Why I Prefer Curved Soprano Sax Over Straight (Slightly)

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There’s a reason the curved soprano saxophone is making such a strong comeback, and it’s not just because of its charming appearance. After years of playing both curved and straight designs, I’ve come to appreciate a few key advantages that make the curved soprano a clear winner. Let’s look at what sets it apart and take a closer look at the new BetterSax Classic Curved Soprano Saxophone.

Advantage 1: Travel Convenience

I like having a saxophone with me everywhere I go. When traveling for a performance, I need to bring my main horn, usually an alto or tenor. Every saxophonist knows the stress of flying with their instrument: Will the airline let it fit in the overhead compartment, or will I end up arguing at the gate because the case doesn’t fit in that little metal frame?

Here’s the secret. Only the curved soprano sax case fits in every one of those sizing frames. That means you can bring it on any plane with total peace of mind. Whenever I go on family trips, I bring my curved soprano. It’s small, light, and completely worry-free.

Advantage 2: Comfort While Playing

The soprano sax is light enough that you could play it without a neck strap, and some players do, but I find that my right thumb gets tired quickly. If you’re like me and prefer to play with a neck strap, the curved soprano is far more comfortable. It allows you to play at any angle, just like an alto or tenor, without your left thumb pressing against the strap ring.

Advantage 3: Hearing Your Sound Clearly

Both straight and curved sopranos can sound beautiful, but when you play the curved version, you might feel like it sounds better. That’s because the sound projects upward, just like on other saxophones, instead of down toward the floor. This lets you hear your tone more clearly and gives the impression of a fuller, rounder sound.

Advantage 4: Easier Recording

The upward-facing bell on the curved soprano has another huge advantage – recording. Recording straight soprano has always been tricky. The best method is to use two microphones, one for the bell and another near the keys, since much of the sound comes from both areas. But if you only have one mic, you’re forced to choose between a more nasal bell tone or a midrange tone that lacks fullness.

With the curved soprano, you can record it just like any other saxophone. One mic positioned in front captures both the bell and keys for a balanced, full sound across the range. Recording on curved soprano is simply easier and more consistent.

The New BetterSax Classic Curved Soprano

If I had to choose only one type of soprano, it would be the curved. The new BetterSax Classic Curved Soprano makes that choice easy.

This is our latest addition to the best-selling entry-level classic line of saxophones. Our mission with these horns has been to provide an excellent quality of sound, ergonomics, playability, and aesthetics at an affordable price. The classic curved soprano joins the alto tenor and baritone models to complete our quartet.

For anyone who still prefers straight soprano, don’t worry. We have our classic one piece straight soprano in development and that will be coming out very soon.

Why We Love It

Intonation is one of the biggest challenges on soprano saxophone, and that’s where the Classic Curved Soprano really shines. While no soprano is perfectly easy to play in tune, this one makes it much simpler. Like the rest of the Classic line, it features Pisoni pads with domed metal resonators, blue steel springs, an ergonomic front F key, high F# key, detailed hand engraving on the bell, and our signature dark cognac lacquer that everyone loves.

The Classic Soprano Mouthpiece

We also designed a brand-new mouthpiece to pair with the Classic Curved Soprano. It’s incredibly important that every instrument comes with a high-quality mouthpiece, and this one delivers. For the price, the BetterSax Classic mouthpiece is easily the best student soprano mouthpiece available. Each is made in the USA at the JJ Babbitt factory in Elkhart, Indiana.

The BetterSax Classic line has become a favorite among players, teachers, and band directors around the world over the last five years. Click here to check pricing in your region and to learn more about ordering. Then read this article next to explore our other recent launch that has the saxophone community buzzing.