| There are so many different types of neck straps | | | | stay away from cheap plastic because after a while it |
| available today for the saxophonist because we all | | | | will break and... bang! Once, during a live performance |
| look for different things in a neck strap: durability, | | | | the plastic hook on my strap broke while I was in the |
| comfort, looks. I've used everything from the soft | | | | middle of a wailing solo and my sax went flying to the |
| comfy ones to a shoe string and a re-shaped coat | | | | front of the stage and just about hit a couple girls |
| hanger when my regular one broke and there wasn't | | | | across the face... I avoid these types of hooks these |
| anything else around. Let me tell you, no matter how | | | | days. If you spend all your saxophone playing hours |
| good the band is you're playing with, if you're using a | | | | calmly sitting on a chair with no aggressive movement, |
| coat hanger for a neck strap you really want the gig | | | | then a cheap, open hook neck strap will be just fine. |
| to be over quick! Note to self: carry a back-up strap. | | | | Ease of adjustment |
| The saxophone neck strap probably isn't the part of | | | | How easy it is to adjust it's length is very important |
| the saxophone we usually give much thought to | | | | because you are always going to be adjusting the |
| although it plays a huge role in your playing | | | | length of your sax neck strap. Because of the |
| comfortability and in the safety of your sax as well. | | | | adjustment mechanisms and material of the strap it |
| Some of the most important things to consider when | | | | can be very hard to actually move the length up and |
| looking for a neck strap that's going to be just right for | | | | down, especially when very slight, minor adjustments |
| you:materialcomfortdurabilitysecurityease of | | | | are needed and this can get very frustrating in getting |
| adjustmenteasy to insert and remove | | | | the length just right. A neck strap that adjusts too |
| Material & comfort | | | | easily can be even worst because the perfect length |
| The material it's made of will affect how it feels | | | | you set for yourself will change too quickly leaving you |
| around your neck, especially if you like to wear it inside | | | | to constantly make adjustments. Avoid the really |
| the collar directly on the skin. I would recommend a | | | | cheap neck straps for this reason. |
| wide, padded leather strap. These are more expensive | | | | Easy to insert and remove |
| but are the most comfortable for this kind of use. Also | | | | If you are constantly having to remove your sax very |
| ok for comfortability are the neoprene ones which are | | | | quickly then you may need an open hook. There are |
| a synthetic rubber. These give a slight stretch and | | | | hooks that are fully closed and make it impossible for |
| make your horn actually feel lighter. | | | | your horn to fall off. Personally, I do need to remove |
| Security | | | | my horn constantly during a performance but I use a |
| For sax security issues it all depends on which type of | | | | closed hook. This does make it a bit more difficult but |
| player you are: sitting down in a chair or jumping | | | | you do get used to it and you know the horn isn't going |
| around on a stage. If it's the later, then you want a | | | | to fall off |
| saxophone neck strap that has a closed hook on it | | | | I think the perfect strap has yet to be made. It's either |
| and not made with cheap plastic because your sax will | | | | too soft, too hard, to wide, too thin... and if it isn't, then |
| eventually fall right from your hands right on to the | | | | there's something wrong with the hook. Go for what |
| floor. Go with the closed hook model to make it | | | | you need the most and remember, it doesn't hurt to |
| impossible for the sax to slip off the hook ring. But still, | | | | have two! |