Q&A for How to Tune a Saxophone

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How can you tune an alto saxophone by ear?

Community Answer

When you've spent a lot of time playing your instrument, your ear can learn how to. You can start learning by using a physical tuner. There are portable versions you can keep in your saxophone's case. You can also check if there is an app you can download for your phone. You can also spend time around different instruments and listening to concerts. Over time, you can tell which notes are sharp or flat.

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Question

How do I know when I need a new reed?

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Reeds generally last a few weeks if playing almost daily, so eventually they either wear out or break. If you chip or crack your reed, you're struggling to get sound out of it, or if it's just not playing like it was, change it out. Remember: new reeds need to be broken in! Soak in shallow water for 10 minutes.

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Question

I purchased a tenor sax today, but the neck doesn't fit on the body. What do I do?

Community Answer

You may need to unscrew the neck joint a bit, or you may have gotten the wrong neck.

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Question

How do I find out how old my saxophone is?

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Look up its serial numbers (usually found beneath the bell) online. Then you'll be able to learn pretty much anything you need to know about it.

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Question

I'm confused because your tuning instructions do not account for the alto sax being an Eb instrument and a piano being a true C instrument. Would you play a D# (Eb) and tune to a tuners "C"?

Community Answer

No. If you play a C, the tuner will show it as an Eb, so the Alto Sax music is written three half steps lower than the real pitch. If you play an A, the tuner will show it as a C, and if you play an Eb, the tuner will show it as an F#.

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Question

I purchased an Alto saxophone for my son 1 month back. He is not able to play a B note––when he plays a B note, in the tuner it is displayed as a C#. What can be the issue?

Community Answer

The alto saxophone is transposed in Eb. This means that when you play a certain note, the concert note (the actual note) is different. However, the note is supposed to be an Ab on the tuner, so you might need to tune it.

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Question

Do you push in the mouthpiece when it is sharp or flat? I cannot remember which one is push in and which one is pull out?

Community Answer

You pull out if it is sharp, and push in if it is flat. Remember this by thinking "You pull out a sharp knife."

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