Finally getting my sound I think

[sharon]

Well after 1 whole year, yes 1 Whole YEAR of playing sax for an hour every day, most days. I think I'm getting the sound I'm after -i.e the one I hear in my head. At first I thought it was a fluke but I can do it every (well almost every) time I play

And what's more after 1 whole year I can finally play low C and low C#- one day it just popped out 😱. So any newbie who thinks that long tones are boring (they are) or a waste of time stick with it. It just goes to show what a long road we're all on. Now I shall give myself another year to get that low B/Bb >.<.

Patience is everything.

Sharon

 

[jersey_mike]

sharon wrote:
So any newbie who thinks that long tones are boring (they are) or a waste of time stick with it.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ANYTHING BUT LONG TONES!!!!!!!!!!!!! :x

There are times when I decide I don't need them anymore---and a few weeks later they're back on the agenda.


CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PROGRESS!!

 

[Bobby G]

Good news Sharon, and all the best with your low B and Bb.

There's nothing like getting a sound you like to make you want to play more... and more... and more 🙂

 

[sandeha_lynch]

Getting my little fingers to behave on those low notes is a struggle, but bit by bit they're cooperating.

"It is a question of time, patience, and intelligent work" ... (Marcel Moyse)

 

[Pauline]

That's great Sharon! Well done!!

I'm really pleased for you and you have cheered me up! ........been in the doldrums for a week or two and have even wondered about getting a teacher.
It's logistically difficult tho' as I'm dependent on my husband for transport and he doesn't work regular hours....

 

[old_git]

Well done Sharon, 'The Female Trane' is on the way.
Pauline, sometimes the true way seems hard but you ladies have greater staying power than we mere males and you will succeed. 'The Female Stan' is on the way.

 

[Saxlicker]

Long tones Sharon
Well done!!!!!

 

[Bobby G]

Pauline wrote:
That's great Sharon! Well done!!

I'm really pleased for you and you have cheered me up! ........been in the doldrums for a week or two and have even wondered about getting a teacher.
It's logistically difficult tho' as I'm dependent on my husband for transport and he doesn't work regular hours....

Sometimes you do get in the doldrums a bit - I know I did for a couple of weeks recently - but having a goal is a good motivator, which for me was nothing more than the prospect of a bit of jamming; for others it might be something more concrete or long-term.

Now I'm really up for it again! Another positive influence is all the good stuff in here, anything from hearing about someone's great gig to someone finally being able to get that low C

 

[phil_edwards]

Great news Sharon, glad to hear of your progress.

regards, Phil

 

[frankb]

Nice one, Sharon! Great news!

 

[sharon]

Thank chaps. It's funny how progress can come in jumps and starts.

Pauline I know exactly what you mean, I've got a bit in the doldrums from time to time. When this has happened to me I've tried to re-think my practice time. I've even given myself a week of just playing songs and not doing any "boring" stuff just as an indulgence.

Thing is you soon realise that the boring stuff like scales etc. improves your playing so much that your letting yourself down by not doing it. I don't spend ages on it but I do it at the start and sometimes I spend longer than I intend because you sort of get caught up trying to sound better or play the scale correctly or something.

My current little project to keep up interest is learning all the songs I enjoy playing by heart. I spend some time learning a new song and playing perfectly the ones I've already learnt which I sometimes do. It's a curious thing that sometimes they are perfect but the mistakes seem to vary from day to day :? The offshoot of playing without the music is that it seems easier to play it as I want it as I'm not slavishly following the written notes. Who knows I might start dipping my toe into improvisation 😱

I'm really pleased to be just as enthusiastic about playing after a year - probably more so. Oh and thanks you lot for all the support and kind words.

Sharon

 

[Pete Thomas]

Well done Sharon, ever onwards and upwards now.

 

[Patrick]

Rock'n'Roll girl... Rock and Roll!!!

 

[suethesax]

Good on you Sharon. Really pleased for you.

 

[jools]

As one of my teachers said to me: "All those notes are in there. Black and white ones, high and low. You just have to tease them out, they can be a bit shy sometimes" 😉