Is this $40 saxophone worth it? (Xaphoon unboxing/review)

Since everyone has been asking, here's the link to the Xaphoon: amzn.to/3SKVsPP
Tin whistle: amzn.to/3UPXgbL
I've seen these cheap pocket saxophones floating around on the internet so I thought I would buy one and see how they actually play. Here's a little unboxing/review of the HiXing mini saxophone/Xaphoon. Thanks for watching!
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:32 The unboxing
2:28 First notes
3:15 Deciphering the fingering chart
4:01 How do you go up an octave?
4:24 Putting my own mouthpiece/reeds on
4:59 I can growl on it lol
5:54 Does it fit in my pocket?
6:03 Trying to play iconic saxophone solos on it...
6:47 Should you buy one?
7:25 La Vie en rose cover
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Behind the scenes from gigs, saxophone lessons, and other bonus content is on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/foolishfrankie
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⚙️Gear:
My alto mouthpiece: syos.co/en-us/products/alto-s...
Reeds: amzn.to/2LK01WS
This video contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission when purchases are made through the links above which helps me buy reeds🤗

[@FoolishFrankie]

I'm surprised at how many people have been asking for the link but here you go: amzn.to/3SKVsPP

[@fishfinatic7434]

Iv seen these played like a pro probably by folk that have used them before but seeing you play on this reed instrument and learning it as you play along gives me hope that I’ll get the hang of mine too 😂

[@mogroable]

I bought one and it was a disaster. Played way tougher than a real saxophone and the fingering is very unlike any other instrument. My advice: buy a real sax. Lookes nicer, plays way easier!

[@Dave-Rough-Diamond-Dunn]

@@mogroable I played one for about a year, then bought a tenor sax, and a soprano sax, as they too are in Bb. I don't know what you're talking about, the fingering is the same! Everything I learnt to play on the HiXing Sax, swapped straight over to the real saxes, not a problem.

[@ragedrc]

bro frankie i just graduated and my parents got me a yamaha bari sax to take to college and im so excited, im so lucky to have parents that support my dream and i wanted to share this moment with you, anyway im gonna watch this banger new foolishfrankie video now

[@FoolishFrankie]

Wow that’s awesome congrats!! It’s definitely awesome to have parents like that! Hope you enjoy:)

[@ragedrc]

@@FoolishFrankie hilarious video as usual

[@alexcarter8807]

I think I speak for most people when I say I love the sound of the bari sax.

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

How long has it been since you took the baritone out of its case? I'm looking to buy one.

[@willhunt7355]

Nice version of La Vie en Rose! The sound of the instrument matches the mood of that song somehow...works for that one!

[@LS-ku9jx]

Appreciate this review. I so want one of these mini-sax type instruments to be the real deal (meaning, a decent instrument that sounds good and is legit comparable to the full size) but thanks for saving me a decent chunk of change on a “saxmonica”, the brand I was looking at. At this point I’m going to have to trust the negative reviews.

[@danw1955]

Interesting beast.. I never worked with woodwind instruments much, but I do know overall length and hole size & positioning is critical. Obviously a decent mouthpiece and reed make a huge difference as well.😉 La Vie en Rose actually turned out really nice considering what you're working with!😍

[@Hurr1kain56]

It looks like a mix of a saxophone and a recorder 😂😂😂 good job BTW!👍

[@FoolishFrankie]

That’s an accurate description!!😂 thanks for watching!

[@dank980]

and sounds like a saxophone clarinet

[@chasmonaghan521]

Sounds like a coyote choking on a recorder 😂

[@MiCuentadeYouT]

That's exactly what it is, but the point is the originals are made of wood and they sound hundred times better. I hope he get's an original one, because they sound really beautiful and he would make great music with it. I am sure.

[@Headhunter_212]

4:50 sounds like Nifty Brandvein plays Xenakis’ suite for Klezmer Bassoon. Ouch.

[@MrKeys-fv6bi]

WHATS UP DUDE!!! I haven’t been here in a while, but it’s cool your startin to do these type of vids now man ! I’ve also gotten better at sax!! Yay! Great video dude!

[@FoolishFrankie]

YO it’s good to see you!! That’s awesome that you’re improving! Thanks so much for watching:)

[@muzkat101]

Funny, I managed to get a set of these; all hand-made from bamboo; four different sizes, and I forgot from where exactly (from some South Pacific Island, but off of eBay). However, when set up with good Selmar mouthpieces and quality reeds, they all ended up sounding pretty good. As a Bamboo sax goes, it is not a Saxophone, but something more like a flute but with a Sax sound. Given time, you can play some good tunes on them. So, I wouldn't scoff at them until you given'em a deep dive. They are different, but they do have their good qualities if played right.

