What would you like to try? (bass, punk, Berlin, quote)

mrinitialman · 06-22-2005, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Jane

Harp and Saxophone

Anyone know anything about playing sax? I want to learn this summer, thinking about taking lessons. Anything I should know about it? Is it very difficult to play? What type is best to learn on? Alto?

Pick a saxophone you like the sound of. If you like fairly high, alto or soprano is your best bet. Tenor is somewhere in the middle, baritone is nice for low-end stuff.

Sax is actually very easy to learn. Difficult to master, though, just so you know. Just make sure to get a good one. Reputable companies are: Yamaha, Keilworth (Mostly pro instruments from these guys) Selmer, Selmer Paris, Jupiter, King.

Sweet Jane · 06-23-2005, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrinitialman

Pick a saxophone you like the sound of. If you like fairly high, alto or soprano is your best bet. Tenor is somewhere in the middle, baritone is nice for low-end stuff.

Sax is actually very easy to learn. Difficult to master, though, just so you know. Just make sure to get a good one. Reputable companies are: Yamaha, Keilworth (Mostly pro instruments from these guys) Selmer, Selmer Paris, Jupiter, King.

Cheers man.

Phoned up today, seems nowhere in the city does sax lessons, it'll involve a fair bit of travelling for each lesson but I figure it'll be worth it. I'm gonna have a couple lessons then if I take to it will be looking to buy one, your advice should come in pretty useful.

Reg Hacquer · 07-19-2005, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrinitialman

Pick a saxophone you like the sound of. If you like fairly high, alto or soprano is your best bet. Tenor is somewhere in the middle, baritone is nice for low-end stuff.

Sax is actually very easy to learn. Difficult to master, though, just so you know. Just make sure to get a good one. Reputable companies are: Yamaha, Keilworth (Mostly pro instruments from these guys) Selmer, Selmer Paris, Jupiter, King.

Would like to respectfully offer my counter-opinion... Alto is definitely the horn to start on, followed by tenor. Can't imagine any compelling reason to start on bari (too big, physically demanding on beginners). A bad idea to start on soprano--it's just too squirrelly a horn, and you surely won't score any points from family/roommates!

Mr. I-man is correct about saxophone being easy to learn, hard to master. About getting an actual horn--Yamaha is far and away the best choice for a beginner horn. As for pro horns, I'd put Selmer (Paris) at the beginning of that list without question. Pre-1977 pro model Selmers are the gold standard by which all other saxes are judged.

Kindest regards,

mrinitialman · 08-18-2005, 11:44 AM

I started learning on baritone. Then again, I was already 16 years old.

I'd like to have a bass saxophone one day

06-17-2005, 07:54 AM

a ****ing BBBb octacontrabass clarinet

Reg Hacquer · 07-19-2005, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pastor of muppets

a ****ing BBBb octacontrabass clarinet

An Anthony Braxton wannabe? ;-)

ladyluckrules · 06-17-2005, 07:59 AM

Ah yes as Kurt Cobain said "What are they tuning, a harp?"

SpeaknSpell · 06-21-2005, 07:05 PM

ive also wanted to play the cello or the violen but it looks super hard...considering i only play drums and limited piano.

phoenixflames · 06-21-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeaknSpell

ive also wanted to play the cello or the violen but it looks super hard...considering i only play drums and limited piano.

To me, the violen doesn't look too awful hard, but I suppose it could be one of those things that people make look soooo easy, but isan't. I'm gonna give it a shot one of these days and see what happens.

hookers with machineguns · 06-23-2005, 03:25 PM

Jaynie, I think sax can be self-taught, especially if you are already familiar with another woodwind instrument. If not, the only difficulty probably lies in the mouth positioning. The notes you can learn on your own easily with one book. Last time I tried to play, I couldn't hold a note for a very long because of my smokers lungs. You really gotta put a lot of push into hitting notes compared to other woodwinds.
Btw, did you decide which kind of sax you were interested in? Personally I like the alto sound.

08-18-2005, 11:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
mrinitialman Groupie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: At the corner of WALK and DONT WALK Posts: 14	I started learning on baritone. Then again, I was already 16 years old. I'd like to have a bass saxophone one day __________________ J.D.W.P.X.M.V.D.K. Mr. Initial Man. Any Questions?

06-17-2005, 07:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
ladyluckrules D: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: England Posts: 489	Ah yes as Kurt Cobain said "What are they tuning, a harp?" __________________ AHOY SAILOR

06-23-2005, 03:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
hookers with machineguns Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,738	Jaynie, I think sax can be self-taught, especially if you are already familiar with another woodwind instrument. If not, the only difficulty probably lies in the mouth positioning. The notes you can learn on your own easily with one book. Last time I tried to play, I couldn't hold a note for a very long because of my smokers lungs. You really gotta put a lot of push into hitting notes compared to other woodwinds. Btw, did you decide which kind of sax you were interested in? Personally I like the alto sound. __________________ LASTFM

06-17-2005, 07:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
pastor of muppets Guest Posts: n/a	a ****ing BBBb octacontrabass clarinet

06-21-2005, 07:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
SpeaknSpell Groupie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: new york...for now Posts: 27	ive also wanted to play the cello or the violen but it looks super hard...considering i only play drums and limited piano.