15 Best Beginner Saxophone Reviews 2022 – Best Student Saxophones

Best Beginner Saxophone, Best Student Saxophone, Best Beginner & Student Saxophone Brands

Best Beginner Saxophone, Best Student Saxophone, Best Beginner & Student Saxophone Brands

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The saxophone is an amazing musical instrument that is a crucial part of many music styles all over the world. If you like saxophone and want to learn how to play one, it may be hard to choose which saxophone is the best for you.

Read AlsoBudget Saxophone, Professional SaxophonePocket Saxophone

What are the Best Beginner/Student Saxophone to Buy?

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Mendini By Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone - Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds, Pocketbook- Gold E Flat Musical Instruments
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Jean Paul AS-400 Alto Saxophone - Golden Brass Lacquered
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Mendini by Cecilio Tenor Saxophone, L+92D B Flat, Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, Gold
Mendini By Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone - Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds, Pocketbook- Gold E Flat Musical Instruments
Jean Paul AS-400 Alto Saxophone - Golden Brass Lacquered
Mendini by Cecilio Tenor Saxophone, L+92D B Flat, Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, Gold
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Mendini By Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone - Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds, Pocketbook- Gold E Flat Musical Instruments
Mendini By Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone - Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds, Pocketbook- Gold E Flat Musical Instruments
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2
Jean Paul AS-400 Alto Saxophone - Golden Brass Lacquered
Jean Paul AS-400 Alto Saxophone - Golden Brass Lacquered
Check on Amazon
3
Mendini by Cecilio Tenor Saxophone, L+92D B Flat, Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, Gold
Mendini by Cecilio Tenor Saxophone, L+92D B Flat, Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, Gold
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While you can rent a saxophone to start practicing with, it is usually better to buy one for yourself. Here are a few tips to bear in mind when thinking about a saxophone as a beginner:

Show some commitment: You are going to be spending hundreds of dollars on a saxophone, be sure that it is something you want to do, not a passing fancy. If you are not sure that you want to learn the saxophone, rent one instead of buying.

Research your options: There are many types and brands of saxophones in the market. Do a proper research online or visit a music instrument store near you. You can read many reviews online or ask an experienced player to help you make a decision.

Used or brand new: If you would like to save money on your first saxophone, you should consider whether you’re better off buying a used one than a brand new one. It may be slightly used than a new one but for a few hundred less, you get pretty much the same performance. You can speak to the store owner to get you something they certified at the store as in good condition and ready to use.

Let us help you to make the buying decision of a beginner’s saxophone to start your music career. Here are some of the best saxophones that you can buy today.

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15 Best Beginner Saxophone Reviews and the Best Student Saxophones

1) Mendini by Cecilio MAS-L+92D+PB Gold Lacquer Alto Saxophone

This beginner’s saxophone from Cecilio has a gold body with all the keys you would need to learn. Mendini saxophones have a big bore that favors new players. Because of the intricacies of the many parts used in making the Mendini Alto saxophone, it is tested and perfected from the factory before being sold.

It is perfect for most music instructors and is one of the top choices. One of the major advantages of buying a Mendini saxophone is that it is covered by the one-year worth of manufacturer warranty that covers you against any issues with the saxophone during that time.

The saxophone is also equipped with a chromatic tuner with Metronome that is easy to read and tune instruments. A portable pocket booklet with important information about saxophone is included.

Other accessories in the saxophone package are gloves for playing, a lint cloth for cleaning, a pack of ten reeds and a hard carrying case that is well-lined with a plush interior to protect your saxophone during transportation or storage.

This saxophone is quite light and produces a warm tone with the provided mouthpiece. There are enough accessories to keep you playing for a long time without needing another one as you learn how to play.

2) Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone

The Jean Paul AS-400 comes with strong, well-crafted keys and quality reeds that help it maintain a really solid tone that is consistent. It is one the best-recommended instruments for student bandmates because of its excellent key placement and fluidity in its key work which makes it a breeze to master.

The gorgeous yellow brass finish of the horn has a premium look that belies its affordable price. This saxophone comes in a package that caters to most first-time player needs with accessories such as a mouthpiece, ligature, high-quality reeds and a flexible and comfortable neck strap. A nice cleaning cloth is also included so that you can keep your instrument clean.

The AS-400 is a great student saxophone and is recommended for players from beginners up to intermediate level. It is quite light and convenient to store and carry about in the included hard case.

