Saxophone beginners Bored Of Practice!?

[David Dorning]

A sea tick:

You're having us on. It's an old potato

 

[Dale Laverick]

Following my post I've had time today (during work) to make this practice schedule which I've attached. I think my problem was that I knew how much I have to learn and how much there is out there to learn and as eager as I am to learn it ALL, I have to start somewhere.. I'm hoping this schedule will help. I'll give it a whirl tonight, if there's any advice any of you could give me I'll add it on. Cheers!

Dale

 

[aldevis]

I think my problem was that I knew how much I have to learn and how much there is out there to learn and as eager as I am to learn it ALL, I have to start somewhere..

Bad news: the more you learn the more you will have to learn. It never ends.

I'm hoping this schedule will help.

Good news: it will.

Just two tips:
1- Metronome on scales and patterns. Same speed on all scales you are doing
2- alternative sets for scales and patterns:
- C Eb Gb A
- Db E G Bb.
- D F Ab B

 

[Dale Laverick]

Bad news: the more you learn the more you will have to learn. It never ends.



Good news: it will.

Just two tips:
1- Metronome on scales and patterns. Same speed on all scales you are doing
2- alternative sets for scales and patterns:
- C Eb Gb A
- Db E G Bb.
- D F Ab B

Thanks! And I am honestly excited about learning all this stuff in the years I have ahead of me, my inspiration to start playing at 24 year old was my first sax teacher, who started at 40 and at 70 years old could play very well.

I'll take your advice and use a metronome, it makes sense!

Why would you change the sets, I'm intrigued!

Thanks again,

Dale

 

[aldevis]

I'll take your advice and use a metronome, it makes sense!

More to come on the subject, when you ave some confidence...

Why would you change the sets, I'm intrigued!

The traditional way is using the cycle of fourths or fifths. You gain a sharp (or a flat, if you are into real estate) each scale, and scales get increasingly difficult, then easier.
Or semitones, but you move gradually through registers.

The sets I gave (basic diminished arpeggios) do not allow you to have an automatic relation between a scale and the next one. If you do them all at the same metronome speed, you will be more confident jumping from one scale to another.

 

[Dale Laverick]

The traditional way is using the cycle of fourths or fifths. You gain a sharp (or a flat, if you are into real estate) each scale, and scales get increasingly difficult, then easier.
Or semitones, but you move gradually through registers.

The sets I gave (basic diminished arpeggios) do not allow you to have an automatic relation between a scale and the next one. If you do them all at the same metronome speed, you will be more confident jumping from one scale to another.

I knew there was some theory behind it!!!

See this is where I'm not very good theoretically! I am trying though, I've currently got my head in a recommend jazz theory book which I'm finding very hard!

You couldn't explain to me the relationships to one another with the sets you've recommended could you? Or if I understand correctly the sets you have given me have no direct relationship to one another, they just get harder then easier? Also you say a basic diminished arpeggio.. Would it be the 7th that was the diminished note! I apologise for my lack of theory knowledge!!

 

[aldevis]

You couldn't explain to me the relationships to one another with the sets you've recommended could you? Or if I understand correctly the sets you have given me have no direct relationship to one another, they just get harder then easier? Also you say a basic diminished arpeggio.. Would it be the 7th that was the diminished note! I apologise for my lack of theory knowledge!!

Maybe I went too fast...
Roughly speaking, there are only 3 diminished arpeggios/chords. All the others are inversions.
CEbGbA C#EGBb DFAbB (3 semitones between a note and the next)
In this context they are useful because they jump from sharps to flats. Random cards are also an option, but less methodic.
If I wanted 4 sets, I would use augmented triads (four semitones between notes) CEG# C#FA....

