How to hold the saxophone?

Yes, we all love the saxophone. We enjoy feeling it, and playing it helps us forget the problems of everyday life. It’s clear that we don’t want to take away even a bit of the magic from our favorite instrument, but there is one point we sometimes forget: our beloved sax can cause back pain.

An alto saxophone weighs around 2.5 kg, and a baritone can reach up to 6 kg, which makes it essential—especially in the latter case—to distribute the weight over a wider area than just the neck, where the traditional strap rests.

As in many other areas, technological progress has also reached the world of saxophone accessories, and over the last 10 years we have seen the emergence of a wide variety of straps that are very useful for supporting the saxophone on our body.

The main drivers behind the evolution of sax straps have been two: aesthetics and minimizing the risk of muscular strain in the neck and back.
Looking back at saxophone pedagogy, we would like to mention Joe Allard, a saxophone and clarinet teacher for more than 60 years at Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, and Manhattan School of Music. Among his students were John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Bob Berg, Dave Liebman, and Eric Dolphy—whose ideas and principles have been adopted by almost every performer, both classical and jazz.

Joe Allard placed great importance on how to hold the saxophone, emphasizing that the player should go to the instrument, not the other way around—whether by excess (damaging the thumbs by holding the sax too far from the body) or by default (the instrument comes to the player, forcing them to bend the neck or curve the back).

In this video, the acclaimed classical saxophonist Harvey Pittel talks about throat position and how the way we hold the saxophone affects it:

At Sax On, we are convinced of the importance of posture (and we want to take care of our customers’ backs!), so we offer several strap and harness options to help you choose the best way to hold your saxophone depending on how you use it.

Santtonio Strap

This product meets the needs our customers have shared with us over years of experience. We have designed a discreet strap with a band made from an innovative material, comfortable on the neck and breathable—an essential feature often overlooked, especially in summer. Fully black, with a vintage-style adjustable slider, the strap remains visually subtle so you can enjoy your performance without distraction. It also features a metal hook for added security when attaching to the saxophone ring.

SaxHolder Pro Harness

The Swiss manufacturer JazzLab has taken a step further by redesigning its flagship product, the Sax Holder, turning it into the SaxHolder Pro. As with the previous model, its design distributes the weight of the saxophone across the back in a more relaxed way, while the connecting cord allows full mobility, similar to a traditional strap—something most harnesses do not offer.

Additionally, the SaxHolder Pro has been improved through user feedback:

• Larger shoulder pads for greater comfort
• Longer support cord to reduce pressure on the right thumb
• Lockable shoulder supports for better stability and removable for easier storage
• Adjustable and lockable cord to prevent the instrument from slipping
• Adjustable harness length for better front support
• Redesigned abdominal support for improved body fit

Whimory BALAM Harness

Also known as the “BALAM back strap” by our colleague Jack Furniture from Boston Sax Shop. This is one of the most elegant and functional harnesses available today. Its design ensures that no part of the neck is under pressure or bearing weight. Fully customizable to each player, with beautifully aged brass hooks.

It is built on an aluminum frame (extremely lightweight and durable), covered with genuine leather in South Korea. You won’t find a more discreet and easy-to-use harness on the market, allowing long practice sessions without back strain. And on stage, no one will even notice you’re wearing it. It can also be easily stored inside the bell of the saxophone within its case.

There are many solutions available—the important thing is that each player finds the system that feels most comfortable and allows them to express themselves freely with their instrument.