Taking up the saxophone Options

[Blackbird77]

I was having a clear out the other day and came across an oboe I had brought several years ago. I think I played it a few times and then gave up as I just couldn't get on with it.

So, oboe will be on its way to a new home hopefully soon and there is now an instrument size gap so I've decided to take the plunge and have a go at the saxophone (Mr Blackbird says there is no way a harp will fit into the gap).

I've always been intrigued by the saxophone but am currently looking to see if there is anywhere near me where I could hire one from so I could have a few lessons before I decide whether to commit.

One thing is making me a bit nervous.....I currently play the flute and am just wondering if my flute embouchure will be affected by the saxophone or whether it may be more difficult for me to learn the sax as I currently play flute. Any thoughts from flute/sax players would be appreciated.

[Jack Campin]

I play both, rather badly. No problem switching - the sax hardly has an embouchure, you just wrap your mouth round it and blow. (The clarinet is very different).

[Chris H]

I play both, rather badly. No problem switching - the sax hardly has an embouchure, you just wrap your mouth round it and blow. (The clarinet is very different).

That is so untrue! And possibily the reason why you play the sax badly (no offence meant). The sax most definitely does have an embouchure, which needs to be got right, just as much as the clarinet one does, and is different for jazz and classical.

[Jack Campin]

I'm saying switching is pretty easy.

If you're saying it's difficult, perhaps you'd better come up with something constructive to say about how to overcome the difficulty. Or are you just telling the original poster to give up before they even start?

[RAM]

The sax certainly does have a embouchure, which is very different from the clarinet - as I'm finding out!

There are plenty of people that I know who play both flute and sax, so I can't imagine you would have a problem with the two. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[notmusimum]

I play both, rather badly. No problem switching - the sax hardly has an embouchure, you just wrap your mouth round it and blow. (The clarinet is very different).

Rubbish!!!

I play both, rather badly. No problem switching - the sax hardly has an embouchure, you just wrap your mouth round it and blow. (The clarinet is very different).

That is so untrue! And possibily the reason why you play the sax badly (no offence meant). The sax most definitely does have an embouchure, which needs to be got right, just as much as the clarinet one does, and is different for jazz and classical.

Wot she said

Response to op. I can only tell you what my daughter has experienced playing flute and sax both to a high standard. She's found that after playing sax her flute sound is airy (it happens to her friend too). She finds that she tightens up if she plays sax first and that's what causes the problems. Knowing it and dealing with it are two different things They aren't the easiest two instruments to switch between though lots of people do it with success (Check out Andy Findon).

[Chris H]

I'm saying switching is pretty easy.

If you're saying it's difficult, perhaps you'd better come up with something constructive to say about how to overcome the difficulty. Or are you just telling the original poster to give up before they even start?

Not at all! I'd say flute and saxophone are pretty compatible and plenty of people double on sax, clarinet and flute. Just disagreed with the statement that sax had no embouchure when it patently does, particularly if you want to play it to a high standard.

[Chris H]

And really, if you want to play the flute to a very high standard, I wouldn't recommend taking up the saxophone. Saxophonists tend to double in this country so they can make a living, but at conservatoire level doubling tends to be frowned on for people who have other instruments as first study.

[notmusimum]

I'm saying switching is pretty easy.

If you're saying it's difficult, perhaps you'd better come up with something constructive to say about how to overcome the difficulty. Or are you just telling the original poster to give up before they even start?

Do you play sax and flute or live with someone who does?

People do play sax,clarinet and flute and some to a very high standard. THe op should follow their heart and give it a go if that's what they want to do. They shouldn't under estimatethe amount of work it will take to switch between them and they specifically asked if sax would effect their flute playing.

To say sax doesn't have an embouchre is totally misleading, the facts are it does and it's likely to effect flute in the short term.

And really, if you want to play the flute to a very high standard, I wouldn't recommend taking up the saxophone. Saxophonists tend to double in this country so they can make a living, but at conservatoire level doubling tends to be frowned on for people who have other instruments as first study.

Seconded!

How easy it is depends on how much opportunity you get to play all three regularly. As soon as you focus on one more than another you will see cracks.

I'm looking forward to next year when daughter is actually being taught by someone who does play all three at least two of them well enough to be in professional orchestras.

[barry-clari]

One thing is making me a bit nervous.....I currently play the flute and am just wondering if my flute embouchure will be affected by the saxophone or whether it may be more difficult for me to learn the sax as I currently play flute. Any thoughts from flute/sax players would be appreciated.

I suspect that your flute embouchure will be set enough that it won't be affected. You may find it takes longer to get the sax embouchure right, but by no means is that a certainty.

I'm saying switching is pretty easy.

If you're saying it's difficult, perhaps you'd better come up with something constructive to say about how to overcome the difficulty. Or are you just telling the original poster to give up before they even start?

I don't think Chris H was implying any of that. And your description of the sax embouchure probably explains why you're having problems...

[Chris H]

One thing is making me a bit nervous.....I currently play the flute and am just wondering if my flute embouchure will be affected by the saxophone or whether it may be more difficult for me to learn the sax as I currently play flute. Any thoughts from flute/sax players would be appreciated.

I suspect that your flute embouchure will be set enough that it won't be affected. You may find it takes longer to get the sax embouchure right, but by no means is that a certainty.

I'm saying switching is pretty easy.

If you're saying it's difficult, perhaps you'd better come up with something constructive to say about how to overcome the difficulty. Or are you just telling the original poster to give up before they even start?

I don't think Chris H was implying any of that. And your description of the sax embouchure probably explains why you're having problems...

Indeed I wasn't, Barry!

[saxgirl]

Hi.

I Play and teach Alto, Soprano, tenor saxophones, Clarinet and flute. It IS entirely possible to play Saxophone and Flute to a very high standard. If you are planning to audition for the berlin Philharmonic in the near future then I'd suggest sticking to the one BUT if you want to play to a high standard it's completely possible.

There are embouchure differences and it's worth doing a little research, however, I've found that my sax playing actually Compliments my flute embouchure (I am able to keep my throat open and relaxed and am often complimented on my warm / rich flute sound) similarly the use of the throat for harmonics on the flute has helped me tackling altissimo notes on the saxophone (plus because flute notes are often up in the gods when you encounter one on saxophone you are more able to read it and recognise it which you might not if you weren't regularly reading up there! ).

Go for it!

[JimD]

Yep, I play flute and sax - no problems with incompatibility of the embouchures.

In contrast I had to give up flute while I was playing brass - those two embouchures don't sit well together at all!

[Plainchant]

Hi.

I Play and teach Alto, Soprano, tenor saxophones, Clarinet and flute. It IS entirely possible to play Saxophone and Flute to a very high standard. If you are planning to audition for the berlin Philharmonic in the near future then I'd suggest sticking to the one BUT if you want to play to a high standard it's completely possible.

There are embouchure differences and it's worth doing a little research, however, I've found that my sax playing actually Compliments my flute embouchure (I am able to keep my throat open and relaxed and am often complimented on my warm / rich flute sound) similarly the use of the throat for harmonics on the flute has helped me tackling altissimo notes on the saxophone (plus because flute notes are often up in the gods when you encounter one on saxophone you are more able to read it and recognise it which you might not if you weren't regularly reading up there! ).

Go for it!

Like that: a comparison with the Berliner Philharmoniker ... or, it seems, playing to a high standard!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)