Buying an intermediate / step up saxophone

Buying an Intermediate / Step up Saxophone

Your biggest consideration in the purchase of a new/used saxophone is your budget. One might expect to spend between $800.00 and $2500.00. While there are some cost savings associated with buying a used saxophone, there is also a certain amount of risk involved. A used saxophone will most likely need to be adjusted and balanced see Repad.

Some brand names to look for:

Generally brand name instruments are your best choice. Some makers are: Buffet, Conn, Buescher, King, Leblanc, Martin, S.M.L., Jupiter, and Yamaha.

Features of the Intermediate / Step up Saxophone

Body

Today’s intermediate / step up saxophones are manufactured mainly from brass mixed with various alloys. This manufacturing refinement allows for ease of machining, and produces a solid instrument for the student, amateur, and road musician. However the intermediate / step up saxophone lacks the ability to produce the full tonal range of a professional saxophone due to the materials used in manufacturing.

Saxophones from bygone eras have different metallurgical properties. These older saxophones are often softer and do not stand up to the rigors of student use. However they have a more “interesting” sound.

The finish used for most saxophones is clear / gold lacquer and epoxy. Other finishes are becoming increasingly popular. The finish protects, preserves and can even ornament the exterior of the saxophone.

Post’s can be mounted directly on the saxophone body, or they may be mounted on a “rib”. Ribbed construction is recommended, as post and key mechanisms are fastened to the rib [a strip of metal attached to the tube] and not directly on the body tube itself. This construction assists with the alignment and strength of the saxophone’s mechanics.

The bow found at bottom of the saxophone should have a sturdy “bow guard” installed. This added layer of metal helps in preventing damage caused by every day “bumps & bruises”. Often the goose neck will have a similar reinforcement soldered to the bottom of the neck. This assists in keeping the neck in alignment.

Toneholes

Drawn and rolled toneholes are standard on all but a few “vintage” intermediate / step up saxophones models. This manufacture set up allows for many saxophones to be produced in a quick and efficient manner.

Testing the response

Keys

The key work on a step up / intermediate saxophone should to feel similar to the key work found on a professional saxophone. This is accomplished by installing “blue” steel springs.
Intermediate / Step up saxophones often have keys made of brass (gold appearance), or nickel plated brass (silver appearance). Any of these finishes are appropriate.

Most intermediate / step up saxophones will have a high F# key. Other features may include a tilting spatula. This feature allows for more natural feel for the left hand pinky finger.

Baritone saxophones should have a low A.

Most importantly the key work needs to fit the contour of the hands playing the saxophone. Try as many as you can.

Mouthpiece

The most common materials used for saxophone mouthpieces are plastic, hard rubber, and for the intermediate player metal. Most entry intermediate / step level saxophones include a basic, mass-produced plastic mouthpiece. Consider having it re-faced, or replace it with a professional mouthpiece. The advantage for the student / player is two fold: The instrument will sound better, and play with greater ease. Secondly, the time it takes to get accustom to a new mouthpiece can be lengthy, start with the best and stay there. For more information regarding mouthpieces click here.

Accessories

Accessories for the saxophone may include the following:

• mouthpiece, ligature, and protective cap
• neck strap
• cork grease
• oil for lubrication
• cleaning swab
• reed guard

Before you purchase, inquire if the accessories listed above are included in the purchase price.

Saxophone repair

Finally, a sturdy case that fits the contour of the saxophone is essential to ensure that your new companion remains safe and snug. Avoid storing your books / sheet music in the case. The case is designed to accommodate the shape of the saxophone, your books / sheet music can interfere with that design.

Do you have any questions…ask here

The Balanced Scale is a marriage of music and mechanics

Buying your step up clarinet

Buying a Step Up / Intermediate Clarinet

Your biggest consideration in the purchase of a new/used clarinet is your budget. One might expect to spend between $600.00 and $1800.00 for a step up / intermediate clarinet. While there are some cost savings associated with buying a used clarinet, there is also a certain amount of risk involved. A used clarinet will most likely need to be adjusted and balanced for your personal touch.

Some Brand Names to Look For

Generally brand name instruments are your best choice. Some makers are: Armstrong, Artley, Blessing, Buffet, Bundy, Noblet, Jupiter, Leblanc, Selmer, and Yamaha.

Features of the Step Up / Intermediate Clarinet

Body (plastic / hard rubber)

Step up / intermediate clarinets can be made of plastic / hard rubber, or wood. Plastic / hard rubber clarinets are quite durable, and tend to stand up better to the daily rigors of student use. The body of the plastic / hard rubber clarinet is not affected by changes in relative humidity and climate; this attribute makes the plastic / hard rubber clarinet the ideal choice for students and professionals who perform outdoors.

