Total newbie

[magz]

Hi,
Im so excited i have my first saxophone lesson on Thursday6th. i have always been interested in learning how to play, and finally im going to do what ive always wanted to do.
If anyone has any advice for me i would really appreciate it.
What should i expect from my first lesson? 🙂

 

[magz]

Also i will need help choosing the right saxophone for me. As i know nothing about them, where should i start?

 

[phil_edwards]

Advice? Yes, enjoy it! Welcome to the breakfast room from East Sussex.

As to choosing the right one that probably depends upon who you like, what style of music you want to play, and what sound you're after. What bands/songs are the ones that you really want to play?

What sax are you having the lesson on? Alto or Tenor presumably, but do you know which one?

regards, Phil

 

[frankb]

Hi Magz,

This thread might provide some useful information - http://www.breakfastroom.co.uk/index.cgi?fid=19&topic_id=1187257498

As Phil says, to give more specific advice people would probably need to know more about you and what you are looking to achieve.

All the best,

Frank

 

[magz]

I havent had a lesson yet, but my instructor is going to let me try on both his tenor and alto, so i can decide which i like.

What is the difference between a tenor and a alto?

 

[fecklesseric]

The tenor is bigger than an alto and plays in a lower register.

If you look here: http://www.petethomas.co.uk/saxophone-instruments.html

That's got some pictures and sound files of Pete's horns.

Cheers,
Eric

 

[Pete Thomas]

[No message]

 

[phil_edwards]

Magz wrote:
I havent had a lesson yet, but my instructor is going to let me try on both his tenor and alto, so i can decide which i like.

Hi Magz, get your instructor to blow a couple of his (her) favourites on each instrument and your ears will tell you what 'feels' good.

Before then, list a couple of tunes on the forum that you'd love to be able to play. Whilst not conclusive it might point towards what you'll be more comfortable with (sound-wise).

Enjoy the lesson.

regards, Phil

 

[magz]

Would i be ok to play a tenor as i am only 5ft 2. I love the sound of both saxophones, i have just been listening to a lot of different clips. I would really love to play blues, but i would also love to work my way through the grades.

 

[philthd]

if your lungs are kinda weak or if you have tiny, tiny hands you may conceivably struggle, but most people could handle either

 

[magz]

I do have really small hands aswell, i will have to wait for my lesson, to see what my tutor has to say.

 

[fecklesseric]

Does your tutor have a tenor?
In which case, you can try it for size.

 

[magz]

I think he has a tenor and a alto for me to try. When i booked my lesson he said he had two types of sax for me to try, so i think that is what he ment.

 

[Col9]

My other half is 5'2" she has small hands and plays a tenor. Her tenor is easier to blow than my alto.
The only stretch she notices is the left hand little finger, she manages fine though.

Whichever you choose, you'll love it. Roll on Thursday.

Col.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Col9 wrote:
My other half is 5'2" she has small hands and plays a tenor. Her tenor is easier to blow than my alto.

Yes, I've known some very small tenor players. Should not be a problem.

 

[maggiesimpson]

Hi Magz,

I am new to the sax, too, and have had six half-hour lessons so far.
I have found a couple of (small) problems with my tenor sax. these are, firstly, that I am feeling quite frail after being in hospital for a year.
So where as I might not have noticed before, I now find I am quite weak and puny, and find it difficult to manoeuvre the sax about. A lot of people prefer to play their saxes standing up, but I find that quite tiring.
My teacher has remedied this for now by getting me to sit on a chair with a guitar stool at my feet. I either use the stool for my foot (and then have the sax across my right leg) or use it to rest the sax on.
The other problem I have found is that after a while the weight of the sax tends to pull on my neck muscles and make my back ache.
But if you're a fine, strapping 5ft 2" of a wench, as opposed to a clapped out, puny weakling like me, it probably won't give you any trouble at all if you decide to buy a tenor.
And by the way, if you decide you do need a harness, don't make the mistake of buying a 'male' version instead of a female. They are made differently for obvious reasons... Good Luck!
🙂

 

[peter_fitton]

Col9 wrote:
My other half is 5'2" she has small hands and plays a tenor. Her tenor is easier to blow than my alto.
The only stretch she notices is the left hand little finger, she manages fine though.

Whichever you choose, you'll love it. Roll on Thursday.

Col.

I find my tenor much easier to blow than my alto, too.

Peter

 

[magz]

Thanks everyone for your help, at least i now know i have the choice of both.
I went to a prince show yesterday, and im even more excited than i was before. He had the most amazing saxophone players in his band.
There was a alto and a tenor, so im still to choose which one i like best.

 

[magz]

Maceo Parker was the name of the person at the concert.