Hey,
I'm currently borrowing a tenor sax, & want to buy one of my own. I've been given 2 options by some of my friends - I could either buy a really expensive pro on, or get a cheaper one, & get an amazing mouthpiece. I don't know how much I could spend, but any suggestions would be cool.
thanks
Jonathan

Gosh how many instruments do you want to play?!

Get a "cheap" tenor and get a decent mouthpiece. I personally don't reccomend a professional instrument to Grade 8/DipABRSM, and judging by your signature, at only Grade 6, I'd wait before getting a professional model

If you are going to deffinetly carry on with the tenor sax until like Irish~Loony said Grade 8/DipABRSM and there after then why get a cheap model with a good mouthpiece then buy a pro sax later. YOu end up spending money one two saxes. So if you are serious then get a pro one now if you can. You may not notice an improvment in sound staright away but as you get even better the pro model will sound great.

Ben

PS i am probably talking a load of rubbish

It doesn't have to be an expensive pro model, but beware of some of the cheap and nasty ones out there which can make learning an ordeal and far more difficult than it needs to be. Student Yamahas have a very good reputation. Check out saxophones.co.uk, they have good prices and are really nice people to deal with. I'm sure they'll give you plenty of advice.

As for mouthpieces, yes, a great mouthpiece can make a big difference, but you need to develop your embouchure and sound for a while before you can really work out what mouthpiece is right for you. A Yamaha 4C is a reasonably priced option that is good for getting started on. The other "standard" option but more expensive is Selmer C* (or Selmer D for tenor). Be a bit wary of buying a mouthpiece based on what sounds great when someone with experience plays it. You may well find it near impossible to blow. Develop your embouchure and sound, then find the right mouthpiece. Again the guys at saxophones.co.uk are great with advice (and no, I'm not on commission for them, or Yamaha).

I have to agree with TSax.. yamaha student instruments come really highly reccomeded.
I have a midrange yamaha, which is ace, and i kow tons of peopl who've got to grade8 and beyond on a student or midrange yamaha, so wouldnt reccomend going for a pro one at this point, as its probably basically overkill.
With mouthpieces.. i've never replaced the one that came with my instrument as never sure what's the best sort to go for, so yeah, if it makes that much difference, then any reccomendations would be cool
s x

Changing your mouthpiece can make a big difference to your sound. If you're playing a Yamahe sax then I'd hazard a guess that the mouthpiece is a Yamaha 4C. If you're happy with the sound you're getting then there's no reason to change. If you'd like to try something different then there's an enormous choice. It's a very personal decision so it's difficult to give advice (other than not to listen to anyone who tells you you MUST have...). Think about what sort of playing you do - jazz, classical, funk, rock? In what situations do you play - concert band / big band / small jazz group, classical sax quartet etc. What do you want to sound like, pure classical sound, bright and funky, smooth like Stan Getz, breathy like Ben Webster, big Dexter Gordon sound etc The next step is to try different mouthpieces. You need to find a shop that stocks a reasonable range, take your sax with you and try some out - take your time with them. Make sure you've got plenty of reeds and some a little softer and harder than you usually play. Start with mouthpieces with a moderate tip openings (the shop should be able to advise) then when you've find one you like maybe try a slightly more open or closed version. You'll generally need a softer reed on the more open mouthpieces.

Beware though, chasing after the perfect set-up can become all consuming, taking up much of your time until you realise that spending the time practising would make a far bigger difference to your sound than a brass v silver plated v gold plated ligature decision.