I have four months before I won’t be able to play anything loudly, and yet I am seriously considering taking up the saxophone. I know, I’m crazy! Yesterday I went to a local music store, got a decent starter mouthpiece, ligature and some reeds, came home and fitted it with a CPVC d body. I was amazed to find out that, though it looks as though it should be a high d, it plays in Low D (very cool)! But only one octave, and not even a whole one. But that’s not the point. I know it’s because of the simple fingering system, and that real saxes have more complex stuff and a big range. But anyway, I made that CPVC sound darn good on the first day of trying! So, crazy or not, do you guys think I should take the plunge? And if so, any advice?
Well, you know how this stuff goes, Jessie. Once you envision it you have stepped upon the slippery slope. I say go for it. If you have the desire to play the Sax and can see yourself doing so then it is meant to be!
With a wind controller, You have a choice of reed mouthpiece or fipple mouthpiece and several different fingerings are available. This way, you plug it to a MIDI tone generator and all the sound is coming thru a speaker. You can adjust the volume or play quietly or listen thru headphones.
I have to disagree with Tony. In my opinion, the midi controllers are useful only once you already play the instrument. I think that they are good for learning some fingering, but useless in really learning how to play an instrument.
If you’ve got the money, I say go for it. Frankly, the saxophone is really not much more complicated then the whistles, and a lot of fun. I play all standard woodwinds, and saxophone was by far the easiest to pick up. The hardest part is getting a good sound, which again, you can’t learn on a midi instrument.
Also, you can generally get a very good resale value on a sax, so if you change your mind, you shouldn’t lose much money.
My 14 year old son plays tenor sax in his high school jazz band. Boy is it loud, especially with the Jazz mouthpiece we got him in September! He also has a bari sax, which I would much rather listen to than the tenor! It’s got a nice mellow sound, which I really like. It’s a monster to carry around. Portability is one great virtue in an instrument…
I don’t want to discourage anyone from starting a new instrument, but with a newborn in the house, a quieter hobby, like napping might be more appropriate, and easier on you. It’s incredible how much time and energy a baby requires.
Do you want to play Jazz? If so, a sax is certainly more accepted than flute, or whistle, even though there are a few good jazz flutists around. You may get some funny looks if you show up to an Irish session with a sax…
I had a tenor sax a couple of years ago. I never really learned to play it though I could run a few scales. One thing about sax, especially tenor, they are loud. The comment I got most often from family members was “where are you hiding that elephant and why are you feeding it beans?!”
Yeah, it’s totally crazy timing. But Dan thinks now is the time, because it will be harder to START an instrument after the baby is born. I think I’ll rent one and see if it sticks.
Jessie, go for it! I too have multiple instrument acquisition disorder (MIAD), I play the whistle, also Boehm flute, keyboard, guitar, mandolin, and I sing. Some of us just like to express ourselves on several instruments. I also have considered taking up the sax :-7
You’ll eventually make time to practice with the new bambino, though it will be tough at first. With Dan’s help and support (which you obviously have), you’ll be a pro in no time!
Saxes are only obnoxiously loud in the very early stages of learning. So you should pick it up now. That way you’ll have breath control once the baby is born, and you can play quietly.
-Give it some time IMHO-unless you think its not a temporary yen due to impending motherhood. One honk on a big sax can be addictive & exhilarating, so be careful. If it ain’t temporary, KPLU, a great Tacoma, Washington jazz station can be heard online for saxophone inspiration in its various permutations. Particularly good is the nightly “All That Jazz” show hosted by Abe Beason. (also a good site for occasional vibes music)
I always thought heaven was either playing third base for the Yankees in the seventh game of the world series or playing sax in some really cool film noire type blues club as a steady gig…go for it.
hi jesse d, i have thought of this but i would be spread way too thin for me( what with pipes, h&l whistles, and guitar ). i love the soprano sax performed as a folk instrument. o!,and congratulations on the new baby to arrive soon
best, tansy
I’ve just checked your tea leaves and I can tell you’re going to have a great career as a saxophonist! So, now might be a good time to trade me your place in Peter Noy’s queue as you won’t be needing the new flute !
I also laughed plenty about the elephant eating beans.
Thanks for the encouragement and suggestions, everyone. I think I am going to take the (rental) plunge. There is so much to learn in so little time!!
I heard a saxophone on one of the Deanta albums and loved it! It sounded like the reedy voice of a better-than-life Irish flute. I play whistles and flute, and I sing. This’ll be fun.
I was SERIOUSLY into Jazz in my late teens and twenties,later developing a taste for Blues and New Orleans R&B(Prof. Longhair,Dr. John,etc etc).
I still have my Conn Underslung ‘Ladyface’ Alto, circa 1935,which I shame-facedly don’t play any longer,though I could never part with it!
Do you have any preference for the type of sax. that you’d like to play? and what type of music would you play on it?
Who are your favourite Saxists?
Re the volume question-Sax can be as loud as you are able to play it,or whisper soft.I remember years ago,an Organist friend of mine bought a Student Tenor Sax.,and when I tried it out,his wife just couldn’t get over how softly I could play it (well,their young child was asleep at the time!).
There are some great second hand vintage horns out there,if you know what you are looking for.
