Saxophone advice

monkeysnapper

I've been self teaching myself saxophone for the past 2 years and I think I'm nearly at the stage where I should get proper lessons just to get over the hurdle.

I know I'm asking a couple of questions now but do people recommend getting proper music theory lessons. I've a basic knowledge of music.

I prefere the sound of the tenor sax but have been learning on a alto. Can't really afford to have 2 of them as things are tight.... Arnt they everywhere... If I bought a tenor sax is it exactly the same to play as the alto or there about.

I'm a late starter , I'm nearly 40 and I've always wanted to play sax , only thing is we started out family in the last 3 years and I so so wish I did this years ago. It's so hard finding time to blow the hell out of the horn when you have a 6 month baby in house and a 3 year old who would pull the keys off in a second.

Any young people reading this wondering wether to start playing now or later... Start now for god sake.......

Thank you for reading

Keyzer

Go get some proper lessons, one hour a week.

Then find somewhere to go and practice, the garden shed, a public toilet, anywhere.

I'm in the same boat kids wise.

baby and crumble

If nothing else I'd recommend sight reading lessons/practice if you don't already.

I played both tenor and alto in secondary school (mainly alto but filled in on tenor in the orchestra when needed) and if i remember rightly they were pretty much the same, but the tenor was slightly harder on my lungs.

Man I miss playing.

monkeysnapper

baby and crumble wrote: »

If nothing else I'd recommend sight reading lessons/practice if you don't already.

I played both tenor and alto in secondary school (mainly alto but filled in on tenor in the orchestra when needed) and if i remember rightly they were pretty much the same, but the tenor was slightly harder on my lungs.

Man I miss playing.

what is sight reading or am i being stupid? maybe just getting better at reading notes quicker?

i have to say ive loved learning the sax over the last 2 years but family commitments have taken over a good bit.

if you miss playing get back on the horse

baby and crumble

monkeysnapper wrote: »

what is sight reading or am i being stupid? maybe just getting better at reading notes quicker?

i have to say ive loved learning the sax over the last 2 years but family commitments have taken over a good bit.

if you miss playing get back on the horse

Sight reading is really just being able to read notes quicker and play thigns "on sight" as it were. If you know how to read music already then it's just practice.

I would recommend lessons from a proper tutor, they really are invaluable. If I were you I'd set yourself a goal maybe of doing one of the grade exams this year, set yourself a target. You'll have to find time to practice then!

monkeysnapper

baby and crumble wrote: »

Sight reading is really just being able to read notes quicker and play thigns "on sight" as it were. If you know how to read music already then it's just practice.

I would recommend lessons from a proper tutor, they really are invaluable. If I were you I'd set yourself a goal maybe of doing one of the grade exams this year, set yourself a target. You'll have to find time to practice then!

my problem is Im living in kerry and i've had a look around but cant seem to find a saxophone teacher. BUT i do see theres music theory lessons in killarney and id like to study that.

I found a Saxophone forum site in uk and downloaded loads of information on different scales. I also got a really good dvd from same site but im at the stage where I want proper person to person tuition.

Im happy with the fact ive learnt loads off my own back and when I get lessons I feel I've shown its not just January new year resolution fad.

I just hope I havent developed bad habits.

PaulieBoy

The saxophone is one instrument you really do need lessons! I was teaching myself for a year, I was doing fantastic, at least that's what I thought! Got some lessons and spent most of the term correcting all the mistakes in technique I was making. DVD's and YouTube are useless for learning the saxophone. I might add that I have played piano, drums, violin and a host of instruments over the years and would consider myself well able to pick up an instrument and have a go! Half an hour a week is plenty, get a few weeks worth at least. You can then take a break from the lessons and practice on your own.
Money well spent. Also well worth learning how to read music, opens up another world if you can.