Introduction Returning to Alto Sax?

[whisperthirteen]

Hello.. During my school days, I never had the option to play a musical instrument. In my 30’s, I found a used Alto Sax in good shape and decided to take lessons. I had trouble with pentatonic scales and felt defeated at the time. I’m thinking about trying again. 🥰

 

[DavidUK]

I had trouble with pentatonic scales and felt defeated at the time. 🥰

That's the Devil's work!

Why did your tutor persist with something you didn't like? Did you tell them?,

I had this explained in a lesson, we had a small improv session around it, but I went off to learn some more sheet music. Yes, we'd all love to understand everything sax related but often life gets in the way and you just want to be able to play some tunes.

Many here more studious will disagree but it's up to me... and you... what you want to do.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Easy on a piano.

Hello and welcome.

 

[JazzFanAZ]

If you want to “play”, set yourself up to play, not to learn theory. I’m re-entering at a way too old age to ever be really “good”. I’ll never excel at music theory. My goal is simply to be able to “play tunes”. That’s it.

Set yourself up for success by defining what you want to be able to do, not to do what others expect if you. You can always change plans along the way.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I’m thinking about trying again.

Great idea, you’ll find a lot of help and support here

 

[PiccoloPirate]

Successful music teachers, get a list of songs/tunes, that the student wants to learn, transpose the doable, for beginners, to easy keys, and works with the student, to learn to play them.
As an adult, get a realistic list of 20, and have fun, being a successful student.
Classical melodies, are pretty.
They can open many doors.
CDEFGABC, over two octaves, is chock full of music. Fingered on Bb/Eb saxophones, will not match the piano's white keys.

 

[Jeanette]

Welcome to the café and back to sax 🎷 🎷 🎷

Jx

 

[MikeMorrell]

, wheHello.. During my school days, I never had the option to play a musical instrument. In my 30’s, I found a used Alto Sax in good shape and decided to take lessons. I had trouble with pentatonic scales and felt defeated at the time. I’m thinking about trying again. 🥰

Hi @whisperthirteen, I have no idea how good your tutor was in your 30's nor hoew far you progressed back then. FWIW, I took up s) playing sax in my late 40's (I'm now 70). I had 6 months of 'private tuition' (focusing on the physical basics of playing sax with simple tunes) before - at the recommendation of my tutor who was moving away - joining a local 'wind orchestra' while getting an extra year' tuition at a local music school Not much 'tuition' for a sax player!
Since then, I've played in the 'wind orchestra', but after 5 years switched to playing in Big Bands, soling too!

2 years ago (aged 68) I decided to participate in a series of 10 weekly 'jazz improvisation workshops'. It was only then (after more than 25 years of playing and soling in Big Bands, that I gradually learned about 'pentatonic' (and 'blues) scales. And most importantly: why, when and where should you choose to use melodic maj/min, pentatonic or 'blues' scales.

I have no idea what your and your tutor's ambitions were back in your 30's. But the fact that you felt 'defeated' says a lot

I encourage now to just have fun. playing sax, whenever and whatever you want play. I first started out on a few Christmas Carols and Nursery Rhymes. Being able to play a few simple tunes, gave me a real sense of achievement. Which led me to seeking out my 1st tutor (to help me play better) which he did.

IMHO, once you start enjoying playing sax again, that may open up other opportunities.
In any case, don't dwell on 'pentatonic scales'. I've managed to dodge them for almost 30 years!

mike