🎷Dan, in the three years since this video came out, a relatively new product has shown up by the company that makes “Key Leaves” key-propping devices. It’s the Rulon thumb rest that replaces the right thumb hook on saxophones. It is flat (no hook) and comes in various materials and textures. This has been a life-saver for me. At 77, I’m still a very active saxophone performer but I’ve developed arthritis in both thumbs. This simple fix has eliminated all tension and pain in my right hand and has even freed up my finger action considerably! 😀 I chose the black carbon fiber version which gives the pad of my thumb just the right texture to prevent slipping. For most of my 62 year career, I did use the hook WAY TOO MUCH. Not anymore!👍
Thank you so much for this video. Had thumb pains (both thumbs) last year after practicing over five hours a day and had to stop playing for 6 months. I asked a bunch of pros and never got the answers you just provided! This should be the second lesson...right after unpacking your sax!
That was really good. I'm away from my sax right now, but I've saved this video and I'll undoubtedly watch it several times. I've subscribed and liked. Thank you.
Definitely don't give up! Have you joined our Facebook group? So many people to support you on your Sax journey Denis: facebook.com/groups/learnsax All the best!
thank you for this! I have been holding the saxophone wrong for multiple years, I even used to take classes and my teacher never told me… I eventually figured something was wrong and that thumb pain probably shouldn’t be normal and I found this video!! thank you❤️
Such a difference in comfort from making one small change. Sometimes it's the simplest advice that can make the big differences. Now I can focus on my playing without waiting for the cramp to set in in my thumb.
Learning alto sax as a 4th instrument. Am self-taught with the help of a couple of youtube videos. Despite my strap, I've been putting the wrong weight on my thumb and this video has been extremely thorough, concise and immediately helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for putting this video up. I've been playing for 2.5 years but without a teacher. This really helped get some small things right to stop shoulder pain and put at rest some questions I had.
Thank you soooo much. Can't believe the difference to comfort of my RH thumb and all the keys are so much easier to reach. Brilliant stuff - thank you for sharing x
I bet almost nobody is teaching this as thoroughly as you are! I told me teacher my thumb hurt and he just kinda glossed over it. I will certainly try this adjustment to stop my right thumb from hurting.
Super video. The two major things that I do before playing is proper adjustment of the neck harness and the saxophone neck adjustment to align with the mouth, which takes almost all the weight of the saxophone off my hands and thumb. As far as scratches, I always play with my shirt over my belt to prevent any scratches.
Hi Dan, I am 65, and have always wanted to play sax, Having been tuning into & following your videos for 3/4 years, I have now got going with Alto sax, I would really appreciate some help and tips. Thanks, The Happy Wanderer.
I have been playing my sax for longer periods of time and have noticed that my right thumb has started hurting. I will take on board what you have said in this video for sure. Thanks Dan.
How did you find this video folks? Hopefully you'll adjust your playing position and save your thumbs. Let me know below if you're going to be using this way of holding your sax! We have over 1100 members in our Learning Saxophone Community - a friendly + 100% supportive community for sax players like you. Come join us! facebook.com/groups/learnsax
Tenor sax is basically the same idea. Except you might not be able to play it in between your legs. You'll probably have to play over your right leg like he shows in the video.
Super useful advice. Both of my thumbs hurt and I have been putting ice on them after I practice my tenor. These ideas are great, and I'm going to put them into practice in combo with a new neck strap. I haven't played my bass sax for 15+ years because it hurt my thumb. Now I'll pull it out again. Thanks!
Never had thumb joint pain, but really bad callous on right thumb got to the point I was asking my teachers and the common reply that I always got ( which if anyone here ever gets from their teacher, they should quit lessons with that teacher) was “ I never have that problem”. I started looking into alternative thumb rests and finally found “Shapeways” 3D print thumb rest. My hand rests very similar to the way Gerry Mulligan held his sax with the right hand where he didn’t use a thumb rest at all. I play relaxed and no more callous on my right thumb.
