NEW PLAYERS QUESTION

[daveq]

here's a question for all you new players out there. i was thinking about my playing and what i want to do when i/my teacher thinks i am at a good standard,have been playing about a year now.i would like to join a band and put my playing to good use,was wondering what other beginners are hoping to achieve or are you learning for fun/pastime or like myself would you like to play iin a band/perform.by the way i have just turned fifty so i should get my finger out.

 

[frank_johnson]

I'm 60 and my sax ambitions are twofold:
1. To play along and improvise to Jazz Cd's
2. For sax to be my second instrument in a John Mayall type Blues band, guitar being my first.

I love Jazz, but my great love has been the Blues since the early 60's. when I began to play guitar.

By the way, my atavar is not my hair; it's John Mayall's! 8)

 

[Col9]

Hello, I'm 35 just started learnig 5 or 6 weeks, all ready belong to a wind band, Hope to be in a swing band eventualy.

Better half plays a tenor sax, sister in-law plays clarinet, and my youngest (8yrs) daughter plays French horn, as does her friend over the road, her dad plays drums. My eldest (10yrs) daughter plays a trumpet, her friend along the the road plays a trumpet and her dad also plays a clarinet and my mum plays piano so we are half way there. Only problem is apart from my mum, the drumming dad over the road, eldest daughter and her mate we are all rubbish, 😛 sorry learning......... 😉

Would love to go to and take part in jam sessions, and be good enough to contribute. Still one day...............

See ya
Col.

 

[Bobby G]

Hey Col9, that's a good enough band there, especially if the drummer's ok!

I'm sort of a new player but moved on a bit as I've been playing for about 3 years, and I've been going to various jams for about 18 months. I have to admit I find nearly all but the simplest blues-based jazz a little beyond me, although I'll happily toot a chorus or two out front, and I really enjoy riffing with other horns in the background. I think in general I'm progressing on the jazz stuff, though. But, when it comes to blues, r'n'b or soul/funkier stuff, I'm well away, probably as being 51 I grew up on the 60's and 70's music, mainly rock etc. Like Frank, I love the jazz and would love to be able to play it more confidently, but i have more of a feel for the 'simpler' forms.

I have my ear to the ground in terms of looking for a band, and I'll happily play as the lone sax-player or part of a section in a blues/soul vein; what I'd really love to do is play in a band based around an organ-player, as I love the sound and feel of jazzy/bluesy organ.

So, from the perspective of a relative newcomer, I'd say to all you new starters that getting out and playing with other people is a good thing , whether it's as part of a jam or in a more formal band setting. Many more advanced musicians are very happy to let new players have a blow, and many are also very encouraging.

Cheers, Bob

 

[frankb]

Hi, I'm 39 and have been playing for about 6 weeks. (Incidently, does this thread feel a little like "saxaholics anonymous" to anyone...?! 😛 )

Currently my aspirations are to stop sounding like a battle to the death between a consumptive goose and a kazoo-wielding pig.

After that, dunno.

I appreciate that this mission statement isn't perhaps as clearly defined as it might be but, to be honest, I really haven't got a clue!

At the moment I don't view that as too much of a problem. Hopefully I'll firm up my goals as time goes on.

 

[tengu01]

I found joining a band at whatever stage is a fantastic thing for technique, musicality, inspiration etc. One thing I regret is not joining a band sooner after picking up the saxophone.

It really illustrates specific and personal areas for improvement. If you look at "becoming a better sax player" as an overall goal, there are so many millions of things to work on, it is easy to go round in circles and still not get anything done (speaking from expensive and lengthy personal experience)

Joining a band provided me with a focus for many thing which I need to work on

Example 1: Joining a big band highlighted my weak sightreading and after a few weeks playing and practicing, the improvement was clear.

Example 2: Joined a university funk band. Until that point, I had not realised just HOW important it is to have good tonguing and note attack is for funk. I thought I had it down pretty well....until I heard a recording of one of our gigs. Back to the drawing board and more closely listening to Maceo Parker and Eddie Harris.

Example 3: Jam sessions - The first jam session really made me aware that I didn't know enough about the music I was playing. I could play the melody but chords and progressions were something I had always left to the guitars/piano. Back to "Jamey Aebersold - Maiden Voyage" to Canteloupe Island to really understand the chord changes and try playing within them and exploring all the possible corners instead of limiting myself to the notes which would work across the entire tune.

None of these things were new to me in that on a theoretical level, I knew these were things which needed addressing. However the practical experience of really understanding WHY they matter and WHEN they'd come in useful is something that only practical experience can really give you.

So....regardless of what level you are, try and find a musical situation you can play in. The combination of a teacher, your own practical realisations and helpful words from other musicians will really bring you along as a musician and a saxophonist.

OK, lecture done for the day. All the best of luck

 

[jersey_mike]

FrankB wrote:
Hi, I'm 39 and have been playing for about 6 weeks. (Incidently, does this thread feel a little like "saxaholics anonymous" to anyone...?! 😛 )

I'm Mike--------and I'm a saxoholic.


I'm 50 with not quite a years worth of formal lessons after noodling for a year plus. Goals/desires look to be about the same as the rest of you when 'I'm ready' for it. When does this mythical readiness take place????? Haven't a clue, but I'm a lot closer to it now than I was 6 months ago.

 

[jadoube]

Dave,

Immediate objectives are the same as when I started as an absolute novice 18 month ago - to get a sufficiently good grounding in the basics so I can go in whatever direction I want - whenever I decide what that is. :whistle:

I'd probably like to join a band, just for the fun of playing with others. Like Mike said, I've no idea when I'll be ready.

John

 

[Bobby G]

Generally, I think you are probably more ready than you think you are, if that makes any kind of sense. Specifically, I was on stage playing with a band about 5 weeks after I blew my first note...

Cheers, Bob

 

[jersey_mike]

BobbyG,

Weren't you a long time guitar player before this? That would give a music background to fall back on. If my memory is incorrect on that one (a very real possibility at my age!!) I apologize. You're correct though, I'm/we're probably more ready than we think.