While vertical rowing and yoga were popular options offered up, the thread got me thinking about how playing soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone (I play bass in a stand<\/a>) all hurt in different ways. Could doing an exercise routine of some sort really be the answer to the pain?<\/p>\n It is worth noting that the pain I feel is to some degree based on which brand or model of saxophone I’m playing. For example, the heavier the horn, the worse the pain in my neck is, which is why my Committee III baritone hurts my neck much more, and in a much shorter time, than my Mark VI bari. Makes sense, right? Or the less sophisticated the right thumb rest is, the more uncomfortable my right hand becomes while playing, and the more pain I have in my right thumb.<\/p>\n This is the order in which I most frequently play the four most common saxophone voices: baritone, tenor, alto, and finally soprano. Therefore based on this order, here is the pain I most commonly get from playing the saxophone voice in question.<\/p>\n Now I readily admit I have not tried vertical rowing, yoga, core strengthening or isometric neck exercises, but then I’m honestly not sure that’s what I need to be doing. There are however, some ways to make playing sax easier using equipment.<\/p>\n![\"human](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/Sax-up-the-Ass-copy.jpg?resize=468%2C757&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNot all saxophones are created equal<\/h2>\n
Baritone<\/h2>\n
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Tenor<\/h2>\n
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Alto<\/h2>\n
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Soprano (straight)<\/h2>\n
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Here is what I’ve tried in order to overcome the pain from playing sax:<\/h2>\n
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