Best Saxophone Lyres & Best Lyre for Saxophone
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Saxophones are among the most celebrated wind instruments in the world. While they are a joy to play, they are very delicate in nature. Besides, they can also prove difficult to play under certain circumstances, like in a marching band.
As a result, the musical accessory industry has witness continuous efforts in the production of items/tools whose aim is to reduce the risk of exposure of wind instruments like the saxophone and enhance their playability as well. It was such efforts that gave birth to the LYRE.
What are the Best Saxophone Lyres to Buy?
2) Original Swab Selmer Alto/Tenor Sax Gd Lyre
- Boasting a gold lacquer finish
- Durable
- Offers a better way to balance and hold music
- Fits most of the tenor and alto saxophones
1) Grover-Trophy Marching Saxophone Lyre
- Organize musical rendition in good style
- Move freely without worrying missing important notes
- Perfect size
3) American Plating 517G-12 Saxophone Lyre
- Brass design
- Durable and reliable
- Universal size setting
- Universal size setting
- Perfect for the needs of the beginner saxophone player
The Saxophone Lyre
The sax lyre is not the same as with the ancient classical wind stringed instrument known to the Grecians. The modern sax lyre is a revolutionary device (an upgrade to the music stand) that are strategically attached to your saxophone and holds your music in place without the use of a music stand.
Typically, you will find the lyre attached on top of your sax body, just beneath the neck region. However, in some rare cases, you can find them on the side of your instruments, depending on where your lyre mount is.
The Benefits Of Using Lyres On Saxophones
Saxophones lyres are specifically designed to meet the playing needs of sax players in the marching bands. Hence, they are called “marching band accessories.” Normans described them as “the savior of the marching band!”
What lyres do for the ardent sax player in the marching band is that it allows them to move freely without having to stay in visual range of a stand or having to commit their music to memory. These two benefits are huge and therefore make it crucial for all saxophone players in the marching band to have.
Another overlooked benefit of using saxophone lyres is that they are also handy in situations where there is limited room space or in an instance where using static music stand is not feasible, as it is with caroling.
What Types Of Saxophone Lyre Should I Buy?
Basically, there are two kinds of saxophone lyres – plastic and metal. While a good quality plastic saxophone lyre will hold your music in place and as well add little or nothing to the overall weight of your sax, they, however, tend to be less durable on the medium to short-term use.
On the other hand, metal lyres usually available in gold lacquer, brass, and silver plated designs, offers more durability and stability in holding your music, but adds more weight to your sax.
Whichever type you chose, make sure it stays secure on your sax, with the lyre screw well tightened. Otherwise, be ready to damage the brass of your lyre holder if your lyre loses out or falls off during marching.
7 Best Saxophone Lyre Reviews and the Best Saxophone Lyre Brands
1) Grover-Trophy Marching Saxophone Lyre
The Grover-Trophy saxophone lyre gives saxophone players the freedom to play conveniently in the marching band. Once you can mount it close to the top of your sax, it will allow you to organize your musical rendition in good style.
You will not only able to view your music, but also move freely without worrying too much about missing important notes. The Grover-Trophy comes handy during halftime shows and parades involving saxophones. The overall size measures 7.5 x 6 x 0.1 inches in dimensions; it provides a perfect size for alto sax players to enjoy.
2) Original Swab Selmer Alto/Tenor Sax Gd Lyre
Boasting a gold lacquer finish, the Original Swab Selmer Lyre is a nice choice for a beginner saxophone player. The lyre’s body construction is not only going to be durable, but the design blends well with the appearance of most saxophones in the market.
The Swab Selmer saxophone offers a better way to balance and hold your music while practicing or playing in any setting. It fits most of the tenor and alto saxophones, thanks to its 5 x 3 x 4 inches dimensional size measurement.
However, this lyre might turn out to be more useful for you if your sax mount is on the side, instead of being at the front. It is nice and does what it is supposed to do.
3) American Plating 517G-12 Saxophone Lyre
The American Plating is a saxophone lyre that is perfect for the needs of the beginner saxophone player. The American Plating 517G-12 is also suitable for players who play their expertise in the marching band.
The saxophone lyre features a brass design. The brass body construction adds to its durability and reliability levels.
It feature 6.9 x 3.9 x 2.6 inches in dimensions. This universal size setting makes it applicable to most instruments. It offers a perfect fit and nice feel after installation.
You will enjoy it without complaint.
4) Giardinelli Alto or Tenor Saxophone Lyre
As the name implies, the Giardinelli Lyre is for both alto and tenor saxophone models. The lyre features a perfect design that considers the distance between you and your music when playing in a crowd or marching band.
The lyre holds your music at an ideal and comfortable distance that gives you the mobility you need while performing. At 7 x 4 x 2.5 inches in dimensions, this lyre gives you a precise balance where you can view all your music in place without resorting to cramming.
You will definitely like this slightly silver-touch saxophone lyre that fits most tenor and alto saxophones.
5) Baoblaze Sturdy Silver Plated Sax Clamp On Clip Holder Lyre
The Baoblaze lyre is by far the most durable and securely fit saxophone lyre. We instantly fell in love with the clamp on holder mechanism that ensures that the lyre stays secure while holding your music in the right presentation angle.
The body of the lyre features a bright and rich silver plated finish. It is a great sax lyre for sax enthusiasts who are taking part in the marching band. The clamps allow the lyre to fit tightly in the lyre sockets on tenor and alto saxophones.
It works well with all kinds of flip folders. The presence of the heavy duty springs in the clips further extends the durability of this workaholic sax lyre from Baoblaze.
6) Plasti Lyre Saxophone Lyre
The Plasti Lyre saxophone lyre is a versatile option for anyone who plays the tenor or alto saxophone. The way this sax lyre model was created enables it to fit in well with most tenor and alto saxophones in the market.
The color of the lyre is black, and it features a unique, two bend designs that allow it to hold your music in place while delivering a stable stand piece where a static one is not feasible. It is the best lyre you can get if you are on a budget.
7) Conn Alto or Tenor Saxophone Lyre
The Conn lyre is a standard and reliable saxophone lyre. It is designed to fit well with alto or tenor saxophones. The body of the lyre features a gold lacquer construction that adds a bit of glamour and durability to its appearance.
For players in the marching band, this saxophone lyre will always come handy for obvious reasons. First, it offers that ultimate balance and stability in the distance that holds your music in place. Lastly, the Conn lyre works wonderfully with any music flip folder used in marching bands.
Choosing the Best Saxophone Lyre Music Holder
Saxophone lyres are to saxophone players what drumsticks are to drummers. For those who are in the marching band, this truth is even more apparent, especially when you consider there is no other way around using a lyre while matching.
2) Original Swab Selmer Alto/Tenor Sax Gd Lyre
- Boasting a gold lacquer finish
- Durable
- Offers a better way to balance and hold music
- Fits most of the tenor and alto saxophones
1) Grover-Trophy Marching Saxophone Lyre
- Organize musical rendition in good style
- Move freely without worrying missing important notes
- Perfect size
3) American Plating 517G-12 Saxophone Lyre
- Brass design
- Durable and reliable
- Universal size setting
- Universal size setting
- Perfect for the needs of the beginner saxophone player
However, there is one crucial thing you must know. It is that not every alto saxophone models comes with a lyre attachment. This means, the only way you can install a mount and make use of a lyre is to contact a local saxophone technician to construct and mount one on the body of your instrument, if necessary.
Again, you can easily lose your lyre thumbscrew, but there are many online stores and local shops where you can get a replacement with ease.
So, chill, invest in a lyre above and enjoy the marching band like never before.