色士風（英語：Saxophone）是一種木管樂器，但是管體通常是用黃銅製造，使得色士風同時具有銅管類樂器的特性。有意思的是這點常造成歸類上的分歧。從發聲原理上來看色士風和同樣使用單簧片的單簧管更接近，所以一般歸類為木管樂器。色士風同時也是一種移調樂器，常見調性為降E和降B，也有C調和F調。色士風以其煙斗狀的外形為人所熟知。
色士風是由比利時人阿道夫•薩克斯（Antoine-Joseph Sax,1814-1894）於1840年發明的。阿道夫是一位銳意的樂器製造者，擅長黑管和長笛演奏。他最初的設想是為管弦樂隊設計一種低音樂器，比奧菲克萊德號（Ophicleide）吹奏靈活並能適應室外演出。他將低音單簧管的吹嘴和奧菲克萊德號的管身結合在一起並加以改進，以自己名字命名了這種新型樂器。
薩克管的音色變化較多，高音部份介乎單簧管與圓號之間，中音介乎人聲與大提琴之間，低音部份則介乎低音弦樂與低音喇叭之間。在爵士樂中，薩克管亦擔當一個相當重要的角色。
薩克管從高音到低音，不同大小的有五種之多，包括降B調的高音(soprano), 降E調的中音(alto), 降B調的次中音(tenor)及降E調的上低音(baritone)等。
• 高音色士風（Soprano Saxophone） 通常為降B調，是薩克斯家族中音調第二高的樂器，僅此於超高音色士風（Sopranino），管的體積也是第二小。常見的為直管，略微曲頸或類似中音色士風的形狀。相對於黑管，高音薩克斯音量更大，更有穿透力。但由於小管身，使得高音部分更難以控制音準，較難上手。高音薩克斯主要用於獨奏，在木管重奏中常用來替代雙簧管。著名的高音色士風演奏家有Sidney Bechet，約翰•柯川，Wayne Shorter，肯尼•基等。
• 中音色士風（Alto Saxophone）是最常見的薩克斯，降E調，也是應用在古典樂獨奏、合奏中最多的色士風。由於按鍵距離適中，氣息要求和嘴部控制難度介於高音薩克斯和次中音色士風之間，以及相對便宜的價格和搬運容易，成為初學者入門最常使用的薩克斯。中音薩克斯音色較次中音清亮，較高音溫和。中音色士風構成了管樂隊薩克斯聲部的最主要部分，在爵士大樂隊編製中和次中音占同等重要位置。作為獨奏樂器出現相對少一些。中音色士風是色士風家族最有代表性的種類。著名的中音色士風演奏家有爵士樂：Charlie Parker，Cannonball Adderley，Kenny Garrett，古典樂：Marcel Mule（法國），Sigurd Raschèr（美國），Claude Delangle（法國）等。
• 次中音色士風（Tenor Saxophone） 通常為降B調，外形比中音色士風稍大，彎管前端多了一個彎曲，音色溫和穩重。在管樂隊中次中音薩克斯數量少於中音，一般作為輔助角色和小低音號和長號用同樣的樂譜。而在爵士樂中次中音起核心作用。1920年代Coleman Hawkins沙啞厚重的聲音重新定義了人們對次中音音色的概念。後來的約翰•柯川，Stan Getz，Sonny Rollins，Michael Brecker一步一步地奠定了次中音聲音的個性。
• 上低音色士風（Baritone Saxophone）通常為降E調，是4種中相對少見的類型。體積重量較大，近中音兩倍左右。很少有人用它作為獨奏樂器，而在薩克斯四重奏或爵士大樂隊中上低音色士風以它低沉渾厚的音色把其他聲音承托起來，以較簡單的吹奏維持着音樂進行的穩定步伐。在管樂隊中常和低音號起類似的作用，有時讓人聯想起大提琴的聲音。著名演奏家有Gerry Mulligan。
其他色士風還包括超高音色士風（Sopranino Saxophone），低音色士風（Bass Saxophone），倍低音色士風（Contrabass Saxophone）。 |
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一般認為薩克斯入門學習相對於其他木管類樂器要容易。尤其是從其他木管轉向色士風學習在一定量的練習保證下可以較快上手。色士風技巧包括指法掌握和音色控制，具體則根據音樂風格（古典， 爵士， 流行等）要求不盡相同。當然從音樂本身的意義上看，色士風包括其他樂器技巧學習都是為了演奏者能盡量無礙地音樂表達而服務的，演奏者對於音樂的理解和表達比技巧高低重要的多。
有一種誤解認為色士風作為管樂器演奏時很費力氣，需要強健的體魄才能控制它。其實色士風的吹奏主演取決於樂器的狀態和演奏者的方法，正常演奏一場音樂會（大約90分鐘）是絲毫沒有負擔的。由於薩克斯製造工藝的迅速發展和科學的演奏方法，一般在11，12歲之後開始學習比較合適，因為薩克斯作為一種管樂器在演奏時發音的動力完全由呼吸器官支持，過早學習或方法不正確可能會給孩子的心肺功能發育帶來不良影響。 |
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1. 組裝紮實、結構精密、底座堅固、手感順暢這些都是機械性方面的基本要求。
2. 吹奏輕鬆、音色亮麗、共鳴穩定、音質厚實，這些都是吹奏方面的基本要求。 |
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1. 很多人看到薩克斯風密密麻麻的音鍵，就直覺認為很難學！其實，薩克斯風按鍵很有系統性，指法也很流
