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Veggie Dave

Sax Worker
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Citizen of Nowhere
Hello everyone,

I'm Dave, who's been playing the saxophone for a whopping 12 days now. I've probably come to the sax from a rather different route than most, though.

Until about 13 years ago I was a bass player, playing a bizarre mix of rock, funk, jazz and classical ... and then I had a major bike accident that shattered by left wrist and broke and dislocated all my fingers. In short, it hurt a wee bit and took a while to get over. ;)

From that point on, playing any stringed instrument was almost impossible. I did start playing over the neck, but I'd lost 90% of my dexterity and finger spread, so gave up. About two years ago I was wondering if there were any other instruments I could play instead and, after a fair bit of thought, came up with the saxophone.

Fast forward to three weeks ago and I'm walking past the Sax shop, in London. I pop in to have a look at their 'cheap' saxophones, in particular the Trevor James Classic II tenor, and to have a chat with the staff to get a bit more info. Someone called Paul decides that rather than telling me about the TJ he's going to give me a quick lesson instead so that I really know if I want one or not - whether I want to play one there and then or not! ;)

Around 20 minutes later I'm playing a C scale and I'm possibly the happiest bloke on the planet at that specific point in time. Just over a week later a brand new TJ Classic II arrives at my home.

And this is where it becomes a little tricky. First, I haven't been able to find a sax player in my area who teaches sax, rather than a music teacher who teaches you how to read music for the sax, which is slightly different. And secondly, I don't seem to like saxophone music. ;) And 99% of what I've found up to now that I do like is far, far too complex for a learner to get his head around.

In the last week I've learnt what are probably the cheesiest of cheesy sax songs (One Step Beyond (Madness), Geno (Dexy's Midnight Runners), Pig Bag (Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag) and Baker Street). Incredibly they're even recognisable as the songs I'm trying to play ;) but now I'm struggling to find other songs to try and learn.

I also seem to have accidentally broken the rule about going up in reed strength slowly as I've just jumped from a 1.5 Rico to 2.5 Rico for no other reason than it was the only reed available from the only shop within 20 miles that sells reeds. Bizarrely, the tone I was getting improved massively, my control and consistency instantly jumped up a level and the constant squeaks I was getting when jumping between octaves all but disappeared.

I recorded a very short blues lick yesterday, so that I could hear what I was playing, that seems to sound okay to me. One little squeak but everything else seems pretty good for someone who'd only been playing for 11 days. As I haven't as yet found a tutor and as I have no history of the sax - neither playing or as a listener - would it be a good idea to post it somewhere on here so that it can be picked apart by people who know what they're talking about so that I have something to work towards while I find a teacher? And if it's a yes, what would be the appropriate forum?

Anyway, hello to you all. :cheers:
 
Hi and Welcome. Where are you? Probably someone here who can recommend a teacher. And if that doesn't work, there are some guys doing online lessons via skype or similar.

Good to hear you survived the bike accident.
 
Ah, good point, I really should have mentioned where I am in case someone can help with finding a tutor!

I'm just outside of Ware, Hertfordshire in England.
 
as I have no history of the sax - neither playing or as a listener - would it be a good idea to post it somewhere on here so that it can be picked apart by people who know what they're talking about so that I have something to work towards while I find a teacher? And if it's a yes, what would be the appropriate forum?

Yep great idea to post on here either as a sound clip in it's own thread or in the beginners section (top of page), your choice. The beginners section is only accessible by members.

Check out the other forums at the top of that page you might find a tune you could have a go at.

You will get lots of advice

Have fun

Jx
 
As I haven't as yet found a tutor and as I have no history of the sax - neither playing or as a listener - would it be a good idea to post it somewhere on here so that it can be picked apart by people who know what they're talking about so that I have something to work towards while I find a teacher? And if it's a yes, what would be the appropriate forum?
Yes, in your sound clips/beginners recordings - here: http://cafesaxophone.com/forums/beginners-recordings.61/
 
Thanks, I've looked on there before and found a player who wasn't too far away but she appears to have moved or given up since she put her details up, which is a shame. I'll obviously have to look further afield.

I have been rummaging through Jellynote, though, which is a nice little resource.
 
Hi

Usually music shops keep lists of local teachers. If you are in a more rural area, they will cover a large area. I got details of my first cello teacher that way and he was 30 miles away.
 
Welcome Veggie Dave from carnivore Dennis in Birmingham.

On eBay & Amazon you should be able to find quite a few books of songs for tenor sax, pop numbers as well as standards.
You may not like all the tunes, but there should be quite a few that tickle your fancy and they are generally not too complex (if I can play them, anyone can).
 
Hi tenorviol (hmm, did you know that your name translates as 'saxophone rape' in French? :D)

I seem to live in a music shop wasteland. I think it may be because we're so close to London that small specialist shops just can't survive, but there's only one within miles and they're a guitar/drums and keyboard shop. I have checked their notice board for tutors but never thought of asking the staff ... probably because I'm an idiot. ;)

Still, one music shop within a 30 minute drive is still one more than the number of book shops that have survived...

Jonesy - you've just reminded me that I may have some old music books in the loft. <fast forward>And I do! Well, one that I can find at the moment but I know there are more. Pink Floyd - The Wall. It still has the receipt with it, too: £6:95 in 1985.

I have just found another song I want to learn, courtesy of the other half's record collection: Louis Armstrong's King of The Zulus that I think will transpose quite well, and will certainly keep me busy for a while until I find some books, a tutor or more CDs.
 
Viol is the English name for the instrument, violle is the French and viola da gamba is the full Italian name.

I live in Shropshire. We do have a bookshop here in the market town I live in. The nearest music shops are Chester (useless - no proper sheet music shop) about 40 minute drive, or Shrewsbury where there are now 2 (used to be 3). one is a specialist wind shop selling shiny toys, the other is a decent sheet music shop. Again a good 20+ miles / 40 minute drive away.
 
Welcome to the caff©, Dave.

Not sure whether this proves which is the most dangerous, motorcycling, the double bass or the saxophone?

Get a copy of John O'Neils Tutor.

ENJOY!
 
Right there! On the stair!

Thanks Jeanette and Kev.
A little mouse with clogs on! Do that on the sax! Welcome Veggie Dave.....also look at Xrayspex for some good sax licks. All good info here and some great sax players. There is a great woodwind shop in Cambridge and I shall ask my tutor if he knows anyone near you.
 
Get a copy of John O'Neils Tutor.

I'll check that out. Thanks. :thumb:

look at Xrayspex for some good sax licks.

Now there's a band I didn't think I'd see being mentioned on here! :D

It's been quite a while since I listened to anything by Poly and her band.

There is a great woodwind shop in Cambridge and I shall ask my tutor if he knows anyone near you.

If you would be so kind that would be greatly appreciated.
 
Welcome to the caff©, Dave.

Not sure whether this proves which is the most dangerous, motorcycling, the double bass or the saxophone?

Get a copy of John O'Neils Tutor.

ENJOY!
As the new end-pin on my cello is made from stainless steel with a sharpened hardened tool steel point, I suspect it wins. Thinking of a new Forum handle: Viol the Impaler...
 
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