Introduction Just Got a Saxophone

[thenewstarter]

Hello Everyone,


I just wondered if anyone could suggest a training programme that I could do on a daily basis.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Richard in Southampton UK

 

[drew_stewart]

hi richard what type of sax you got?you've came to the write place their are loads of beginners on here,good luck

 

[elmer]

Hi Richard 🙂

I'm a new player too and loving it.

I advise watching Pete's DVD (buy it from here) and also there are great beginner books out there.

• The Art of Saxophone Playing by Larry Teal

• Saxophone Basicsby Andy Hampton

• Absolute Beginners Alto Saxophoneby Music Scale

All to be found at http://www.amazon.co.uk or http://www.musicroom.com

I am using these and others and are finding them to be very helpful.

 

[ken]

At 6:43:09 PM 31/03/06, thenewstarter wrote:
Hello Everyone,


I just wondered if anyone could suggest a training programme that I could do on a daily basis.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Richard in Southampton UK

Hello Richard,

If you haven't already done so, also click on the Pete Thomas 'Home' image in the top left of this forum page... some good info there, but it's not all obvious... you have to dig and click around a bit.

Can I ask, why do the lessons confuse you?... I'm interested to compare notes, because I'm a beginner and some lessons/comments confuse me to.

Good luck.
Ken.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi, welcome

If your lessons confused you, then maybe you need a different teacher, or else talk to your current teacher about why you are confused.

The only training program I can think of without getting too specific, is to divide your practice equally between:

1. Fingering exercises
2. Tone Exercises (long notes and breathing)
3. Repertoire (learning tunes and licks)

Good luck

 

[thenewstarter]

At 5:06:31 PM 31/03/06, drew stewart wrote:
hi richard what type of sax you got?you've came to the write place their are loads of beginners on here,good luck

I have a Trevor James Revolution II Tenor.


For example, when you tongue a note does your tongue stop the reed at the bottom or top of the mouthpiece?

My daily training consists of learning the following scales C G D & A Mayor. Is it best to tongue each note on these scales or play them in a single breath?

I am also learning; Fly me to the Moon and Oh When the Saints.

And when people say to practice long notes, what does this mean. How long is a long note?

 

[elmer]

Good questions !

 

[ken]

Hi Richard,

The fingering is, I guess, something that confuses all of us beginners and I would venture a comment that it is a matter of getting the fingering into our memories, both mentally and 'body' (muscle/physical) memory until it becomes second nature.


Tonguing, as far as I have read/been told, should be done at the 'tip' of the reed/mpc., either directly covering the tip or by bring the tongue 'up to the tip' to close the reed. Perhaps this may also depend on personal characteristics of our mouths/tongues.


Long notes I tend to blow for as long as I can and I stop the note before it degenerates, about 8-10 seconds I have counted (I must quit smoking!).

I'm only a beginner too, so I hope someone will confirm/shatter or better explain my opinions.

Good luck.
Ken.

 

[ken]

Richard,

Forgot to mention... if you haven't already, also consider buying Pete's DVD. It covers most if not all of what you are asking and it is great.

Ken.

 

[thenewstarter]

At 7:23:30 PM 01/04/06, Ken wrote:
Hi Richard,

The fingering is, I guess, something that confuses all of us beginners and I would venture a comment that it is a matter of getting the fingering into our memories, both mentally and 'body' (muscle/physical) memory until it becomes second nature.


Tonguing, as far as I have read/been told, should be done at the 'tip' of the reed/mpc., either directly covering the tip or by bring the tongue 'up to the tip' to close the reed. Perhaps this may also depend on personal characteristics of our mouths/tongues.


Long notes I tend to blow for as long as I can and I stop the note before it degenerates, about 8-10 seconds I have counted (I must quit smoking!).

I'm only a beginner too, so I hope someone will confirm/shatter or better explain my opinions.

Good luck.
Ken.

Hi Ken

Thanks for you detailed reply. It has cleared a few things up in my mind. I got Pete's DVD yesterday so I will give that I go this week. I downloaded the SaxTutor lastnight. I found it helpful, thank's mate.

I dont have a fingering chart, can you send me a link to an area where I can download one?

See you later
Richard

 

[thenewstarter]

At 7:51:22 PM 31/03/06, Pete wrote:
Hi, welcome

If your lessons confused you, then maybe you need a different teacher, or else talk to your current teacher about why you are confused.

The only training program I can think of without getting too specific, is to divide your practice equally between:

1. Fingering exercises
2. Tone Exercises (long notes and breathing)
3. Repertoire (learning tunes and licks)

Good luck

Hi Pete

Thanks for your advice. Do you know any Sax Tutors in the Southampton/Hampshire area?

Cheers
Richard

 

[Pete Thomas]

Strangely enough I don't, but I need to do a bit of research on that anyway so I'll find out and get back to you.

BTW, Ken's answeres are spot on, but I will doing more on long notes on the beginners page of my main site

 

[ken]

At 09:08:38 AM 02/04/06, thenewstarter wrote:
Hi Ken

Thanks for you detailed reply. It has cleared a few things up in my mind. I got Pete's DVD yesterday so I will give that I go this week. I downloaded the SaxTutor lastnight. I found it helpful, thank's mate.

I dont have a fingering chart, can you send me a link to an area where I can download one?

See you later
Richard

Hello Richard,

You'll find many fingering charts 'out there'. here are a couple of places to look:-

http://www.saxlessons.com/ ... Look on the left hand side under 'lessons' -> Fingering Charts.

or

http://www.saxophonesdirect.com/ ... left hand side again.

The best charts I have found so far come with that Sax Tutor Program. If you register it for about 10 quid, you can print out complete charts or individual chart for any scale that you are practicing.

Hope this help. Let us know if there is anything else.

Ken.

 

[ken]

At 12:19:46 PM 02/04/06, Pete wrote:BTW, Ken's answeres are spot on, but I will doing more on long notes on the beginners page of my main site

Pete, thanks for adding that. At my lowly level I was hesitant to try giving any advice, but it's a two way thing and you have confirmed that I am at least learning something.

Ken.