Saxophone Neck Straps.
What are are the best Saxophone Neck Straps ?
How do you use a saxophone neck strap ?
Are all neck straps for saxophone the same ?
Saxophone neck straps are actually a rather overlooked but vital piece of equipment.
A dodgy one will cause expensive damage to your pride and joy instrument when it fails and your saxophone is affected by gravity with alarming results.
A cheap and thin neck strap will be uncomfortable. Uncomfortable saxophone neck straps take concentration away from actually playing your sax, not to mention removing some of the enjoyment. If playing your sax becomes a battle in any way, shape or form, then you may eventually cease to actually play !!
And that would be a tragedy :-0
May I suggest the following requirements for your saxophone neck strap:
- If possible, wear your saxophone neck strap behind your collar. Your shirt collar, if you happen to have one, should be between your neck strap and your neck.
- Get a thick and wide one; not a thin one made of string. Thick and wide neck straps with lots of padding are more comfortable and distribute the weight of your saxophone evenly and more comfortably across your neck.
- Get one with a clip; not one with a hook. A hook can easily and accidentally become unhooked !
- Make sure the adjustment mechanism is firm, almost too firm. If it moves easily, it can sometimes suddenly drop and again cause you or your sax some damage.
- Saxophone neck straps are usually ugly. If you have some badges or ribbons, then please add your own flair to your neck strap. Or perhaps you could invent a range of neck straps with impressive and artistic designs ?
There is also an argument for using a harness type saxophone holder strap. These are fantastic if you have back or neck issues, as they distribute the weight of the saxophone across your shoulders.
You put them on in much the same way as you would a child’s car seat belt, or perhaps a bra. Again, the same suggestions apply as per above – get a thick one, with a clip and a good adjustment mechanism.
There are other saxophone neck straps that spread the weight across your shoulders too, like the Saxholder Pro.
Also, make sure that you get the right size neckstrap suitable for your saxophone. In general, the description of the neck strap will tell you if it is suitable for a Soprano. Alto, Tenor, or Bari sax. A big one that suits a Bari sax may not be the best idea if you play the alto saxophone and your are not known for your height.
Thanks,
Matthew 🎷
Not a member at HowToPlayTheSax.com yet ? Really ? Why not ?
Join us and get access to the always increasing library of saxophone lessons, our Members forums and PDF cheat sheets.
P.S. If you would like simple step by step instructions to help you learn how to play your favourite Rock, Soul, Funk and Blues songs on the saxophone:
- all neatly organised in the one convenient location,
- all provided by an experienced saxophone teacher who can help you to play the music that YOU want to play quickly and easily,
- without reading music,
- all available when ever it suits YOU (rather than when it suits someone else),
- with a forum community to ask questions and receive (and give) answers
then check out our saxophone lessons membership options. Get started on your saxophone journey today !
Remember – I can help you learn How To Play The Sax
YES – I want to Have Fun, Play Sax, Be Awesome and Repeat !
HowToPlayTheSax.com – where saxophone lessons come to YOU !
🙂
Would you like 7 FREE BEGINNER SAXOPHONE LESSONS ?
Enter your name and email address and we'll send you some useful sax hints, tips - and your 7 free beginner saxophone lessons - delivered directly to your email inbox :-)
You are on your way to becoming AWESOME ! Please check your inbox :-)
We will never spam you. Ever. Have Fun. Play Saxophone. Be Awesome. Repeat.