It sounds to me like you are about to attempt to teach yourself how to play which is not the best way to learn. I would suggest you find a teacher. You won't learn how to play by asking questions at sax forums. A good teacher is the best investment you can make. Too many people are hung up on equipment when just plain old practicing and having a teacher is the quickest route to becoming a good player. Of course having a decent horn is important and a teacher can help you with that as well. My first instrument was the flute and I made the mistake of learning how to play without a teacher. Once I started taking lessons I had to unlearn all my bad habits. No you don't need stretchers whatever those may be, you just need someone to show you the proper way to play. When I took up the saxophone the first thing I did was to find a good teacher having learned from my past mistakes with the flute. Cheers.