Thanks for this great video. I'm a beginner with a tenor sax and got a bad thumb pain last night after a practice session. Found your advice most helpful. I've definitely been putting strain on the thumb joint exactly as you describe. Cheers. Ian
This was great. I'm an adultreal beginner ( just had my first face - to - face lesson this week ) with arthritis in my hands and finding my thumbs were sore I found your lesson. Fantastic. Thank you
Yep, Baritone Saxes are really punishing to the joints if you don't do the pushing away/down thing! You'll quickly get aching joints and long term potentially create ligament issues. Thank you for the comment Cheesy, means the world! Dan
Thanks so much for posting! I have been playing for three years, and only lately has my octave thumb joint started to hurt. OUCH! I watched this and it really helps. Although I have to slow down bc I'm concentrating not to hyperextend my thumb. I guess the muscles have to get stronger. Using the tips of my fingers was also slightly lacking. I live in the middle of nowhere so I'm self-taught, and developed these bad habits. Super video!
Thank you! This was just the help I needed. I'm a beginner in my old age and was concerned I wouldn't be able to learn the sax because of the thumb pain. I can't wait to try it!
I actually thought I had developed arthritis and playing the sax accentuated the pain. Just started playing this Spring so didn’t know I was holding the sax wrong. Thank you.
Thanks for this tutorial! I have had the question for a while -- am I supposed to hold up the weight of the sax? It sounds like from your advice, I shouldn't (I am an oboist moving to sax, so used to holding the instrument up) and use my body instead. Is that correct?
That's exactly right. Try and use the pivot point of the neck strap/harness to take the weight and find a part of your body to rest the sax against. This way you can just use the thumbs to guide the sax rather than brace the weight :-)
Hi. Thank you for teaching correct positioning while playing. I am only the beginner. I have problems started on my left wrist. My hand is small, difficult to adjust to correct position as I won't be able to reach for the keys. It does not really stays in 'neutral' position. What is your advice would be ? Thank you
Hi. I appreciated watching your video. Do you have any videos of holding the saxophone while sitting in a chair with the instrument in front? I get to sit in those plastic chairs you mentioned and some tips would be helpful. Thanks
I've known people put strips of tacky rubber along the edge so they can pull the sax into the chair (tenor) I always played on chairs with the sax in the middle...
My saxophone is a Dolnet Paris Series II, the thumbhook is really lower. It makes my thumb be lined up with my middle finger instead to my indicator, what would be a natural position. Sometimes I get jobs playing kinda 4 sets everyday, and it is really painful. I just can't find ways to make it better at my case. ://
Thanks a lot. I managed to block my right thumb for few months back in December. Where in England are you from? I've never heard your accent before. Cheers.
I’m a new adult player, but played a lot of other instruments. My right thumb joint gets sore and it feels better if I actually go above the thumb hook rather than lower as you’re suggesting. Weird.
I'm wondering if your sax is actually set up differently as if I put my thumb that high I'd be struggling to reach the keys... Provided you are stood up right, have good balance and reach all the keys you should be good though.
Does it work for standing too ? I always think that we should not use the hip or other part of the body besides neck to support the weight of the sax 🎷.
For standing it's even more important! Please protect your neck when playing as over a long period of time you can get aches and pains if you are holding the sax wrong. Focus on distributing the weight of the sax across your body as much as possible by using the tips in the video :)
I have to practice that ... However, I have problems when I have to play C # that I lose the saxophone either to one side or the other ... Ps .. I have a stomach like a Santa Claus. Johnny ... form Danmark.
If you're playing a rusty drainpipe maybe. Won't happen on any half decent sax and the alternative of getting rsi/trap, wrist, forearms tightness or elbow pain makes it worth it regardless.
