Easiest Transition...

[gecko]

Hi. I'm 15, and I really enjoy music and playing the sax (I play alto). I have been considering trying to learn another instrument for a couple of reasons (1-- so I could apply to play something in a youth symphony orchestra, and 2-- because colleges like you having more than one instrument under you belt.) What is probably the easiest new instrument to learn, besides another type of saxophone? I've heard that the clarinet was good for this sort of thing, but I might want to go for something a little less popular. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Andrew]

Bass Clarinet!

[leonardA]

The advantage of the clarinet is that the fingering for the middle register of the clarinet is the same as the sax fingering, so you're a good part of the way there already. Clarinet is a lot harder technically because you have to cover the holes, and there is not much room for error. However, clarinet/sax is a popular combination, especially in jazz, big band and show music. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[DougR]

There is a strong case for Piano/Keyboard - this gets you a much improved appreciation of chords/ theory, and a true solo performance instrument.

But there is a better case for Bass guitar.
You learn to read bass clef, the instrument is fairly cheap, the transition to orchestral double bass is relatively easy (same tuning- EADG), you get to know how a rhythm section works.
Best of all there are loads of good gigs for a competent player who can read.
Only needs about a thousand hours.

[Alan G]

Good advice there - especially piano.

But - if you want to stay within type (ie: wind instruments) and not be just another clarinet player(!) - you could try oboe (yikes) or Basson (double yikes). Don't forget flute (lotsa girls play that though - as if that means anything).

What I DON'T know about basson would fill volumes of books!

Oboe is not too bad of a transition - the fingering's are mostly the same (only different :D ). Best part is that, unlike clarinet - the fingering is the same in both octaves. Oboe is a tricky thing to play. It can sound realllly bad if not done right - and the sound pierces over everything - so yer kinda "exposed" :shock: . But - it is the "lead instrument" in an orchestra.

Clarinet may be a safer option - and is much more (infinitely more) usefull in the jazz/big band world. While yer still young, you will find it easier to learn all the myriad fingerings of the clarinet. If ya wait till yer older - than it'll be a monster you won't want to challenge (I know this from personal experience).

Good Luck and have fun!

[gecko]

Thanks alot for the advice-- the thought of how beneficial piano can be never really occured to me :o , though I would like to stick with an orchestral instrument. Oh well, who says I have to learn just one :P ?I'll take all of this into consideration. Thanks alot guys.

[JPrince]

Well, as opposed to another totally new instrument, you could always learn to play another kind of sax. Just because all saxes are saxophones and the fingerings are the same doesn't mean you can pick each up and play them. After playing Tenor and Bari (mostly Bari) for six years I can hardly play my old Alto. Then in my jazz band our Lead Alto loves to play on Bari (his cousin was a Bari player) so we sometimes swithc off with each others saxes. I can blow fairly well on his Alto, but he can hardly get a not out on a Bari (he can play my Martin bari decently, but he just passes out almost on my school's YBS-52). Just a thought. But if you are going for another instrument, I would agree go clarinet. I had to, and although I don't enjoy playing clarinets as much as saxes, its still fun to do.