Best Alto Saxophones for Beginner & Intermediate Students 2023

Alto saxophones are known for their warm and soothing sound. And if you have stumbled upon this article, there is a great chance that you are looking for one. Whether you are a beginner who is seeking a new instrument, or a seasoned musician looking for an upgrade, choosing the best saxophone for you can be challenging. That’s where we come in.

Best Saxophone for High School Students

Students who can afford a higher-quality sax will love the sound that this saxophone produces.

Features:

  • Great sound quality
  • High-quality materials
  • Made by Yamaha (world famous)

Best Saxophone for Beginners

An all-around great alto saxophone that is well-suited for the serious beginner.

Features:

  • Good sound quality
  • Smooth action
  • Full starter kit

All Alto Saxophones

1. Yamaha YAS-280 Saxophone – Best for Intermediate Students

This saxophone, made by the well-known instrument manufacturer Yamaha, is perfect for an intermediate student looking to upgrade their initial student model. While a bit on the pricey side, the sound of this saxophone rivals that of saxophones that cost 6x as much. It can be played as low as the B key and further supports a clear response from notes in the lower range.

The quality action relieves pressure on the player’s hands and fingers, and the high-quality materials will last for years if not decades. Ergonomically shaped and lightweight, this sax is easy to hold and play. Its intonation is perfect, producing an excellent sound. This instrument is further enhanced with a more stable neck receiver which promotes a quick response and ease of use when playing. The outfit comes with a case, neck strap, and cleaning kit.

 

YAMAHA YAS-280 Saxophones Student Alto saxophones, C key, gold

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2. Jean Paul USA AS-400 – Best Student Saxophone

The Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone is an instrument with a brass or silver configuration and a Lacquer finish. It could be an excellent instrument for those who are still beginning to play this alto saxophone. The said saxophone comes with a robust carrying case so that it could be transported easily. It also includes accessories such as a Rico Reed, a Cork grease, cleaning cloth, swabs, and a mouthpiece.

Jean Paul AS-400 Alto Saxophone - Golden Brass Lacquered

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3. Mendini by Cecilio E Flat Alto Saxophone

First on the list is the Medini by Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone. It has a gold lacquered body and keys as high as F#. This saxophone has a large bore and ribbed construction, with quality leather pads and metal tone boosters. It has contoured keys with faux mother of pearl inlays. This alto saxophone comes with a durable hardshell case, a saxophone mouthpiece, a mouthpiece, a neck strap, a box of ten reeds that are 2.5 inches long. The set also includes a chromatic string tuner with a metronome and a pocketbook.

Mendini By Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone - Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds, Pocketbook- Gold E Flat Musical Instruments

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4. Glory Professional Alto Eb SAX Saxophone

The Glory Professional Alto Eb SAX Saxophone is another great choice when picking a good alto saxophone. One of the primary features of this saxophone is that it could reach up to a high F#. This alto saxophone has a hand engraved bell decoration, a set of high quality leather pads with metal resonators, and adjustable key height screws. Moreover, it is equipped with accurate sound hole positions that would enable the player’s finger to rest comfortably. Because of its compact design, the saxophone could be played by adults and children easily.This alto saxophone comes with 11 pieces of reeds, a cushion hard shell case, a mouthpiece, and a neck strap, among others.

Glory Gold Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone with 11reeds,8 Pads cushions,case,carekit

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5. Monoprice Eb Alto Saxophone

The Monoprice Eb Alto Saxophone is an attractive and long lasting alto saxophone with a gold lacquer body. It is constructed with perjuring keypads, ensuring a long-lasting yet excellent tone. It includes a pad saver cleaning rod that helps protect your keys and pads. Moreover, it has an adjustable key height, making it suitable for all ages.This alto saxophone has everything you need to get started: a zippered hard shell case, marching gloves, and a cleaning cloth.

