9 Best Alto Saxophones for Beginners & Intermediates in 2020

A saxophone is a mouthpiece instrument, that belongs to the woodwind family. It is made from brass, and produces a sound through an oscillating reed.

There are many types of saxophones available, based on their sizes and the kind of sound they produce. One such type is the Alto Saxophone, that we will be reviewing today. It is often known as the alto sax or simply the alto. It is larger in size than the soprano saxophone, and smaller than the tenor saxophone. This is the most common type of saxophone used by marching bands, or concert bands, or even by solo repertoire.

These saxophones are mainly used by jazz musicians and they believe that these alto saxophones have a lot to contribute to their music. If you are a beginner and are keen to learn to play the alto saxophone, then we are sure that this article will help you out. Below is a list of the 9 Best Alto Saxophones for Beginners and Intermediates in 2020, along with their reviews, so that you do not miss out on the best brands. The Buyer’s Guide at the end of this article will inform you about what to look for in an alto saxophone, so that you can learn to play this beautiful instrument efficiently.

Yamaha YAS-480 Intermediate Eb Alto Saxophone

Yamaha has always been the favorite brand for musical instruments for many years now. This alto saxophone by Yamaha is an intermediate level instrument, that can also be used by beginners.

It features hand engravings and has an enhanced neck along with a key guard. It provides the user with the desired intonation and the tones produced by it are warm. It is a lightweight instrument, and is a durable one too. It gives a quick response, and features an octave key system which makes it a very flexible instrument to play.

The key guards have adjustable screw cap stoppers, which make it a professional-like instrument. It also features left-hand seesaw key which enhances the playability of the alto saxophone. It provides the user with a clear response and also makes sure that the user is provided with a comfortable feel while playing it.

Features

1. Trusted brand.
2. Intermediate level alto saxophone.
3. Hand engravings.
4. Enhanced neck.
5. Key guard.
6. Accurate intonation.
7. Warm tones.
8. Lightweight.
9. Durable.
10. Quick response.
11. Octave key system.
12. Flexible choices.
13. Left-hand seesaw key.
14. Adjustable screw cap stoppers.
15. Easy playability.
16. Clear response.
17. Comfortable feel.
18. Compatible with Custom Yamaha necks.

Overall Ratings- 4.8/5 stars.

Mendini by Cecilio E-Flat Alto Saxophone

Mendini by Cecilio is known for its well built instruments and this alto saxophone is one of them too. This saxophone has a gold lacquered body and comes with a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer.

It features stainless steel springs, and has high quality leather pads. It also features metal resonators and is best for students as an entry-level saxophone. It produces a full-bodied sound and a deep and rich tone, along with even intonation. It features more than 300 parts that are carefully handcrafted.

It comes with Chromatic Tuner with Metronome, that is easy to read and features a large LCD display. It also includes accessories like a mouthpiece with cap and ligature, cleaning cloth and rod, gloves, cork grease, neck strap, and 10 reeds. They come with a hard case for easy storage and high portability, without the fear of any kind of damages. It also includes a small saxophone pocket book which carries instructions for beginners.

Features

1. Well built.
2. Gold lacquered body.
3. Comes with 1 year warranty.
4. Stainless steel springs.
5. Quality leather pads.
6. Metal resonators.
7. Best for students.
8. Full bodied sound.
9. Deep and rich tone.
10. Even intonation.
11. Over 300 handcrafted parts.
12. Chromatic Tuner with Metronome.
13. LCD display.
14. Accessories included: mouthpiece with cap and ligature, cleaning cloth and rod, gloves, cork grease, neck strap, and 10 reeds.
15. Hard case included.
16. Easy storage.
17. High portability.
18. Small pocket book with instructions.

Overall Ratings- 4.2/5 stars.

Jean Paul USA AS-400 Student Alto Saxophone

Jean Paul USA is back with another classy instrument and when we saw this alto saxophone for the first time, we were sure that this is one of the most good looking saxophones in the market! It has a beautiful brass body that has a lacquer finish.

It comes in a strong carrying case that provides the user with easy storage and makes sure that your instrument is not damaged while in store or while travelling. It is in key of Eb and provides the saxophonist with accurate intonation. It features a bell brace which enhances the durability of the instrument. It is easy to play and with its tapered pivot keys, it provides the user with the ease of playing.

It is an affordable product that comes with many accessories. It includes a carrying case, gloves, cork grease, cleaning cloth, mouthpiece, swabs and a Rico reed. It is best for beginners and intermediate level players.

Features

1. Extremely attractive.
2. Yellow brass body.
3. Lacquered finish.
4. Comes in a sturdy carrying case.
5. Easy storage.
6. High portability.
7. Makes sure that your instrument is protected at all times.
8. Key of Eb.
9. Accurate intonation.
10. Bell brace.
11. Highly durable.
12. Easy to play and use.
13. Tapered pivot keys.
14. Affordable.
15. Best for beginners and intermediates.
16. Includes carrying case, gloves, cork grease, cleaning cloth, mouthpiece, swabs and a Rico reed.

