Beginners' Diary - Chris

Chris98 · Jul 21, 2008

21st July 2008

I hope everyone is enjoying the sun,

All the best,

Chris.

Rogerb · Jul 22, 2008

Thanks, yet again, Chris.

This thread should be a 'must read' for all struggling musicians...not just saxophonists.... the experiences are ones I believe we can all relate-to.

But it does make me realise just how slow my progress has been, after over 2 years 🙁
However, it's not that I don't know why...almost entirely 'not enough practice', as well as 'advanced age and old joints', and the multiplicity of things to learn.....reading music, developing embouchure, finding my way around the keys, etc.

My only advantage is a good ear for pitch and an ability to remember toons, so now I have developed a bit of tone, and know where most of the notes are, I can busk painfully through most tunes I know (well the easier ones)!

I am on 'Summer Holiday' at present as it's a bit 'ot in my teacher's conservatory where we usually play. But I have 'homework'....!

shropshire_lad · Jul 22, 2008

Hi Chris, I'd say it is very encouraging that your teacher, after just over a year of you starting playing, is expecting you to get your grade 5 this year. Which exam board are you taking? Jazz or classical?

I find myself in a similar place. The book my teacher has recommended has pieces which start at about grade 4 when previously I'd been thinking of doing a grade 2 or 3 exam. I find these pieces quite challenging but then I guess I wouldn't be learning much if they weren't.

I agree it is so tempting to go and buy some new kit when you're on one of those plateaus. Luckily most of my indulgences have been inexpensive. Like replacing a cheap metal ligature with an inexpensive fabric one - it seems to have made a big difference though. I've promised myself that I won't get a tenor until I've passed my grade 5 - I'm not sure I've got the will power to keep to this though.

Dave

Linky Lee · Jul 22, 2008

I had a similar 2D/3D moment about 6 months back.
I have to be honest, I haven't played anywhere near as much as I used to in the last year, especially the last 6 months.
But I decided I was happy with my technical facility for now. I can play most things I've came across. So I decided to basically forget learning anything in specific, and purely focus on my tone.

So now every time I play the tone is no.1

I play tunes, long tones and scales. Anything I fancy and I also do a lot of noodling.

I'm happy with my tone progression but have started to fall behind with other aspects of playing.
I think what I've realised about myself and how I learn is that it's best if I set a long term goal, but don't focus too heavily on it. I need to change the short term focus regularily, even though the long term goal is the same.

Chris98 · Jul 22, 2008

Rogerb wrote:
Thanks, yet again, Chris.

This thread should be a 'must read' for all struggling musicians...not just saxophonists.... the experiences are ones I believe we can all relate-to.

But it does make me realise just how slow my progress has been, after over 2 years 🙁
However, it's not that I don't know why...almost entirely 'not enough practice', as well as 'advanced age and old joints', and the multiplicity of things to learn.....reading music, developing embouchure, finding my way around the keys, etc.

My only advantage is a good ear for pitch and an ability to remember toons, so now I have developed a bit of tone, and know where most of the notes are, I can busk painfully through most tunes I know (well the easier ones)!

I am on 'Summer Holiday' at present as it's a bit 'ot in my teacher's conservatory where we usually play. But I have 'homework'....!

Hi Roger,

Enjoy your holiday and homework,

All the best,

Chris.

Chris98 · Jul 22, 2008

shropshire_lad wrote:
Hi Chris, I'd say it is very encouraging that your teacher, after just over a year of you starting playing, is expecting you to get your grade 5 this year. Which exam board are you taking? Jazz or classical?

I find myself in a similar place. The book my teacher has recommended has pieces which start at about grade 4 when previously I'd been thinking of doing a grade 2 or 3 exam. I find these pieces quite challenging but then I guess I wouldn't be learning much if they weren't.

I agree it is so tempting to go and buy some new kit when you're on one of those plateaus. Luckily most of my indulgences have been inexpensive. Like replacing a cheap metal ligature with an inexpensive fabric one - it seems to have made a big difference though. I've promised myself that I won't get a tenor until I've passed my grade 5 - I'm not sure I've got the will power to keep to this though.

Dave

Hi Dave,

The exam board is Trinity College. We did talk about the jazz grades a while back but we are just doing the straightforward grades.

All the best,

Chris

Chris98 · Jul 23, 2008

Linky wrote:
I had a similar 2D/3D moment about 6 months back.
I have to be honest, I haven't played anywhere near as much as I used to in the last year, especially the last 6 months.
But I decided I was happy with my technical facility for now. I can play most things I've came across. So I decided to basically forget learning anything in specific, and purely focus on my tone.

So now every time I play the tone is no.1

I play tunes, long tones and scales. Anything I fancy and I also do a lot of noodling.

I'm happy with my tone progression but have started to fall behind with other aspects of playing.
I think what I've realised about myself and how I learn is that it's best if I set a long term goal, but don't focus too heavily on it. I need to change the short term focus regularily, even though the long term goal is the same.

Hi Linky,

All the best,

Chris

FastFred · Jul 23, 2008

Hi

I have also been playing just short of ten months and will do the grade 5 exam in next few months. I am on tenor and have spent many a happy hour watching alto's on ebay. I managed to show some self restraint and not buy one and I am glad now that I didn't. The tenor is hard enough and I want to concentrate my efforts.

