Saxophone Basics
First things first, you need to know the basics of a saxophone. This includes the construction, the materials used for making it, and the parts that are included. Let’s go over all of them one by one and in detail so that it’s easier for you to identify.
Construction
There are two different construction types of a saxophone: ribbed or non-ribbed. You will find that most of the saxophones available are ribbed, and this is preferred by professional players. The posts of these instruments are the knobs coming out of the body so that the user can hold the keys; the main difference between ribbed and non-ribbed lies between these posts. The posts that stand individually have been soldered onto the plates on the sax.
The primary purpose of the ribbed ones is to tighten the bond between the posts and the body so that the instrument stays adjusted for a longer time. Non-ribbed saxophones are not a bad thing either; they make excellent instruments for beginners to learn various tunes on. Plus, they are lighter than the ribbed ones, making sure that the grip is tight. Therefore, if you are a beginner, then you may want to consider going for a non-ribbed one, but if you care for professional ones that stick for a longer time, then you may want the ribbed one.
Materials
The primary material used for saxophones is yellow brass, but there are other materials available as well. The other materials include the likes of copper, sterling silver and bronze. You will find the brass ones to do the job and cost less than the other types of materials.
When a saxophone is made from something other than brass, a difference in the tune arises. Usually, the tone gets darker and a little more soulful. Also, you need to be very careful while handling such saxophones. They can get damaged a bit more easily. Usually, such materials are required and wanted by professional players who want to add a different tune to their sound.
When you talk about the finishing of a saxophone, you will find that the standard finishing used is clear lacquer. However, there are now many different colors and finishes that they are available in. The finishing does not have an impact on the sound of the instrument
Parts of the saxophone
