A bell fan? Jeez. I just keep all the desiccant packets I get in medications, etc., and put them everywhere in my case. Especially in the ends of mouthpieces, the tenon end of the horn and crook (I play Bari). I use the Key Leaves thumb rest. It's brilliant. Holding my bari is much more comfortable, and I can move more comfortably while playing. I have the 3D printed plastic one, but I'm thinking about upgrading to the carbon fiber one, in lieu of them not having a silver plate one. (My bari is a Thomann Pro Series in silver plate)

[@KeyLeaves]

Silver coming in the next couple months.

[@DouglasHampton]

@@KeyLeaves - Awesome! I will hold off and wait, then!

[@yoshitravelsjapan]

Is the better sax alto available for purchase in japan? If not, hopefully soon 😊

[@bettersax]

We are working on that. Hopefully soon!

[@yoshitravelsjapan]

@@bettersax thank you for the reply! I'd love to try it one day!

[@trainguy4265]

Is that a new Better Sax Tenor? You already made an Alto, but there’s a Tenor now?

[@omidsaxa.l.8207]

You are missing the best saxophone tool/gadget of all times : Mr PS Resonators by wonderful saxophone wizard Zhenya Strigalev.

[@MrGuto]

why did you give the Horn Blower a 3/10? it blows air through the sax as advertised, moving air faster, likely leading to faster drying. just curious what did you not like about it?

[@tylerm.8684]

Condensation needs to be removed, not dried. Dried condensation makes pads sticky.

[@MrGuto]

@@tylerm.8684 sure, but after you swab the sax, the pads are still humid. that's where I believe the Horn Blower would accelerate them drying out. specially if you store the sax in this condition on a closed case. it seems like a great product idea.

[@beckyn9338]

The sax seat looks interesting… especially being able to use the “stand” part on another seat. I checked out your favorite seat, but sheesh! A little out of my price range. And the seat part of the sax seat looks painfully uncomfortable to me! Too bad they don’t just sell the sax support part. Hmmm.

[@bettersax]

But they do just sell the arm. It attaches to any seat.

[@DakotaWillis-wk4pz]

Can you test the Mr ps resonator

[@alestesia]

I want that seat! My back is killing me...

[@TransformsIntoAGuitar]

I agree that harnesses don't look good. When I do a gig in a button-shirt I put the harness underneath. To play, I undo a button and pull the clasp out. Sadly, I haven't figured out a good-looking hack for when I play alto and tenor simultaneously.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Remember acoustic coils!! They were basically a McDonald's plastic straw cut in a spiral then inserted into a sax neck or trumpet lead pipe.

[@sumanthhejjaji6990]

Was there an Easter egg of the Bettersax Tenor?!

[@neiljewen5734]

was that a BetterSax tenor spotted in there???

[@Minikong4960]

Hes like the Bob Ross of sax