Saxophone beginners Inspired by the thread 'Is it a solo or just a racket?'

[cappers]

Regarding the wardrobe (we say “closet” here in the USA), you don’t have to actually go in. Just stand by the open door and point your horn in among the clothes. That cuts the volume down considerably. I do that when other people in the house are watching TV.

When I played in the bathroom I opened the airing cupboard door and played into the folded towels, bedding and sheets etc which reduced the volume and resonance.

If you want to practice, then do what you can to meet your neighbor’s needs too. Shut the windows.

Beyond that, find a field or parking garage. Be considerate. It’s possible.

I aim to be a considerate neighbour and so far had not had any issues. Saturday's problem was a combination of me getting carried away, long tones, open windows and the heat. We have talked and now resolved the issue i.e. up to an hour and a half is ok and not too loud!

My partner puts on other music loud, or if she’s watching TV (in the sitting room which is 20 meters and 4 thick brick walls away ) she puts the volume up, or she has headphones on whenever I am playing these days. I feel absolutely deflated if not depressed when that happens especially since I can hear my sound has improved a lot since I picked up the sax(again). And the people I jam with think my playing is good. So I’m wondering if my ‘solos’ are just a racket to her but ‘music’ to others. Do I give up the sax or get a divorce? 😛

Fortunately my wife enjoys my playing, she says she enjoys being serenaded as she paints!

I have a lesson this afternoon so won't be practicing at home today.

 

[Colin the Bear]

There's also those box things that you put the sax in with the mouthpiece protruding and poke your hands through the sides to play.

When I was starting out I used to take the alto for a walk. I sat in a field, noodling away, eyes closed. When I opened my eyes I was completely surrounded by quizzical heifers. 😳

 

[Jimmymack]

If you can do that with rats I can see a career opportunity for you.

 

[Dr G]

My partner puts on other music loud, or if she’s watching TV (in the sitting room which is 20 meters and 4 thick brick walls away ) she puts the volume up, or she has headphones on whenever I am playing these days. I feel absolutely deflated if not depressed when that happens especially since I can hear my sound has improved a lot since I picked up the sax(again). And the people I jam with think my playing is good. So I’m wondering if my ‘solos’ are just a racket to her but ‘music’ to others. Do I give up the sax or get a divorce? 😛

“And the people I jam with think my playing is good.”. 1) Are they drinking? 2) Are they any good? 3) Does your wife have greater expectations of what qualifies as music? 😉😎

Regardless, you could talk to your wife and ask.

 

[Colin the Bear]

If you can do that with rats I can see a career opportunity for you.

Yes but these heifers were cows. 🐄

 

[Jimmymack]

They would be but if it works with one sort of critter it might work with another. You obviously know how to charm them.

 

[cappers]

My new practice space is the shower cubicle in the bathroom

It's a curved-fronted corner cubicle which sits against two external walls on the opposite side of the house to my neighbour. I shut the bathroom door and window, hung an old duvet and some towels inside the cubicle and blew into the shower space.

It dampened the resonance from the tiles and although not ideal - knock-knock "can I use the loo please?" - seems to have done the trick. Spoke to the neighbour who said she didn't hear me until she went into the garden and then it was quiet.

I suppose the toilet is an appropriate place for my playing Happy days.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

When someone important, has problems with a saxophone playing, try a Piccolo, and they'll request to bring back the sax. ASAP.
Cruel, but it works. 🎶🏴‍☠️🎶

 

[cappers]

They would be but if it works with one sort of critter it might work with another. You obviously know how to charm them.

Unlike @Colin the Bear I haven't got that knack.
Our old Collie is deaf, the cat indifferent but the young Shepherd gives me a funny look and clears off when I pick up the sax 😱

 

[Targa]

Unlike @Colin the Bear I haven't got that knack.
Our old Collie is deaf, the cat indifferent but the young Shepherd gives me a funny look and clears off when I pick up the sax 😱

Is he related to Andy?

 

[LostCircuits]

“And the people I jam with think my playing is good.”. 1) Are they drinking? 2) Are they any good? 3) Does your wife have greater expectations of what qualifies as music? 😉😎

Regardless, you could talk to your wife and ask.

You had to bring this up, did you?
Brutal but justified 😉😎

 

[LostCircuits]

When someone important, has problems with a saxophone playing, try a Piccolo, and they'll request to bring back the sax. ASAP.
Cruel, but it works. 🎶🏴‍☠️🎶

You had to bring this up, did you?
Brutal but justified 😉😎

If you survive the first assassination attempts. And piccolos are easy to hide so they wouldn't have to steal them, just bury it in the kitty litter box.

 

[Targa]

If you survive the first assassination attempts. And piccolos are easy to hide so they wouldn't have to steal them, just bury it in the kitty litter box.

Only if you want your new settee ruined in return.

 

[cappers]

Is he related to Andy?

That's Inclassifiable

 

[h4yn0nnym0u5e]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjA6bA1qtfQ

 

[cappers]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjA6bA1qtfQ

Ace I loved F&S as a kid and Ill Wind is classic and most appropriate.

 

[h4yn0nnym0u5e]

Me too 😀. Introduced by my parents, and passed on to my offspring.

If I practised enough, I could probably annoy my neighbours - good luck with yours, seems you’ve found a modus vivendi.

 

[mizmar]

Just a side thought, while you're remodelling the house;
There's learning sax and there's learning music stuff and there's overlap. Maybe a 2nd, quieter, instrument would give you extra practice time ... on the music side, much of which can support the sax.

For example, I've got a handful of penny whistles. Sometimes I'll learn a song on those and later pick it up on sax... So long as there aren't too many accidentals - it can get the tune, feel and timing into the head pretty easily... Got a little spare time, pick it up, have a go or two, no faffing and reeds and cleaning and quite quiet.

 

[Colin the Bear]

A recorder is more relevant to saxophone fingerings. I've always found whistle fingerings confusing. 🥴

 

[mizmar]

A recorder is more relevant to saxophone fingerings. I've always found whistle fingerings confusing. 🥴

Fair comment.
Infact there's a wonderful range of eRecorders which seem great, can be plaid silently; and have the major advantage of having a range of sounds thus getting over the biggest problem of a recorder which is, obviously, what it sounds like.