I recently decided that I wanted to learn the saxophone and purchased one online. I've been working my way through the basics (embouchure, starting notes, etc) and I've noticed that the notes are not quite what I would expect. The notes, especially ones played with the octave key in place, sound wet. I've looked around online and the only suggestions I've found say that I should try switching the reed for a different one. I tried that today and it seemed like it might have worked initially, but within a couple of notes it sounded off again. I've cleaned out the instrument to make sure that there's not a lot of spit in it, but that didn't seem to have any effect.

I'm curious. Is this something common for a newer player and instrument and I'm personally doing something wrong, or is this a sign of something wrong with the instrument and I should have it looked at by someone more skilled?