Introduction Hello All!

[moosey]

I've been looking at the forum and Pete's site for the past week and have decided to introduce myself. I have quite a varied musical background and play a few other instruments - guitar, drums and keys. I've decided that after ten years of playing other instruments and wanting to, I now feel I'm disciplined enough to learn to play a horn. I'm about to buy my first sax in the next few weeks, which I'm tremendously excited about. Anyhow, that's enough babbling for now.

Cheerio.
Paul.

 

[Bobby G]

Hi Paul, and welcome to the Breakfast Room from wet Welwyn, Herts. There are several (ex)guitarists in here who have moved over to sax in here, myself included. What flavour horn are you thinking of, alto or tenor?

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi paul, welcome to the Breakfast Room from sunny Southampton

 

[moosey]

Alto is probably a good starting point as I'm led to believe it's easier to play for beginners. Hopefully, transition to tenor shouldn't be a problem later when I've developed a good technique and sound. Plus I'm really influenced by Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly and Dudu Pukwana. I've been looking at Hanson SA5 (any suggestions are welcome). I've always loved the sound of horns and I'm a bit of a kleptomaniac when it comes to instrumental skills. I now feel ready to learn; but I'm not an ex-guitarist though, as that's how I earn my living and still love playing (that sounds a bit defensive).

May I extend my appreciation to you Pete? You have a great site here that I've personally found to be very informative. Not only that, your playing on the Bottom theme is probably the first time I heard a sax outside the framework of jazz and even played in such a frenetic manner; I still love it. (perceived brown-nosing over.)

Cheerio.
Paul.

 

[old_git]

Hi Moosey
The only thing you will regret is not starting earlier. Three monhs down the line, I'm actually playing scales, VOLUNTARILY. First time since school back in the fifties.
Enjoy.

 

[nick_cook]

Hi Moosey, welcome from Wokingham. I'm just starting too - finally getting my saxophone (Hanson SA-5) for my birthday tomorrow!!!!

(Like the avatar, by the way !! 🙂 )

 

[Tenor Sax]

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the room from a wet and rainy Lichfield, Staffordshire.

If Tenor is what you prefer go straight to it. The reference to easy(er) with respect to Alto is the more air support required for the Tenor, and Physical body size of the instrument. More important for a small child.

 

[frankb]

Welcome Paul! Hope you find the sax you're looking for.

 

[moosey]

Chris Jones wrote:

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the room from a wet and rainy Lichfield, Staffordshire.

If Tenor is what you prefer go straight to it. The reference to easy(er) with respect to Alto is the more air support required for the Tenor, and Physical body size of the instrument. More important for a small child.

I don't really have a sax preference, Alto and Tenor sound equally nice - they're all good to me. Besides that I'm only 20 and have asthma, so I think alto probably would be easier until I've developed good, controlled breathing and proper technique. Cheers for the encouragement.

Nick Cook wrote:

Hi Moosey, welcome from Wokingham. I'm just starting too - finally getting my saxophone (Hanson SA-5) for my birthday tomorrow!!!!

(Like the avatar, by the way !! )

Let me know what the SA-5 is like, or if you can record a clip of it if you don't mind? It'll be a few weeks before I can buy one. As for the avatar pic-thing; I though I was being original - how clearly wrong I was. 🙂

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[Linky Lee]

Sax is amazing for asthmatics! usually we breathe rather shallowly and that doesn't help the asthma as you'll well know.

If you play a wind instrument though, it forces you to breathe very deeply and control your breathing very precisely.

I think you should make breathing exercises a big priority in your practise routine, I've had a friend who has overcome her Asthma via playing trumpet and my brother is asthmatic and has improved greatly since tootling on the cornet.

I don't find too much difference between alto and tenor really. I'd suggest blowing both before committing and go for whatever feels good to you.

I have a Hanson and have been happy with it. I believe they're better than most other brands for the price tag.

 

[ochaye_mckay]

Hi Moose, from wet, wet, wet, Aberdeen.

Dave.

 

[richard_mac]

Hi Paul, welcome. I hope you get the sax you want.

Richard.

 

[tomjazz]

Moosey wrote:
I've been looking at the forum and Pete's site for the past week and have decided to introduce myself. I have quite a varied musical background and play a few other instruments - guitar, drums and keys. I've decided that after ten years of playing other instruments and wanting to, I now feel I'm disciplined enough to learn to play a horn. I'm about to buy my first sax in the next few weeks, which I'm tremendously excited about. Anyhow, that's enough babbling for now.

Cheerio.Hi Paul i am new also but Hi anyway Tom.
Paul.

 

[Bobby G]

From what a lot of people in here have said many times, you won't go wrong with a Hanson. Personally, I'd start on alto, apart from anything else it's a lot easier to play sitting down.

Dudu Pukwana, eh? Good man yerself!

Cheers, Bob

 

[saxismyaxe]

Hi Paul,

Glad you went ahead and joined us! Welcome.