🎷Dan, in the three years since this video came out, a relatively new product has shown up by the company that makes “Key Leaves” key-propping devices. It’s the Rulon thumb rest that replaces the right thumb hook on saxophones. It is flat (no hook) and comes in various materials and textures. This has been a life-saver for me. At 77, I’m still a very active saxophone performer but I’ve developed arthritis in both thumbs. This simple fix has eliminated all tension and pain in my right hand and has even freed up my finger action considerably! 😀 I chose the black carbon fiber version which gives the pad of my thumb just the right texture to prevent slipping. For most of my 62 year career, I did use the hook WAY TOO MUCH. Not anymore!👍
Thank you so much for this video. Had thumb pains (both thumbs) last year after practicing over five hours a day and had to stop playing for 6 months. I asked a bunch of pros and never got the answers you just provided! This should be the second lesson...right after unpacking your sax!
Reading comments like this is exactly the reason I do sax lessons on UA-cam Herve. My pleasure!
That was really good. I'm away from my sax right now, but I've saved this video and I'll undoubtedly watch it several times. I've subscribed and liked. Thank you.
Thank you for the lessons
Actually I was almost giving up with saxophone playing because of thumb hurting
Definitely don't give up! Have you joined our Facebook group? So many people to support you on your Sax journey Denis: facebook.com/groups/learnsax
All the best!
thank you for this! I have been holding the saxophone wrong for multiple years, I even used to take classes and my teacher never told me… I eventually figured something was wrong and that thumb pain probably shouldn’t be normal and I found this video!! thank you❤️
So pleased it helped!! ❤️
This is the best demonstration I’ve seen on how to avoid thumb pain. Thank you 😊
Glad it was helpful!
Amazing how this works so well. This has helped me so much to understand how to handle it.
I've had the thumb pain before so passing on what helped me! 🙂
Lately I got some thump pain and I'm very grateful for your advice
Such a difference in comfort from making one small change.
Sometimes it's the simplest advice that can make the big differences. Now I can focus on my playing without waiting for the cramp to set in in my thumb.
Yes Tim!! So pleased this sax lesson helped you my friend 😊 makes it all worthwhile!
Learning alto sax as a 4th instrument. Am self-taught with the help of a couple of youtube videos. Despite my strap, I've been putting the wrong weight on my thumb and this video has been extremely thorough, concise and immediately helpful. Thank you!
So pleased it helped you! 🎷
Thanks for putting this video up. I've been playing for 2.5 years but without a teacher. This really helped get some small things right to stop shoulder pain and put at rest some questions I had.
Thank you soooo much. Can't believe the difference to comfort of my RH thumb and all the keys are so much easier to reach. Brilliant stuff - thank you for sharing x
Glad it helped!
I bet almost nobody is teaching this as thoroughly as you are! I told me teacher my thumb hurt and he just kinda glossed over it. I will certainly try this adjustment to stop my right thumb from hurting.
I just started sax and I was having killer pain in my right thumb…. I’ll try what you suggested and see if it helps. Thanks.
Super video. The two major things that I do before playing is proper adjustment of the neck harness and the saxophone neck adjustment to align with the mouth, which takes almost all the weight of the saxophone off my hands and thumb. As far as scratches, I always play with my shirt over my belt to prevent any scratches.
Exactly Kevin! I scratched mine to pieces in school, maybe I'm due a new sax but we've been together long time! 😊
They don't teach this in band.
Yes please, a tutorial with the tenor would be great. My left thumb is very painful...
I have a tenor sax and sore thumbs, I'll try this out, thank you!
Hi Dan, I am 65, and have always wanted to play sax, Having been tuning into & following your videos for 3/4 years, I have now got going with Alto sax, I would really appreciate some help and tips. Thanks, The Happy Wanderer.
Great advise. So many years doing this wrongly..
Glad it helped you Franky!
Thanks, this gives me hope! I've just started getting pain in my right thumb, with an alto sax.
Hopefully you'll be golden moving forwards! You can look into sax harnesses instead of neck straps to take away more weight.
This is totally brand new information for me. Thank you so much
Glad to be of service Gary!
Yeah that little twerk has made so much difference. Honestly well done
I have been playing my sax for longer periods of time and have noticed that my right thumb has started hurting. I will take on board what you have said in this video for sure. Thanks Dan.
