Beginner If you could go back in time...

[tomjiujitsu]

Hi all, I'm a newbie of 2 years with the sax. I was wondering if you could tell yourself 3 things when you first started playing the sax, what would it be? What tips would you give yourself to help yourself become a better player? Thanks

 

[jbtsax]

1. Develop steady, consistent, well disciplined practice habits.
2. Take lessons from the best teachers (not players) you can find.
3. Listen to great players, both jazz and classical in concert and on recordings.
4. Don't waste time and money chasing equipment in order to sound better.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Keep at it.
Don't get distracted.
Don't get disillusioned.
Plod on.

 

[Jamesmac]

A very good question Tom
No 1 Depends how self assured you are, because that will influence how you see your progress. Some will always blame themselves for short comings, but it may be faulty equipment.
So. No.1 buy the best and preferably new instrument you can.
No.2 when practicing go for precision and not speed.
No.3 practice what you can't play more than the things you can.

 

[BigMartin]

1. Don't waste time/energy worrying about whether you've got talent or not. If You love music, that's all the talent you need.

2. Train your ears. Never too soon to start. I'd like to go back 45 years and tell myself this one!

3. Patience and slow practice will get you there (wherever that may be).

 

[tomjiujitsu]

A very good question Tom
No 1 Depends how self assured you are, because that will influence how you see your progress. Some will always blame themselves for short comings, but it may be faulty equipment.
So. No.1 buy the best and preferably new instrument you can.
No.2 when practicing go for precision and not speed.
No.3 practice what you can't play more than the things you can.

Wow, thank you for sharing. Number 3 seem so simple but I could not see it. I will definitely start practicing the stuff I can't play more. Thanks again James.

 

[tomjiujitsu]

Oh my, I'd never thought I would receive such priceless advice. Thank you so so much everyone.

 

[kevgermany]

Don't just practise, have a plan

Don't let contradictory advice put you off, listen to it all and make your own decision

Listen to yourself as you play and compare it to how you want to sound, musically and tonally. Work hard on bringing the two together.

 

[Jeanette]

Record yourself periodically too so that you can hear how far you have come. 🙂

Jx

 

[Nick Wyver]

Don't keep telling yourself you started too late to be any good.

Don't shack up with someone who hates you playing in a band (not the current Mrs W, I hasten to add).

Improve your aural skills.

 

[David Roach]

This is a really good question!
1) Get a really good teacher (i.e. not just the one you have been allocated or the one who lives nearest: seek out a player you really admire who has the experience to give you the right attention and guidance) (grasshopper).
2) Buy the best equipment you can afford (with the recommendation of said teacher).
3) STICK WITH THAT EQUIPMENT!! (no G.A.S.)

 

[jbtsax]

Something I learned a long time ago while studying to be a music teacher is to treat each rehearsal or practice session like a meal.

Start with an appetizer: Warm up.
Then the main course: What you need to work on (what you can't play)
Finish with the dessert: Something you know, that is fun to play.

A 30 minute practice session might be 5 min. 20 min. 5 min.

 

[tomjiujitsu]

This is a really good question!
1) Get a really good teacher (i.e. not just the one you have been allocated or the one who lives nearest: seek out a player you really admire who has the experience to give you the right attention and guidance) (grasshopper).
2) Buy the best equipment you can afford (with the recommendation of said teacher).
3) STICK WITH THAT EQUIPMENT!! (no G.A.S.)

What is G.A.S stand for?

 

[Colin the Bear]

Gear aquisition syndrome

 

[jbtsax]

Gear Acquisition Syndrome

Dang. I would have beat Colin if I handn't taken the time to underline letters.

 

[kevgermany]

Means don't do what most of us do and go buying better mouthpieces, reeds, saxes etc.....

 

[Young Col]

If I was starting again:
Always use your diaphragm and push through notes.
Play musically, not note by note.
James' advice - practice what you can't play. Don't practice want you can play as it wastes your practice time.

 

[tomjiujitsu]

Gear Acquisition Syndrome

Dang. I would have beat Colin if I handn't taken the time to underline letters.

LoL. Thanks. I'm suffering from that right now. I just ordered a labayle studio mp. I love candy dulfer sound. Lol

 

[Little My]

I would pay more attention to my scales and tone, and get in with a jazz teacher from day one. There are some brilliant tips here!

 

[Alc.]

I would have joined this site sooner.