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Saxophone Accessories



What Do You Really Need?

Just what do you really need from the world of saxophone accessories?

The choices are many and varied and you could easily spend hundreds buying everything you think you might need.

In reality you need very little apart from what you get with your first sax.

Here's just some of the saxophone accessories you can buy and whether you actually need them or not.

  • Reeds - The more the better for me. Reeds are easily broken and you should always have at least two in reserve, broken in and ready to play. Differing types of reed is also good just in case you fancy a change of sound.


  • Mouthpiece - I would love to have a never ending supply of different mouthpieces just to try something different. However, the fact is you only need one good one


  • Necks - Highly desirable but not really necessary. You can buy many different types of necks made from many different materials and many subtle differences but do you really need them. Of course I'm thinking yes, I need to try them all but really, no!


  • Ligatures - Personally I believe you should have a couple or three. One metal and one made of rubber, leather etc. but again not completely essential as the tone difference is minimal.


  • Cork Grease - Yes, you need this. Cork grease saves wear on the cork each time you remove and replace the mouthpiece. Get some.


  • Pull Through - Needed. You need to get all moisture out of your sax after play. This will help to stop sticking pads and a foul smell developing. You can make one from a lint free cloth, some string and a weight, if you want.


  • Pad Saver - Helps to remove moisture from the sax. Generally bought as a set. One for the sax, one for the neck and one for the mouthpiece. Not essential but a nice to have.


  • Neckstrap - Absolutely. The more comfortable the better. Wide range of styles and prices. Pick the most comfortable and not the prettiest.


  • Key Risers - I've never needed them myself but if you have small hands it may be a good investment. They fit on the side keys, shoulder keys and octave key to make them protrude more.


  • Reed Cutter - Are you that good? Reed cutters are used to refine the feel and sound of the reed to exactly what you want. The differences are very subtle. A must have if you are truly an expert otherwise no.


  • Leak light - Hmm. Might be nice to have but not essential. If you have a leak you'll know (squeaking from the sax) and then it'll have to go for a service.


  • Sax Stand - Yes. If you pick your sax up a lot then it's much better to have it on a stand rather than on it's side resting on something hard like a table.


  • Metronome If you are serious about becoming good then really you need a metronome.


    • I'm sure there are many many more items I could list but I think that covers the basics. If you are thinking about things like microphones then I must assume you are really rather good and don't require any advice on that front.

    Please think hard before you go spending money on anything other than essential equipment. Once you've bought a saxophone accessory you are stuck with it. It could become an expensive lesson.

    Related Topics

    Saxophone Ligature Information
    Saxophone Reed Information
    Saxophone Mouthpiece Information

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