Alpha sax - what age to start, Advice on young saxophone players Options

[bassbabi]

Hello all sax teachers,
I've had a few enquiries regarding learning the saxophone from young pupils (around 6) and although I have said to wait a couple of years (am starting them on recorder initially), just having a check that my thoughts are right ... I've never used the 'AlphaSax' but have heard that it's is great for children 8 and upwards - has anyone tried teaching from this age? Does it work? Are they still too young (concerns about mouth-formation and teeth etc)? I know an ex-pupil (gone off to have lessons at new school) is starting sax lessons at 7 (but very small) and I was a bit concerned, but 'mother knows best!' (as this particular mother always does...)
Used to starting at pupils at 11 and don't want to lower age too much if it's not good practice.
Hope that makes sense - advice (as ever) gratefully received (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[barry-clari]

Hello all sax teachers,
I've had a few enquiries regarding learning the saxophone from young pupils (around 6) and although I have said to wait a couple of years (am starting them on recorder initially), just having a check that my thoughts are right ... I've never used the 'AlphaSax' but have heard that it's is great for children 8 and upwards - has anyone tried teaching from this age? Does it work? Are they still too young (concerns about mouth-formation and teeth etc)? I know an ex-pupil (gone off to have lessons at new school) is starting sax lessons at 7 (but very small) and I was a bit concerned, but 'mother knows best!' (as this particular mother always does...)
Used to starting at pupils at 11 and don't want to lower age too much if it's not good practice.
Hope that makes sense - advice (as ever) gratefully received (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It's not so much age as size (and teeth) that count here : I had a pupil do very well starting at age 8, but she was of a size where an alto was not a problem for her.

Teeth are more of an issue (or rather, losing the front baby teeth!). My experience has shown you can often get away with one front tooth for a short period on clarinet, but you can't on saxophone (why this is, I have no idea, but there you go!).

The AlphaSax is very good, and certainly a lot, lot better than instruments like the Clarineo. Again, look at the size rather than the age of the child (because very small customers will still find it a struggle), and bear in mind that an upgrade to a full size alto may be needed sooner rather than later.

[Chris H]

Candy Dulfer started playing soprano sax at the age of six and switched to alto at the age of seven. My son started saxophone when he was ten and was recently told that he started too early (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (by an expert) I don't know why, he was a very tall ten year old (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The alphasax seems like a good idea, but I wonder at what stage they'll need to upgrade. It may mean upgrading to a beginner's alto if they are not old enough to have a more expensive sax, which would mean more expense for parents than if they had started at the usual age.

[Clari Nicki1]

Candy Dulfer started playing soprano sax at the age of six and switched to alto at the age of seven. My son started saxophone when he was ten and was recently told that he started too early (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (by an expert) I don't know why, he was a very tall ten year old (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The alphasax seems like a good idea, but I wonder at what stage they'll need to upgrade. It may mean upgrading to a beginner's alto if they are not old enough to have a more expensive sax, which would mean more expense for parents than if they had started at the usual age.

Man in music shop told me pupils could use alphasax up to and including Grade 3... so I imagine for quite a long time!

[Chris H]

Candy Dulfer started playing soprano sax at the age of six and switched to alto at the age of seven. My son started saxophone when he was ten and was recently told that he started too early (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (by an expert) I don't know why, he was a very tall ten year old (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

The alphasax seems like a good idea, but I wonder at what stage they'll need to upgrade. It may mean upgrading to a beginner's alto if they are not old enough to have a more expensive sax, which would mean more expense for parents than if they had started at the usual age.

Man in music shop told me pupils could use alphasax up to and including Grade 3... so I imagine for quite a long time!

Hmm, in the case of my son 18 months then - glad he started on a Jupiter.