Best Beginner Insturment Models

[bronzZoot]

I'm working towards a B.S. in Music Education and in each of our methods courses the professors usually discuss different models of horns. So, I'm interested in which brands and models you guys think are the best! So consider price, durability, quality, and whatever else you guys think is important and saw why.

To make it even more interesting... not just saxophones, but how about flutes and clarinets?

-SJT

[DirkW]

To make it even more interesting... not just saxophones, but how about flutes and clarinets?

That would be Yamaha, Yamaha, and Yamaha. Works for brass as well.

[retread]

Yamaha is always good, but for best beginner clarinet I'd nominate Omar Henderson's and Graham Golden's Forte or Tom Ridenour's new model, the name of which escapes me now. For some reason there seems to be a lot of small company activity in high quality, lower priced clarinets that are designed by clarinet players instead of manufacturing specialists and bean counters.

[Canadiain]

I'm working towards a B.S. in Music Education and in each of our methods courses the professors usually discuss different models of horns. So, I'm interested in which brands and models you guys think are the best! So consider price, durability, quality, and whatever else you guys think is important and saw why.


-SJT
Nothing against Yamaha, but I would not take a Student Yamaha over my Antigua Winds 520. Antigua is far better value for money. Its VERY solidly constructed, has excellent tone and intonation and is a fraction of Yamaha prices. These horns are used in the rental market, have full ribbed construction and stand up to the abuse they recieve without complaint. THe keywork ergos are basically Selmer SA80, so no complaints there. The only downside is that as its not a glamourous name resale values are low...but in my case that also worked in my favour. and there is some snobbery form some band directors who will judge by name, not sound.

[Alto Saxy]

Haven't played many saxes, but I find that yamahas (student models) and bundys (I or II) both tend to have fairly good tone, and excellent intonation for student horns. Bundys tend to have a nicer tone though (not so bland, in my opinion atleast). As for clarinets, buffet seems popular.

[A Greene]

After 10 years in the teaching business - MS - I find that the Yamaha's or Vito (Yamaha Stencils) are the most consistent and highest quality. That doesn't mean that there aren't good. Particularly the Antiqua Winds. But for availability and resell - the Yamahas are on top. IMHO. Vito (Japan) offer a great value and are virtually identical to the YAMAHA YAS-23

As far as Yamaha Brass - I've had significate valve problems over the last few years. I've been using Holton trumpets. But if you want a good teaching trumpet - get an Olds Ambassador from the 1960's. I'm not a trumpet player but I've had one since the first day of my teaching career and have had no problems. It's a real workhorse. Not pretty but never lets me down.

Good Luck A. Greene

[Grey]

I quite like my intermediate Zeus alto sax, and it only costs as much as a student sax. They're a highly underrated manufacturer. I've tried some Yamahas and I just find they have a dead, dull, boring tone compared to my Zeus. I'm planning to keep it as a backup sax my whole life, or possibly as my main sax, since it's really solid and I mostly play tenor nowadays. Zeuses have a really sweet tone, perfect for people learning sax, and the keywork is great (almost as good as my Serie III tenor). The only bone I have to pick with it is that the sweet tone is somewhat bright and inflexible. Now that I'm using 3.5s on my Selmer D mpc with it, the problems have gotten somewhat better, but I still don't find the horn is great for slow ballads and stuff. It's great for Charlie Parker stuff though :) /

[A Greene]

I know a lot of serious students are concerned with tone and musical items; however, as a teacher tone is actually secondary - particularly with a beginner instrument. The horn needs to be able to take a beating and keep playing. I've seen a student knock over 3 or 4 stands with the bell of there saxophone before getting to his or her seat. At which point - the hands goes up and somehow - of course the student has not idea how???- the saxohone doesn't work. (Must be all those hours or practicing :? )

Before I get a lot of responses to my tone not being important comment - let me be straight - to a musician TONE is everything. Playing lots of notes with a bad sound is just plain BAD. From my experience - beginner horns need to be tough and easily fixed. Sounding good is a bonus!!! Any serious students should consider a more professional instrument where tone becomes a consideration.

Just my thoughts from the middle school.

A. Greene