Introduction saxophone, round two

[murrayatuptown]

Hello:

I was a late starter adult sax student in the late 80's, played for 4 years, got married and was too busy. Sold my horns.

Retired this year, and late one night subscribed to the Syos newsletter after seeing someone playing locally with a crazy-colored mouthpiece he told me was 3D-printed.

I subscribed right before one of their cosmetic seconds/B-stock 'Freaks' sales. I got up early the day of the Freaks sales and was lucky enough to get myself both alto & tenor Syos mouthpieces.

But I didn't have any horns, and I deprived someone else of the last of those mouthpieces, so I felt guilty and went late night shopping online. Maybe not a wise way to jump back into the reed world, but it's done. My guitars will be jealous and my dogs unhappy. Actually, one is nearly deaf and goes into another room if confused about the lack of silence. I'm talking about the dog, not a guitar. The other (yes, dog) is happy to have company & puts up with my learning curve, or he's actually a really hip dog (to be determined).

You might not believe this story, so maybe I shouldn't make it any longer than this. I was going to title this 'Who am I and why am I here?', but that seemed kind of cliche, and I forgot the answer anyway.

Thanks for everything.

Murray

 

[LostCircuits]

Hello:

I was a late starter adult sax student in the late 80's, played for 4 years, got married and was too busy. Sold my horns.

Retired this year, and late one night subscribed to the Syos newsletter after seeing someone playing locally with a crazy-colored mouthpiece he told me was 3D-printed.

I subscribed right before one of their cosmetic seconds/B-stock 'Freaks' sales. I got up early the day of the Freaks sales and was lucky enough to get myself both alto & tenor Syos mouthpieces.

But I didn't have any horns, and I deprived someone else of the last of those mouthpieces, so I felt guilty and went late night shopping online. Maybe not a wise way to jump back into the reed world, but it's done. My guitars will be jealous and my dogs unhappy. Actually, one is nearly deaf and goes into another room if confused about the lack of silence. I'm talking about the dog, not a guitar. The other (yes, dog) is happy to have company & puts up with my learning curve, or he's actually a really hip dog (to be determined).

You might not believe this story, so maybe I shouldn't make it any longer than this. I was going to title this 'Who am I and why am I here?', but that seemed kind of cliche, and I forgot the answer anyway.

Thanks for everything.

Murray

Welcome at the Cafe!

Good thing you got yourself a horn!

My cynical side is tempted to say "I wouldn't call it luck" but no, they aren't that bad. I am pretty sure you will outgrow those pieces pretty soon but for the time being, your guitars are probably beaming with glee!

 

[murrayatuptown]

I used to joke that with guitar, I was working on "I Can't Get Started..." and "While My Guitar Gently Sleeps..."

The latter sounds awkward changed to "...saxophone", but at least I know what end of the sax goes into my mouth.

 

[LostCircuits]

I used to joke that with guitar, I was working on "I Can't Get Started..." and "While My Guitar Gently Sleeps..."

The latter sounds awkward changed to "...saxophone", but at least I know what end of the sax goes into my mouth.

Hey Murray
I just can't stand cheap 3D-printed MPCs sold at 1000% markup, regardless of their candy colors.

But if eye candy gets you to rediscover the magic of sax, more power to it! I sincerely hope you'll stick with it for a long time this time and there are lots of regulars here who can help you with any issue you may run into!

 

[murrayatuptown]

Thank you.

I'm not making excuses, but some 3D printer media (is 'resin' correct terminology?) costs a LITTLE more. They claim to use a selected material that suits them. The repeatability and customization capability (more money) is cool in principle, to me. That they have two PhD's and making programming changes seems faster than an artisan machining or filing a metal one.

I have never gotten interested in a home printer (for other experiments because of how long some things take to print, and the odor.

