The alto saxophone is the standard beginner recommendation: it's lighter and more comfortably sized for most body types, has the largest catalog of beginner-friendly method books and repertoire, and offers the widest selection of affordable used instruments. The tenor saxophone is larger, heavier and requires more air support, but has a deeper, often-preferred jazz tone; some players start directly on tenor if that's the sound and repertoire they're drawn to. The soprano saxophone, straight and smaller, is notoriously harder to keep in tune due to its shorter tube length amplifying pitch inconsistencies, and is generally recommended only after gaining experience on alto or tenor first.