Sorry to hear that Sue, I'm certain this well help as there is too much pressure going through the RH at the moment.
How did you find this video folks? Hopefully you'll adjust your playing position and save your thumbs. Let me know below if you're going to be using this way of holding your sax!
We have over 1100 members in our Learning Saxophone Community - a friendly + 100% supportive community for sax players like you. Come join us! facebook.com/groups/learnsax
Glad I found this. My right thumb has been killing me. I have been hooking it in the rest, I'll work on this technique and see if it helps
Excellent video!!! No more thumb pain (especially the right one) and general joint discomfort after your advice! Thanks a lot Dan!
You're most welcome Georgios! So pleased it helped your sax issue.
Really Interesting and I'd certainly be interested to see one for tenor
Thank you Profusia!
Tenor sax is basically the same idea. Except you might not be able to play it in between your legs. You'll probably have to play over your right leg like he shows in the video.
Super useful advice. Both of my thumbs hurt and I have been putting ice on them after I practice my tenor. These ideas are great, and I'm going to put them into practice in combo with a new neck strap. I haven't played my bass sax for 15+ years because it hurt my thumb. Now I'll pull it out again. Thanks!
Never had thumb joint pain, but really bad callous on right thumb got to the point I was asking my teachers and the common reply that I always got ( which if anyone here ever gets from their teacher, they should quit lessons with that teacher) was “ I never have that problem”. I started looking into alternative thumb rests and finally found “Shapeways” 3D print thumb rest. My hand rests very similar to the way Gerry Mulligan held his sax with the right hand where he didn’t use a thumb rest at all. I play relaxed and no more callous on my right thumb.
Wow! That worked immediately! It's a bit of an adjustment on the right hand, but my thumb has been chucked under that thumb hook for eons!!! LOL
Same with most people! Most welcome!
Thanks for this great video. I'm a beginner with a tenor sax and got a bad thumb pain last night after a practice session. Found your advice most helpful. I've definitely been putting strain on the thumb joint exactly as you describe. Cheers. Ian
No problem Ian glad you found it useful!
This was great. I'm an adultreal beginner ( just had my first face - to - face lesson this week ) with arthritis in my hands and finding my thumbs were sore I found your lesson. Fantastic. Thank you
You got this!
A fantastic video Dan. Keep them coming x
Thank you Sue!!
Thank you for this video! I teach high school saxophonists and this was extremely valuable for both me and them.
Thank you Kelsey, really pleased to have helped! 😊
Thank You so much, wow was I feeling the pain. Now my thumb can get better.
That was very helpful - thanks
Cheers for taking time to comment Dave, glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Great video just what i needed, is the same for tenor saxophone? thanks
Thanks for the tip - made a big difference
This video is exactly what I was looking for to help me with thumb pain when I play my Bari sax
Yep, Baritone Saxes are really punishing to the joints if you don't do the pushing away/down thing! You'll quickly get aching joints and long term potentially create ligament issues. Thank you for the comment Cheesy, means the world! Dan
Thank you. I really needed this
Thanks so much for posting! I have been playing for three years, and only lately has my octave thumb joint started to hurt. OUCH!
I watched this and it really helps. Although I have to slow down bc I'm concentrating not to hyperextend my thumb. I guess the muscles have to get stronger. Using the tips of my fingers was also slightly lacking. I live in the middle of nowhere so I'm self-taught, and developed these bad habits. Super video!
Thank you! This was just the help I needed. I'm a beginner in my old age and was concerned I wouldn't be able to learn the sax because of the thumb pain. I can't wait to try it!
Glad it was helpful!
I actually thought I had developed arthritis and playing the sax accentuated the pain. Just started playing this Spring so didn’t know I was holding the sax wrong. Thank you.
😊
Really helpful tips - thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Caroline, more on the way! ^_^
Thank you so much for this information, very helpful and useful 🙏❤️🎷
That was so helpful. I also have a tenor sax and am finding it a lot heavier of course. Do you have a video to show me how to hold that correctly?
I don't just yet Meriel but try to use your body to take the weight of the tenor by having it at your side.