The case comes with well-padded straps that can be adjusted to any desired length when in transit. Jean Paul is one of the foremost makers of saxophones and this one does not disappoint. With one year warranty including replacement of lost or broken parts and labor, this is one of the best deals you can have.

3) Mendini by Cecilio MTS-L+92D Gold Lacquer Tenor Saxophone

This saxophone comes with a gold-colored lacquer body. This saxophone comes with a big bore along with a striped construction. There are high-quality leather wads with the metals that help boost the tone. The keys of the MTS saxophone are also contoured and have an inlay made of false mother-of-pearl.

Included in the package is a neck strap to help support the weight during playing, a cleansing pad that is used to polish the saxophone, a cleaning rod, and ten 2.5-inch reeds. A pair of gloves is also included in the starter kit and a bonus tuner that has a metronome.

Not only is this one beautiful saxophone as expected from Cecilio, it is made in such a way that it is easy to play for beginners. The tuner that is included in the package is pretty decent as well as the box of reeds. The saxophone is also quite durable and produces a tone that is satisfactory in all aspects for non-professionals.

It does not sound like a cheap instrument at all and it comes with everything you will need to start your music career. Keeping your instrument clean when you’re playing is also easy with the pair of gloves that are included. It is also covered for damages for a year after purchase in case anything goes wrong with any part.

4) Glory Black and Gold B Flat Tenor Saxophone

At first glance, the Glory Black and Gold tenor saxophone look amazing. The color combination makes it look classy and expensive. Among the first things, you will notice about the Glory tenor saxophone is the magnificent design.

Glory put together a fairly complete package with this saxophone. The starter kit includes ten pieces of reed measuring 2.5 inches, a strong carrying case that is lined comfortably to ensure it never breaks during storage or transport.

One of the most loved features of this saxophone is the ease of play and the smoothness of the mouthpiece. The reeds provided are high-quality but you can also buy better after-market ones. A cork grease is also included in the package which is quite helpful when assembling the saxophone.

The Glory B Flat Tenor saxophone produces great sound that is quite solid and easy to play. The C sharp note was not crisp in the review unit but overall, playability was commendable.

If you are looking to learn to play the tenor saxophone without spending too much money, this is a great choice for you until you need much better sound from a professional instrument.

5) Eastar AS-II Student Alto Saxophone

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If what you are looking for is personalized service in your saxophone when it’s manufactured, the Easter AS-Ⅱ Student Alto Saxophone is the perfect option since Eastar makes sure each saxophone receives personalized tuning before leaving their factory.

Built with top materials like lead-free copper, soft and comfortable pads with imported needle spring for the keys, which have a pearled design, offering more mobility to make it easier to play for new students. It has a lacquered gold paint finish that will last more than 10 years and will hardly fade away with time.

The U shape of the AS-Ⅱ allows a precise performance in sound making it as unobstructed as possible. Along with the main body of the saxophone, you can find different sized swabs for the neck and body as well as a pad saver to absorb water and grease to lubricate attachments and a case to store everything inside when you are traveling. The dimensions are 26.1 inches in length, 15.8 inches width and 6.8 inches in thickness and it weighs 12.7 pounds.

6) LyxJam Alto Saxophone

Craftmanship can be seen in this instrument that is specially designed to boost the performance of new musicians offering easy mobility in the keys, which are made of faux mother of pearl accentuating its gold lacquered finish. The company LyxJam makes sure that good sound quality is a priority when it comes to its products and efficiently covers the user’s needs when he or she is playing it.

If you plan to travel around with it, you will find it very easy because it also comes with a cushioned case that can be used in up to 4 different ways for your convenience, one strap, greaser, one mouthpiece and ligature and a cleaning pipe and cloth for any potential dust that may accumulate.

It is tuned at E flat and measures 26.1 inches in length, 12.2 inches in width and 6.5 inches in thickness. This model is considered to be on the lightweight spectrum being only 9.2 pounds.

7) Yamaha YAS-280 Student Alto Saxophone

Yamaha YAS-280 Student Alto Saxophone

Yamaha produces some of the best budget saxophones and the YAS-280 Alto saxophone is no different. The YAS-280 is a great way for any beginner to start learning the saxophone and it is designed to be easy to learn.

