Embouchure:
1. The saxophonist blows air into the mouthpiece of the saxophone. The mouthpiece consists of a metal reed and a reed-plate.
Reed Vibration:
2. The air stream from the player's breath hits the reed, causing it to vibrate. The reed vibrates against the reed-plate, generating sound waves.
Acoustic Resonators:
3. The vibrating reed sets the air inside the saxophone body into vibration. The saxophone's body, which is made of metal or other materials, acts as an acoustic resonator.
4. The sound waves produced by the vibrating reed are amplified and reinforced by the acoustic properties of the saxophone's body. Different notes are produced by opening and closing holes (called keys) on the instrument, which changes the length of the vibrating air column.
Sound Modification:
5. As the sound waves travel through the saxophone's body, they are modified by the instrument's shape, bore (interior dimensions), and tone holes. The shape and design of the saxophone influence the tone, timbre, and overall sound quality of the instrument.
Key Mechanisms:
6. The saxophone has various keys and mechanisms that allow the player to control the pitch and tone of the instrument. Pressing down on keys opens and closes holes along the body, changing the effective length of the vibrating air column and producing different notes.
Amplification:
7. The sound produced by the saxophone can be further amplified using a microphone, an external amplifier, or a sound system, allowing it to be heard by a larger audience.
In essence, the saxophone produces sound through the vibration of the reed against the reed-plate, which sets the air column within the instrument into vibration. The saxophone's acoustic properties amplify and shape these vibrations to produce the characteristic sound of the saxophone.