A LTO S A X O P H O N E

POSTURE
Saxophone players should sit forward and tall (fig. S1).

Bad Habits -
1. Tilting the head to the left while playing (fig. S2).
2. Having the neck strap too high or too low (fig. S3). fig. S1

3. Slouching while playing.

HAND POSITIONS fig. S2 fig. S3

Right Hand - The thumb tip should be under the
thumb rest. The fingers should be spread, like large crab claws, in order to
avoid hitting keys near the palm (fig. S4).

Left Hand - The left thumb should rest at an angle so the thumb tip can fig. S4
still press the octave key (fig. S5). The left hand fingers
should be open to avoid hitting the palm keys (fig. S6).

fig. S5 fig. S6
EMBOUCHURE
1. The bottom lip is soft, and slightly covers the bottom teeth.
2. The top teeth contact the top of the plastic mouthpiece.
3. The lips hold the mouthpiece in an “O” shape.
4. The head is straight and the sax enters the mouth at a 80-90
degree angle (fig. S7).

fig. S7

LBUSD Principal Handbook - Elementary Winds# 8