It is light and portable, quite comfortable to handle and provides excellent hand positions for any budding player. The tone produced from the YAS-280 is well-tuned and mellow. No matter your skill level, you will be able to produce great tones consistently. The design of the YAS-280 supports the learning of young players and the neck is also steadier.

The new design of the saxophone neck compared to the older model, the YAS-275 allows the novice player to produce clear sounds from the saxophone in the low C# key. The YAS-280 also features a flexible thumb rest that improves playability.

One thing we would have liked to see with this saxophone is more accessories included, there is no cleaning kit out of the box for example. The plastic case can also be improved upon but it does its job of storage and conveyance without any frills. You can, however, use the Yamaha YAS-280 up until you need to get a professional saxophone.

8) Glarry Student Alto Eb E-flat Saxophone

Considered to be a must among beginner and young saxophone students by experienced teachers, this model offers a lot of quality for low economic value, so if you are still not sure if playing the saxophone is your passion that will last many years, this is a good introductory option.

It’s made out of brass for durable performance and compared to other models, you can find it in different styles according to your preferences, such as plain gold, black, and gold. If you want something unique, they offer a gold option with a subtle but beautiful hand-carved design.

Its ergonomic design makes it easy to play offering a vibrant and tuned sound. Luckily for you, it also includes a safety case that can be carried in up to 4 different ways along with one mouthpiece, gloves, 3 aglets, and a reed. The Glarry Student Saxophone weighs 135.1 ounces and its dimensions are 24.01 inches in length, 10.24 inches in width and 5.51 inches thick.

9) Etude EAS – 100 Student Alto Saxophone

The Etude-100 Student Alto Saxophone is fashioned from solid metals that produce a masterful tone that is ideal for students and beginners. You can tell from handling it that every part is in perfect synergy to make the EAS-100 easy to play, consistent in producing tones.

The EAS-100 saxophone is also quite durable and comes with many parts that help to make this a cost-friendly alternative for learners. In the package comes a hard storage case, a mouthpiece, and a ligature as well as a cleaning cloth.

The Etude saxophone does not need any setting up and you can start learning to play immediately it is delivered. It is not only efficient, it is also a really gorgeous saxophone with a brightly-colored lacquer. The mouthpiece is reliable but you can upgrade to a more expensive more when your playing skills get better.

Most beginners find this saxophone easy to play and the sound is great for a beginner. It is quite heavy but not so much that it is uncomfortable to play. Most of the notes hold well, even the lower octaves.

As with most budget saxophones, the neck strap is included with the package but you could buy a longer one to make it more comfortable to play. You can also get better reeds and otherwise, it is a great saxophone to enjoy your first few years as a saxophone player on.

10) Herche Superior Alto Saxophone AS-630

If you are just starting to get into learning how to play the saxophone or you already play it casually, this model by Herche is a great option. It will help you improve your new skills and show your real passion. It's made out of quality pure brass with a lacquered finish for great intonation and solid durability that will endure constant or daily use.

Further, it offers a classic design that helps to stabilize the keys making it easier to play than other models of different brands. It also includes a case and other important accessories that will help you keep your instrument protected and properly maintained, like grease to lubricate attachments, special cotton swabs to clean it from the inside and free saxophone reeds.

Herche is a known family company that has been on the market for over 30 years and they are known for their products and how invested they are on offering the best possible quality, having being involved in the music industry themselves, they know what the needs of a musician are, which are reflected in their products.

11) EastRock Students Beginners Alto Saxophone

If what you are looking for is something different from all the other common saxophones, this model by Eastrock is an option you should consider. The brand offers this instrument in five different colors, so you can choose which one fits your personality the most. The colors are gold, antique gold with a handmade carved design, black and gold, black and nickel, also blue and gold.

All of them covered with a seal that will prevent any scratches on the surface. The base is built with exceptional quality brass and each piece is tested before being put on sale, making it perfect for students, experienced musicians in bands or orchestras. The keys have a nice ergonomic design allowing better airtightness that you can feel whenever you press them.

Also with the saxophone, you can find a carrying case, one reed, a plastic mouthpiece, eight cushion pads, one cleaning cloth, one cleaning rod, a pair of gloves, alcohol pads and a long strap. It measures 25.5 inches in length, 12.2 inches in width and 7.3 inches in thickness and weighs 10.85 pounds.

