ALTO SAXOPHONE

REEDS:

* Please ask your director or private teacher for recommendations on the strength reed that you should purchase before placing your order. *

For most Marching Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble playing - 

Vandoren Traditional Alto Sax Reeds (Box of 10)

For Jazz Band - 

Vandoren JAVA Alto Sax Reeds (Box of 10)

UPGRADED INSTRUMENT COMPONENTS:

* These are highly recommended upgrades to the mouthpiece, ligature, and neckstrap typically included with a student model or rental alto saxophone. *

For most Marching Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble playing - 

Selmer Alto Sax Mouthpiece S80 C* 

Rovner Dark Alto Sax Ligature 

Neotech Soft Sax Strap with Swivel Hook

For Jazz Band - 

Vandoren SM812M A6 Medium Chamber V16 Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece 

Vandoren LC57DP Ligature and Plastic Cap for Alto Saxophone

Neotech Soft Sax Strap with Swivel Hook

“MUST HAVE” ACCESSORIES:

AP&M Alto Sax Mouthpiece Cap - ALL saxophonists should have a mouthpiece cap; please replace if lost or broken

Peak SMS32 Music Stand - recommended for all band students for use at home

Volkwein’s Instrument Care Kit for Alto Sax - contains some of the items listed below

Volkwein's Cork Grease

Hodge Silk Alto Sax Swab

Key Leaves Saxophone Pad Saver

D’Addario Reed Guard (good)

D’Addario Reed Storage Case with Humidity Control (better)

Yamaha Alto Sax End Plug

“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED” ACCESSORIES:

Protec Saxophone Thumb Saver

Faxx Sax Mouthpiece Patch 

Volkwein's Woodwind Mouthpiece Brush

Hercules Alto Sax Stand

Interested in upgrading your ALTO SAXOPHONE?

By the time students are in high school, they have likely played on the same student model or rental instrument for at least 4 years.  Just like in sports and in other activities, the demands of band increase as students progress, so students will most certainly benefit from playing on a higher quality instrument by the time they are a sophomore in high school.

However, before purchasing any new or used instrument, it is highly recommended that students and parents do the following:

1. First, speak to your band director and/or private instructor about the desire to purchase a new instrument and seek their recommendations / guidance.
2. Visit Volkwein’s Music in person, meet with one of the trained instrument salespeople, and test out several instruments before purchasing.

There is an overwhelming number of options available, including many very appealingly affordable instruments online.  Many of these instrument-shaped objects are extremely low-quality and are difficult to impossible to repair.  Therefore, the instrumental music staff at Norwin recommends that high school students consider the following Intermediate and Professional level instruments when purchasing a new or used instrument:

Intermediate - Yamaha YAS-62III Professional Alto Saxophone

Professional - Selmer Paris 52JU “Jubilee” Series II Professional Alto Saxophone

*Intermediate = high school student with intermediate-level skills who may continue playing their instrument after high school

*Professional = high school student with advanced-level skills who probably will continue playing their instrument after high school