Introduction Coming back to alto sax after 48 years

[Jeff Dewey]

HI folks! I am a close-to retirment psychiatrist and have been playing music most of my life. I played saxophone in the HS marching band but had to give it up when I graduated because the school owned the instrument. As an adult I took piano lessons for bit, focusing on classical. I lost my piano and took up guitar for a few years. I got another piano in 2014 and at that point decided to learn jazz. That has been my focus, if you could call it a focus, when I have been only able to afford about 10 hours per week of practice.

Two years ago I mentioned in passing to my jazz piano teacher, who is equally proficient at tenor sax and piano, that a long time ago I played alto sax. He kind of shocked me with very strong encouragement to take up sax again. He reassured me that I would gain, not lose proficiency in piano jazz with dividing my practice time between two instruments. So I bought an alto and to my surprise still remembered, sort of, how to play it. I am still mostly self taught, and probably I should get a teacher. But what fun! And in addition to jazz I am seeing a possible niche as a side player in classic rock bands, though my first love remains jazz.

So now I am gaining proficiency in (mostly) alto sax and sometimes play in jam sessions. My retirement plan is to increase my practice time to 4 hours per day and learn as much as one can at my age.

I spend half my winters in Bradenton Florida, the summers in Raleigh NC.

 

[turf3]

There are several options for you.

1) Community band - every city of any size has one of these. I'll be honest, the repertoire isn't among my favorites, but it's a chance to play with others and get intonation and reading back up to speed.

2) Private lessons. You may well have some lingering bad habits from highschool; it's a great time to get rid of them since they haven't been reinforced for the last 40+ years.

3) jazz jams. I expect there's one around you; but be careful as these can range from welcoming to REALLY competitive and full of jerks. The second kind, you'll want to avoid.

4) Start your own group. I'm sure there are people in your area(s) that play various types of music.

5) Consider trad jazz (what we used to call Dixieland) - the tunes are simple and tuneful, the chord progressions make sense, and the practicioners (at least the ones I've met) are friendly and welcoming. At your age (looks like around 66) you'll be the child of the group, and folks in musical styles where everyone seems to be aging out are generally very friendly and encouraging to youngsters like you (and me) in hopes we'll carry the torch into the next generation.

 

[mizmar]

Lots of useful advice on this site, as well as fun conversation...

close-to retirment psychiatrist

And possible source for a new research paper.

 

[peedeeblues]

With that amount of practice you will go far. Consider a lesson or two to get on the right track. Music is a wonderful retirement pursuit.

 

[Jeanette]

Welcome to the café and back to sax.

Check out our recording threads too

BOTM/SOTM/IOTM/Blues of the month

Jx

 

[MikeMorrell]

Welcome to the cafe (and back to the sax!), Jeff!,

Looks like you're off to a flying start in picking up sax again!

Just a thought: if your jazz piano teacher is a proficient sax player too, maybe he/she can give you some feedback/tips on your sax playing too? Just thinking about basic physical stuff like posture, breathing, embouchure, and voicing.

There's lots of 'click bait' (sign up for ...) on Youtube but there's some good stuff too. Usually by experienced sax players who just want to share their experience (and tips) for no commercial gain. There are some great books too.

And don't forget to check out the wealth of information on @Pete Thomas's 'Taming the Saxophone' website.