[@mite3133]

5:54 - 6:00 was just GOLD 😂

[@tiko-]

I went down a miniature reed instrument rabbit hole and the 3-key chalumeau is my favorite, it's like half of a clarinet with a surprisingly deep sound. The original Xaphoon (with the built in mouthpiece and tenor sax reed) sounds OK, but the embouchure is really weird and fingerings awkward. Let's just say I really learned to appreciate the Boehm system after trying a bunch of tiny instruments. Turns out keys are good.

[@1171karl]

I play guitar and keyboards badly. I've always fancied trying sax but can't warrant the few hundred quid for a beginners instrument when I might not even have the patience to stick with it. I thought this might be the solution, but now I've watched I'm less sure... maybe stick to the guitar and keys!

[@andrejwalilko634]

Great review, exactly what I needed to know! Tin whistle it is LOL

[@FoolishFrankie]

Glad it was helpful!!

[@zangsax]

The Xaphoon was invented and refined by a talented musician. Make sure you get the real deal and not an inferior copy. I know the inventro/developer and he cares and doesn't need to get ripped off by inferior copies.

[@FoolishFrankie]

I’ve heard people play the original online and it still doesn’t do it for me. But to each their own

[@zangsax]

I've got one and don't play it much because Ive got 6 flutes 7 saxes and 5 clarinets to deal with but Brian plays the Hell out of it@@FoolishFrankie

[@BreathEmpowerment]

Let's be honest, the mouthpiece shape of the original Xaphoon is not fun if you're a real sax player. I get that it makes the manufacturing process easier, but it really makes me not want to play it :/ I'm considering getting one this style because of it

[@DJ_TideWave]

Man, you’re so funny! 😂 Nice job getting some sounds out of this instrument! 😊

[@kairinase]

Glad I watched this video before buying one!

[@MadHatter722]

i want one lol was in band for a bout a year but when moved to a new school they had already been playing for years so i gave up never picked up another one this makes me want to try

[@jeff15011]

Wow! Wrestling that noise stick and managing to squeeze out the nice cover was impressive.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@spaceperson3588]

Love it. You should do a review of the goldstar bamboo sax, I got one a few months ago and it basically seems like a way better version of this with a 9 hole fingering using only one thumbhole and both pinky fingers instead of this one, which seems like a sopilka's fingerings except missing the left pinky.

[@user-bs1fd9nj5s]

First of all, I would like to thank you from my heart. I was interested in saxophone, looking for quality and came across your clip. You played it well. Thank you for practicing it to give me the encouragement to play saxophone. The real phone is quite expensive for me. I'm from Thailand. Hello.

[@FoolishFrankie]

🥺❤️

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

Good job dude , all you need a basket with a snake now 🤣 I’m amazed you could play it so well 👍

[@kennethhymes9734]

Sounds like a plastic clarinet with the inside scuffed up... or something. I am impressed you got anything out of it in the end.

[@ericmyrs]

I got one of those back in the day, when they were made out of a single bamboo piece with integrated mouth piece. It was extremely temperamental. But it was cheap.

[@tc5425]

Excellent job! Thanks for the video!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks for watching!

[@Radioactivhuntr]

HEY MAN I LOVE YOUR VIDS been watching since 250 subs 👍

[@FoolishFrankie]

Hey thanks so much I appreciate it!🙏🏻

[@Radioactivhuntr]

@@FoolishFrankie cant wait that big 10k!!!

[@franciscousin6625]

Could you please share a video showing the how the notes of that pocket sax are from A to G? I’d really appreciate that. Thank you!

[@rebeccaabraham8652]

The xaphoon was the original and is an all-in-one instrument (apart from the reed) - and is great fun! I've just bought a very similar device to what you're playing (which is very close to the xaphoon but has a cheap alto mouthpiece) - and my initial reaction was that the mouthpiece is 'wierd' as I can get a lovely sound from the xaphoon but so far (2 days) I've only managed to get a low note once! I guess it's just practice... and maybe turnng the tenon down a bit so I can use a proper alto mouthpiece.

[@alexcarter8807]

So you can get a great sound from an actual xaphoon but only a low note from the cheap knockoff?

