What form of teaching?

[xena]

Hi guys,

I have eventually found myself a sax teacher and will be having my first lesson on Thursday. But its occured to me that I have no idea what form this teaching will take! I was so excited and nervous with the poor man on the phone, I had it all on to give him my name and phone number.

Will I have to start like the kids working towards grade 1, then on eventually to grade 8 or are there other methods by which sax teachers teach adults?

Dont misunderstand I'm not looking for instant gratication but concerned about the lenght of time involved with my coming up to the wrong side of 50. If working from grade 1 to 8 is the norm I will happly go along with it. :erm:

 

[jadoube]

Xena,

I'm already on the wrong side of 50, and was when I had my first ever music lesson ( which happened to be saxophone).

I think when you're starting from no knowledge there is really no option but to learn the basics, perhaps some sight reading, some rhythms, how to finger the notes, how to breathe, develop your lungs and embrouchure. There's short cuts for those who've done some form of music before but it may be hard slog for the rest of us.

The good news is that once the basics are developing you can go in any direction you find fun. No need to sit grade exams (unless you feel like it). Options to play the kind of music you enjoy more.

Teaxching kids is not the same as teaching adults. Ideally your teacher enjoys teaching adults. Beyong that I'd say that, amongst other things, the teacher should

a) make sure you get the basics right
b) be somebody you get along with
c) listen to you about what you're wanting to achieve and help this happen
d) tell you when you're straying off an effective learning path.

Its a learning relationship and like all relationships there is balance, and the question of how much you (and they) are putting into making it work. If its not working find a different realtionship (sorry teacher)

Oh and relationships are supposed to be fun. So I hope you'll enjoy your lessions, enjoy the practice (including the boring bits), and enjoy the feeling when your playing is improving.

John [fellow beginner]

 

[Linky Lee]

There are thin gs called 'practical musicianship' instead of grades. Which are similar but aimed at an older audience or people who don't want the grades.

They test various different aspects from playing, sight reading to aural and theory. I've never done one or known anyone who has done them but they sound quite good.

You can tailor your learning to whatever you wish, you don't have to learn classically or follow a set route.

 

[kirky]

I'm in the same boat Xena,I'm abit unsure how the best way is to progress,I suppose grades give you a measure of where you are and whats next but I think it depends on what you wanna get from the sax.

 

[gazb]

Hi xena,
Blimey, it must be an age thing!! I'm running up to my 50th like your good self and have just taken up the sax. I don't know if this is good advice or not but here goes.
Having played the trumpet as a young kid I played in school bands and local silver bands then gave it up after three years because I was bored of playing the same stuff week after week and it wasn't what I wanted to play, so when I had the chance to start playing the sax I was determined to enjoy it!!.

I was lucky enough to inherit my instrument along with a bundle of beginners playalong cd/ instruction books. I purchased Pete Thomas's DVD (which is brill) picked up the basics really quickly and I have already mastered 'Fly me to the moon' after three weeks and guess what .....enjoyed it. I admit I have the advantage of playing other instruments but I haven't looked at a piece of music since the age of 10 and I'm sure the learning is down to enjoyment. Make it fun and if you mess up have a giggle at yourself and have another go. My wife hasn't laughed so much in ages!!

I am just about to get down to the serious point of booking some lessons myself now that I have taught myself the real basis and at my own pace.

Good Luck with the lessons but above all, enjoy it no matter what standard you aim for.

Gary

 

[fecklesseric]

It seems to me that the exams aren't very exciting. I think mature people starting out on this journey need a more customized approach because, even if you haven't played an instrument before, you have a more refined ear than youngsters, just by virtue of having listened to music for a while longer.

Having a teacher is great, but they need to know what you want to get out of it. They are not going to push you down a route that you don't want to go down (at least I hope not).

So, what do you want to play? What gets you jigging about in your seat when you listen to it? OK, so you can't play it now, but if you have some idea, talking to your teacher should help them tailor your lessons to start heading in that direction.

For example, a big part of what inspires me to play is listening to others and expanding my musical knowledge in that way. Playing will automatically benefit from that input. For example, I heard a really nice Dexter Gordon track the other day. I saw that it was transcribed on saxsolos.com, so I bought it (for about ?2 or so). Now, I'm carefully going through listening, playing, and comparing, phrase by phrase. and having huge fun trying to sound like dexter. By doing this, I'm also getting to grips with all the technicalities like sub-tone, bending notes, vibrato and phrasing in general.

So it doesn't matter how old you are - learning to play an instrument is a journey and you are the only one who can set the course: the teacher is only there as backup.

 

[xena]

Thanks guys,

think I will try to keep a open mind about it all and not worry about things that have'nt happened yet.

🙂

 

[justin_chune]

Hi xena. Relax. You will have to start at the beginning like the rest of us. Exams are not compulsory. I've never taken one. A friend of mine who teaches adults told me long ago that most of his pupils don't bother with exams. That will be up to you. So, no worries there then. Playing the sax is super fun. You will love it. If the going gets tough you can always come here for help and advice. What more could you ask for? Enjoy your lessons.

 

[Bobby G]

Yes to a lot of the above, especially about the more, erm, mature student - you're going to have more idea of what you want to do, you're going to be less worried about whether you're cool or not, although clearly the saxophone is a very cool instrument 😉

I can't say anything about particular teachers, as I am totally self-taught, but have a background of formal piano lessons till age 12, then about 35 years knocking around in rockbands playing guitar and bass so I have developed quite a good ear and feel over the years, I suppose. I think most people, however, would want some kind of structured learning, at least until they've got the basics.

Cheers, Bob (took up sax at age 48)

 

[mfox]

my advice to you is find a teacher who can get you playing in small groups. i guess from your age your not going into playing sax to become professional, i would think your in it for the fun..the most fun is when you play with other people..good luck