Saxophone beginners Multi-tasking for a beginner

[Fred]

Well my wife has been correct all these years, I can't multi-task!!

My first lesson with my tutor last Thursday wanted me to read the notes (without the letters underneath them), move my fingers and either count in my head or tap my foot. I can do two of these, that is read the notes (without letters) and move my fingers, but then my beats are out! She even tried to clap her hands for me, helped a bit.

So I have justed peuchased a Korg KDM2 Metronone. I hope this helps, some say that the sound can't be heard over the Sax. Does anyone have one of these and can it be heard and will it help me to multi-task!

Regards,
Fred
PS I'm seem to be getting better at reading the notes so some improvement there at least.

 

[BigMartin]

It's not so much about multitasking, IMO, as about making these things so familiar that they don't even seem like tasks anymore, they're just instinctive. It takes time, lots of it.

Metronome practice is very useful in keeping the beat steady, but you still have the task (at first) of anticipating where the beat is going to fall. If you wait until you hear it, you're behind.

 

[aldevis]

notes (without the letters underneath them)

Letters are a distraction. When you got the first note, other notes are either higher or lower.
If you have a recording of what you have to read, follow the page while listening.

 

[jbtsax]

Separating tasks can be helpful when first learning to play a musical instrument and learning to read music at the same time. Here are a few ideas:

• Go through the exercise just saying (singing) the names of the notes.
• Go through the exercise saying (singing) the names of the notes while fingering.
• Clap or tap the rhythm of the notes.
• Say (sing) the names of the notes in rhythm.
  
• Finger the notes as you say (sing) the names in rhythm.
• Play the exercise on your instrument.

 

[kevgermany]

If you can't hear the metronome, use headphones.

Clapping us a great way of fixing the rhythm. It has the advantage that you're just reading note values not worrying about keys/pitch.

JBTSAX' splitting of the learning is a great technique.

 

[jimmylh]

I found these series of you tube videos very helpful learning to count rhythms. There are five of them starting with this one:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdlDt-hZ-hQ

 

[Fred]

Thank you all for your comments and help here I will try them all.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice.

That should sort it.

 

[kevgermany]

Sorry, didn't catch that, would you mind saying it again.

 

[jbtsax]

 

[Colin the Bear]

Well my wife has been correct all these years, I can't multi-task!!

No more complicated than shaving and reading your emails while driving to work.

 

[aldevis]

No more complicated than shaving and reading your emails while driving to work.

And much easier than drinking coffee while brushing your teeth.

 

[Fred]

Practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice practice.

That should sort it.

Last time I saw something like this was when I was six and on a chalk board.

 

[Targa]

Last time I saw something like this was when I was six and on a chalk board.

Chalk board?
Is that a PC name for blackboard?

 

[MandyH]

I've told my student it's a bit like paste spinning (edit....aka plate spinning) - at first you just can't keep all those plates in the air.
When you start getting good at reading the notes and getting your fingers in the right places, then you can start to bring in the note lengths and the tapping / internal counting all at the same time.

Or you could work on the tapping and counting, by singing (or grunting, I can't sing!) the rhythms without the instrument, then add the instrument.

It all takes time and practice. But focus your practice on one area each time, eventually the whole lot will come together.

 

[Targa]

I've told my student it's a bit like paste spinning - at first you just can't keep all those plates in the air.

Some typos are just surreal.

 

[MandyH]

Some typos are just surreal.

That'll be the damned auto-correct.....

 

[aldevis]

I thought you meant "pasta spinning".
What are the plates for, otherwise.