Eb Alto Saxophone Gold Lacquer Finish, Pad Saver, Neck Strap, Hard Case (609436)

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6. Mendini by Cecilio Eb Alto Sax

The Mendini by Cecilio Eb Alto Sax is an alto saxophone with a high F# key. It could come in various colors such as black, gold, or green. This saxophone has a large bore and ribbed construction, with quality leather pads and metal tone boosters. It also has contoured keys with faux mother of pearl inlays. This alto saxophone comes with a durable hard shell case, a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece, a neck strap, a box of ten reeds that are 2.5 inches long. The set also includes a chromatic string tuner with a metronome and a pocketbook.

Mendini By Cecilio Eb Alto Saxophone - Case, Tuner, Mouthpiece, 10 Reeds, Pocketbook- Black & Gold E Flat Musical Instruments

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7. Glory High Grade E Flat Alto Saxophone

The Glory High Grade E Flat Alto Saxophone is an alto saxophone that could reach as high as F#. This instrument has a hand engraved bell decoration, a set of high quality leather pads with metal resonators, and adjustable key height screws. Furthermore, it is equipped with accurate sound hole positions that would enable the player’s finger to rest at ease. Because of its compact design, the saxophone could be played by adults and children effortlessly.This alto saxophone comes with 11 pieces of reeds, a cushion hard shell case, a mouthpiece, and a neck strap, among others.

Glory BlackNickel Engraved Flowers Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone with 11reeds,8 Pads cushions,case,carekit

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8. Windsor MI-1005 Student Alto Saxophone

The Windsor MI-1005 Student Alto Saxophone is another option when searching for a good alto saxophone, especially if you are a student. It has a gold lacquer finish, an engraved bell decoration, and pearloid keycaps. It also includes responsive spring keys, a lightweight saxophone case, an adjustable strap, a cleaning kit, and a cork grease. Due to its features, this alto saxophone would be suitable for saxophone students up until fifth grade.

Windsor MI-1005 Alto Horn Bag

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9. Kaizer Alto Saxophone

The Kaizer Alto Saxophone is built using only the quality solid brass which enhances the tonality, especially if it is compared to any other types of materials. It has advanced sensitive response and premium steel springs for faster action. Its professional leatherette pads deliver maximum intonation control and comfort. This alto saxophone is designed for both beginners and professionals.This alto saxophone includes a molded case, a mouthpiece and ligature set, cleaning rod, and lubricant, among others.

Kaizer Alto Saxophone E Flat Eb Gold Lacquer Includes Case Mouthpiece and Accessories ASAX-1000LQ

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10. Ammoon Brass Engraved Eb Alto Saxophone

The Ammoon Brass Engraved Eb Alto Saxophone is a brass instrument which could reach as high as F#. It has a brass engraved body and abalone shell buttons. It is also equipped with water-resistant leather pads and accurate sound hole positions. It has a reed attached on the mouthpiece for convenient use. Users will be ensured that this saxophone produces a rich tone.This alto saxophone also includes a hard shell case, a mouthpiece, a case belt, and a neck strap, among others.

alto saxophone

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What to Look for in the Alto Saxophones

Buying a saxophone can be a fun and rewarding experience, but you need to make sure that you buy one that has everything you’re looking for. We’ve put together a list of the core features you should look for when buying an alto saxophone.

Construction of the body

Alto saxophones could either have ribbed or non-ribbed construction. With a ribbed construction, weight is added to your saxophone, changing its vibration. They usually give a warmer sound because of this weight. On the other hand, having a heavier saxophone could affect the playability of your instrument in a negative way.

Materials and finishes

Most of the alto saxophones which are sold in the market have bodies that are made up of yellow brass. Others have materials such as sterling silver, copper, and bronze constituting the other parts of the saxophone. It is worth noting that such materials may darken the tone, but they could also be more expensive. A clear lacquer is a standard finish for most saxophones today. However, a lot of today’s saxes have other finishes which include colored lacquers, vintage, or black nickel plate, among others.

These are just some of the vital elements that should be considered before purchasing an alto saxophone. Now, you shall be acquainted with ten of the best alto saxophones.

Conclusion

We hope that this guide has helped you find a great saxophone for you needs.