Question

how does the saxophone produce sound

Answer 1

Saxophones produce sound by using the player's flow of air and creating an oscillating motion with the reed acting as an oscillating valve. The reed and the resonances that are present within the air inside of the instrument produces a vibrating and radiating sound out of the holes as well as the belly of the instrument.

Answer 2

The reed, in cooperation with the resonances in the air in the instrument, produces an oscillating component of both flow and pressure. Once the air in the saxophone is vibrating, some of the energy is radiated as sound out of the bell and any open holes.