help ?beginner

[cristalbaby]

I am have just got a ten/sax, love the sound, I am 46 year old femal, and am going to learn to play this baby, any help will not go a miss, so please feel free to send me all your comments :lol:

[Tom Fisher]

A good starting point would be to buy the 'Art Of Saxophone Playing' by Larry Teal. You can get it through Amazon. It's a bit dated in parts (written in the 60's and the author is no longer with us unfortunately), but it still has a mine of great practical information in it from someone who was a Professor of saxophone studies at Michigan-Ann Arbor university. Two other bits of advice: stop practising when your embouchure fades, because to try to play on will result in a lot of frustration and will demotivate you. Let it build in strength over time - it will.

Secondly, try to find yourself a good teacher. I know that's easier said than done and maybe you'll want someone around your age to teach you? - narrowing the options down even more, but if you can find someone, then it's good to be taught the good habits and be set achievable things to do every week or so. Good luck and keep the faith!!

[Tom Fisher]

Forgot to mention that if the instrument is new to you, it's a good idea to get it checked over by a sax tech. to find any faults and fix them - like leaking pads that will make it difficult to play. It may be well in adjustment and playable, but if not, it needs to be fixed to give you an even chance of maintaining your motivation when playing it. Visit the 'Old Bloomers' postings as well on this site and share your experiences with us. Not a reference to dodgy underwear, just to late blooming talent.

[Tom Fisher]

Old bloomers indeed!! I mean Late Bloomers!!

[Razzy]

Ditto on the Larry Teal.

Make sure your reed matches your mouthpiece as well. Many people begin with mouthpieces that are much too open and/or reeds that are much too hard, thinking they will prove some kind of macho point about starting the hard way... au contraire! Most successful players started out using softer reeds or more moderate setups to build their embouchure, and most professionals STICK with the moderate setups.

That in mind, a good starting setup would be a Selmer C* or a Meyer 5M mouthpiece, and something like Rico la voz medium or Jazz select 2H reeds, or perhaps Vandoren java 2.5. There are many many brands out there and those are just the top 3 I've had the best experience with. Also those mouthpiece are among the cheapest for the quality on the market. Remember, Phil Woods has been playing a Meyer 5M and La Voz medium reeds forever, and just get a recording of him to hear that wonderful sound! The tools don't make the player, but having better tools will allow the player to come through.

[cristalbaby]

I do have the lary teal book, and yes it is very good, and all the other advice I was given was very good I will try it all. What about music, I would like some very easy things I could learn to play, cant find any, got all the pratice music, but would like to lean some easy things, could you help me with that, thanks :D

[Tom Fisher]

I saw this review on Amazon, for 'Basix Saxophone Method' - author Sean Stackpoole. price: $15.00, which is less than 10 quid. I've pasted the review below - in its entirety. For that price, you can't go wrong.

"Good book if you are an absolute beginner, December 30, 2002
Reviewer: omide1 from Seattle, WA USA

If you are sax beginner and you are looking for a book that will act as a virtual teacher, 'Basix Saxophone Method' is IT. I've read a lot of books and i know good ones when i see them. I'm so impressed with this book and I'm still looking for more of Sean's book to read on Saxophone, so far i've not seen them.

This books teaches you how to get started on your sax, teaches on the basics and fundamental fingerings and notes reading. it is a good book for anyone who is new in saxophone and will give you a good and solid foundation on saxophone."

[kornflakes]

Try 'The Method' by John o'Niell. I like this a lot. :D

[Greyduster]

Practise as much as you can (except see comment on embouchure) but as soon as you start to feel confident try and start playing with other people. Music is a group thing plus playing with other people is a different ball game from shedding alone which can become sterile after a while.
Greyduster