Intonation Sax out of tune or just me?

[IGoddard]

As an example of her proficiency ... when we got married, I asked if she would be able to play "Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary" as I walked up the aisle. Her response:"yes, in any key!" 😵

I’ve a very similar experience. My brother in law is a Saxophone session musician, touring with many top artists. He improvised over a billy Joel standard off the cuff for my first dance! I don’t think I’ll ever put in enough hours to get close that proficiency.

I know how you feel. It's why I try to record myself once a month or so. I'm never completely happy with the way I sound and I'm always looking at the things I can't do yet. It helps to listen to past recordings and realize that I have improved and can now do things I once wished I could.

I do often try to do the same but falter many months!
I’ve just managed to play Goodbye pork pie in relatively good time, a huge step forward for me. With the metronome not backing track granted, but I find the beats are hidden a bit too much for my level and I get lost. Now if I could only fix my sound I’d have a recording worth sharing haha

 

[jbtsax]

I know exactly what you mean. At 28 I consider myself somewhat late to the game and often expect things to come much quicker than they do in reality.

Being a perfectionist I often hate on my sound or throw out SOTM entries because I don’t like my sound, forgetting I’ve only been playing almost 2 years, 6 months on tenor!

I have been playing saxophone for over 60 years and do the same thing. 🙂 It sounds to me like you are right on schedule. Once you are completely satisfied with how you sound, you stop learning and growing in my opinion.

 

[Halfers]

At 28 I consider myself somewhat late to the game and often expect things to come much quicker than they do in reality.

I consider myself to be an early starter compared to many on here and I started at 43 like @MandyH
28 is a great age for the Saxophone to choose you. 😉 It chose me at 18, but I wasn't able to appreciate it at the time. It stuck with me in the back of my mind for 25 Years until I caved in 😛

 

[Nikki]

I didn't start playing sax until I was 43!
my sister started trumpet at about age 8.
I have rather a lot of catching up to do.

As an example of her proficiency ... when we got married, I asked if she would be able to play "Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary" as I walked up the aisle. Her response:"yes, in any key!" 😵

I am simultaneously very proud of her, and very frustrated by her 😀

I share your frustration. My brother plays trumpet and is so much better than me.
I’m very proud of him but at times somewhat jealous which is why I’m dedicating an hour a day towards my music goals.

 

[Jeanette]

Not arrogant at all @MandyH as a late starter with no belief in myself as a musician I am sure I am holding myself back......

Jx

 

[Colin the Bear]

Four hours a day for a decade and it starts to come to you. 😉

 

[Real Rob]

I see this is an old thread but I had the same/similar problem and found out the tuner was set just or perfect tuning (not equal temperament!)! Drove me nuts! It’s prob not you! It’s the tuner!

 

[Colin the Bear]

It's always the tuner. They're for guitars. 😉