Playing the saxophone Alto to tenor and back

[Sax Addict]

Hello everyone, I recently bought a new tenor sax and have been playing it for about a month now, I took a break from it and played my alto for a day and recognized that playing the tenor made me a better alto player, the next day I decided to play my tenor and I had noticed that it had the same affect switching back to the tenor, has anyone had this same experience? Thanks!

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hello everyone, I recently bought a new tenor sax and have been playing it for about a month now, I took a break from it and played my alto for a day and recognized that playing the tenor made me a better alto player, the next day I decided to play my tenor and I had noticed that it had the same affect switching back to the tenor, has anyone had this same experience? Thanks!

Wait till you get a baritone 😉

 

[Sax Addict]

I bet that's a huge difference! But I probably won't go as far as to get a baritone, maybe a soprano will be my next purchase, but as a beginner I've got so much to learn

 

[mizmar]

Learning stuff is quite a complex subject.

But one factor is novelty. Quite often we learn better when there's a modicum of novelty in each session. Repetition is, unfortunately, essential in music playing (and many other places) but it's a diminishing returns exercise. But, maybe, adding a little novelty (change to metronom, different instrument etc) helps?

 

[Digger2054]

I agree, I predominantly play alto, but got a tenor last year. My alto sound (to me) has improved, and I'm playing with half step harder reeds.

My tenor still needs more work... Perhaps I need a baritone

I love how little things suddenly click, I can almost hear the penny drop, especially with the theory side.

 

[Sax Addict]

I agree , the learning comes from the repetition, it has slowed down since I first started, but recognizing the small things that I have become better at is huge, that's what keeps me going, so far I have had many times of frustration however I keep going and try and work through the frustrations that's when I learn the most and its a fantastic feeling

 

[Sax Addict]

Definitely, the little things are huge , that's what keeps me going, work through the frustration and it pays off

 

[mizmar]

...learning comes from the repetition...

Amongst other things.

Might I suggest a look at the book by Bill Hilton mentioned in this post

Saxophone beginners - Bill Hilton’s new book, How To Be A Better Musician

Disclaimer: I've no relation to this chap - other than having used some of his Johanna learning material. But this book seems to me to be quite useful, for beginner / intermediates. It's not music theory nor instrument specific; it's ideas, exercises and some background on techniques on how...

cafesaxophone.com

It has solid ideas about how to build a practice routine and make progress

 

[ellinas]

Choose one sax type. Stick with it for a while. This will make you a much much better tenor & alto player 🙂.

 

[Sax Addict]

Amongst other things.

Might I suggest a look at the book by Bill Hilton mentioned in this post

Saxophone beginners - Bill Hilton’s new book, How To Be A Better Musician

Disclaimer: I've no relation to this chap - other than having used some of his Johanna learning material. But this book seems to me to be quite useful, for beginner / intermediates. It's not music theory nor instrument specific; it's ideas, exercises and some background on techniques on how...

cafesaxophone.com

It has solid ideas about how to build a practice routine and make progress

I will definitely check it out! Can't have enough books. Thank you!

 

[mizmar]

I will definitely check it out! Can't have enough books. Thank you!

He has YouTube and podcast on this, if you want to check it out.
He's a piano man, but the book is absolutely general.

 

[Pete Effamy]

I think a really big positive from tenor can be a more relaxed tongue and more open throat.

When switching, just make sure that you’re not too under pitched on alto and not too constricted and slightly too tight with embouchure on tenor.

Also, make sure that you can hear the notes before you hit them because that difference of a 4th is quite deceptive.

Everyone is different. Some people find alto/tenor the hardest combo as they’re too close (but different). Some people don’t have any problems.

 

[jazzdoh]

It's also wise not to think of tenor as a larger alto or the alto as a smaller tenor, best to approach each horn as a separate different instrument.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Playing SATB and clarinet keeps me aware of the differences and I suppose it keeps me focused on the one I'm playing instead of making a generic saxophone sound.
It only takes a couple of seconds to dial in the embouchure and hit the tone I like when switching.

Some players are specialists. I hear players who make one horn sound wonderful. I'm never going to be that player
.
I'm the bloke who turns up to jam with a different horn each time or to a gig with a selection of the lot.

