Introduction Yet Another Newbee

[richard_mac]

Hi, I have only just found this site and I have been looking for a sax forum for ages.
Well a little about myself, I am 51 years old and I live in Cambridgeshire England. I have been playing the saxophone (alto) for around 18 months. I am totally self taught and have got to a reasonable level but now I need professional help but teachers in my area are few and far between. 😡
I hope to a good "chat" with everybody as time goes on.

Richard.

 

[Saxlicker]

Its an April pandemic of new comers!!!
Something spookily consistant about the age group too!
Could it be another sign of global warming? or even another cause with all this hot air 😛

Welcome Richard.

 

[Linky Lee]

I think it has some exponential relationship to the pollen count... Or wasn't I listening properly in maths today

It fantastic to see so many new saxophonists, especially in 'that age bracket' Where most people wouldn't start something like that.

It can only bode well for the future of saxophony.

I wouldn't really say you're a real newbie, the first 18months are the hardest, I think. A Breakfast room newbie, that you are 😛

Welcome to the Breakfast room!

 

[Pete Thomas]

Hi Richard and welcame to the Breakfast Room from very sunny Soithampton

 

[Bobby G]

Hi Richard and a big welcome from lovely Welwyn in Herts, almost next door! Like you, I'm 51 and self-taught, although I've been playing for 3 years having made the change from being a guitar & bass player. I see you're a service engineer, what ya fixing? I do ATM's. If you're mobile, I totally recommend taking the alto around with you; most of my practising is done in the car.

Cheers, Bob

 

[richard_mac]

Bobby G wrote:
Hi Richard and a big welcome from lovely Welwyn in Herts, almost next door! Like you, I'm 51 and self-taught, although I've been playing for 3 years having made the change from being a guitar & bass player. I see you're a service engineer, what ya fixing? I do ATM's. If you're mobile, I totally recommend taking the alto around with you; most of my practising is done in the car.

Cheers, Bob

Thanks to everybody for the welcome.
Bob, I service canning m/c's throughout the world. Not very interesting but I get to see a lot of the world

 

[Rogerb]

I hope the first 18 months *are* "the worst", Lee.... just comin' up to my 16th 😀

Welcome, Richard, from moderately sunny Spain ..... UK has just had the warmest April, we've had one of the wettest, I think 🙁

 

[richard_mac]

Rogerb wrote:
I hope the first 18 months *are* "the worst", Lee.... just comin' up to my 16th 😀

Welcome, Richard, from moderately sunny Spain ..... UK has just had the warmest April, we've had one of the wettest, I think 🙁

Roger, our weather is only temporary, normal service will resume shortly 😉

Richard.

 

[Bobby G]

Ah, Richard, it's a man's life in today's modern service engineering world. Can't be bad if you get to see different parts of the world. It's a treat for me to get as far as Princes Risborough or Biggleswade. Still, plenty of opportunities for pulling into a layby for a quick tootle on the alto.

Cheers, Bob

 

[frankb]

Hi Richard,

Any reflections on your first 18 months for someone (hopefully) about to commence their first day?!

All the best,

Frank

 

[therudest]

Hello from Rainy(right now) Russia)))

 

[Tenor Sax]

Hi Richard,

a late welcome from Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Chris

 

[frank_johnson]

......and just a bit further south west from glorious Wolverhampton and another self-taught and born-again!!
Frank

 

[richard_mac]

FrankB wrote:
Hi Richard,

Any reflections on your first 18 months for someone (hopefully) about to commence their first day?!

All the best,

Frank

Well Frank, all I can say is I found it difficult at first, then I came on in leaps and bounds, then you tend to hit a wall for a bit and then move forward once again. I would say if you are just starting, I would concentrate on getting the blowing right and practice the notes over an over until it becomes natural to go from one to the other without thinking. Once mastered buy a begineers book with simple tunes and practice.
Even the most simple of tunes played correctly for the first time gives you a real buzz.

 

[Bobby G]

Eighteen months further on than Richard, it's pretty much the same - plateaus, the odd brick wall, the occasional quantum leap and totally enjoyable. Only thing is, and I guess this is true of life as well, the more you learn the more you realise you don't know nuffink 😉 Whether that's depressing or liberating is up to you!

Cheers, Bob

 

[frankb]

Thanks for that, Richard.

May both our roads ahead be filled with more leaps and bounds than brick walls! 😉

 

[saxismyaxe]

Hi Richard,
Nice to see you here on the board. Welcome.

 

[scottieanthony]

Ha welcome Rich,Im scott a welsh guy ,but I now live in the Philippines. I will keep a look out for you next time I watch the boat race.Guess you will be the one at the back of the boat playing the horn hu ?