I can't make a sound on a saxophone?

Question

I play the French horn, trumpet, and mellophone. I'm teaching myself to play the saxophone. I have a book to help me with songs and such, but I can't make a noise..other than squeaks. Can you help?

Answer 1

sound on the saxophone is created by the reed vibrating.  I've never really gotten anything "pretty" out of a brass so I'm not sure what the comparison is.  Make sure you aren't holding the reed too tight, make sure you're supporting your breath and from what I understand, there's bound to be a lot of squeaking when you first start out.  Try practicing with just the mouthpeice for a little while and see what you can get out of it.

Answer 2

Ok, I just started sax so I know how u feel. First make sure the reed is the right way around. Make sure the side that has halk fat and half skinny of the reed is pointing out then put the twisty thing on, make sure the twisty thing is halfway down the mouthpiece. Tighten it up then make sure everythings attached. Make sure your mouth isn't far down the mouthpiece and blow pretty hard. Hope that helped ~RJ~

Answer 3

Are your front teeth placed on the plastic of the mouth piece? Is your bottom lip covering your lower front teeth and placed with slight pressure on the reed? is the reed placed on the mouth piece right? When you hold the mouthpiece and reed in front of you, is the tip of the reed and tip of the mouth piece seperated just a tad in distance wise? When you play are you applying to much pressure? Are you applying more pressure as you go up, and less as you go down, on the mouth piece and reed?

Answer 4

It is really hard to explain without actually demonstrating... but I will try to help you.   As already suggested,  you should just try practicing getting a sound with the mouthpiece.   You are going to need a #2 strength reed.   Since you are new that this,  try preparing the reed by first soaking it in a cup of water.   Let it set for about 5 minutes.  When the reed has softened up,  situate it on the mouthpiece and affix the ligature...  don't tighten it up too much... just enough to be able to feel that the reed is secure.  You with me?    Since you play the trumpet,  that is one plus for you because you are going to hold the mouthpiece pretty much straight out.  Now....  Say the letter O.   That is the correct position of a saxophone embouchure.  As your lips are in the O position,  carefully insert the mouthpiece whereas your lower lip protects the reed and your upper teeth set down or bite the upper portion of the mouthpiece.  Don't bite hard, just securely.   Now blow... from the diaphragm / stomch muscles...  hard...  and keep blowing until a sound comes out.  It will sound like a duck but that is correct.   After you make your first sound,  don't put it down.  Focus in on everything you are doing to acccomplish that sound amd rememeber it.    Also look in the mirror and see what the embouchure looks like in order to make the sound.  Continue for about 5 minutes and then come back to it later...  practice for 10 minutes about 3 times a day.  I wish I could know if this was helpful and if you were able to make a sound.  Good Luck and don't give up.