Hi From Croydon

[ash_driscoll]

Hi I've just joined today under a fellow sax players recommendation.
I just started playing the saxophone a week ago, got one off of ebay that works perfectly fine (though that said, I squeak alot due to my ameteurism).
I've been inspired by the classic 70's and 80's songs such as 'Baker Street', 'Just the way you are', and 'Careless Whisper'. Along with Sax I play the piano, guitar (both bass and electric) and a fair few rhythms on the drums, so you could say I am a one man band (Though I don't like to toot my own Sax).
I'm glad I was directed to this website as it is already proving useful since I joined (1 hour ago)

[half diminished]

Welcome.

What do you play, alto, tenor........

[Phil Edwards]

Hi, welcome to the site from East Sussex,

Phil

[ash_driscoll]

I'm an alto player, though I've heard some people say it's alot harder than a tenor to play, I like the challenge. it's an Artemis with the original mouthpiece, I'm thinking of getting a new mouthpiece though, any suggestions?

[half diminished]

I'm an alto player, though I've heard some people say it's alot harder than a tenor to play, I like the challenge. it's an Artemis with the original mouthpiece, I'm thinking of getting a new mouthpiece though, any suggestions?

I think on balance alto is easier to play than tenor though it may be more difficult to play and control really well. I started on alto and moved to tenor after a little over a year (last November).

As a beginner you need an easy to play mouthpiece, something like a Yamaha 4C is a good starter option as they are pretty good and easy to blow. On here we normally recommend getting advice from your teacher before 'upgrading' but the Yam should be fine but try before you buy if you can.

[ash_driscoll]

ahh right, thanks for the suggestion.
well I have no teacher, I'm a self taught person, always have been, always will be, though I am welcome to advice anytime. I was thinking of getting a Yamaha, as this sax is secondhand there are slight teeth marks in it and it feels abit weird to play, but maybe that might be cos I'm not use to the feel of the sax mouthpiece, all in good time I suppose.

[Taz]

Hi Ash and welcome to the BR, I see you've already started receiving some good advice. I hope you enjoy your sax, and from one self taught to another, playing along to your favourite cd's is a great way to learn. Have fun.

[Young Col]

Ash, as a multi-instrumentalist you will be a very welcome addition to the Croydon and Sarf Lunnun Massiv that inhabits this forum (you have to pay your dues to Old Git first though and he will no doubt be in touch in the morning - probably gone to bed now or out feeding his voles on the Wandle).

Where are you in Croydon? You're lucky in having Jonathan Myall's Just Flutes shop in S. Croydon, which is a great place for getting all sorts of sax stuff -trying mouthpieces and reeds for example. On Thursday's the splendid sax mechanic Griff is there to fix all your problems.

Hope you enjoy it here.
Colin

[old git]

Just don't try taking over the Manor and we'll be in touch regarding the Croydon and Sarf Lundun Massive. (note bene:- Young Col, who is the CaSLM Official Zimmer Frame Retainer omitted the 'e', you just can't get the staff these days). Your membership will be put before a Central Council Meeting when you've proved you can use your Uzi.
Forever correcting Young Col, Griff is a Brass and Woodwind TECHNICIAN and the South West Ambassador for the CaSLM.
In the meantime enjoy but don't touch the voles or YC's Koi Carp, frogs or Autumn Gold fence.

[Young Col]

Thank you for the corrections, Bill. That's the experience of age showing through. But you must keep up, it's Autumn Red, not Gold, and if you followed AlanU's post I must decide if I am dabbing with a paintbrush or dabbling with a porn star.