Saxophone beginners Come on now, join the band....(Beginners blog)

[cappers]

Thank you @MikeMorrell for your detailed reply.

Improving my tone, intonation, breath support, articulation and dynamics are my main goals at the moment. I know how, just need to work on it.

However, I really enjoy improvisation and am trying hard to hear and use chords and leading tones to make melodic and harmonic phrases, rather then 'noodling'. Fewer notes and more gaps gives me more time to think ahead.

I've tried writing out simple soli but unless I play them dozens of times to embed them, I find it slows me down as I'm concentrating on reading rather than listening. As you mention, rehearsals are good and 'safe' way of trying things out.

I only accept or volunteer for soli on tunes that I like and feel comfortable with. I have the chords in front of me, know the melody and rhythm and just 'wing it'. I'm finding with time and practise that it's getting a bit easier and more 'correct'.

I've been told that play with enthusiasm and 'passion'. Doesn't make up for sounding poor though!

Rehearsals tonight, where I can try out my semi-prepared solo for Softly.