Introduction Help

[trogg]

Hi all
Iv'e been playing now for only about 6 months , teaching myself as thre dosn't appear to be any tutors in my area.
any way, when I start playing all is well, then, after a while I just don't seem to be able to contain the musical flow and all I get is high pitched squeeks.
I don't believe for amoment that it's my instrument,I think it's either somthing I'm doing or maybe my reed is the wrong type for a beginner, any ideas please

Regards, John.

 

[mr__myles]

The muscles in your embouchure (the muscles in your face and the ones used to shape your lips) are probably just getting tired. You could lower your reed strength if you wanted too (I started on 2s and then moved my way up), or wait, in time your muscles will devolpe to be able to take the strain of playing.

 

[trogg]

I susspected as much but being an early player just needed reassurance.

Cheers Mr M, Trogg

 

[Bobby G]

Hi Trogg and welcome to the Breakfast Room from glorious Welwyn Garden City. Mr M has it about right there, you just need to keep at it to 'build your chops' as they say. All the best, and no beginner;s question is too silly to be asked in here.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi and welcome to the Breakfast Room.

I agree, probably just fatigue, but you must get at least one lesson from a good teacher before too much self teaching that can cause some bad habits to set in

 

[saxismyaxe]

Welcome to the forums John.
As Pete suggests, learning without some sort of tutor CAN lead to many bad habits and pit falls. It can certainly be done, and most of us are self taught to some degree or another as musicians, however teaching one's self in the tender, early stages requires VERY conscientious application to keep on track.

Forming a proper embouchure and learning the art of proper breath control and diaphragm usage is paramount. Your early issues with this are typical of beginners, so don't despair.

I would suggest that you get yourself a copy of "THE ART OF SAXOPHONE PLAYING" by Larry Teal, as he outlines nicely the fundamentals of proper Saxophone playing techniques. Every horn player should have a copy of this book in their library.

And remember the two golden rules:
1. NEVER bite with your embouchure.
2. Control your air column (both breathing in and expelling) with the diaphragm and NOT your lungs alone.

Best of luck.

 

[trogg]

Thanks for the input guys, have taken on board all thats been recomended, and Sax, I have a copy of Larry Teals book winging it's way from amazon.
However, Petes sugesstion of a tutor is more difficult, Ive tried to find one but they are are rare in my part of the country, but I,ll get there, I just love this instrument.

 

[saxismyaxe]

Trogg,
I understand your dilemma regarding a Tutor. Although I am from Dallas, TX, I have moved to the far outskirts of the Nashville TN area (actually over an hour away). If I were a beginner in need of a tutor reasonably close, never mind a quality one, I would be quite out of luck in my present locale. Fortunately those tender years have long since passed. 😀

I have gigged with many a horn player who was wholly self taught (except for inspiration from listening to the old lions, and the occasional tip here and there), so it can be done. Just make certain that you religiously follow the information from such sources as Teal's book, and constantly and judiciously monitor yourself to insure that you develop proper technique, and that you don't form bad, and very difficult to correct, habits along the way.

If Charlie Parker can become the player he was and be primarily self taught, there is hope for everyone! 😉

 

[tengu01]

Hey there Trogg,

Although it does sound as if your mouth is starting to get tired (plus you might be biting to get the high notes out maybe?)

What brand and strength of reed and mouthpiece size are you using?

There is loads of advice on how to progress as a saxophone player online, so my advice to you is to take the one book you have and get through that first before trying to find everything available on the web. I managed to download tons and tons of information and simply didn't know where to start.

Following Mr Teal's book is a good idea. In addition to that, everynow and then, I recommend putting on a tune that you like and trying to jam along to it. Worked wonders for me

Good luck and welcome

 

[Greywolf]

Trogg

I had a look on the sax.co.uk website and they show three teachers in Cheshire. There will be more. Haunt the music shops in your area.

Cheshire, Nantwich. Hannah Clay, BMus Jazz and Contemporary music. hannahclay@orange.net 07814 568 413 / 02081 506 246. Saxophone, Clarinet, Theory.

Cheshire, Macclesfield. Roger Read 01625 613331, SlimRead<<at>>aol.com, www.slimread.co.uk and www.saxophone-tuition.co.uk

Cheshire, Northwich, Oliver Carman tel 01606 79247 Saxophone only, all
levels. BMus and Masters from Sheffield University. email:
olivercarman<<at>>hotmail.com

Cheshire, Winsford, Lisa Kirwan. 01606 553357, 07793681574, Teaches Sax, clarinet, flute, piano, recorder, keyboard and aural.

Greywolf

 

[trogg]

Greywolf, Greetings.
Thankx fr yr email, you have done your home work, I scoured the net for hours and didn't find a single tutor in Cheshire, It just shows to go ya.
But joking aside I really do apprechiate your input and apologies for not responding sooner but I just moved house and have been off line for near two weeks.
Anyhow the good news is I have found what seems to be an excellent tutor so I'm running with him and I'll see where the music takes me.

Kind Regards, Trogg

 

[chrisshaw]

I was reading a book that gave advice for parents what instrument to bu their kids. The sax was recommend for children who did not enjoy the company of a teacher and one that required least practice. He! he! not true if you want to learn to giant steps.

If you don't want a teacher get a tutor DVD or two to get you on track.

Can you tell me what reed and sax you are using? The reason I ask is one of my saxes is an Evette, which chokes when I give it hard core jazz.

 

[trogg]

Hi Chris.
I am using a new Hanson Gulf Sax and I was using a 2.5 reed but all is sorted now.
I have found a tutor who immediately changed my reed to a 1.5 so things are good.

Cheers Pal, Trogg

 

[Linky Lee]

I've been waiting for someone to pop up here with one of the Gulf saxes sold through Hanson.

I'd be really interested to know what you and your teacher think about it, Hanson are a great company and I would like to know if Gulf's standards are as good.

I personally play an SA-8 which is fantastic.

 

[Bobby G]

"... which chokes when I give it hard core sax"

That conjures up images, and none of them are pleasant :vomit:

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pete Thomas]

I played a Gulf. It's very very good for the money IMO.

 

[Bobby G]

Is the Gulf the one Hanson don't actually make themselves? What sort of price?

Cheers, Bob

 

[Linky Lee]

Yes it is made by another company who went bust and are selling them off at low prices through Hanson.

 

[phil_edwards]

Bobby G wrote:
Is the Gulf the one Hanson don't actually make themselves? What sort of price?

Cheers, Bob

that'll be one of these, I guess.... http://www.saxophonesdirect.com/altos/student.html

regards, Phil