I just started playing the sax on Saturday, and I have to say, I'm REALLY enjoying it! I borrowed my friend's alto over the weekend, loved it, and I'm borrowing a school tenor sax until I can rent an alto (Monday). Just a couple questions. First of all, how should I be holding it? The tenor is so big (to me at least, I usually play the flute! :p), sitting down, should I put it to my right side or between my legs? Also, do you ever get used to your thumb being sore from holding up the sax? I know the neck strap holds most of the weight, but whatever weight was left was practically dislocating my thumb, lol. Is there anything that isn't glaringly obvious I need to know before diving in? I'm going to be teaching myself how to play it for the next few months, so I don't want to make any stupid mistakes, haha. Thanks!

When playing tenor it should be at your side, when playing alto it is acceptable to play between your lets or at your side.
If your thumb is getting sore from holding the saxophone up you need to adjust your strap, the thumb rest is exactly that, a thumb rest, it should not be used to hold the sax up, that is why we use a strap, if that doesn't work, look into getting a harness.

Later
CJ

Yeah, tenor definitely need to be played at the side but I would suggest also playing the alto to the side as well. It seems to give it a better sound for some reason. Don't worry about the thumb thing. Your thumb will get used to the pressure. You may want to adjust the strap a little more but I have always used my thumb to help hold it as it gives me a better reach.

"--I'm going to be teaching myself how to play it for the next few months, so I don't want to make any stupid mistakes, haha.--"

It looks to me that you have made your first mistake already. Nothing is so important then starting right. If you learn things the wrong way, is it very hard , takes lots of time and effort to change it to the right way. I can only give you the advise to take a few lessons in how to hold your sax and how to hold your mouthpiece in your mouth.
This is VERY important It can make the difference between a good or a bad sound. And a good or a bad embouchure

And find out what kind of sax you want to play alto or tenor.
Do you want to play a real sax ( tenor) or are you happy to play a bent Clarinet ( alto)

I'll be taking lessons soon, in about 1 1/2 weeks when my region competition is over since I'm taking flute lessons right now. I think I'll probably stick with the tenor. Quick question about the tenor though, does it have more of a melody part, or harmony? Right now all I have is the alto part, so I'm not really sure how the tenor part goes. Thanks again!

oi toothless zoot, i have been playing alto for about 5 years now, and it is not a bent clarinet!!! It IS a REAL saxophone, soprano on the the other hand, well thats just a girls instrument.

Ive started playing tenor this year and i do agree it has a great sound but dont denounce the alto, it is an awesome instrument!

Hai Vanilla_Wolf.
Your question about, a melody part, or harmony? Can not be easy answered. It all depends on what kind of music you make. For instance when I started out to play in a marching band (I started on the trumpet a the age of 10 ). The lead instrument was most of the time a trumpet or clarinet. The harmony part was played by the second or third trumpet / clarinet. Booth saxes played counter melodies. In jazz things are all different.
If you listen to Glenn miller there was the lead melody mostly played by the alto sax doubled by the clarinet.
In Rock. ,Blues and Jazz the solo instrument is mostly the tenor sax.
In Pop music the alto plays the solo’s. This is not a rule, but something I have observed.

muso_man

I am happy with your reaction. There was and always will be, the battle of the saxes. And I think that the reason for this is, though booth instruments are so equal, they have a different sound and potential. With one instrument you can easily do what you dream of with the other. I myself am a Blues player, ( honker and barwalker) I like to play loud and rough. But I also play the “girly” soprano in more romantic songs ( Listen to Sting) like the France say -vive la differance-

I've been reading this, i think i can help you. Even though i jstu start alto sax a few weeks ago im joing Jazz band with it (I'm in middle shcool >.> Make sure the heckstrap is long enough so u can keep your head straight. The sax comes to you, not u come to it. Afater playing clarinet for 2-3 years when i first played alto sax, it was a bit wierd, and had to adjust my embouchure(Sp?) Also GL to you as you learn the saxophone. I still play both my instruments and love them both and hope to be a leet sax player =D