My second lesson

[nick_cook]

Had my second lesson last night. Much better than the first - and the teacher said there was a marked improvement from last week.

We did the next 3 notes (F,E,D) and then added the Cs at each end. So I can now do the C major scale, and that's part of my homework. We also did quavers, which I thought would be too fast for me, but I got on ok with them. A tune and some exercises for homework there too.

A few points where I was going wrong were put right too. I'd mentioned my playing was very loud, and that was down to 2 problems. I had too much mouthpiece in my mouth and my lower lip was not properly on my teeth. With that corrected, I was able to play a bit quieter and the notes seemd to be more controlled. It sounded a lot better too - hope the wife agrees!!! I think that might have been why I was producing so much spit - so I hope that cures that problem too!!!

Another thing I was doing was not stopping notes properly at the end of a piece or just before a rest. I was just stopping blowing instead of tonguing the note to a stop. The end notes were much crisper when I got that right.

I go on holiday on Monday, so miss the next 2 weeks. Next lesson on the 30th. No sax for 10 days, what will I do!!!!!! 🙁

 

[Linky Lee]

Many people have asked that question on here already.

The answer is always the same. Namely, take it with you!

Sounds like you're having great fun with the sax and the lessons, congrats on the improvement! It's highly rewarding when you notice it yourself.

 

[bererunner]

Recently took my Alto on holiday for a week to Majorca. Took it with me as hand luggage. Security at Gatwick gave the horn and its case it a good going over, case was put through the scanner........
Realy pleased i took my horn with me, found a couple of bars where a few muso's gathered during the evening, even with my limited ability i had a great time, but even better than this, my rep/concierge was a classicaly trained guitarist.........needless to say it was a joy to watch him play. We even had a go at "Lily was Here"..........brilliant. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.
You've got to take your sax with you, it's a no brainer............don't forget your books.......!!

enjoy.

John.

 

[frankb]

Um... same issue here and (in this case) not a no-brainer.

I'm flying Ryanair so it's either buy another seat for the tenor (er, no thank you!), buy a Hiscox flight case (same price as an extra seat; better deal but, again, no ta!) or entrust it to the "throwers" (baggage handlers) in the unlockable stock Yamaha case (**** right off!).

10 saxless days... :cry:

 

[nick_cook]

It's not the logistics, we're driving over to France. It's whether the missus will let me take it. She's had enough of the racket I've been making!!! :erm:

 

[frankb]

Get her a set of Sennheiser PX200's - not perfect, but pretty good isolation from the rest of the world (and sax playing husbands!) for under ?25! 😉

 

[Pauline]

It's only for 10 days Nick, that's not so long.

Give your wife a bit of undivided attention and she might be more sympathetic when you get back.

I'm going to America for the whole of August and I just daren't take mine - it's scary enough trying to get there without the added worry of taking my alto on 5 different planes! I will just have to accept that I will have lost some ground when I get back.....

 

[Bobby G]

Could you not take your mouthpiece and a few reeds and hire one or even buy a cheapie? It'd probably work out about the same price as buying a seat on the plane for your horn. I couldn't imagine a saxless month, even on the holiday of my dreams.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pauline]

That's a good idea Bob! I'll take my mouthpiece and reeds to practise blowing at least. We will see what turns up as regards sax availability.
It's not just a holiday, more a family visit - 2 weeks in Arizona visiting my son and daughter-in-law and the rest of the time in the depths of rural east Texas visiting my in-laws!

all the best, Pauline

 

[sharon]

How's it going Nick. Before I went on my hols in June you were waiting to start playing. I didn't take mine away as we were touring France in our motorhome and a confined space, one husband,two kids and a sax is not a recipe for happy families 😉

Mind you I did miss it and was really pleased to come back to it. In fact magically I appear to read music and play scales better and the break has boosted my enthusiasm - weird.

Don't worry if you can't take it. Enjoy you're holiday and you'll be fresh when you come back.

Sharon

 

[nick_cook]

Hi Sharon,

I'm really enjoying learning to play - wish I'd done it years ago!!!

I've been relegated to the garage already - better for the family, but probably not for the neighbours!!

We'll be staying in a small house in a small town in France, so not only will I be annoying my wife and daughter, but probably the whole village - so I think leaving the sax at home is the best option - it's only 10 days.

 

[sharon]

I'm also a late starter (42) and wish I'd done it years ago. I've become quite the nag with my kids as I'd like them to play something but their not interested.

I'm often relegated to the basement - well it's the washroom really to I practice next the the ironing, but when there's no-one about I creep upstairs 😉

Keep it up Nick.

Sharon

 

[nick_cook]

Hi Sharon,

I see you do long distance running!!! I ran the London Marathon last year (piccie in Rogues Gallery) - never again!!!! It hurt and the training was soooooo boring!!!

I prefer 10k now with the occasional triathlon thrown in. Trouble is, sax practice is interfering with my training!!!! :S

 

[sharon]

You as well! I did my marathon in 2005 at Cardiff. I didn't mind the training as I have the lovely Swansea seafront to train on. The race was 2 laps of Cardiff and the 2nd lap was mindnumbing >.< The finish was a lap around the Millenium stadium (which will now forever be MY stadium 😛 ) and was rather a nice finish, but I said never again at the time - although .......

I've not had a good training year owing to the sax playing as well as other things. To knuckle down I've entered Swansea 10k (you're right it is a nice distance) which I do every year to keep my hand (or foot) in.

I would love to do London you are a lucky man. When you think about it, learning to play the sax and marathon training are similar in that instead of training your body to run 26 miles you're training your hands, mouth, lungs etc. to play an instrument. I bet you trained for months for that race. I know I did and I had been a regular runner for years before. Nothing worthwhile happens overnight does it.

By the way hope you enjoy your hols. I love France and even though I've only been back a couple of weeks I'm dead jealous 😡

Sharon