I think I'd go a bit mad playing just one. I may end up with a hernia playing them all.

Still got one eye out for an affordable Bb bass and a dinky do nino or Soprillo.
Glutten for punishment that I am them big clarinets look interesting too. 😉

 

[Sax Addict]

Playing SATB and clarinet keeps me aware of the differences and I suppose it keeps me focused on the one I'm playing instead of making a generic saxophone sound.
It only takes a couple of seconds to dial in the embouchure and hit the tone I like when switching.

Some players are specialists. I hear players who make one horn sound wonderful. I'm never going to be that player
.
I'm the bloke who turns up to jam with a different horn each time or to a gig with a selection of the lot.

I think I'd go a bit mad playing just one. I may end up with a hernia playing them all.

Still got one eye out for an affordable Bb bass and a dinky do nino or Soprillo.
Glutten for punishment that I am them big clarinets look interesting too. 😉

Wow! You sound like a very accomplished player, me not so much but I'm giving it my best . My goal is to be a good enough player that I can play with a band at a local bar or small event. I do have another question, if you don't mind? When I practice, one day I feel great about my practice, I sound good, my air is great I'm on time etc. But the next day of practice is horrible, it seems nothing is going right. Is this what most people trying to learn playing the saxophone experience? It's kind of a bummer but I don't let it stop me, I keep trying to learn

 

[Sax Addict]

It's also wise not to think of tenor as a larger alto or the alto as a smaller tenor, best to approach each horn as a separate different instrument.

I think a really big positive from tenor can be a more relaxed tongue and more open throat.

When switching, just make sure that you’re not too under pitched on alto and not too constricted and slightly too tight with embouchure on tenor.

Also, make sure that you can hear the notes before you hit them because that difference of a 4th is quite deceptive.

Everyone is different. Some people find alto/tenor the hardest combo as they’re too close (but different). Some people don’t have any problems.

I'm definitely learning the differences between the two instruments, two totally different personalities,

 

[Colin the Bear]

Lately I don't get the good days. It's always in need of something.
The accepted wisdom is to record yourself. I get a more realistic appreciation of what's going on, when I listen back a couple of days later, when I'm not listening to what I was trying to do, but what I did.

There are some very accomplished players and educators in the Café. I don't count myself among them.

The Café is a great place to learn. The depth and breadth of collective knowledge is amazing. The patience of the educators is beyond my abilities.

 

[Dr G]

When I practice, one day I feel great about my practice, I sound good, my air is great I'm on time etc. But the next day of practice is horrible, it seems nothing is going right. Is this what most people trying to learn playing the saxophone experience?

Set your expectations low enough, and you’ll never be disappointed - vs Listen critically, and you’ll never run out of things to work on. We’re all somewhere along the continuum.

The other conundrum pops up here often: Do I want to be the best I can be on one instrument, or am I most happy just having lots of things to play?

Even the concept of “practice” varies wildly. Are you putting in time on the instrument? Are you just blowing, hoping that more hours will magically turn into proficiency, or are you actually making changes toward a goal?

These are among the things I have observed in 50+ years of playing. Enjoy the path.

 

[Pete Thomas]

But the next day of practice is horrible, it seems nothing is going right. Is this what most people trying to learn playing the saxophone experience?

Absolutely what I have experienced my whole life and I can't explain it.

et your expectations low enough, and you’ll never be disappointed - vs Listen critically, and you’ll never run out of things to work on.

This is very true and possibly the best thing is to find a balance between the two.

The other thing to realise is that as you progress your critical faculties improve (or increase?) so ironically (or paradoxically) the mere fact you think you are not as good as you maybe should be is an indicator that you are improving.

I also found that taking a break from practising or playing for a few days or even a couple of works would work wonders. I cannot explain it.

 

[Sax Addict]

Lately I don't get the good days. It's always in need of something.
The accepted wisdom is to record yourself. I get a more realistic appreciation of what's going on, when I listen back a couple of days later, when I'm not listening to what I was trying to do, but what I did.

There are some very accomplished players and educators in the Café. I don't count myself among them.

The Café is a great place to learn. The depth and breadth of collective knowledge is amazing. The patience of the educators is beyond my abilities.

You sound very humble, thanks for the advice! I have alot to work on ,