McAldo
Member
- 82
Hi everybody,
I have been lurking on the forum over the last days, looking for info about saxes for beginners.
Today I finally bought my first sax from ebay. A Jericho Alto, which accordingly to some old review and several opinions on forums is quite free blowing and reasonably in tune.
I am crossing my fingers. The one I am getting is supposedly in good conditions but it was bought from new new the end of 2015, so quite a few years after the review above was published. I passed on a Sakkusu, which I understand is a more established brand, to get the Jerico, so I can only hope quality stayed reasonably good over the years.
I played some other reed instruments and some flute in the past, albeit badly, so hopefully that should help me a bit learning the alto.
I know that it is very common for beginners to ask here about mouthpieces and reeds, and I read quite a few threads on the topic, but I would really appreciate if someone could give me an opinion about my options.
Mouthpieces:
I see that the general advice is to go for yamaha 4C ad 5C. From what I read, give I like a bit of a warmer sound, I should perhaps go for a 5C.
However, I also read very positive opinions about
the Bari Alto Exprit II
Bari Alto Saxophone Eb Mouthpiece Esprit II (Round Chamber)
the Ruyon 22
Runyon 22 - Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece - Sax.co.uk - The Worlds Leading Saxophone Specialist
I will be studying jazz, as that is what I do with my other instruments, and probably try and play some melody over classical pieces I normally play on guitar. I guess I am mainly after a warm tone, not too edgy, and a mouthpiece which is not too challenging to start with but versatile enough to learn in a few years the whole range of the instrument and some bending and vibrato without struggling too much.
My favourite sax player always was Sony Rolllins, but I doubt I will be chasing after that kind of sound as a clueless beginner on an alto.
Given the above, which mouthpiece would you suggest to try?
I will probably bring the instrument to a shop for a a checkup, not sure if they are generally ok with letting customers try different mouthpieces?
Reeds:
I have some experience with soprano and tenor reeds on bamboo instruments, which require a different lip positiion than a sax. I used very soft reeds, 1.5, mainly cheap but reasonably good one, and I liked some Alexander tenor 2.
I guess on the sax I should first start with a 2?
By any chance, is there any vendor who sell mixed packages to try different strengths?
I see that Marca Jazz for alto are well liked by some here, and well priced, so I was thinking to give them a go
Marca Jazz alto saxophone reeds
I was also considering trying Legere 2 or 2 and a 1/4
Inconsistencies with reeds used to drive me bonkers.
Also I work from home and fit instruments practise in my short breaks between shifts. So, a reed which allows me just grab the instrument and do my 15 minutes of exercises without fiddling too much would be great.
Just, does using a synthetic reed make any difference when learning technique?
Strap:
Now, perhaps this is the dumbest question ever, but, are all straps the same, pretty much? Provided they are not so cheap that they will break landing your horn on the floor, I mean.
Thanks for reading, I really hope someone will stop by to give me some advice
I have been lurking on the forum over the last days, looking for info about saxes for beginners.
Today I finally bought my first sax from ebay. A Jericho Alto, which accordingly to some old review and several opinions on forums is quite free blowing and reasonably in tune.
I am crossing my fingers. The one I am getting is supposedly in good conditions but it was bought from new new the end of 2015, so quite a few years after the review above was published. I passed on a Sakkusu, which I understand is a more established brand, to get the Jerico, so I can only hope quality stayed reasonably good over the years.
I played some other reed instruments and some flute in the past, albeit badly, so hopefully that should help me a bit learning the alto.
I know that it is very common for beginners to ask here about mouthpieces and reeds, and I read quite a few threads on the topic, but I would really appreciate if someone could give me an opinion about my options.
Mouthpieces:
I see that the general advice is to go for yamaha 4C ad 5C. From what I read, give I like a bit of a warmer sound, I should perhaps go for a 5C.
However, I also read very positive opinions about
the Bari Alto Exprit II
Bari Alto Saxophone Eb Mouthpiece Esprit II (Round Chamber)
the Ruyon 22
Runyon 22 - Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece - Sax.co.uk - The Worlds Leading Saxophone Specialist
I will be studying jazz, as that is what I do with my other instruments, and probably try and play some melody over classical pieces I normally play on guitar. I guess I am mainly after a warm tone, not too edgy, and a mouthpiece which is not too challenging to start with but versatile enough to learn in a few years the whole range of the instrument and some bending and vibrato without struggling too much.
My favourite sax player always was Sony Rolllins, but I doubt I will be chasing after that kind of sound as a clueless beginner on an alto.
Given the above, which mouthpiece would you suggest to try?
I will probably bring the instrument to a shop for a a checkup, not sure if they are generally ok with letting customers try different mouthpieces?
Reeds:
I have some experience with soprano and tenor reeds on bamboo instruments, which require a different lip positiion than a sax. I used very soft reeds, 1.5, mainly cheap but reasonably good one, and I liked some Alexander tenor 2.
I guess on the sax I should first start with a 2?
By any chance, is there any vendor who sell mixed packages to try different strengths?
I see that Marca Jazz for alto are well liked by some here, and well priced, so I was thinking to give them a go
Marca Jazz alto saxophone reeds
I was also considering trying Legere 2 or 2 and a 1/4
Inconsistencies with reeds used to drive me bonkers.
Also I work from home and fit instruments practise in my short breaks between shifts. So, a reed which allows me just grab the instrument and do my 15 minutes of exercises without fiddling too much would be great.
Just, does using a synthetic reed make any difference when learning technique?
Strap:
Now, perhaps this is the dumbest question ever, but, are all straps the same, pretty much? Provided they are not so cheap that they will break landing your horn on the floor, I mean.
Thanks for reading, I really hope someone will stop by to give me some advice