[@rebeccaabraham8652]

@@alexcarter8807 Nah - it's the high notes that come easy... the low notes are harder. However - switching to a Rico 1 1/2 reed has made it more playable - so it's possible I've got to relearn how to play an alto mouthpiece after spending so many years playing the xaphoon.

[@organist1982]

You're already an excellent musician, so you know what adjustments to make so that at least the bottom octave sounds pretty passable, but it might make some beginners think that they, too, could make it sound that decent!

[@FoolishFrankie]

To be fair, with enough practice they can!

[@mydogsareneat]

HEY its wedding jazz sax guy ! Love you! ❤

[@seanfaherty]

I got a xaphoon. I’m not the best with it but it’s a chromatic instrument that is light and fits in your pocket. Good for camping. A little Xaphoon and the bears stay away.

[@BreathEmpowerment]

As long as they don't want to eat you for making that noise 😂

[@seanfaherty]

@@BreathEmpowerment I had one watching me run a chainsaw yesterday. I’m starting to think it’s not the noise that keeps them away but their love of music

[@mc-ec3bu]

Have it put down it's the kindest thing to do.

[@nicolaisvendsen7101]

Man, I was considering one of these. I still might, since they're cheap and gives me something different to try. Thanks for the review!

[@rakninja]

my friend, someone stuck a reed on a recorder, and added a second thumb hole. you can get a really decent plastic recorder for $9-10, though the fingering would be a little different for a sax player... a clarinet would have a much easier time adapting, i've heard.

[@karltolentino7991]

i have this intstrument and i use the recorder keys and chords, works pretty well for me tho

[@KalujaFlizck]

I love the sound.

[@jazldazl9193]

Actually there would be a huge market for this if it worked. Hell the Xaphoon has probably made big already

[@FineEngineer]

i met a guy traveling in 1984 that had one of these, so they have been in production for some time now. I think once you learn the quirks it makes a decent traveling sax-equivalent.

[@lukeparsons1187]

Like most pocket and smaller sized instruments.. great for writing music in a pinch or on the go or fiddling around with “fire side”.. but never as good as a full size.

[@BallupKori]

Yooo, rock on bro. It sounds like Squidward on his clarinet 😎🔥

[@saxophonistscorner]

how would it sound with an oboe reed?

[@communityband1]

I would say recorders are a smoother transition to and from sax, clarinet and flute than tin whistle. Recorders are great because they're fully chromatic and have over two octaves of range.

[@Jax675]

so do tin whistles

[@communityband1]

@@Jax675 You can kind of hack chromatic notes on tin whistle, but they really aren't designed or precise for this like recorders. And their range is pretty much limited to 2 octaves. Recorders are designed for chromatic play and have at minimum 2 octaves and a minor third. Two and a half octaves is common, and some modern recorders have fingerings for 3 octaves.

[@julianbrelsford]

Been playing pennywhistle for ~3 decades. The trick to chromatic notes on is half-holes; I'd say it's actually very capable of playing in ridiculous keys (like playing in the key of e flat on a d whistle). The person who said you can play more than two octaves is technically correct but in practice that's basically wrong. A D whistle can go up to B in the second octave and still sound good. Beyond that the volume is truly ear-splitting and nobody wants to listen to that. If everyone is far enough away to listen to you playing higher than that and not hate your guts, they also probably can't even hear the bottom 5 notes. Also, as the person playing you should wear earplugs to avoid hearing loss.

[@karlgw]

I don't know about this instrument, but genuine Xaphoons (this isn't one) are also fully chromatic (indeed fully microtonal as it's possible to reach not only all the semi-tones, but all the notes in between), and also cover 2 octaves (C4 to C6) and a bit more at each end at a push, but they are one octave lower than a similar sized recorder

[@polygonalmasonary]

Top marks for sticking with it 👍🇬🇧♥️🙏🌈

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻

[@kintorey1195]

Very good review ^_^

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you:)

[@garygreen7552]

A recorder with a reed? The fingering seems to resemble a recorder. On those the left thumb hole can be an octave key by opening it half way (half-hole). Right hand has two holes for the little finger. for C and C#. Have fun.

[@robomatrix4582]

the pocket sax, looks like something from the original dune series, from the fifties. I'd like to hear the ocarina of time theme, played on that thing, because it looks like something link would play in either tears of the kingdom or breathe of the wild.

[@komiczar]

Rhe 2 holes2ar the bottom could be for hanging the instrument after rinse after playing it.

[@Steve-ps4bk]

Where did you get la vie en rose backing track please?