Is it 'saxequential' you are struggling with; it is nasty? I have just about got it licked almost at full speed but will need the next few months to be exam pressure comfortable.

My sight reading is quite atrocious although I would say I can clap rhythms to grade 5 and have learnt this the last few weeks. I have accepted that I will lose marks on that part of the exam...

Good luck.

Chris98 · Jul 23, 2008

FastFred wrote:
Hi

I have also been playing just short of ten months and will do the grade 5 exam in next few months. I am on tenor and have spent many a happy hour watching alto's on ebay. I managed to show some self restraint and not buy one and I am glad now that I didn't. The tenor is hard enough and I want to concentrate my efforts.

Is it 'saxequential' you are struggling with; it is nasty? I have just about got it licked almost at full speed but will need the next few months to be exam pressure comfortable.

My sight reading is quite atrocious although I would say I can clap rhythms to grade 5 and have learnt this the last few weeks. I have accepted that I will lose marks on that part of the exam...

Good luck.

Hi FastFred,

All the best,

Chris

Rogerb · Jul 24, 2008

Grade 5 in about a year .... your name is well-chosen, Fred 🙂

Good luck with it.

frankb · Jul 25, 2008

Hi Chris,

I'm still laid off the sax and it looks like I will be for some time to come. :-(

If you think that your mpc GAS might be eased by the return of your JJ HR* 5 then please do say and I'll return it post haste. It's a great mpc and when (actually ATM, if) I'm able to play again then I'll almost certainly make you an offer for it or (if unavailable) get a new one.

Best regards,

Frank

Chris98 · Jul 25, 2008

FrankB wrote:
Hi Chris,

I'm still laid off the sax and it looks like I will be for some time to come. :-(

If you think that your mpc GAS might be eased by the return of your JJ HR* 5 then please do say and I'll return it post haste. It's a great mpc and when (actually ATM, if) I'm able to play again then I'll almost certainly make you an offer for it or (if unavailable) get a new one.

Best regards,

Frank

Hi Frank,

I hope things work out for you soon so that you can crack on with the sax.

All the best,

Chris

frankb · Jul 26, 2008

PM sent.

Chris98 · Oct 11, 2008

11th October 2008

Tuesday arrived and as the day progressed so did my nerves, in my heart I knew I should go, at least once, to see what it was all about, but my brain was doing a very good job of bringing up all my insecurities. The hour of departure drew near and I packed the car, double and triple checking things like, have I got the music, reeds, strap etc. After a fraught journey when every tractor, traffic light and diversion seemed to have it in for me I arrived just in time. The group is a sax only group and that night there were four altos and two tenors and Kate was playing the soprano parts on a clarinet, apparently there are usually more players but the group was just starting up again from the summer break and not everyone was able to make it that night.

All the best,

Chris

peedee · Oct 11, 2008

Hi Chris
nice to see you back on line again, still plodding on then.
Any luck with your grades, I seem to remember you saying Kate was going to put you through for one.
One day I will book a lesson or two with Kate, she seems a good teacher.
'bout time you got that tenor then we can do a duet 🙂

Chris98 · Oct 12, 2008

PeeDee wrote:
Hi Chris
nice to see you back on line again, still plodding on then.
Any luck with your grades, I seem to remember you saying Kate was going to put you through for one.
One day I will book a lesson or two with Kate, she seems a good teacher.
'bout time you got that tenor then we can do a duet 🙂

Hello Pete,

Kate had originally intended me to do my grade 5 at Christmas but through my skilled procrastination and the summer holidays I missed the deadline so we are now aiming for Easter. So with the pressure off we are exploring new material and uncovering more things for me to work on, like counting! And yes I think Kate is an excellent teacher and has incredible patience with me.

I hope your having a good weekend,

Chris

sharon · Oct 13, 2008

Hi Chris - another interesting and pertinent read. You always seem to touch on issues that I (and I'm sure other beginners) can relate to. I keep thinking more and more about my musical knowledge, and feel that I don't quite understand how music works. I'm progressing with learning the scales and find that they do magically improve my playing. Other than that I know I've a big gap but not quite sure what it is :?

At the moment, with the new tenor I'm concentrating more on technique, breathing etc but am gradually getting back to my scales and exercises (which for some sadistic reason I enjoy 😛 ). You do realise that progress is up and down rather that straight.

I think you're very brave to play with a group like that. I've secretly promised myself that I'll do one more year of French classes and then look into doing something similar. It's finding the extra time. I'm sure it's the way to go - just for the experience.

Sharon

Mikec · Oct 14, 2008

A full piano isn't strictly necessary. A cheap keyboard of the Casio variety still makes an excellent learning tool.

Chris98 · Oct 14, 2008

sharon wrote:
Hi Chris - another interesting and pertinent read. You always seem to touch on issues that I (and I'm sure other beginners) can relate to. I keep thinking more and more about my musical knowledge, and feel that I don't quite understand how music works. I'm progressing with learning the scales and find that they do magically improve my playing. Other than that I know I've a big gap but not quite sure what it is :?

At the moment, with the new tenor I'm concentrating more on technique, breathing etc but am gradually getting back to my scales and exercises (which for some sadistic reason I enjoy 😛 ). You do realise that progress is up and down rather that straight.

I think you're very brave to play with a group like that. I've secretly promised myself that I'll do one more year of French classes and then look into doing something similar. It's finding the extra time. I'm sure it's the way to go - just for the experience.

Sharon