What is the best Alto sax for a Marching/Concert Band?

Question

Im looking for an alto model or company that is the best for marching and for concert band.

Answer 1

Try the Selmer Paris or just a YAMAHA.

You just need to take care your sax during the seasons.

Or you can buy yourself a new one and use your old sax for Marching Season. Use the old one for Concert Band or Wind Ensemble.

=]

Answer 2

Are you a teacher?

If the school is paying for it, I wouldn't waste my money on marching saxes to be used in a concert band.  If you get caught in rain outside more than once, you'll just get sub-par instruments in your other ensembles.

I know other people will tell you good brands, but I'd seriously re-think how to allocate instruments for both ensembles if you don't want to compromise the quality of sound.

Answer 3

Hi M33...  Your answers are correct....   Not suppose to take a concert, competition horn out on the marching field...  ever!!  Now I know people do it, especially when they can't afford a crummy horn and a competition horn,  but if you can go looking around for any old $100.00 saxophone just for marching,  you will be ahead of the game...  Because,  during competition and concert seasons,  you will be playing against some people who have Yamaha 62s and 82s and Selmer SA 80's....  great pro horns.    Serious players  would never take their good horns out in the elements to be abused.   Getting a little cheap sax to march around with makes sense.  It is going to get bumped, and knocked and dented and dinged.  The pads are going to get hot and damp.  Not something you would want to play in a concert right?    Think about it and talk it over with your folks.    The brands I mentioned above are great for concert or competition and even college.  Armstrong, Conn, Buffet are good brands for marching and you can usually find one of these brands used for a good deal.