2 Responses

1. Nellie

   December 2nd, 2011 at 4:05 pm

   1

   Well, yes it is heavy (I’m in 7th grade, and I’ve been playing for roughly a year), and big, but it is an awesome instrument. After a while, you get used to the weight, and you normally have a padded neck strap which helps take off the pressure. All the fingerings are the same as on a Alto Sax {NOT Tenor}, and that is what I started out with.
   Try to start with the Alto, for it teaches proper posture, fingerings, and tonguing at a much easier state and weight. Plus, it is cheaper, and has easier maintenance.
   Overall, I would absolutely recommend you start with an alto sax, ans work your way up. But be sure to talk with your band director and see what they recommend.

   Plus, I can now lift it above my head with one hand. It scares my friends.

   Good Luck!

2. Ratchet Jazz

   December 2nd, 2011 at 4:05 pm

   2

   The baritone is a wonderful instrument. It was the first incarnation of the saxophone, and some say it is the best. For a beginner, though, I would highly recommend that you start off on the alto saxophone instead of the baritone. It is smaller, so it takes less air to sound good and is easier to carry both on the marching field and to and from performances/practices. Having carried a bari across a college campus everyday for a few semesters, let me tell you, "That mother is heavy." Of the four standard saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), the alto is the easiest to control. Additionally, if money is an issue, beginning alto horns are by far the best value (cheapest for better quality).

   From experience, I started out on the alto and eventually learned how to play reasonably well on 6 different types of saxophones (SATB + sopranino and bass), and I had a blast doing so. The alto is just the most user friendly of the saxophone family.

   Overall, you are setting yourself up for success better with an alto than with any other saxophone, but talk to your band director and get advice from other players.