Introduction Greetings from Texas

[PenelopeTX]

I’ve always wanted to play the saxophone, but never had the opportunity. A couple of moves, a few kids later and I find myself in the possession of my grandfathers 1926 Buescher. Admittedly, it’s probably not ideal for learning as it’s a Melody C and needs some restoration… but I hope to learn more about it to see if I can possibly use it as a beginner instrument. The idea of learning to play on my grandfather’s saxophone seems especially appealing. He passed before I was born and it is the only thing I have from him.

 

[Jeanette]

Welcome to the café, a lovely idea to play on your grandfather's sax but it most probably will need some work on it. I see you have posted a question re this elsewhere.

I am sure our members will advise.


Jx

 

[Woodpad]

Welcome and its a good plan.

 

[Ghr9204]

Welcome to the Café, @PenelopeTX .

There are a number of Café members in reasonable close proximity to you. @JayeNM lives near El Paso, TX. I'm 6 miles from the Texas Panhandle west border. Another new member, @Jorns Bergenson lives just outside Houston.

I'm glad to hear that your grandfather left a treasured momento to remember him by with the C sax. By all means, enjoy the new journey on the saxophone, and we all look forward to hearing from you soon!

 

[Tenor Viol]

Hi, welcome. Yes, the instrument will need some looking at, at least a full strip down, and possibly a re-pad.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Greetings and a big welcome to the forum!

 

[mizmar]

Hi,
Learning on ya granddad's sax is a lovely idea....

see if I can possibly use it as a beginner instrument.

I'd reckon your biggest hurdle will be that the majority of sax teaching material is prepared for Bb or Eb (tenor, Alto) instruments; whether online, shop bought or handed out by a teacher.
... Give or take getting the instrument into working condition from your other thread

 

[Ghr9204]

I'd reckon your biggest hurdle will be that the majority of sax teaching material is prepared for Bb or Eb (tenor, Alto) instruments; whether online, shop bought or handed out by a teacher.

It is not a hurdle unless playing against other instruments like in a duet (unless say, playing with a flute or oboe) or band. My now old sax books with exercises was for any key sax. Otherwise if accompaniment desired, one buys the "C" instrument book with backing track.

 

[Pete Thomas]

It is not a hurdle unless playing against other instruments like in a duet (unless say, playing with a flute or oboe) or band. My now old sax books with exercises was for any key sax.

It actually makes it easier in a lot of situations when playing with guitar and piano etc.

 

[PenelopeTX]

Welcome to the Café, @PenelopeTX .

There are a number of Café members in reasonable close proximity to you. @JayeNM lives near El Paso, TX. I'm 6 miles from the Texas Panhandle west border. Another new member, @Jorns Bergenson lives just outside Houston.

I'm glad to hear that your grandfather left a treasured momento to remember him by with the C sax. By all means, enjoy the new journey on the saxophone, and we all look forward to hearing from you soon!

That’s great to hear. I’m in the Austin area.

 

[JayeNM]

Great town, Austin.

 

[mizmar]

It is not a hurdle unless playing against other instruments like in a duet (unless say, playing with a flute or oboe) or band. My now old sax books with exercises was for any key sax. Otherwise if accompaniment desired, one buys the "C" instrument book with backing track.

It's obviously not black or white.
But we're talking about a beginner.

If you get a exercise or piece with backing and demo to learn - a very common pedagogical device - it'll mostly be in Eb or Bb; will sound different to you and inC; and should you want to play along with the demo or backing, won't work.
My flute teacher regularly gives me pieces to learn from a recording of him rather than dots (we do both) for obvious reasons. And I learn by ear from sax material sometimes. It's surely good for my musicianship, such as it is.

 

[ESJohn]

Welcome!
I can appreciate family connections to a particular horn. My King Cleveland was purchased for me by my parents when I was in my teens. I hope someday to pass it on to one of my grandkids.
How accessible are mouthpieces and reeds for a C Melody? The other question would be what music books (especially elementary lesson books) are available for your horn?

 

[Targa]

Welcome to the cafe M'lady.

 

[Ghr9204]

It's obviously not black or white.

Oh, there's always ways to make things work in this imperfect world. No obstacle in insurmountable even for a beginner and even with an astute teacher.

Would be interested to hear what your music teacher says (opinion), if you mention to them if you had a "C" sax.

 

[mizmar]

there's always ways to make things work

Sure. And they all take extra work and skills. I was just giving heads-up.

Would be interested to hear what your music teacher says (opinion), if you mention to them if you had a "C" sax.

Hu! Flute teacher... Reed flute (Nay) about as far from a sax as a wind instrument can get.
But, yeah, it would be interesting to see what a sax teacher thinks.