Introduction Noob Alert!

[emmalto]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd introduce myself and say hello. I'm completely new to Saxophones (in fact, I don't own one yet). The thing is, I love the sound of them (love Ska music, Madness in particular), and have been thinking about learning to play. I realise it's fairly essential to find a decent teacher to make sure I don't pick up any bad habits. I did however find www.sax.co.uk where you can rent with view to buy sax's, so might rent one for three months and see how I get on with it, whether I have the time / money etc. to learn without finacially commiting myself to hand over the cash. Probably just have a play around with it, get a couple books - I've seen Pete Thomas' DVD in my library, unfortuntely I went back to get a few days later and someone had borrowed it, d'oh!

My knowledge is as follows, I know the differences between Alto, Tenor, Soprano and Baritone. Being a total novice, I'm guessing it would be sensible to start of on an Alto, with perhaps a view to moving onto a Tenor as I like the sound of both. I can't remember how to read music, although I used to play the piano many moons ago and could read music then so I hope it will just come back to me. But this is about as far as my knowledge goes.

Anyway I'll post a couple of Q's on the beginner's section.

Emma

 

[quercy]

Welcome Emma

Great choice to learn the sax. I think you'll love it. (And yes, I'm sure those music lessons will copme flooding back....)

 

[emmalto]

Wow that was quick, thanks Quercy! Just reading: http://www.mindworkshop.com/alchemy/saxophone.html (found the link on another thread). Judging my the size of the page I could be some time! 😉

 

[Greywolf]

There is some debate about whether it's best to learn on an alto or a tenor.

I started about 5 years ago on the tenor because that was what I wanted to play, and I couldn't see me being able to afford to start on one and then swap.

(disregard the fact that I now have 3 tenors and a soprano)

I had no difficulty on the tenor. If that's what you want to play go for it.

If you'd been suggesting soprano or baritone I and maybe a few otheres might have pulled a face.

Anyway welcome welcome, get your horn and start playing!!

 

[Bobby G]

Hi Emma, welcome to the Breakfast Room from lovely Welwyn in Herts. You're right, most people start on alto, and Pete's DVD teaches on alto. But, if you like Lee out of Madness, you'll be wanting to Move across to tenor.

Whatever you go for, have fun with it, and let us know how you're getting on.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Dylan]

Hi Emma

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you will get all the advice you need (and more) here :laugh:

If you really fancy playing the tenor then go for it. Renting one for 3 months is a good bet as you know you will get a well set up instrument and can decide if the sax thing is for you before splashing out on one for keeps.

Whatever you do, you'll have a blast.

D

 

[saxismyaxe]

Welcome Noob, I mean Emma! 😛

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi Emma and welcome. You can start on alto or tenor easily, both are better than soprano or bari for beginners IMO.

Quite a few of us here enjpoy ska I believe..

 

[jambo]

WELCOME!!! 🙂

 

[pauloalto]

Hello Emma,

Some good music shops will allow you to purchase the instrument and take it back after a period of time for a refund (a bit less than you originally paid). This works out cheaper than renting if you were to send it back, and obviously cheaper all round if you keep it, as I'm sure you will!

Paul

 

[emmalto]

Thanks for the lovely welcome everyone. What I'll probably do is go down to Sax.co.uk which is in East Sussex (around 35 miles from my house) when I have a weekend free. I'm just tempted to start on the Alto first because it's smaller, lighter, slightly cheaper (?) etc. And Bobby, you're right about Lee - so cool!

 

[paul_turner]

HI EMMA FROM ANOTHER TOTAL BEGINER OVER IN WWW WALES[WILD WET WINDY ATMO ] JUST ABOUT TO HAVE MY FIRST LESSON TOMORROW AFTER WORK ,EVENTUALLY FOUND A TEACHER,BIT THIN ON THE GROUND IN THIS AREA .
MY BACKGROUND IS NON MUSICAL ,SO WILL BE HARD TO START, BUT FOUND PLENTY OF TIPS ON HERE ,GOOD SOURCE OF INFO ,ADVICE, PETES DVD EXCELLENT WELL WORTH HAVING MY BOYS GOT IT FOR ME AS EARLY XMAS PRESSIE ALONG WITH CD WHICH IS GOOD TOO ,
HOPE YOU FIND A SAX SOON
CHEERS PAUL .

 

[mfox]

hello .. forget the alto, and get a tenor. much more versitile instrument.. especially if you want to play ska.
buy a resonable intrument..not the cheapest.(you will get more back if you decide to sell) or even better get a used one.

 

[emmalto]

Ah yes that old chestnut, re-sale value. Make more sense in that case to buy one with a reasonably well known name.

Paul - Let me know how that lesson goes so I know what to expect when I eventually find a teacher.

 

[paul_turner]

Hi again ,lesson went really well,learnt a really neat cheat/easy B-C
using middle side key with right forefinger,and tips on the mouthpiece position/tongue position,which were better explained in real life if you get my drift.
Well worth the cash just for those bits aside of being reassured that i was doing well .

good value i thought.

PAUL

 

[phil_edwards]

Hi Emma, welcome from East Sussex (and only 6 miles from sax.co.uk). If you're not sure what to do pop in to see them and try a few alto's and tenors and see how they feel to you. Get the instrument you really want NOW. You can double up on a different one later, but if you get an alto now when you really intend to move to tenor, and then find your finances don't allow you to at a later date, you'll regret it.

Give them all a go. And when you have decided what size you're after do give Hanson a look over at http://www.saxophonesdirect.com Their seven day trial really gives you an opportunity to get to know the instrument without feeling you're either taking up too much time, or you're too embarrased, in the shop to give it a good go.

I've just returned one, only because I'm sticking with my vintage sax; if I was buying new it's what I would have chosen. Great value.

If you want to try an alto for size send me a pm, you're welcome to pop over.

regards, Phil

 

[tengu01]

Hey there Emma,

Welcome to the forum. As loads of people have said, if it's Lee from Madness whose sound you like, take up the tenor. Apart from the fact that it's a little bigger than the alto, it's a great place to start.

I think at this stage, if finances are limited, then it's worth asking for some good advice. Saxophones.co.uk seem to be a well recommended starting point.

GET A TUTOR. You will save yourself countless hours re-inventing the wheel (or as in my case, un-learning loads of bad habits and learning them again)

Hope you find something that fits what you're looking for 🙂