Maintaining Your Saxophone
While we have already seen how to clean your saxophone in the article: http://saxophonelessonssingapore.com/cleaning-tips-for-those-playing-the-sax/. In this article, we will discuss some small ways in which you can keep your sax ready for play and ensure that the life of the instrument is prolonged. Whether you are a newbie saxophone player just taking beginner saxophone lessons or an advanced player, some of these tips will come in handy. A well maintained sax is a thing of beauty, and the better your sax looks, the keener you will be to practice more!
Brush your teeth
Always brush your teeth before you play the saxophone, even if you are only practicing. This is to prevent the pads from becoming sticky and accumulating gunk, which can be both unhygienic and puts you off tune. It is also inadvisable to eat or drink anything other than water while you are playing.
Holding the sax
It is advisable to learn how to hold the saxophone to ensure its long life and to develop a correct posture. Always hold the sax by the bell, because it is the strongest part of the instrument. This way you will not risk something coming loose. Never hold up the instrument by the keys, and avoid touching them until you are ready to play. Remember that it is a delicate instrument and must be treated with care at all times.
Disassembling
After you finish playing the sax, whether for a practice session or for your sax lessons, or even a performance, make it a habit to disassemble the instrument and put away all the parts in their correct places. Remove the neck strap and put it away in an accessory pocket to prevent it from scratching the instrument. Remove the mouthpiece, pad, and reed, clean them and put them away. Detach the neck from the body of the instrument and ensure that they are both devoid of moisture and clean. Once clean and dry, the neck and body should be put back together before storage.
Shutting the case
Once the sax has been cleaned and dried, place it gently in its place in the case. Put the mouthpiece and other accessories in their rightful place in separate compartments or bags so that they don’t rattle against each other, getting damaged or scratching the saxophone. However, don’t immediately shut the case. Leave it open for a while so that you are sure that any moisture is completely dried. Give it around 15 minutes to prevent bacteria from accumulating on the horn and damaging the instrument.
Use soft cloth
When you are cleaning the sax, irrespective of which part you are cleaning, you need to use a soft and lint-free cloth. Using any kind of harsh fabric can scratch the finish of the sax and might even damage its interior. Using cloth that is not completely flexible and soft might also result in the cleaning become ineffective. So a soft cotton or flannel cloth is the best choice for cleaning the sax.
With these tips above, you can ensure that your saxophone has a long life, and keeps its luster. With just a little care and attention, you will have a shinier, better, and more effective instrument. For more tips on saxophone care, lessons, and general playing, please refer to: http://saxophonelessonssingapore.com/.