Aww thanks Hookers, I didn't know you'd tried sax before. I'd pretty much decided on alto yeah, I like the sound, and I was an alto singer too and I noticed what I could sing was much more versatile than soprano or baritone, so was hoping it would work that way with the saxophone. I may be wrong but my fuzzy logic seemed to make sense.
I'm not experienced with any other such instruments but my best mate played clarinet for years so she'll be around, I just worry about the expense of buying one and then finding it's not for you. The sax teacher from out in the sticks suggested I rent one, which is my new plan. Hookers if you have any sax music or any good webites PM me, thanks hun.