Buying a Used Saxophone - Things to Consider When Buying a Used Saxophone

In buying a used saxophone, the purchaser must takeaccordance with the use and purpose for buying the
into account a number of considerations whichinstrument is always a good start in buying a used
emphasize the value of the price or amount paid assaxophone.
well as the purpose for which the saxophone isSecond would be the price. Although used
purchased.saxophones are expected to be cheaper than new
There are generally four types of saxophonesones, an extremely cheap saxophone may hint at the
available. The soprano saxophone, which has theinstrument's poor and unflattering quality - though not
highest pitch among the other saxophones, isnecessarily. Nevertheless, used instruments may also
considered as the least "user friendly" and is the mostbe sold at a price only slightly lower than the price for
difficult to play. Therefore, beginners areother brand new saxophones. This may be due to
recommended to shun away from purchasing aseveral factors: high quality, brand, make and model.
soprano for practice. The alto saxophone isThus, even at that price, the used instrument may still
recommended as the best practice saxophone forbe worth buying. This implies that buying a used
beginners and is most commonly used in school bands.saxophone also entails a consideration of the brand,
The third, the tenor saxophone is perfect for jazzmake and model of the instrument.
tunes as well as some rock music. The baritoneMost importantly,when buying used, one must never
saxophone is the biggest and is very heavy. Peoplehesitate to ask questions about the saxophone. It is
who use the instruments will have to use some typeadvisable to ask as many questions as one can
of harness to support the instrument while they play.pertain to the "history" of the saxophone such as: how
A person who is buying a used saxophone must firstwas it used in the past? How often was it used? Had
determine the purpose for which the instrument is toit even been repaired? When was the last time it had
be purchased. If he intends to practice and play thebeen repaired? How long has it been since it was first
instrument as a beginner, then the alto saxophonepurchased? Questions like these will help a person
would be the choice for him. It is therefore important todecide whether or not he is amenable to buying a
remember that it should not be the case that justused saxophone. One may also inquire why the
because the it is sold at a very affordable rate onesaxophone is being sold.
may already rush in buying the instrument. He mayFinally, it is wise to play the saxophone first to test
have the saxophone at the best price but it will not dofirst-hand the sound, the tone, and the quality of the
him any good if he cannot maximize the use of theinstrument before entering into the deal of buying the
instrument because it does not best serve his purpose.saxophone. In case one is a beginner and does not yet
Simply put, it is usually not a good choice for aknow how to play the instrument, bringing someone
beginner to purchase a soprano saxophone even ifwho knows how to play the instrument along would be
the price is reasonably low. Thus, discriminatingpractical and reasonable.
according to the types of saxophone and in