[@phenixorbitall3917]

Was it amazing grace you played? 5:46 and 6:30 and 7:33 sounded legit to me though Have you destroyed these reeds already? I what plant them in the ground to see if trees grow out of them - 😋👍

[@dreamsmusicacademy2035]

Sounds like it would be a beast in New Orleans jazz.

[@davidcrumpler5714]

Seems to work better in lower registers.

[@Salsuero]

Seems like a saxinet to me. How are the fingerings compared to a clarinet? Because it reminds me way more of my clarinet days than alto saxophone.

[@Teckno77]

05:16 - that was almost a Ron Burgundy Jazz flute Ugggghh ha ha

[@artemi-music]

thanks for your overview

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks for watching!

[@squishycrab6330]

It almost sounds good bc ur playing it ❤

[@JohnDoeL337]

my cat left the living room at the covers :)))) man, no disrespect; tx for this review I'm sure I couldn't pull a note :)) let alone a cover attempt

[@maxpage9388]

I have a Yamaha venova which is like the closest thing to this that I can think of. It looks pretty crazy lol

[@ArwinvanArum]

The actual Xaphoon is munch better, but I didn’t go over the base octave. I never played an actual sax though.

[@franklee3800]

Thanks mate. You saved me $50.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Glad I could help!

[@BeachBoi1000]

The fingering is not the same as alto saxophone. So it’s a no for me. Thanks for the review!😊

[@TheElectronicEngineer]

The demo in the end was not so bad...at all lol

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

I've got a Nuvo Dood, how do I learn it?

[@GermanGreetings]

It`s a Schalumeau... ? in Sicily there is a traditional Instrument called Sampogna. Two versions exist: As a bagpipe with borduns and two `flute`-pipes - and the grandfather of that, called `Zampogna` as well: One piece of Bambus with holes like a flute and a single blade, being covered by both lips forming an `O` , when played. it`s archaic... but sounds like a Sax as well.

[@ms101289]

You make it sound very nice

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@OliverMilligan-ov1sy]

Put the read in a blender then put the reed dust in your food ther is already saw dust in a lot of your food

[@user-ey1ge6pv3l]

What tune is 6:30?

[@echoftw]

Man I got a real wood one of these for Christmas after begging for it as a kid and boy did it suck. I felt so bad because my dad went to some lengths to get the thing... The toneholes were laid out a bit different (this had to be like 2007ish). The left hand was impossible to play for any human shaped hand. The thumb hole aligned with the middle finger instead of index, and you had to stretch your index finger up high on the instrument and almost cover the hole at an angle. Also had to use 4 fingers for both hands. It also didn't take a mouthpiece, the reed went right onto the instrument. Man that thing sucked lol. Even the Venova is better and that's saying something!!

[@thesaxman]

Good attempt at La Vien Rose….I also play sax and penny whistles, which are much more compatible and in the pocket, actually I have D & an A whistles sewn into little pockets of my backpack for improptu playing at any time.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ooo that’s awesome!

[@julianbrelsford]

Agreed, his rendition of La Vi En Rose was great. I'm sure he'd sound even better on a proper sax 😉

[@davidscher4303]

Great zoot horn

[@grendlsma]

Yeah, I bought one years ago. Never could get a decent sound out of it.

[@Ianthe22]

It's more like a flute right?

[@lenval555]

Very cool, but where did u get that? i want that exact same, is there a closer description, or Serial Number?

[@FoolishFrankie]

amzn.to/3SKVsPP

[@MrJazzPurr27]

I have one I need to practice with it

[@zzausel]

Some are inspired, so they will train hard, take some wind and sound greater than a sax player.

[@joaqueim5201]

I kinda feel like that pocket sax wasn't being done justice because you used some Chinese off-brand xaphoone. Go with the brand name zaphoon created by Brian Wittman. It might sound better

[@FoolishFrankie]

I bought a middle of the road one, not the cheapest but not the most expensive. I watched videos of people playing the more expensive ones and they didn’t sound different enough for me to justify the extra money imo🤷‍♂️

[@kylestubblefield6082]

It is a testament to the ability of the musician, that he can make a piece of refuse sound decentish.

[@FoolishFrankie]

😂😂🙏🏻

[@barbarahaimowitz5635]

I am waiting for mine. Looks like it coming from Spain. Not so expensive. Play recorders and some clarinet. What Syos mouthpiece do you have? I play jazz and klezmer on piano and want to add this to my arsenal, if it sounds halfway decent. There were three Syos mouthpiece choices that popped up for jazz and klezmer and alto sax. Need some advice, once I have the 3L 4R fingering down. Thanks much!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Mine is my signature model, I think it’s linked in the description, I hope you enjoy yours!

