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Sorry, another Southamptonite here. Sorry for the long first post....just excited to be here. 
I'm a media composer and picked up the alto for the first time eight months ago having talked my 8 year old son into playing it too. He couldn't decide between trumpet and sax. Well my best friend is a trumpet player and I had always wanted to play sax since I was a boy (they never have them at junior schools do they?), so I helped him with the decision. He's taken to it like a duck to water and we're having a ball and constantly push each other along.
Nick's already achieved distinctions at grades 2 & 3 (classical) and is taking grade 4 and grade 3 Jazz in November. I'm not bothering with them myself and have the advantage of musical experience and (reasonably) sound jazz theory to keep me 'just' ahead. 😉 But Nick wouldn't agree. I do get rather slowed down by work and deadlines but usually find at least an hour to practice - mostly after midnight in a sound proof room!!
We're currently sharing a JP Brass 041 which is doing the job and actually records surprisingly well. The recent addition of a Selmer C* MP has made a massive difference, as expected. I visited John Packers on the way to Devon the other week and the new version of the 041 is even better, with a much-improved action. But I have my eye on something a bit more special for myself as well.....ssshh!
Been having a go at the altissimo range for the first time this week. The first day I couldn't even get one out and I was beginning to wonder if my instrument was showing it's failings but then it happened the next day with an A, B,Bb and C - just another octave to go then!
This is fun!!
C
P.S. Good luck at the footy this afternoon Pete. It might help us if Jim stays on for the full 90 minutes!
I'm a media composer and picked up the alto for the first time eight months ago having talked my 8 year old son into playing it too. He couldn't decide between trumpet and sax. Well my best friend is a trumpet player and I had always wanted to play sax since I was a boy (they never have them at junior schools do they?), so I helped him with the decision. He's taken to it like a duck to water and we're having a ball and constantly push each other along.
Nick's already achieved distinctions at grades 2 & 3 (classical) and is taking grade 4 and grade 3 Jazz in November. I'm not bothering with them myself and have the advantage of musical experience and (reasonably) sound jazz theory to keep me 'just' ahead. 😉 But Nick wouldn't agree. I do get rather slowed down by work and deadlines but usually find at least an hour to practice - mostly after midnight in a sound proof room!!
We're currently sharing a JP Brass 041 which is doing the job and actually records surprisingly well. The recent addition of a Selmer C* MP has made a massive difference, as expected. I visited John Packers on the way to Devon the other week and the new version of the 041 is even better, with a much-improved action. But I have my eye on something a bit more special for myself as well.....ssshh!
Been having a go at the altissimo range for the first time this week. The first day I couldn't even get one out and I was beginning to wonder if my instrument was showing it's failings but then it happened the next day with an A, B,Bb and C - just another octave to go then!
This is fun!!
C
P.S. Good luck at the footy this afternoon Pete. It might help us if Jim stays on for the full 90 minutes!