Overall Ratings– 4.6/5 stars.

Eastar AS-Ⅱ Student Alto Saxophone

This alto saxophone is by Easter, which is another well known brand in the world of saxophones. It produces a beautiful sound, and comes with professional tone adjustment, that is looked after by the manufacturer, before the product leaves the factory.

It uses high quality copper for its construction and also features imported leather pads, which increase the durability or the life of the instrument. It features a blue copper needle spring, which is also imported, along with moderate elasticity of the saxophone. It features transparent lacquered gold, which makes it a rather stylish item. Apart from that, it is multi-layer painted, which ensures that the color of your instrument never fades out, even after years of usage.

It has pearl inlaid keys and handcrafted carvings, which makes it your best buy! Apart from its amazing looks, it also provides the user with the best vibration and excellent tuning. The package includes a carrying case for portability and protection, a mouthpiece set, cork grease, gloves, leather strap, 2 shoulder straps, cleaning brush, soft cloth, resin practice reed, and a saxophone stand. It comes with a 12 month warranty by the manufacturer.

Features

1. Well-known brand.
2. Beautiful sound.
3. Professional tuning adjustments.
4. High quality copper is used for construction.
5. Imported leather pads.
6. Blue copper needle spring.
7. Highly durable.
8. Moderate elasticity.
9. Transparent lacquered gold.
10. Multi-layer painted.
11. Pearl inlaid keys.
12. Handcrafted carvings.
13. Best vibration.
14. Includes carrying case for portability and protection, a mouthpiece set, cork grease, gloves, leather strap, 2 shoulder straps, cleaning brush, soft cloth, resin practice reed, and a saxophone stand.
15. 12 month warranty.

Overall Ratings- 4.2/5 stars.

Prelude Student Model AS711 Alto Saxophone by Conn-Selmer

This alto saxophone by Conn-Selmer is the best entry level saxophone at this price range. It is reasonably priced and is one of the best instruments for beginners, since it is extremely easy to use.

It has a beautiful brass body that is yellow in color, and features ribbed construction. It is a detachable saxophone, and is high in strength and extremely durable, as well. It has a reinforced body to bow connection, which is the reason for its high strength. It has a key design, which ensures that the user is provided with a comfortable positioning while playing and has the ease of play.

It features a Left-hand table key rocker mechanism. It comes with various accessories, like, #C adjusting screw, engraved bell, mouthpiece along with cap and ligature, a neck strap, cork grease, hard shell case for protection and portability, right hand thumb-rest that is made of metal and is adjustable, 2 reeds, leather pads featuring metal resonators.

Features

1. Best entry level alto saxophone for beginners.
2. Moderately priced.
3. Yellow brass body.
4. Ribbed construction.
5. Detachable.
6. High strength.
7. Durable.
8. Reinforced body to bow connection.
9. Comfortable key design.
10. Ease of play provided to users.
11. Left hand table key rocker mechanism.
12. Includes #C adjusting screw, engraved bell, mouthpiece along with cap and ligature, a neck strap, cork grease, hard shell case for protection and portability, right hand thumb-rest that is made of metal and is adjustable, 2 reeds, leather pads featuring metal resonators.

Overall Ratings- 3.6/5 stars.

Glarry Student Alto Eb E-flat SAX Saxophone

If you are searching for an alto saxophone for a beginner, and do not want to spend much on it, but do want a high quality and efficient product, then this one is for you. This alto saxophone by Glarry is the absolute best for a student or a beginner, and it comes at a reasonable price too.

It is constructed with paint gold, which is why it is highly durable. It has a glossy look and features a compact key outlet., which makes it easy to play even for children. It provides the user with a pleasing feel while playing it, and the sound produced by it is well-centered. The intonation provided is also well-rounded, carried with a warm sound, which makes this one of the best saxophone for you and your kid!

It comes with a case, that allows carrying in four different ways, which ensures high portability and no storage problems. The other accessories included are gloves, reeds, mouthpiece, cleaning cloth, a rod for maintenance purposes, and a neck strap, which makes sure that the saxophonist using it is comfortable while playing.

Features

1. Best for beginners.
2. High quality.
3. Inexpensive.
4. Constructed with paint gold.
5. Durable.
6. Glossy look.
7. Compact key outlet.
8. Easy to play.
9. Amazing feel.
10. Well-centered sound.
11. Well-rounded intonation.
12. Warm sound.
13. Case can be carried in 4 ways.
14. Highly portable.
15. Easy storage.
16. Comfortable to play.
17. Includes gloves, reeds, mouthpiece, cleaning cloth, a rod for maintenance purposes, and a neck strap.

Overall Ratings– 4.3/5 stars.

Jupiter JAS710GN Student Eb Alto Saxophone

Jupiter produces alto saxophones in student, intermediate and standard versions. This is the student alto sax by Jupiter, which is again a trusted brand, and so is this instrument.

