Posture (for Saxophone)

1. Your right hand will be positioned near the bottom of the saxophone, with your thumb underneath the thumb rest on the back. Your index, middle, and ring fingers should rest on the larger, white pearls on the front.
2. Your left thumb will rest on the upper thumb rest, usually a black, circular piece of plastic near the top of the saxophone. There are four or five pearl buttons on the top of the sax. Your middle and ring fingers will rest on the bottom two, and your index finger will rest on either the top one (if you have four buttons) or the second from the top (if you have five). The smallest of the buttons should not have any fingers resting on it.
3. Push your right arm forward in order to bring the mouthpiece to your mouth. Your neck strap should be tight enough so that you do not have to move your neck or body forward in order to reach the mouthpiece. Bring the saxophone to you, don’t bring yourself to the saxophone!
4.  If sitting:
   1. Sit at the end of the chair with your feet flat on the floor.
   2. Sit upright so that your spine is naturally straightened up your back and neck.
   3. Keep your shoulders completely relaxed.
   4. Alto and soprano saxophones should rest between your legs. Tenor and baritone saxophones (and altos for smaller players) will rest on the right side of your body.
   5. Push the saxophone forward so it most of the weight is on the neck strap. It may be resting slightly on your leg, but should not be resting on the chair.
5. If standing:
   1. Push the saxophone forward so most of the weight is on the neck strap. For smaller players, you may need to rest it near the inside of your right hip.
   2. Stand upright so that your spine is naturally straightened up your back and neck.
   3. Keep your shoulders completely relaxed.
6. Your hands should be in a natural, relaxed “C” shape, similar to if you outstretched your arm and let your hand hang limp. Keep your fingers positioned on the keys at all times.