youngest pupil

[Pete C]

Can any of you teachers out there pass an opinion on what you think the youngest age/size a pupil can start on alto sax given problems of weight etc?

Pete

 

[kevgermany]

Can any of you teachers out there pass an opinion on what you think the youngest age/size a pupil can start on alto sax given problems of weight etc?

Pete

The local teachers base it on tooth development, at least for clarinet. Both top middle incisors must be through and reasonably developed.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I agree about the tooth thing, I know a few people round here who asked me about 6 and 7 year olds, my advice was for them to ask their dentist.

 

[Pete C]

Thanks for the advice guys. This is with an 8 year old girl in mind so I gues the teeth thing should be OK but will ask the parent.
Pete

 

[Mack]

I have never played a Trevor James Alphasax, but that could also reduce the weight issue - I recently sourced an alto for a 9 year old girl and it looked like she was carrying a millstone round her neck - I got her a padded strap which has helped but are there harnesses for children out there? (For their saxes I mean...)

 

[LAP13]

Honest opinion would be try them - if they can hold it comfortably then they are 'big' enough.

I recently had a 7 year old who managed no problem, on the other side I currently teach a very petite 10 year old who could barely hold the sax.
She now gets on great using a Roy Benson AS101 Childrens Saxophone which is excellent - is just a slightly scaled down alto (looks like a tenor).
There are harnesses available which take the weight onto the shoulders and away from the neck.

Only downside to the childrens saxes is that they will grow out of them so perhaps look at a hire/loan scheme for them and get a rebate when they purchase a 'full size' ?

 

[visionari1]

I've no experience with Children playing, but I do all my practise without a strap.... balancing either the Alto or Soprano on a stool in front of me while seated...this takes all the weight of the neck and hands....should be possible to get the right height for a small person. Just make sure a teacher gets the proper playing posture, as this could create problems later on!
The teeth development is another issue, best to seek the advice of a dentist.

Cheers & Ciao
Jimu

 

[Pete C]

Looks like we are going to try the girl with an alto and put it away for a year or two if it seems too heavy. Any recomendations for a particular make of harness for kids?

Pete

 

[Two Voices]

Looks like we are going to try the girl with an alto and put it away for a year or two if it seems too heavy. Any recomendations for a particular make of harness for kids?

Pete

I can't say I have any experience or knowledge of these harnesses but I do know that BG make a childs version link - scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll see the BG Harness in the drop down menu there is a Childs select. Hope that helps some.

EDIT: There is also the Neotech Soft Harness in Junior size on the same website, apparantly more comfortable.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Looks like we are going to try the girl with an alto and put it away for a year or two if it seems too heavy. Any recomendations for a particular make of harness for kids?

There is actually very little difference, as the distance between the straphookring and mouth is going to be the same. The only size issue that affects straps between children and adults is the neck circumference, which isn't all that much different.

The main thing is to get a strap that spreads the weight well, I like Cebullas as they keep the weight off the spine.

 

[Pete C]

All resolved now thanks guys. The girl's Dad has bought her a Neotech Soft Harness which apparently fits really well. I think he will buy himself a Cebulla too.

Cheers

Pete