Thanks for this tutorial! I have had the question for a while -- am I supposed to hold up the weight of the sax? It sounds like from your advice, I shouldn't (I am an oboist moving to sax, so used to holding the instrument up) and use my body instead. Is that correct?
That's exactly right. Try and use the pivot point of the neck strap/harness to take the weight and find a part of your body to rest the sax against. This way you can just use the thumbs to guide the sax rather than brace the weight :-)
Hi. Thank you for teaching correct positioning while playing. I am only the beginner. I have problems started on my left wrist. My hand is small, difficult to adjust to correct position as I won't be able to reach for the keys. It does not really stays in 'neutral' position. What is your advice would be ? Thank you
Megalike))) Always was not sure about Right thumb role in positioning saxophone.
🙏
Hi. I appreciated watching your video. Do you have any videos of holding the saxophone while sitting in a chair with the instrument in front? I get to sit in those plastic chairs you mentioned and some tips would be helpful. Thanks
I've known people put strips of tacky rubber along the edge so they can pull the sax into the chair (tenor) I always played on chairs with the sax in the middle...
Great video
I needed this, thank you! Hopefully thumb pain goes away.
My saxophone is a Dolnet Paris Series II, the thumbhook is really lower. It makes my thumb be lined up with my middle finger instead to my indicator, what would be a natural position. Sometimes I get jobs playing kinda 4 sets everyday, and it is really painful. I just can't find ways to make it better at my case. ://
Good morning praise the lord.. frnd....me( Ronaldo) from india..
Thank you
No problem!
Thanks a lot. I managed to block my right thumb for few months back in December.
Where in England are you from? I've never heard your accent before.
Cheers.
Good old Yorkshire (Sheffield is the closest) but my mum is a londoner so have some elements of that too!
Thank you.
Hey I'm a beginner but I feel like I look so stiff and weird when I play is there any suggestions for how to move in a nice way when playing.?
I’m a new adult player, but played a lot of other instruments.
My right thumb joint gets sore and it feels better if I actually go above the thumb hook rather than lower as you’re suggesting. Weird.
I'm wondering if your sax is actually set up differently as if I put my thumb that high I'd be struggling to reach the keys...
Provided you are stood up right, have good balance and reach all the keys you should be good though.
Thank you so much
Does it work for standing too ? I always think that we should not use the hip or other part of the body besides neck to support the weight of the sax 🎷.
For standing it's even more important! Please protect your neck when playing as over a long period of time you can get aches and pains if you are holding the sax wrong. Focus on distributing the weight of the sax across your body as much as possible by using the tips in the video :)
@@SaxCasts Thank you for the advice .
damn... my thumb is sore and i've been playing for three weeks now and i thought maybe am still new that's why
Is there a big difference between alto and tenor in how to hold it though?
Yes, unless you are 8 feet tall.
Thank you …first lesson next week at 56 yrs old 😂❤
Hope it went well!
What kind of ligature is that?
I had steady thumb pain, this helps a lot. Next question, how to stop sax swiveling, when standing, and playing just a left hand side key.
Which sax are you struggling with a Garth?
What kind of brand of your saxophone.?
Yamaha 62
I play tenor and find my left thumb hurts after a while(octave key)
I'd check the alignment of your wrist and make sure you aren't overreaching the key on your tenor sax!
I have to practice that ... However, I have problems when I have to play C # that I lose the saxophone either to one side or the other ... Ps .. I have a stomach like a Santa Claus. Johnny ... form Danmark.
the screw can probably mark your skin with its shape
If you're playing a rusty drainpipe maybe. Won't happen on any half decent sax and the alternative of getting rsi/trap, wrist, forearms tightness or elbow pain makes it worth it regardless.
@@SaxCasts ok thanks for letting me know, helped a lot
I find alto or tenor that holding it at the side diminishes tone quality.
It shouldn't, are you venting the octave key by turning the crook too far?
@@SaxCasts No, always kept that centered. What I do notice is that I'm steadier in the middle.