I would not have bought them at normal price (192 Euro and up). The Freaks price was two for 129 E, and one 3DP band ligature (normally 15 E) is included, plus 7 E shipping per pair. Apologies for the E; I don't have the Euro symbol on my keyboard. So that brought the cost down to 68 E each. The one lig per pair was a bonus. You'll possibly agree that price is less offensive. I got one signature tenor MP. It's easier to rationalize than irrationalize? Or maybe that's not a fair comparison...the latter is stress-free.

There was an element of randomness in that you got to tell them what opening range you wished for, and I have already forgotten whether their 'find your sound preference' web page(s) were a part of the Freaks preference or for general shopping. A bit of a lottery. You chose S, A, T or B (maybe there was a clarinet/sax fork in the code road) and opening.

My alto came with a well-gnawed Yamaha #4 MP that I might have developed OCD over, trying to make look safe & maybe usable.

I think I have broken several rules about the Introduction forum. I better throw away that Yamaha MP B4 the moderator makes me use it to be readmitted to this website.

Thank you for your helpfulness.

I am hoping the saxophones are friendlier to right hand arthritis than guitars (holding a pick is uncomfortable, whah, whah, whah), or I figure out a way to cure it myself. :O)

I was pleased at the profit (I thought, but really?) I actually made selling all my horns, mouthpieces, books in the 90's, but accepted the possibility I would never return to reeds.

If I think how amused I was by Lindsay Pollak and other plumb-o-phone makers' and considered making or buying one, then I may be plenty satisfied with student horns this time around.

 

[peedeeblues]

Backwards reentry into the sax world! Cool! Welcome aboard!

 

[Jeanette]

Welcome to the café and back to 🎷

Jx

 

[LostCircuits]

Yes, the end always justifies the means. But as I said before, don't let pretty colors trick you into the belief of having found the blue flower. Given the price, you have a good staring point, and now it is time to start working on your playing skills again. What you have should tie you over at least until you really start licking blood, hopefully, you will!

 

[murrayatuptown]

Backwards reentry into the sax world! Cool! Welcome aboard!

I have referred to some of my projects, and tasks when I was still working, as being pushed uphill, backwards. That just seems to be my nature. Sometimes I seem to enjoy the view and the journey, without really caring about the destination.

 

[murrayatuptown]

Yes, the end always justifies the means. But as I said before, don't let pretty colors trick you into the belief of having found the blue flower. Given the price, you have a good staring point, and now it is time to start working on your playing skills again. What you have should tie you over at least until you really start licking blood, hopefully, you will!

My dogs say they are all gray.

Some guitarist of some earlier rock era said play 'til your fingers bleed! Then I heard a Barney Kessel video where he talked about playing until his fingers bled.

I don't want that to happen with sax! I had some early instructors who assumed I played in school and had all the basics. I went through a few instructors (they moved, I moved, etc.) until someone figured out I didn't know what diaphragmatic breathing was, and didn't know what embouchure was. I have a permanent lump in my lower lip from hours a day practicing long tones and intonation and simply biting my lower lip! Not doing that anymore.

I saw a book in the 80's about occupational hazards of artists (visual, musical, theatrical) and the special medical care and self-care needed due to their unique occupations. There are coaches and therapists who pre- or post-address injuries of vocalists. It was interesting and enlightening, but I tend toward prevention, at the expense of progress. It's a hobby for me. Except I treat my hobbies like work.

I like Jeanette's signature statement: Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.

Does it ever, whether I'm working on it or not! I am really good about wasting (?) an evening doing anything but what I set out to do. It's probably sunrise where a large part of this community lives.

Maybe tomorrow...

 

[PiccoloPirate]

Welcome aboard from North of Key Largo.

You might find that using a thumb pick might be useful with hand injuries.
I shave the business end, as shown, with the one near the purple mark.
Great for the fingerpickers and the index finger can be used as necessary for flat picking.

 

[Woodpad]

I have referred to some of my projects, and tasks when I was still working, as being pushed uphill, backwards. That just seems to be my nature. Sometimes I seem to enjoy the view and the journey, without really caring about the destination.

That is the prefered human method. Learning from theory is the exception. The saxophone is perfect for this way of life. Also: welcome.