暢，6個主要按鈕就可以吹出2個八度音，再往上或往下一個音孔就是半個音階，高低音主要是靠按鍵以及
高八度音鍵來發音，同一個按鍵可以發出高低相同的兩個音，高音部只多左拇指按下高八度音鍵即可。吹
氣量的大小也可以靠吹口氣孔大小和簧片厚薄作調整,所以薩克斯風是最容易學習的管樂器！
2. 選擇適當的吹嘴和簧片
吹嘴尖端和簧片中的空隙有大小，初學者宜選用中間偏小的空隙較適當，因為初學時嘴唇閉合情形較難固
定，空隙太大較難發聲和控制聲音；太小則容易黏住而發不出聲音。至於吹嘴材質、內孔形狀和音質音色
的影響是較專精的程度，初學者以好吹、順口為最佳選擇！
一般簧片厚度從2、21/2、3、31/2，號碼越大越厚，簧片越薄越容易發聲但音色鬆散，初學者以21/2較佳。
簧片是以天然蘆竹削製而成，同一盒裡每一片音色不盡相同，往往使用過的也會比新的好吹奏。但是，
裂開時一定要丟棄，才不會產生尖銳雜音！
裝置簧片時將簧片平放和吹嘴尾端的弧度對齊，再將固定用數圈套上，固定鎖上。 |
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| 體格 |
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大致上與單簧管相同 |
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但薩克斯風的按鍵設計較容易掌握，吹奏者的手也不需要很大 |
| 3. |
需要演奏者有堅硬寬大的牙齒和寬厚的嘴唇 |
| 智力 |
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| 1. |
薩克管較長笛或單簧管容易學，也容易演奏，樂譜識讀也不難 |
| 個性 |
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| 1. |
快樂、喜歡自由、思想穩健、愛與人交往的孩子適合 |
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The saxophone is comprised of two major parts: the neck and the body. The neck is a removable metal tube that attaches to the top of the body (the soprano saxophone follows a different set of rules that I will cover later) and is covered with cork on the very end of it to allow a mouthpiece to slide onto it. The body consists of a conically shaped brass tube with posts soldered onto the body, (or plates called "ribs" attached to the body) which support rods, keys and key cups that hold leather pads to cover the holes on the body. The keys are usually made of brass or nickel and are often covered with mother-of-pearl where your index, pointer and ring finger touch. Sometimes the thumb and pinky also have mother-of-pearl on touch points. Some rare horns had mother-of-pearl on every key.
The saxophone body is generally finished with some protective coating. Nowadays, that coating is usually a high-gloss brass lacquer or clear-coat lacquer which is baked on. Very old (and some new) saxophones were plated in silver, gold or nickel to protect the brass. There are also new anodized black nickel finishes, colorful lacquer finishes, and auto-body paint styled finishes. The finish is mainly designed for appearance, although it does have an effect on the sound of the instrument (there is a great deal of debate about this, and I will address it further later).