Body (wood)

Wood clarinets are generally made of African Grenadilla wood, and provide a warmer, more practiced sound than a plastic / hard rubber clarinet. However, this advantage is offset by the discipline needed to maintain and care for the wood clarinet. The wood clarinet experiences contraction / expansion due to changes in temperature and humidity. While the contraction / expansion of the body occurs, the posts and key work will move as well. This situation makes for loose and binding keys.

Typical causes for this phenomenon are:

• infrequent practice schedules
• long periods of non-use
• forgetting the clarinet in a hot / cold car
• leaving damp cleaning swabs in the case

The Bore

At the step up / intermediate level, modifications to the bore (the inside of the clarinet) begin to appear. Actions such as “undercutting” refer to the removal of sharp edges caused during the machining of toneholes. This extra step assists with intonation and response.

Keys

Step up / intermediate clarinets often have keys made out of an alloy called German silver. German silver is made from copper, zinc, and nickel. The keys are plated in nickel or silver.

The key work on a step up / intermediate clarinet should feel similar to a professional clarinet. This is accomplished by installing blue steel springs. Blue steel springs provide a quicker response coupled with a lighter touch.

Mouthpiece

The most common materials used for clarinet mouthpieces are plastic and hard rubber. Most step up / intermediate clarinets include a basic mass-produced plastic mouthpiece. Consider having it re-faced or replace it with a professional mouthpiece. The advantages for the student are three-fold: the instrument will sound better, it will play with greater ease, and the time it takes to get accustomed to a new mouthpiece may be lengthy, so start with the best and stay there. For more information regarding mouthpieces click here.

Case

Finally, a sturdy case that fits the contour of the clarinet is essential to ensure that your new companion remains safe and snug. Always store your swab and wiping cloth in an external “case cover”. This will ensure extra lint and moisture will not accumulate in and on your clarinet. Case covers are often padded for that “extra” level of security just in “case”.

Buying your first clarinet

Buying an entry level clarinet

The Entry Level Clarinet features

Entry level clarinets range from $99.99 for an E-Bay special to $600.00 for a quality name brand instrument that will accommodate the needs of the student until their technique and the demands of their music require an upgrade or “step up” clarinet.

Some Brand Names to Look For

Generally brand name instruments are your best choice. Some makers are: Armstrong, Artley, Blessing, Buffet, Bundy, Noblet, Jupiter, Leblanc, Selmer, and Yamaha.

Features of the Entry Level Clarinet

Body (plastic / hard rubber)

Entry level clarinets can be made of plastic / hard rubber or wood. Plastic / hard rubber clarinets are quite durable, and tend to stand up better to the daily rigors of student use. The body of the plastic / hard rubber clarinet is not affected by changes in relative humidity and climate; this attribute makes the plastic / hard rubber clarinet the ideal choice for students and professionals who perform outdoors. This style of clarinet is the most commonly purchased clarinet for the beginner.

Body (wood)

Wood clarinets are generally made of African Grenadilla wood, and provide a warmer, more practiced sound than a plastic / hard rubber clarinet.

However, this advantage is offset by the discipline needed to maintain and care for the wood clarinet. The wood clarinet experiences contraction / expansion due to changes in temperature and relative humidity. While the contraction / expansion of the body occurs, the posts and key work will move as well. This situation makes for loose and binding keys.

Typical causes for this phenomenon are:

• infrequent practice schedules
• long periods of non-use
• forgetting the clarinet in a hot / cold car
• leaving damp cleaning swabs in the case

Keys

Most entry level clarinets have nickel plated keys. The keys are usually made out of an alloy called German silver. This is made from copper, zinc, and nickel. The finish is durable, but tends to be a bit on the slippery side.

Mouthpiece

The most common materials used for clarinet mouthpieces are plastic and hard rubber. Most entry level clarinets include a basic mass-produced plastic mouthpiece. Consider having it re-faced or replace it with a professional mouthpiece. The advantages for the student are three-fold: the instrument will sound better, it will play with greater ease, and the time it takes to get accustomed to a new mouthpiece may be lengthy, so start with the best and stay there. For more information regarding mouthpieces click here.

.

Case

Finally, a sturdy case that fits the contour of the clarinet is essential to ensure that your new companion remains safe and snug. Always store your swab and wiping cloth in an external “case cover”. This will ensure extra lint and moisture will not accumulate in and on your clarinet. Case covers are often padded for that “extra” level of security just in “case”.

Do you have any questions….ask here

Visit The Balanced Scale on line @

www.thebalancedscale.com

Quality used clarinets for sale here

The marriage of music and mechanics