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Hi From Croydon

ash_driscoll

Member
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14
Hi I've just joined today under a fellow sax players recommendation.
I just started playing the saxophone a week ago, got one off of ebay that works perfectly fine (though that said, I squeak alot due to my ameteurism).
I've been inspired by the classic 70's and 80's songs such as 'Baker Street', 'Just the way you are', and 'Careless Whisper'. Along with Sax I play the piano, guitar (both bass and electric) and a fair few rhythms on the drums, so you could say I am a one man band (Though I don't like to toot my own Sax).
I'm glad I was directed to this website as it is already proving useful since I joined (1 hour ago)
 
I'm an alto player, though I've heard some people say it's alot harder than a tenor to play, I like the challenge. it's an Artemis with the original mouthpiece, I'm thinking of getting a new mouthpiece though, any suggestions?
 
I'm an alto player, though I've heard some people say it's alot harder than a tenor to play, I like the challenge. it's an Artemis with the original mouthpiece, I'm thinking of getting a new mouthpiece though, any suggestions?

I think on balance alto is easier to play than tenor though it may be more difficult to play and control really well. I started on alto and moved to tenor after a little over a year (last November).

As a beginner you need an easy to play mouthpiece, something like a Yamaha 4C is a good starter option as they are pretty good and easy to blow. On here we normally recommend getting advice from your teacher before 'upgrading' but the Yam should be fine but try before you buy if you can.
 
ahh right, thanks for the suggestion.
well I have no teacher, I'm a self taught person, always have been, always will be, though I am welcome to advice anytime. I was thinking of getting a Yamaha, as this sax is secondhand there are slight teeth marks in it and it feels abit weird to play, but maybe that might be cos I'm not use to the feel of the sax mouthpiece, all in good time I suppose.
 
Hi Ash and welcome to the BR, I see you've already started receiving some good advice. I hope you enjoy your sax, and from one self taught to another, playing along to your favourite cd's is a great way to learn. Have fun.:w00t:
 
Ash, as a multi-instrumentalist you will be a very welcome addition to the Croydon and Sarf Lunnun Massiv that inhabits this forum (you have to pay your dues to Old Git first though and he will no doubt be in touch in the morning - probably gone to bed now or out feeding his voles on the Wandle).

Where are you in Croydon? You're lucky in having Jonathan Myall's Just Flutes shop in S. Croydon, which is a great place for getting all sorts of sax stuff -trying mouthpieces and reeds for example. On Thursday's the splendid sax mechanic Griff is there to fix all your problems.

Hope you enjoy it here. :sax:
Colin
 
Just don't try taking over the Manor and we'll be in touch regarding the Croydon and Sarf Lundun Massive. (note bene:- Young Col, who is the CaSLM Official Zimmer Frame Retainer omitted the 'e', you just can't get the staff these days). Your membership will be put before a Central Council Meeting when you've proved you can use your Uzi.
Forever correcting Young Col, Griff is a Brass and Woodwind TECHNICIAN and the South West Ambassador for the CaSLM.
In the meantime enjoy but don't touch the voles or YC's Koi Carp, frogs or Autumn Gold fence.
 
Thank you for the corrections, Bill. That's the experience of age showing through. But you must keep up, it's Autumn Red, not Gold, and if you followed AlanU's post I must decide if I am dabbing with a paintbrush or dabbling with a porn star.
 
Ash, as a multi-instrumentalist you will be a very welcome addition to the Croydon and Sarf Lunnun Massiv that inhabits this forum (you have to pay your dues to Old Git first though and he will no doubt be in touch in the morning - probably gone to bed now or out feeding his voles on the Wandle).

Where are you in Croydon? You're lucky in having Jonathan Myall's Just Flutes shop in S. Croydon, which is a great place for getting all sorts of sax stuff -trying mouthpieces and reeds for example. On Thursday's the splendid sax mechanic Griff is there to fix all your problems.

Hope you enjoy it here. :sax:
Colin

I hale from addiscombe end, just by ashburton park actually, so south croydon is on the other end for me, I actually have no idea where south croydon station is if you believe that, directions to the shop would be a great help thankyou, as I am thinking of buying a new mouthpiece. I seem to be the youngest on this forum, less I am much mistaken, so the age old experience from everyone else would be a great asset to me, thanking you kindly.
 
¡Hola! and welcome to the BR from Spain. Youngest on the forum eh! I don't think the Croydon and Sarf Lunnun Massiv will let you in because I think you have to be at least 108!
 
Thank you for the corrections, Bill. That's the experience of age showing through. But you must keep up, it's Autumn Red, not Gold, and if you followed AlanU's post I must decide if I am dabbing with a paintbrush or dabbling with a porn star.
Knowing your political persuasions up in Coulsdon, (Coulsdon was the only place in the United Kingdom that had a whip round and sent a platoon to fight on Franco's side in the Spanish Civil War), I altered Red to Gold to match your Mauriat and your long flowing locks. (Shut up Garry, we'll get him a woman yet). ;}
ediited to add:postscriptum:-Add the Spanish one to the Official Rub Out List.
 
Yes, that's unfair Mike. You've upset OG now. 105 is more like it with a reduction for juniors (don't know where that leaves Smiffy though!)

Ash from Ashburton, it's easy to find Myall's. Just go South down the main road from the High Street, under the flyover, over the lights and it's a few hundred yards down on the right. It's very quaint and old from the outside and you have to ring a bell to get in, but they're very friendly and helpful. Like Ian said, a Yamaha 4C or a 5C might be a good starting point and not expensive. Try some out. Have a look at http://www.justflutes.com/

Colin
ps my locks were never golden but what's left is just silver now and Mrs YC wonders what you are putting me up to. Now you don't want trouble from her, Bill!:shocked:
 
Hi and welcome from another member of the CaSLM (even though I'm from Yorkshire!)

This is a great forum and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
I'm also self taught but couldn't have got as far as I have without the help of all the kind and knowledgeable folk on this forum!

(However, after two years of going it alone I think I might have found myself a teacher!!!)
 
Forgot to mention - I've just bought a new mouthpiece from Jonathan Myall's by mail order, and was very impressed with the service.

They let you return them if you don't like them as long as it's within a week and they are in perfect condition! This is great for people like me who live 200 miles away. You lucky Croydon people!

I might just pay them a visit next time I'm in London.....
 
Welcome from across the seas and over the mountains and the desert and on and on...........:D
 
wow I have to say that there's alot of people from all over on this website.
I'm making good progress at the moment, self taught myself 'Amazing grace' which was fun. I now know all the white key (middle and high range) and C#, Bb and F#. I'm just trying to find songs to play with them :)
 
You're right Ash, it's truly international. You've had Europe and North America and when they awake you'll no doubt hear from the Pacific Rim and Antipodean countries. That nice Mr Thomas runs a great forum.

Coming back to very parochial matters - if you read, Myall's also has a great selection of music upstairs. Some of the basic music books also have a fingering chart which can be vey useful if you are self-taught. They will show several standard alternate fingerings for some notes - two for upper and top C and four for Bb for example.

Pauline - if you come down this way let us know. I'm sure CaSLM can provide some lunch-like hospitality. We owe it to you for aligning yourself with such a bunch of reprobates!
Colin
 
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