12) Sky Music Student Eb Alto Saxophone

Considered Sky Music Student Eb Alto Saxophone is a good option for students on the younger side and beginners that are new to taking music lessons. Just like most of many alto saxophones, it is tuned to a high F# key reassuring a fluid and beautiful sound.

Visually, it offers a luxurious look with a 24k gold pleated paint finish that matches its performance but making it a little bit heavier than other models with its 13 pounds weight. On the other hand, it measures 28 inches in length, 13 inches in width and 9 inches in thickness.

Complementing its fancy lacquered body, the finger buttons are made of mother of pearl and some of the included accessories are a mouthpiece, a ligature, a neck strap, and two #2.5 reeds.

13) Eastar Alto Saxophone Antique Bronze Vintage Saxophone

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This is another great saxophone by Eastar but this time offering an antique and vintage look with 2 different colors finished with a multilayered paint; antique bronze, and antique red bronze. Its multilayered paint making sure the surface and interior of saxophone do not get rusty.

It is made of brass for maximum durability and the string support for the keys uses imported high-quality copper. Each saxophone is checked manually to confirm the highest performance and intonation that ensures its long lifespan for either students or established musicians.

Besides receiving the instrument, you also get a lot of free accessories with it such as a carrying case with a protected interior to avoid any damage in case the saxophone hits anything. Also one mouthpiece, one cork greaser, one leather strap that can hold up to 80 pounds, two shoulder straps, gloves, a resin reed to practice, two bulrush reeds, one soft swab, a cleaning brush, a stand, and a cleaning brush.

There is no doubt that you get the full kit with this model. It measures 27.16 inches in length, 14.5 inches in width, 8.46 inches in thickness and weighs 9.1 pounds.

14) LBSX Beginner Saxophone with Black Nickel Finish

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This LBSX brand is known for producing high-end instruments for people who want to take playing the saxophone seriously. It is offering not just quality but also looks on a whole different level. Opposed to other saxophones that have an F# tune, this one has an E tuning.

Its color makes it stand out from any other model, not being just black but with a nickel finish which makes it look professional and a hand-polished gold flower along the body to make it unique. Also, you don’t have to worry about any resonance problems when it comes to this model, it includes a piece that can be attached at the bottom curved of the neck, this will improve sound much more.

Besides, it also includes a protective carrying case and air cushion made of sheepskin as well as a leather mat to make sure it is sturdy to uphold the saxophone. This saxophone weights 11.01, a little bit weight more than previously mentioned models, but it’s something you can deal with, considering as the better materials it’s using.

15) Legacy AS750 Student/Intermediate Alto Saxophone

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The company that made this saxophone, Legacy has a reputation for excellent saxophone build quality and great values. If you do not want to rent an instrument to learn with, this is an awesome choice to start with. The body is finished in a yellow bronze lacquer that is easy to smudge but also easy to clean.

This saxophone has the high F key but it can be tuned to suit your purpose. This beginner saxophone learning kit comes complete with a basic mouthpiece, a neck strap for handling, a cap ligature and a pack of quality reeds.

The durable case that Legacy includes with the saxophone has comfortable straps that can help you carry the saxophone conveniently like a backpack. This is one good looking saxophone that also plays well in the hands and is built to last whatever students throw at it.

Overall, the AS750 will last for as long as you need it, requiring just minimal maintenance and cleaning from time to time. Most people prefer to change the mouthpiece to a third-party one that is of better quality if it feels a bit leaky. Worries about damages are allayed by the two-year warranty that the manufacturer offers to buyers.

Choosing the Best Beginner/Student Saxophone from the Best Beginner Saxophone Brands

Learning to play the saxophone takes a lot of effort and practice. You should also make sure to take care of your instrument so that you can get the best use out of it. Beginners are advised to always check how much moisture that is on their instruments.

You should also never use a pad saver to replace a swab. When cleaning, use a cleaning swab to wipe off most of the moisture and then the pad saver can be used to clean the pads to make them more responsive.

One of the earliest lessons in handling a saxophone is to always hold by the bell area to avoid damaging the keys or the rods which could lead to issues over time. The mouthpiece should also be kept in a well-padded pouch to prevent it from rolling around during transit.

With proper care and maintenance, a beginner’s saxophone should last till the advanced level before you will need to buy another one. As always, don’t forget to carry out your research or ask your instructor to recommend a saxophone for you when you’re ready to start your journey.