The first question I’m always asked is whether one should buy or rent their first instrument. Invariably, I say rent the first instrument, but make sure you do so from a store that will let you put the rental money towards buying an instrument from them. Some stores will only let you do this towards the exact instrument you're renting but, if asked, many will allow you to put it towards an upgraded model and this is what you want. The most important thing to do is make sure you get an alto sax, as there are several types of saxophone. From there, it comes down to brand when renting. My favorite brands to rent for sax are Selmer and Yamaha as they make excellent student models.

If you want to buy a saxophone, there are several considerations. The main differences between a student and an intermediate model are: the tone quality of the instrument, its response, and its intonation. Selmer and Yamaha remain the preferred brands. Luckily, there aren't many "options" at the student and intermediate levels, but at this young stage you should get a standard sax and avoid experimenting with different platings and materials.

The most bang-for-your-buck improvement for a young saxophonist comes from the mouthpiece. A good or bad mouthpiece, regardless of the quality of the instrument you put it on, can make or break you. The best all around student mouthpiece is the Selmer S80 series (C * or ** is the favorite of Saxophonist David Stambler and Scott Plugge). While the cost is a bit high, it will be the single best investment you can make early on, even if you're renting the saxophone itself for your child. If your child starts to get into jazz later the C star is still a great mouthpiece, but a specialized Meyer 5 or 6 (medium chamber) would be a great switch for jazz ensemble. These are only recommendations, there are many mouthpieces out there, but they give proven success time and again.

Reeds

Your child will need reeds to play the saxophone and should have, at minimum, three reeds in their case at all times. The reeds should be labeled and rotated weekly to ensure even wear which will keep your child's sound consistent. For a beginner, starting with Vandoren is a great bet. Ask your child's director what size to get. Usually, beginners start with 2s or 2.5s and then gradually progress up in reed hardness as their skills progress. It is important to note that reeds are made of bamboo and deteriorate over time. Damaged reeds can also be a major set-back for a beginner so it is imperative to check your child's reed when they practice and make sure it isn't split, wavy at the tip, shredded at the tip, or chipped in any way. It should go without saying that if the reed is turning black or green with mold it's well past time to throw it away too! When done playing, it is important to put the reed in a reed case so it can dry naturally. One like the case shown above is fine as is the plastic sheath most reeds come in.

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