Saxophone Straps
Every saxophonist will own a saxophone strap and they are considered an essential piece of kit to own. Saxophone straps can be hung just around the neck, across the body in a sling style or can sit on the shoulders and clip around the waist for more support on bigger saxophones.
Types of saxophone strap
The main function of a saxophone strap is to provide a support mechanism for the saxophone and for the saxophonist. As a general rule, the bigger the saxophone, the more complicated the strap. Big saxophones generally suit straps that go around the neck and clip around the waist, sometimes clipping in two different places around the body. For example:
Another type of saxophone strap is a saxophone sling. It isn’t actually just a sling that holds the saxophone. The word ‘sling’ refers to the way the strap is positioned on the body. For example:
This strap is suited to medium sized saxophones. This only problem I can see with a sling style strap is that it may cause discomfort on the shoulder that it rests on as all the weight of the saxophone will be held there. It also stops discomfort from happening in the thumb area as the saxophonist won’t have to hold their instrument on their thumb constantly.
The most common strap is the strap that just fits on the neck of the saxophonist, they look like this:
Modern saxophone straps usually have the comfort of the saxophone as the main priority in their design. The part of the strap that is in contact with the neck of the saxophonist is soft and hard wearing and often made of a special material that is designed to absorb shocks. The cable that then attach to the saxophone are thin but strong so support the weight of the saxophone.
Neotech saxophone straps
Neotech is the name of a company who make many different woodwind and brass accessories. They make their saxophone straps out of a special material which is soft, doesn’t rub, and absorbs shock around the neck. Many of Neotechs straps fit the clarinet, the English horn and the oboe.
This particular strap is full adjustable to fit any of those instruments and comes with a selection of easy to attach plastic hooks. This strap also features what Neotech call a ‘unique adjustment slide’ so that the strap can be adjusted to suit the body and strength of the person using it.
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