Setting up your Saxophone

1. Open the case (making sure it’s facing the right way up!) Also be sure that you already have your neck strap on in advance.
2. Make sure the neck is in it’s pocket area- the mouth piece can go in the bell if there isn’t enough space for it in the pocket
3. Take the mouthpiece, push the ligature up a bit away from the mouthpiece, grab the ‘bottom’ (butt) of the reed and slide it through the ligature, lining the reed up ‘a hairline’ from the tip of the mouthpiece. You can check this by pushing the top of the reed down with your thumb to check the distance.
4. Push down on the ligature, making sure it’s around a 1/2 centimeter down, then tighten the bottom lug first, then the top lug.
5. Hold the neck in your left hand, and gently twist the mouthpiece into the neck. (Make sure that you’re not putting your hand over the octave key).
6. Hold the neck with your right hand, and rock it gently into the body of the saxophone, making sure that the octave key is lined up with the neck of the saxophone.
7. Tighten the lugs- first the left, then the right lug (lefty=loosy, righty=tighty)
8. Attach the neck strap to the circle (towards the lower end of the saxophone and adjust if necessary)
9. You should be ready to play!

Packing up the instrument

Do the opposite! Neck twists off (loosen the lugs first of course), then pop it in the case so it’s safe.

Lift the saxophone body with the bell, while also holding the top end of the saxophone for support (without touching the keys).

On cleaning the saxophone

Put the octave key protector on, then pop it back in the case- after you have cleaned it!

Be very careful when taking the reed off the mouthpiece and putting it back into it’s plastic case, the tip of the reed can easily get damaged.