A full sized Eb alto saxophone designed for small hands so that younger players can now start 2 - 3 years earlier and weighing 33% less than most conventional models.
(An incredible 46% lighter in it's special lightweight hard case!)
 

"Initially I was skeptical when I opened the case and saw the Alphasax.  However on playing the instrument and then understanding why it has been done, I believe it to be a truly fantastic opportunity for music education.  It opens new doors for the younger or smaller players who want to play a saxophone…not a flute or clarinet!" - Michael Watkin – Manchester sax teacher

"What a fantastic idea!  The alphasax is still an alto sax but has been designed for just the students I am turning away because they are too small!" - John Doorman -  Leeds sax teacher

Made of brass and based on the award winning Trevor James Horn, the Alphasax has been designed in consultation with education professionals so that it can be used for the first three of the Associated Board Grade Examinations.

TYPICAL PROBLEMS FOR A PLAYER WITH SMALL HANDS

• Some keys are impossible to avoid, making the instrument unplayable
  & other keys are impossible to reach.

• The weight can be too much for some young players (& some adults).

• The fragility (and even taste) of the reed can deter some players.

THE ALPHA SAX SOLUTION

• Problematic keys have been removed or redesigned for extra comfort.

• The weight has been reduced by an amazing 33%.

• A tough Legere synthetic reed is included.

THE DETAIL

• The left hand palm keys for top D#, E and F have been removed.

• The top D key has been adjusted to fit small hands.

• The  low B & Bb keys have been removed.

• Redesigned G# and low C# keys are now easier to reach.

• The right hand side F# keys and side C key have been removed.

• Redesigned low D# and C keys are now easier to reach.

• The Alphasax retains a fully chromatic range from low C to high D.

• Bb bis and side Bb keys are retained.

The 'missing' keys are those at the extremes of the instrument's range that are not usually required until later on in the student's development.
In all other respects the Alphasax is a conventional alto saxophone.

A new lightweight (1.48kg) moulded hard case with backpack straps is included along with a padded next strap, mouthpiece, cap and single screw ligature.  A Legere synthetic reed completes the package, which has altogether been designed to provide fast and rewarding results to encourage young students.

Don’t believe what you are told….size doesn’t really matter!!

The saxophone is one of the most popular musical instruments around today, and features in many high profile bands.  Until now however, a new generation of potential musicians have been denied the opportunity to learn the instrument, based solely around their age and size!

This age and size discrimination has now been rectified by UK woodwind specialist Worldwind Music Ltd, with a revolutionary new design of alto saxophone enabling young children to fulfil their dream of learning to play the saxophone. 

The challenge facing Worldwind Music was to design and manufacture an alto saxophone that would meet the needs of the smaller and younger players currently unable to learn to play the instrument, due to weight and hand positioning issues.  To enable future progression it was also essential that any such new instrument would also fit in with established instrumental teaching publications by retaining fundamental fingerings and instrumental key of Eb. 

The Result

The Alphasax is based around the original body tube of the award winning Trevor James Horn alto saxophone (thereby offering the proven rich tonal possibilities of an established and award-winning alto sax) with completely redesigned mechanism and tone hole positioning. It has a full two octave chromatic facility and utilises established finger positioning to enable the smaller player to learn the alto saxophone using current study books.

At only 1.86kg in weight the revolutionary Alphasax saxophone is 33% lighter than the traditional alto saxophone.  Not only that, but with a packaged weight of an incredible 3.34kg in its carry case (compared to the usual 4.9kg +), the instrument outfit is a stunning 46% lighter than a standard packaged instrument.
 

What the teachers say..........................................

"Initially I was skeptical when I opened the case and saw the Alphasax.  However on playing the instrument and then understanding why it has been done, I believe it to be a truly fantastic opportunity for music education.  It opens new doors for the younger or smaller players who want to play a saxophone…not a flute or clarinet!" - Michael Watkin – Manchester sax teacher

"What a fantastic idea!  The alphasax is still an alto sax but has been designed for just the students I am turning away because they are too small!" - John Doorman -  Leeds sax teacher