Saxophone FAQ
Which saxophone should you choose? How do you maintain your instrument? What is the difference between a Supreme and a Signature? Find here the answers to your questions about the saxophone and learning to play it.
Choosing your saxophone
At what age can one start playing the saxophone?
There is no strict age requirement for starting the saxophone, as it remains a relatively accessible instrument.
However, it is preferable for a child to have their permanent teeth, as well as sufficient size and strength to hold the instrument and reach the keys comfortably. This is generally the case around the age of 7 for an alto saxophone.
Is a Selmer Paris saxophone suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! A professional instrument is not more difficult to play for a beginner — quite the opposite. It is generally more reliable, more in tune, easier to produce sound with, and more comfortable to play.
In reality, the qualities sought by beginner and professional musicians are essentially the same.
Which saxophone is best for jazz?
A good instrument offers the ease and flexibility needed to approach all musical styles. It is the player who shapes the instrument’s sound, not the other way around.
The Axos, Series II, Signature, and Supreme models are renowned for their versatility and are used in jazz as well as classical music, pop, or contemporary music. Each model has been designed by and for musicians from a variety of musical backgrounds.
What is the difference between sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass saxophones?
When Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone, he immediately envisioned a complete family of instruments, even larger than the range we know today. Only the B-flat and E-flat instruments remain, from sopranino to bass
The main difference between these instruments is their size and therefore their range: the larger the instrument, the lower the pitch it produces, much like a double bass sounds lower than a violin.
What is the difference between a student saxophone and a professional saxophone?
A professional saxophone is designed to meet a particularly high standard of excellence in terms of intonation, projection, flexibility, ease of response, evenness, and mechanics. Its manufacture requires specific expertise and extensive development time.
What's the difference between the various Henri SELMER Paris models?
Versatile and instantly familiar, the Super Action 80 Series II is a historic reference, prized for its ergonomics and balanced sound.
As an entry-level professional model, the Axos is a simplified version of the Series II. It retains the acoustic qualities and projection of its predecessor while benefiting from the same manufacturing and design standards.
The Signature saxophones represent the evolution of the Super Action 80 Series II (alto) and Series III (tenor), improving intonation and mechanical fluidity while asserting a distinctive Art Deco aesthetic.
The Supreme was designed from an entirely new foundation. Thanks to extensive research and major innovations, it offers unprecedented intonation, completely redesigned ergonomics, and exceptional freedom of expression.
Playing tips
How do you tune a saxophone?
Before tuning, play for a few minutes to warm up the instrument and stabilize its temperature.
Use a tuner and set A (440–442 Hz) as your reference pitch.
Depending on your instrument:
- With an alto or baritone saxophone (in Eb): play F#
- With a soprano or tenor saxophone (in Bb): play B
Tuning is adjusted using the mouthpiece:
- If the pitch is too low, push the mouthpiece further in.
- If the pitch is too high, pull the mouthpiece out slightly.
How to get a good saxophone embouchure?
A good embouchure begins with the right amount of mouthpiece in your mouth: place your lower lip slightly forward of the point where the reed meets the mouthpiece. Your lip then forms a small cushion between the teeth and the reed, allowing it to vibrate freely. The upper teeth rest on top of the mouthpiece, approximately 1 cm from the tip.
The embouchure must be airtight, with no air leakage, by drawing the corners of the mouth inward around the mouthpiece. The jaw applies moderate pressure:
- Too much pressure prevents the reed from vibrating
- Too little pressure makes the sound unstable
A good embouchure is both firm and relaxed.
How can I improve my intonation?
Good intonation depends on listening skills and sound control. Practicing with a tuner helps develop accurate pitch awareness, especially through:
- Long tones
- Slow scales
It also depends on:
- Breath support
- Embouchure
- Voicing (Oral cavity shape)
How can I improve my saxophone sound?
Tone production relies on a balance between breath support, embouchure, and listening. Well-supported airflow produces a stable and rich sound, while a relaxed embouchure prevents unnecessary tension.
Long-tone practice is essential for developing a centered, even, and controlled tone.
Voicing — the use of the tongue and throat — directly affects the color and projection of the sound.