 

[Dale Laverick]

Maybe I went too fast...
Roughly speaking, there are only 3 diminished arpeggios/chords. All the others are inversions.
CEbGbA C#EGBb DFAbB (3 semitones between a note and the next)
In this context they are useful because they jump from sharps to flats. Random cards are also an option, but less methodic.
If I wanted 4 sets, I would use augmented triads (four semitones between notes) CEG# C#FA....

My head is hurting already! This music theory is scary stuff, are there any resources out there that you would recommend for learning theory ?

I am as willing as anyone and more than happy to put the time in, I just need relatively easy to follow, well explained theory books.
Thanks

 

[kevgermany]

Try Jazzology Dale.

 

[trimmy]

My head is hurting already! This music theory is scary stuff, are there any resources out there that you would recommend for learning theory ?

I am as willing as anyone and more than happy to put the time in, I just need relatively easy to follow, well explained theory books.
Thanks

Walk before you run or in my case crawl before you walk !!

It's nice to know the reason behind doing something but sometimes just do it and you may figure it out yourself by listening to what your playing !

 

[Jeanette]

Of all the theory books I have, I got furthest into this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edlys-Music-Theory-Practical-People/dp/0966161661

Jx

 

[aldevis]

Of all the theory books I have, I got furthest into this one

How far did you get into it? I know of people (not on this forum, of course) that would give up while reading the title.

 

[Jeanette]

How far did you get into it?

CH 6 page 30

There are 37 chapters and 182 pages.....

Jx

 

[Adrian63]

There are no shortcuts. You will get back what you put in. As Aldevis, I do the same practice routine day after day, and have done for 25 years. Constantly changing essential patterns to find out where it will go.Long tones I really enjoy. I have a new mpc. It is not an easy mpc.The whole process of working it out and enjoying the progress is still a pleasure. Once you are bored of practicing; you know the rest. Less is more.Concentrate, enjoy. Best of luck. ade

 

[Gareth WG]

Dale I empathise with you. I have just had my first lesson, mostly on 2-5-1 progression.

I went through some sheet music finding this pattern, but when it is no longer there......I'm stuck on what to improvise!

Went home and realised that we are learning a new language. Any new language is alien and very tricky to start with. However, the more we "speak" this language, the more it will embed and become part of our vocabulary.

I think that having a tutor for this is a must. I am personally finding my theory lesson hard work, however, my tutor is a pianist. To have a piano in front of one, is a hell of a lot easier.

Anyway, good luck. Thanks to all for your replies as it is also helping all the other newbies with their theory.

 

[Dale Laverick]

I

Try Jazzology Dale.

I've bought the book, got as far as the 3rd chapter and I was stuck!! I think the trouble at the minute is I'm working away from home whereas normally I would have 3, maybe 4 lessons a month with a very good music teacher! Hopefully next year I'll get back into it all!!

 

[Jeanette]

I



I've bought the book, got as far as the 3rd chapter and I was stuck!! I think the trouble at the minute is I'm working away from home whereas normally I would have 3, maybe 4 lessons a month with a very good music teacher! Hopefully next year I'll get back into it all!!

Where are you working, perhaps someone can suggest a good tutor local to you 🙂

Jx

 

[Gareth WG]

Well it sounds like you have a good plan Dale. Noticed on your earlier post that you have Absrm grade 1 book.
I also have grade 1,2 and 3. I was wondering if you play any Aebersold or Hal Leonard jazz play alongs?
Plus why don't you have a look at the blues thread and have a go at recording/posting?

 

[Dale Laverick]

Well it sounds like you have a good plan Dale. Noticed on your earlier post that you have Absrm grade 1 book.
I also have grade 1,2 and 3. I was wondering if you play any Aebersold or Hal Leonard jazz play alongs?
Plus why don't you have a look at the blues thread and have a go at recording/posting?

I think I've got an aebersold book, I'll have a look tomorrow. I'll have a look in the blues thread now! Cheers

 

[Dale Laverick]

Where are you working, perhaps someone can suggest a good tutor local to you 🙂

Jx

Working in Montrose!