Saxophone Playing Support

ERGOsax - Sax Support
Soprano Sax support

The general idea of all ERGObrass and also ERGOsax soprano support is based on a simple fact that all wind instruments are heavy to hold. We all know that relaxation is very important also in soprano saxophone playing. However, holding the instrument in playing position inevitably produces a static tension especially in right hand and thumb but also in the arm, shoulders, upper body and throat. Typically a player bend his or her head down and play the soprano downwards. This enables the neck strap to carry a part of the weight but the posture is difficult in the long run. Also the bell should be pointing higher to the audience, but then the neck strap does not help at all…

Most players can play with this curved posture and the tension, of course – but the tension is always there, disturbing the performance.

The real solution for the problems above is simple: by using an ERGOsax support every soprano sax player can stay totally relaxed while playing. And in addition to the better efficiency, it is also very comfortable!

The ERGOsax soprano support is specially designed to be a handy medium to enable the player to keep his or her hands and upper body completely relaxed by removing the need for the arms to support the weight of the soprano sax. Instead, the ERGOsax will transmit the weight of the horn to the chair, or to the belt pouch the player may wear.

Freeing up the upper body can also help the most important aspects of wind playing: breathing and airflow. With the weight of the instrument taken off of the body, the player’s touch and feel for playing are improved and stresses are reduced.

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How to install the attaching part, the “ERGOPenguin”

ERGOsax penguin attaching
Place the support head, the penguin, on top of the rod and the other spring below the penguin so that the spring is pointing downwards.

Plug the ERGOPenguin head to the neck strap ring of your instrument. Press the black button, this opens the slot lock and you can put the neck strap ring inside the slot, then release.

Put the support rod inside the black support tube and wrap the rubber band of the tube around the larger and lower screw of the spring lock.
ERGOsax penguin ready to play

With the Patented Penguin head you can adjust how much the spring bends while you play and move your instrument. The higher the Penguin head is locked on the rod, the more it can move in all directions. This will give you a very smooth feeling! The lower it is, the more firm and stable feeling you get. At the lowest position the rod goes inside the penguin head and then it cannot bend at all.

Experiment with different settings to find what you like best.

With this support it is as easy to play sitting down as standing up

ERGOsax sitting and standing
Attaching ERG-oboe 3

In the support rod there is a coiled spring in order to give a smooth and soft floating feel to the horn. Your hands and arms are no more supporting the weight of the instrument. 

You can attach your neck strap to the ring in the penguin neck to give you some extra stability even if the support takes most of the weight. Note, in the photo is an English horn.)

Now the weight of the soprano is transmitted to the belt pouch or to the chair. There is also a little ring in the support head. Put the strap lock in this ring as using the strap will keep the soprano better in balance, even your neck is no longer supporting the weight.

“Congratulations, It work great for me! The sound projection is better. I always have been in search of a better sax support. That’s it!

Of course it is big change in the proprioception practice. But in a first time I will balance between my Vandoren neckstrap and your material.

From soprano to baritone the result is really impressive.”

Claude Delangle


Professor of Saxophone
National Superior Conservatory of Music,
Paris, France

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