Getting Started
You must assemble, clean, and tune your new saxophone prior to playing. Saxophones are delicate instruments
and can be damaged easily. Handle with care. If you have a saxophone instructor we recommend you see him or
her to assist you with assembling, cleaning and tuning your instrument for the first time.
If cannot wait, follow the steps below:
Neck
•
Take the neck out of the case being sure to hold it with the palm of your hand over the octave key
•
Apply a small amount of cork grease to the cork-end of the neck and attach the mouthpiece to the neck
using a slow twisting motion to push the mouthpiece about 3/4 of the way down.
•
Remove the saxophone body from the case by lifting from the bell. Remember; do NOT grab the
instrument over the keys or rods!
•
Cecilio saxophones are shipped with small pieces of shipping foam lodged between some keys to protect
your instrument during shipping. Remove these being careful not to inadvertently remove any piece of
cork or knock a spring out of place.
•
While holding the saxophone from the bell, loosen the neck screw and attach the neck by inserting it into
the neck receiver using a slow twisting motion then retighten the neck screw. If there is too much friction
you can apply a small amount of cork grease on the neck joint.
•
Next attach the reed to the mouthpiece and adjust the reed. See below
Attaching the Reed
•
Moisten the thin end of the reed in your mouth or in cup of water.
•
Remove the ligature from the mouthpiece then position the reed on the mouthpiece so that the tip of the
mouthpiece is seen just over the end of the reed.
•
While holding the reed in place slide the ligature over the reed and mouthpiece, adjust to fit, and tighten
the ligature screws.
Tuning your Saxophone
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Pitch is affected by temperature, so warm your saxophone up before playing by blowing air through it.
•
Be sure that the mouthpiece covers 3/4 of the neck cork. This is ideal placement for tuning.
•
Use the correct pitch for tuning. Eb Alto saxophone tuning pitch is G, the Bb Tenor and Bb Soprano
saxophone use tuning pitch C.
•
Pulling out or pushing in the mouthpiece in small increments can adjust the intonation from sharp to flat.
•
The length you pull out, or push in, depends on individual preference and method of playing.
Maintenance
It is important to disassemble and thoroughly clean the instrument after playing, and especially prior to placing it
in its case for storage between playing sessions. We recommend that you follow the routine below to ensure that
the instrument is kept in peak condition by using the products contained in the Saxophone Care Kit (Model C-
SCK)
In addition to the steps described below we recommend that you take you instrument to a skilled technician at
least once a year to be serviced.
Removing your reed
Summary of Contents for Cecilio Saxophone
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