Alphasax (black)

Ex-demonstration stock: click here.

If you are purchasing a beginner's instrument for the first time and would like further advice, our showroom staff will be pleased to give all the guidance you need.

The Trevor James Alphasax is designed for anyone that wants to play saxophone but has been told they are too small to play a conventional alto. It is built around the original body tube of the Trevor James 'Horn' alto saxophone, with a reduced key mechanism and tone holes repositioned to accommodate smaller hands. Most obviously, the low B and B-flat keys have been removed (lowest note is written middle C), and the left-hand palm key array is simplified.

Like a standard alto, the Alphasax is in the key of E-flat. It has a full two-octave chromatic range using conventional fingerings, enabling the smaller player to take their first steps using current study books. It is less than two-thirds the weight of a regular alto saxophone, and is supplied in a lightweight moulded case with backpack straps, along with a padded neck strap, mouthpiece, cap and ligature.

Also available:
Alphasax (clear lacquer)

Buying tips: Its mechanism looks complex, but the saxophone is an instrument on which new players can progress quickly. It comes in several sizes, with the alto commonly recommended for beginners. Dimensions and weight, however, make it a handful for very young players. Some starter instruments have the keys positioned to accommodate smaller hands, whilst others are simplified to reduce weight and allow an earlier start. Price is a good quality indicator, and cheaper instruments are more difficult and costly to maintain. A fully serviced pre-owned instrument from a reputable manufacturer is always a good low-risk purchase for a beginner. Click here to see our current stock of pre-owned saxophones.