Saxophone beginners Counting and Tempo Problems

[Tim]

kev: Have you asked anyone if this ever improves? If I try music that I have not heard, I'm pretty lost. In my lessons, my teacher will plat the piece and I work on it after I hear it. I know the notes 8th quarter etc. It is still very rough. Is anything ever easy in this pursuit? Tim

 

[kevgermany]

It's improving for me. I've barely been playing for 2 years, but it's getting better. But not good enough by a long way. My wife, however, picks up stuff and plays it straight through, first time... I think you need to learn to split your thinking as someone mentioned above, and it eventuially becomes automatic. But it needs a lot of practice. Trouble is the slightest hesitation with the sight reading, and you've lost it... I found my glasses were a problem. Got a cheapo set made up specially for playing, has made a big difference. They're between reading glasses and my normal strength, optimised for about 1M focuss.

 

[kostas]

If that is Greek to you then you came to the right one.. I am Greek!!!🙂))
The most of us had this problem when we began to learn. Just don't panic...
Try with the metronome to play scales longtones etc. at a slow tempo and built it up, but have patience. You have to conquer this ability to play in time, it is difficult for starters, even give you a headache, but it is a "must do":crying:
As mentioned in a previous post, 152 is for you like racing without a drivers license!!!
Again, be patient and start at lower speed with your metronome, 60-80 would be nice for start.
Don't forget you have to learn how to walk if you want to run...😱

 

[Tim]

kostas and kev: Thanks. I have been playing just short of 2 years also. Agree on all points. Practice every day. Just so frustrating to be able to keep time but not with the horn in my mouth. On music I know, I do fine. New stuff drives me nuts? Onward and upward! Never give up! Tim

 

[kevgermany]

Onward and upward! Never give up! Tim

:welldone

 

[Justin Chune]

" The hardest thing in music is keeping to the proper time. " I've seen this attributed to Mozart no less. And this.

" It's easier to play a jig than a slow air. "

Even he noticed these things.

Jim