Prelude by Conn-Selmer PTS111 Student Bb Tenor Saxophone

The tenor saxophone that beginning players graduate to — now engineered with the kind of bore design, pad quality, and extended keywork that usually belongs on instruments costing twice as much.

Is This the Right Tenor Saxophone for You?

The PTS111 is made for students stepping into the tenor saxophone for the first time — whether that's a high schooler transitioning from alto in concert band, a young player who has always wanted that deeper, fuller voice, or a beginner drawn specifically to the tenor's warm, expressive character. Conn-Selmer designed the Prelude tenor with the same structural DNA found on their step-up and professional lines: a precision-tapered bore that enhances projection and makes tone production feel natural, treated kid leather pads with metal resonators for an airtight seal and stronger tonal response, and a left-hand table key rocker mechanism with articulated C# adjusting screw for smooth, coordinated pinky action. The high F# key extends the range beyond the standard student cutoff. The result is a tenor saxophone that a beginning player can grow into for years — not just survive their first semester on.

Key Highlights

• Precision-tapered Prelude bore design makes tone production easier and enhances projection from the first note
• Yellow brass body with dark lacquer finish delivers warm, full tenor tone with excellent resonance
• Post-to-rib-to-body (ribbed) construction adds structural rigidity and maintains long-term key alignment
• Detachable, reinforced body-to-bow connection protects one of the tenor saxophone's most vulnerable stress points
• Treated kid leather pads with metal resonators provide an airtight, consistent seal for better intonation and pad longevity
• Power-forged brass keys resist bending and hold regulation through years of regular use
• High F# key extends the playable range beyond the standard upper register
• Left-hand table key rocker mechanism with articulated C# adjusting screw delivers smooth, precise pinky key coordination
• Adjustable metal thumb rest accommodates different hand sizes and preferred playing angles
• Hand-engraved bell adds a professional, distinctive finish detail
• Blued steel springs for reliable, fast key return throughout the mechanism
• Includes Primo mouthpiece with cap and ligature, neck strap, cork grease, and hard-shell lightweight case with exterior pocket

Why You'll Love It

Great Fit For

• Beginning band students picking up tenor saxophone for the first time
• Alto saxophone players transitioning to tenor for concert band or jazz ensemble
• High school students who want the deeper voice and expressive range of the tenor
• Parents looking for a well-built first tenor saxophone that is genuinely durable and performance-ready
• Private lesson students who need a reliable instrument that supports proper technique development
• School music directors sourcing a consistent, serviceable student tenor for program or rental use

Sound, Feel, and Use Case

The PTS111 produces the warm, full-bodied tone that makes the tenor saxophone such a compelling instrument — rich in the lower register, with enough core and projection to hold its own in a full concert band. The precision bore makes it easier for a beginning player to establish good tone and pitch center before their embouchure has fully developed, which gives students a much more accurate picture of what they can eventually achieve on the instrument. The dark lacquer finish lends the tone a slightly warmer character compared to bright-lacquered student saxophones.

The left-hand table key rocker mechanism is one of the most player-friendly details on the PTS111 — it coordinates the Bb, B-natural, and C# pinky keys in a way that feels intuitive and reduces the mechanical awkwardness that can trip up beginning players in that register. The adjustable thumb rest lets students find a natural hand position for their specific hand size, which reduces tension during long rehearsals. For jazz band, concert band, private lessons, and daily practice, the PTS111 is fully equipped to carry a student through their early years and well beyond.

Specifications