Even though this is a beginner level saxophone, the features carried by it are no less than any other advanced saxophone. It features a lacquered brass body, and claims to have the absolute accurate scale and maximum level of playability. It features nickel-plated keys that use the best quality brass and nickel, which combine to provide the user with a saxophone that is high in strength and is also extremely durable. It has left-hand table keys that are contoured, along with a tilting Bb rocker arm that is responsible for providing comfort.

It provides a rich and deep sound, and has added agility as well. This instrument comes with a few accessories, like, a wooden frame case, which ensures that your saxophone is kept safe at all times, a mouthpiece and a ligature.

Features

1. Trusted brand.
2. Best for beginners and students.
3. Advanced level features.
4. Lacquered brass body.
5. Accurate scale.
6. High playability.
7. Nickel-plated keys.
8. Best quality materials are used in construction.
9. High in strength.
10. Extremely durable.
11. Contoured left hand table keys.
12. Tilting Bb rocker arm.
13. Comfortable to play.
14. Rich and deep sound.
15. Added agility.
16. Comes with a wooden case for protection.
17. Easy portability.
18. Includes mouthpiece and ligature.

Overall Ratings- 4.0/5 stars.

ammoon Saxophone Sax Eb Be Alto E Flat

This alto saxophone by ammoon is best for beginners, but can also be used by intermediate level saxophonists. It comes with various accessories and is a complete package for you to begin your musical journey!

It is made of brass and is an Eb saxophone, as already mentioned in its name. It is an extremely attractive sax, that has a beautiful goldenish color and shimmer. It features a beautiful pattern that is carved on its outer surface, which adds to the beauty of this instrument. It produces an amazing sound, in spite of being a beginner level saxophone and being moderately priced.

It features concave key touches, which is the reason it is such a comfortable and easy instrument to play and is best suited for a starter. It offers the user with easy storage and portability with the help of its box, which is padded for protection purposes, and is also water-resistant, so you do not have to worry about your kid spilling water on it. The other accessories carried by this instrument are a cleaning cloth and brush, ensuring that your saxophone is kept spotless clean at all times so that it never goes out of tune. It also includes a pair of gloves, a mouthpiece, and 3 straps.

Features

1. Best for beginners and intermediates as well.
2. Made of brass.
3. Eb saxophone.
4. Attractive.
5. Goldenish color with a shining surface.
6. Carved pattern on surface.
7. Rich sound.
8. Concave key touches.
9. Provides ease of playing and is very comfortable.
10. Easy storage.
11. Portable.
12. Comes in a padded box, which is also water resistant.
13. Cleaning cloth and brush included.
14. Gloves, mouthpiece, straps included.

Overall Ratings- 3.1/5 stars.

LyxJam Alto Saxophone

This alto saxophone by LyxJam is a beginner’s kit that comes with a number of accessories. It is an all-in-one bundle that includes reeds, gloves, straps, and all other required accessories.

It uses the best quality materials for its construction, in spite of being a low priced instrument. It has resilient pads and offers smooth tones to the user, and a loud sound projection. It offers an E flat pitch, which remains consistent throughout, thus making it perfect for your lessons. It has a shiny gold lacquer, that gives is a glossy and new-like look always.

It also features pearl key inlays, and palm key risers which make it a durable product that would last you years. The best part about this product is that it comes with the entire cleaning kit that an user would require to cleanse their saxophone. It also comes with a carrying case which is adjustable, and can be carried in 4 ways. On top of all this, it comes with a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer.

Features

1. All-in-one bundle.
2. Comes with reeds, gloves, straps.
3. Includes an adjustable carrying case.
4. Comes with the entire cleaning kit.
5. Bets quality materials are used for construction.
6. Affordable price.
7. Resilient pads.
8. Smooth tunes.
9. Loud sound projection.
10. E flat pitch.
11. Pitch remains consistent.
12. Shiny gold lacquer.
13. Attractive.
14. Pearl key inlays.
15. Palm key risers.
16. Durable.
17. Comes with a 1 year warranty.

Overall Ratings– 4.1/5 stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buyer’s Guide

Apart from the type of saxophone and the level, there are many other features to look out for while purchasing any instrument. In the case of a saxophone, these features are pretty much same as ones for other instruments.

Like, you need to check the materials used for construction of the saxophone. The most common material used is yellow brass, and is definitely the best one available. Apart from this, some also use silver, bronze or copper for construction. These are mostly used by professionals, and they require extremely careful handling.

You also need to check the body construction of the saxophone, whether it is ribbed or non-ribbed. Non-ribbed construction is more suited for students, since they are lightweight and are easier to tone.

Also check the presence of additional keys on your saxophone, so that you can experiment with your tones and are provided with a versatile instrument.

Summary

A saxophone is a beautiful instrument, that is attractive on the outside and produces amazing sounds and tones on the inside. The alto saxophone is the best one for students or beginners.

The brands mentioned above are all trusted brands that have been in the market for years and have a large number of delighted customers. Select a product according to your budget, and place the order!

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Don’t forget to read our article on the 10 Best Pianos and Keyboards for Starters in 2020.