The rods of the saxophone are very important. They support and facilitate all of the movement associated with playing the instrument. If they are weak, your saxophone will not stand up to extended or rigorous playing. Also, weak rods are a sign of an inferior horn. Rods can sometimes be the only way to tell if that shiny new saxophone is made to last! On some horns, the rods will be silver while the body is a gold color (remember it is 99% sure that the finish is lacquer and NOT gold plating!) This is generally a sign that the horn is a student model. Common student models include the King 613 and Cleveland models, Selmer Bundy II, Evette Schaeffer, Olds Parisian, Vito, Armstrong, as well as later Buescher Aristocrats and Conn M series horns, which started as professional models. (I will address student models in detail later.)
Another key element in any saxophone (especially used) is the pads. Pads cover the holes on the saxophone so different sounds can be produced. If pads do not completely cover the holes, the saxophone will not play properly and will be a great source of frustration for beginning and intermediate students. Even professional saxophonists must deal with this problem on a daily basis. Pads should be soft to the touch and completely cover the adjacent tone holes. Pads should be a light brown color and will commonly have metal or brass discs on them called resonators. These discs help reflect sound back into the horn to aid sound projection and increase overall volume. |
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Saxophones have specific names for parts, just like a car. As mentioned earlier, the removable tube at the top of the saxophone is called the neck, or sometimes gooseneck (presumably due to the "goose-like" sound produced when you blow on it with the mouthpiece attached).
alto saxophone neck
On the neck is a single key and hole called the octave vent. If you follow the mechanics of that key down to the body, you will find a small (usually round) platform where the left thumb rests. Just above this thumb rest is a flat metal key called the octave key which operates the octave mechanism on the neck.
The saxophone body is comprised of three parts. The first length (running from the top to where the curve just starts to form) is usually referred to as the body tube or main body. This is where your fingers operate the keys.
The body section of a tenor saxophone
The second part is the U-shaped tube on the bottom of the saxophone called the bow.The bow section of a tenor saxophone
The final part is the large flared part at the end called the bell. The two large round keys on the bell are called bell keys.
alto saxophone bell
On the main body of the horn towards the bottom, before the bow, is a hook-shaped piece of metal or plastic called the thumb rest. This is where your right thumb supports the weight of the horn (important: note that on most horns, the serial number and horn pitch indicator is located just below the thumb rest).
A few inches above the thumb rest is the small, metal loop where the neck strap attaches.
There are two sets of keys that are grouped together: one in the middle and one down low by the bow. These are called spatula keys.
There is also a long, skinny group of 3 rectangular keys near the bottom right side called the side keys. |
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| Assembly |
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Always consult your teacher if you are not sure how to put together your instrument. |
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NEVER force the parts of your instrument together. |
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Hold on to the bell and neck when attaching the neck to the body. To avoid bending the neck, hold on to the neck when attaching the mouthpiece to the neck assembly. Avoid holding the keys when assembling your saxophone. |
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| Maintenance photo sax repair |
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Use cork grease on your saxophone as little as possible. When you do apply cork grease you will need to rub it into the cork. |
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When properly used, cork grease should allow you to assemble your saxophone without using excessive force. |
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Do not leave the reed attached to the mouthpiece. This will shorten the life of the reed and cause it to collect germs. |
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Wipe off your fingerprints from the keys after every use. A clean, non-treated cotton cloth will work the best. If you do choose to use a treated polishing cloth be sure that it is for the proper finish. Using the wrong treated cloth could cause scratches. |
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Clean out the moisture from your instrument with an absorbent cotton drop swab after every use by inserting it in the small end first. Removing the moisture from your saxophone before putting it away each time will prolong the life of the pads. |
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Please do not leave your neck strap attached to your instrument while in the case. |
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Always store your instrument in its case with the lid closed when not in use. This will prevent any excess tarnishing and lower the risk of damage. |
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Do not put anything (including sheet music) inside the case with your instrument that does not belong. Closing the case with extra contents can cause damage to the delicate keys. Also, make sure that all the latches are securely closed before transporting your instrument. |
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