[@barbarahaimowitz5635]

@@FoolishFrankie thanks, if I need more help when I receive the Xaphoon, I will reach out.

[@exsaxpommernjung]

Isn’t that Chalumeau?

[@tombob671]

Sounds like my 1961 Orville Wright Jr. High band. When they played we laughed

[@siggyretburns7523]

Its a frikken recorder with a reed mouthpiece. Lol

[@chrisblenkinsopp8588]

I think you made it sound rather good...after all, it's only $40!

[@mindshelfpro]

The fingering looks like a simple recorder that I played in primary and secondary school

[@augustoleal6022]

Hello...The other instrument that you recommend in "Should you buy one?" part ... Can u send the link or the name? Thank you

[@FoolishFrankie]

amzn.to/3UPXgbL

[@Poom290827]

Please try to review (Flat sax) thanks

[@melaniebrueggemann5637]

I guess I would name that tune „At Last“ ;)

[@Tscharlieh]

The fingering is quite counter-intuitiv, difficult to learn, at least if you come from flute, clarinet and sax…I actually have the wood, handmade older version with the mouthpiece fixed to it. Seems at least the positions of the fingers have been improved.

[@glenyswana1128]

It’s awesome

[@FoolishFrankie]

Some people really like it!

[@mattkidroske]

I kinda like the stuffy sound, I think it could be used in a cool way. Too bad everything else about it sucks lol

[@kerauang]

awesome

[@joelspaulding5964]

Interesting instrument. Sounds more like a sax than a clarinet, interestingly. Worth 40 bucks for me to mess around on.

[@lauriefrancisco1084]

I don’t play any woodwind instruments, but still an interesting video, and you did a good job with the demonstration!

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@pigpen5145]

I am an old sax player from way back. I played in a rock band, in my foolish youth. I doubled on tenor and alto. We actually had two female singers who were sisters, and were both fantastic which is how we managed to do so much better than the local " bar bands". I played a Yamaha tenor and a Buescher student model alto. My mouthpiece for the alto was a Selmer graphite, I don't remember the model but it was very open. For my tenor I chose a Brilhart Levelaire, in I think a C but I used the baffle. I ended up going to a Vandoren Java reed. I started with a 2.5, but after I bit through one during a gig, I went to a 3. lol.

[@nicthomas8064]

My guess is 502 blues(drinkin and drivin 4:58)

[@millsinaz4220]

I bought one years ago and "played" it less than 5 minutes before I stuffed it in the closet. It has never surfaced again. The reeds make good ice cream scoops for eating Ben & Jerry's.

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL

[@robinfra52]

Those reeds might make good guitar neck shims.

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Short people could glue them to the bottoms of their shoes, though.

[@grannyjack1]

Ha….the beginning of the Star Wars bar theme was pretty good…

[@DrinkCola]

yes yes yes

[@johncheek2207]

Would a soprano mouthpiece work any better?

[@FoolishFrankie]

I don’t think it would fit on the cork

[@WilliamWallaceRoss]

It is like playing the Irish Tin Whistle and that is why I gave up. Tried the Recorder and could not play that either. I guess that is why they only charge $40...lol.

[@FoolishFrankie]

😂😂

[@fredneedle123]

I'll keep my money in my.poxket and not replace the money with the pocket sax. Seems like a lot of rubbish. Thanks for this great video.

[@markraciborski4289]

Wow, at times, it sounds like that Star Wars band that knows one tune, played by the first day ever of 6 grade band practice. Quite the accomplishment. 😂

[@adamchurvis1]

I hated my neighbor, so I gave his ten year old son one of these and told him to "Practice, practice, practice the song 'Pop Goes the Weasel'" until he got it perfect, at which time I would give him $100. I could hear him through the walls constantly squeaking and rattling the reed, playing that infernal song over and over and over again -- all the while his father forced to listen. Long story short, it drove daddy crazy and he left his family. Good for me! The kid's mom ended up with some college athlete who liked older women... and it was ON! Now the kid plays Pop Goes the Weasel when he hears his new stepdad approach orgasm (the two rooms are right next to each other). Sometimes he hits it right on the mark and then stops playing. I welched on the hundred bucks by telling him I'd pay him TWO hundred if he could also learn to play It's a Small World After All. By the time I'm done, there's gonna be a little kid running around playing the pocket sax and driving everyone insane. And now for the real kicker. You know what that little kid's name was? Benny Goodman. Coincidence?