Listening to and imitating reference players is also a fundamental exercise
Why does my saxophone sound out of tune?
Several causes are possible, and the instrument itself is not always the issue.
The most frequent ones:
- Embouchure too tight (pitch too high)
- Insufficient breath support (pitch too low)
- Unstable voicing
The instrument also has its own tendencies: some notes are naturally high or low.
The position of the mouthpiece is crucial:
- too far in: everything is too high
- not far enough: everything is too low
Maintenance & lifespan
How to care for your saxophone daily?
After each playing session, it is important to remove the moisture inside the instrument. Separate the body, neck, and mouthpiece, then run a swab through each part.
Also wipe the outside of the instrument with a soft microfiber cloth to remove perspiration residue, and store the instrument in a hard case to protect it from shocks and humidity.
How long does a saxophone last?
The lifespan of a saxophone depends on its manufacturing quality and the care it receives.
Henri SELMER Paris instruments are designed to last and to be passed down from generation to generation. Some models made in the 1920s are still played today. With regular servicing and replacement of wear parts, a saxophone can last nearly 100 years — or even longer.
This is particularly true for pre-owned instruments offered through the ReWIND service, which are fully serviced and adjusted by professional technicians.
How often should a saxophone be serviced?
An annual service is recommended for regular use. Intensive practices may require more frequent checks. Indeed, springs, pads and mechanisms evolve with time and variations in temperature or humidity.
Feel free to consult the list of our authorized dealers & repair shops.
Authenticity & Purchase
Where are Henri Selmer Paris saxophones made?
Henri SELMER Paris saxophones are designed and manufactured in France, at our historic factory in Mantes-la-Ville, where the heart of our craftsmanship has been concentrated for over a century.
Depending on the model, certain stages of production may also be entrusted to partner sites or subsidiaries trained to Henri SELMER Paris quality standards.
Before leaving our workshops, every saxophone is inspected and tested by a professional musician to ensure its acoustic qualities and mechanical reliability.
How can I recognize an authentic Henri SELMER Paris saxophone?
Each Henri SELMER Paris instrument is engraved with a unique serial number, which can be verified with our services. It identifies the model, date of manufacture, and sales history.
In addition, all our saxophones feature the Henri Selmer Paris logo along with the words “Made in France” engraved on the bell. This marking deserves particular attention: on counterfeit instruments, details such as the laurel leaves or typography may differ.
A dedicated article is available to help you identify an authentic instrument.
What is the difference between Henri Selmer Paris and Conn Selmer (Selmer USA)?
Originally, they were part of the same company. At the end of the 19th century, Henri Selmer’s brother, Alexandre, moved to the United States, where he helped promote the instruments made by his brother in Paris. Their success led to the opening of a shop in New York.
In 1910, Alexandre SELMER decided to return permanently to France and sold his company. Over time, it evolved into Conn-Selmer. The company continues to distribute Henri SELMER Paris instruments but also develops its own products, often student instruments, recognizable by their Gothic-style logo.
Conn-Selmer is therefore an independent American company that designs and manufactures its own instruments according to its own standards and production facilities, while Henri Selmer Paris designs and manufactures professional instruments in France.
Where can I buy a Henri Selmer Paris saxophone?
Our instruments are available through the many dealers in our international distribution network.
Pre-owned saxophones are also available online via rewind.fr, in our Paris showroom, and through selected partners.
Why choose a Henri Selmer Paris saxophone?
First and foremost, Henri SELMER Paris maintains a unique connection to the history of the saxophone. Today’s instruments are part of this century-old heritage, shaped by iconic models and musicians who profoundly influenced the history of music.
Secondly, instrument design is driven by continuous research and development. The goal is to create innovative instruments designed to support the musicians of today and tomorrow.
Manufacturing quality is also a cornerstone of the company. In Mantes-la-Ville, nearly 450 artisans perpetuate demanding craftsmanship, combining traditional techniques with technological precision.
Finally, these instruments retain their value remarkably well over time, and some even appreciate in value. They therefore represent a genuine long-term investment.
All About Mouthpieces
All About Reeds
