Hi! I need help buying an e flat alto saxophone. I've had an old one for about three years now but I would like to upgrade. I'm thinking of getting a Selmer. Are there any special keys or extras the saxophone should have such as trill keys?
Actually look for a sax that can use alternate high E (yes there is one) that can trill to high F. It helps. Also a sax that has high F# key, it will help when using altissimo and extends the normal range to high F#.
"Also a sax that has high F# key, it will help when using altissimo and extends the normal range to high F#."
On the other side of the debate, experienced players seem to manage perfectly well without the High F#, and some claim that the interruption to the bore at that point damages some of the lower notes. They have no problem with altissimo fingerings.
It is also a key that can easily be bent out of adjustment, which stuffs up the entire sax.
"Actually look for a sax that can use alternate high E (yes there is one) that can trill to high F."
Perhaps there is such a thing, but for goodness sake don't get bogged down with it. There would be less tahn 1 in 200 of profesional standard players who have any weird and wonderful extra keys or mechanisms on their sax. Just buy an ordinary sax, aiming for the best model/brand you can, NOT the Chinese junk that has a zillion so-called features but falls to pieces!
For a chapish instrument, I suggest you go for Yamaha student model, either new or nearly new. If you can afford a bit more, go for a higher model Yamaha or Yanagisawa, which are fantastically made. For a pro instrument... well I don't think you are there yet! Remember, a badly made sax can be very , very expensive to get into a reliable state, if ever.
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