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Lifelong ambition realised!

breathless

breathless

Well-Known Member
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270
Location
Dunmow, Essex
Hi everyone, I've come to this site after some brief advise Pete posted on the woodwind forum I joined 2 days ago.
So that's how I got here but I'd better explain how I came to be interested in the saxophone!

Well I've always been haunted (in a blood curdling but nice sort of way) by the sound that emits from the saxophone. I guess much lime many other people what with work and children I've always managed to never really have the time to comitt to learning this amazing instrument UNTILL now!

I did learn to play the cornet as a child and recall that I could play from sheet music however due to the distance to the school and my parents jobs ect- my lessons didn't continue, that was 30+ years ago as I'm now just into my 40's.

I only hope that somewhere locked up in the deep reaches of the old gray matter I have some memory of reading music as I am certainly not a mathematician.

I have found a saxophone teacher not to far from my home location, all that's left is to release some funds from the sale of a motorcycle I no longer have a need for and I'll be off to Sax.co.UK hopefully to purchase my weapon of choice.

I'm not decided as of yet wether its a Alto or a Tennor, it's been suggested that a Tennor may be easier to learn but then that's been counteracted by a few claiming it will make no difference, so I guess it's just down go me listening then listening and of course a bit more listening to decide which appeals more.

Anyway, I look forward to discussions with some of you in the near future.

Rgds, Lee..
 
Hi Lee

You don't need to be a mathematician to read music. There are plenty of books to help get you on your way. The AB Guide to Music (there are two volumes) is one place to start and these are comprehensive books. They're quite cheap - vol 1 is £5 on Amazon at the moment.

A slightly less formal style book would be something like "Music Theory for Dummies" but just be aware that it uses American terminology such as 'measure' for 'bar' and 'quarter note' for 'crotchet' etc.
 
Hi Lee!

A Big Welcome to the Cafe from the Skabertawe Horn Section, down by yer in Wales, mind! The important thing in starting sax is to choose the instrument that most appeals - be it soprano, alto, tenor or baritone. All present certain challenges, and motivation is key to sticking with it, so choose what really appeals. Lots of folks traditionally started on alto (esp school kids) and this becamerather an urban myth. More people now start on tenor, especially as adults, and several also start on soprano, including myself.

The folks at Sax.co.uk should be a real help in getting you started and you can always start by hiring a sax to see whether it is really for you. Good luck with choosing, and look forward to hearing how you get on with everything.

Kind reghards
Tom
 
OH Thankyou everyone for such a warm welcome!
some good advise there, and thanks for the book advise, Im going to take a look now.

Ive been discussing this with Pete and I'm keen to get some study material but don't want to interfere with my perspective teachers "way of doing things" or learn the wrong way to do anything!
especially as at the moment have very little to no knowledge.

but Im sure a few books can only improve that!

Rgds Lee.
 
Welcome to the cafe Lee

Your intro is very similar to a lot of the members in the cafe, myself included only i had no musical experience whatsoever and i can now read music albeit slowly.

Enjoy your new journey, good luck with your choice of sax

Kev (ex biker)
 
Welcome to the cafe Lee.

Like you, I learned instrument at school - recorder followed by violin, then trombone.
Then, nearly 30 years later, I took up the sax (alto first, and now baritone too)

I found the reading of the music was a bit like riding a bike. Somehow, it all came flooding back really easily.
And because the recoder and sax fingering are very similar, I was quickly on my way to a few tunes.

It's been just over 3 years since I started playing sax, then I stumbled onto this site.

Cafe members are very friendly and full of useful information... oh, and very good at wandering off-topic!

Enjoy your journey...it's great.
 
Thanks again, very encouraging, I'm really keen to get going but have to get this bike sold first, it's very frustrating don't know why when I've waited over 30 years before doing something about it?

Trimmy, they say there's old bikers and there's bold bikers, but no old bold bikers! Unfortunately I am a bold biker but am getting old-er! Eye sights not as good as it used to be and the bike I have is a bit of an animal. My good wife would rather I got off it for good and I have two wonderful young children so after a brief spell back on the stead due to a change of job which unsettled me a little I've decided its time to move onto something that I've not only had a lifelong desire to do but also something that is unlikely going to kill me!

Thanks Justin and Mandy that's probably the single most encouraging thing that's been said (not that everyone else hasn't been encouraging, as they have) but you get my point!
To hear that you returned after a 30 year gap and picked up OK is great. I have my fingers crossed I have a similar experience!

Rgds Lee.
 
Hi Lee

Like you it had been a life long ambition to play the sax but never got round to it then aged 58 with no musical experience at all I took the plunge 4yrs ago and it's been an amazing journey ever since I adore my alto sax and don't know what I would do without it,I'm sure you'll feel the same,best of luck choosing your sax the sooner the better your missing out on so much enjoyment...All the best ....john
 
Hi Lee,

Welcome to the Madhouse!
Like some of the others, I played recorder at school, then violin for a few years, then a v e r y long gap before picking up a sax........you'll love it! And I expect that yo'll be surprised at how much you actually remember.
I also followed a similar course with motorcycling and have recently returned to 2 wheels after spending many years as taxi driver to my children!

Cheers,

Amanda
 
Thanks John, wow that was a gap! Yes im getting frustrated at waiting for people to bite re-bike sale, it's on a few specialist forums but going on fleebay this week. I noticed you have the Yas 62! That's one that's on my shortlist!

Thanks Amanda, careful on that bike, I've had bikes all my life and this ones. Real animal! I found it wasn't comfortable night riding, cars were creeping past me without me spotting them, I've had an eye problem diagnosed that I'm waiting to have investigated so probably best I get rid of the bike and I've just filled the gap with a new car!

Lee.
 
Hi Lee
Welcome to the forum and the start of your saxophone journey! I played tenor horn (brass) as a child, got to grade 7 and gave up before taking my grade 8, I tried going back to it a few times but my heart just wasn't in it. Last year I bought a saxophone and I haven't looked back! I'm still looking for a teacher so for the past 9 months have been teaching myself, I'm sure that if you read music for cornet it will all come flooding back.
Regarding alto or tenor I think it is personal choice, I've never been too good at making my mind up so got a tenor after playing alto for a while, I like both in different ways and depending on my mood!
Hope the bike sale goes well :)
Jo
 
well albeit a bit premature but Ive got a buyer for the bike lined up and is coming this Friday to view and buy if hes happy, there's no reason he wont be (hes been searching for a good condition version of mine for a while, and that's exactly what I have).

so fingers crossed come Friday afternoon Ill have a big wod of cash in my hand ready to be exchanged for my 1st saxophone.

Im currently favouring 2 models at the moment the Yamaha YTS62 or the Yanisagawa 901 (Tennor`s, think im set on that).

Pete recomended Sax.co.uk however im not sure if I should visit the London store which involves trains ect, or nice drive to Sussex. it appears the Sussex store is bigger and may have more choice but as long as they have the models im interested in it doesnt matter to much, its not like I can play a load of different sax`s to hear them, going to have to rely on them for that bit.

quite scary really, its the first time ive bought something that I have no idea how to use, very odd feeling. very excited by the prospect of starting lessons.

fingers crossed for Friday, however ive had a long telephone call with the guy and Im certain its a done deal.

rgds Lee.
 
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