Saxophone for diploma clarinettist with no sax experience Options

[TSax]

I don't think your size will be an issue in choosing alto or tenor, modern keywork means stretch isn't usually a problem. Tenor will feel heavy at first though, but you'll get used to it and there are various harness options if it becomes a problem.

My advice on which to choose is based firstly on which you most like the sound of - for me it had to be tenor, and secondly what style of music do you want to play? If its classical then alto is the better option. If its jazz then either will work.

In terms of how much competition there will be for e.g. places in bands my experience has been
- in classical (and I'm including concert bands in here) there are more alto players
- for jazz at the less experienced level there are more alto players, at the more experienced level there are probably more tenors.

Another thing to consider, especially if you're on a tight budget is that altos are cheaper and there are more secondhand altos around.

Practically, for keeping your options open, alto is probably the best option. But if you fall in love with tenor then go for it!

[Pixie*Porsche]

I've decided to go for an Alto to start with (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Tried lots of saxes today those being -
Elkhart deluxe,
Trevor James Classic
TJ Horn Revolution
Jupiter 700 series and
Yamaha 275

I must admit I did think the Yamaha was the best put together, surprise, surprise but it is ?800. The TJs were the prettiest ...

As far as sound / playability went I actually enjoyed them all! The Jupiter won for playability by a tiny, tiny amount.

I was told the Jupiter and TJ Horn Revolution would get me up to about Grade 6, the others up to about Grade 5, is this correct?

Also tried a tenor which I think I'll have another go on after I've played alto for a while. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Still can't decide between learning Jazz and classical, I'm veering towards the Jazz but know NOTHING about it so thats all that is putting me off, perhaps thats a silly reason!

[TSax]

I was told the Jupiter and TJ Horn Revolution would get me up to about Grade 6, the others up to about Grade 5, is this correct?

I'm not really a fan of saying that an instrument will get you up to Grade X. If it's in decent condition and you can play it in tune then it will get you up to whatever grade you want to go to.

The difference (imo) that "better" saxophones make is more to do with the flexibility and nuances of sound you can get from them - it turns into a player / horn relationship. I don't think that the point that happens is at all grade specific. I've met some sax players with grade 8 who don't have a very developed sound. Equally there are some less advanced players who've put the ground work in and could make the most out of a better sax.

Also tried a tenor which I think I'll have another go on after I've played alto for a while. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Still can't decide between learning Jazz and classical, I'm veering towards the Jazz but know NOTHING about it so thats all that is putting me off, perhaps thats a silly reason!

Do you like listening to jazz (proper jazz not "jazz style")? If you don't then there's probably no point in starting to learn jazz because you have to do a lot of listening to get to any kind of decent standard.

[Pixie*Porsche]

TSax - thankyou so much for the advice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You seem really knowledgeable about the sax (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I absolutely love listening to Jazz. Have been to a few Jazz gigs. But I do not have a clue where to start with it ... and can't really have regular i.e. weekly sax lessons (certainly not with a Jazz specialist)! Basically I like Jazz but am scared of it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[barry-clari]

Anything about the sax with the username TSax associated with it is going to be good advice. She plays a very mean tenor sax too... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

But I digress. Of the five saxes you played, there isn't a lot to choose between them in my opinion, though Elkharts tend to be unreliable. So go for your favourite (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[clarijo]

This may or may not be a factor for you to consider but the Yamaha and the Jupiter will hold their value best, should you decide to upgrade at some point in the future - I get the impression that you are likely to progress quite quickly! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

That said, I agree very much with what TSax said in terms of the instrument not limiting you to a certain grade standard - a professional playing a student instrument is still going to sound like a professional and will get much more out of the instrument than a student might, if you see what I mean!

Best of luck with whichever instrument you choose and if you want to learn jazz, go for it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tenor Viol]

Im another one in the 'barely reach an octave on the piano' camp. I've found that saxophones vary in their key positions quite a bit. I can barely reach the low Bb on my cheap Buffet sax but it's fine on my Yanigasawa (altos that is) I've only attempted tenor once on an ancient student Yamaha (1980s vintage) and found that keywork a stretch and heavy, newer models are a lot lighter. Whereas my friends cannonball Bari was a dream to play (she was lucky to get it back!)

From what I've read, newer saxes (e.g. Yani, Yamaha etc) have better ergonomics than 'classic' older instruments from the 30s/40s/50s/60s. So testing them out is important, if you go for vintage.

[TSax]

TSax - thankyou so much for the advice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) You seem really knowledgeable about the sax (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I absolutely love listening to Jazz. Have been to a few Jazz gigs. But I do not have a clue where to start with it ... and can't really have regular i.e. weekly sax lessons (certainly not with a Jazz specialist)! Basically I like Jazz but am scared of it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

If you love jazz then you must try learning to play it! You can't love jazz, play sax and NOT try!

I'm not at all sure how you'd go about starting to learn on your own and without a teacher. Jazz really isn't a solo pursuit - are there any workshops, community ed classes etc anywhere near you? I know there are several within easy reach of me, but that's London.

Of course the first thing you've got to do is become reasonably competent at playing the sax, and the basics are the same whether it's jazz or classical. Be consciously aware all the time that it's a sax, not a clarinet (my clarinet playing is hopeless these days because I can't make the distinction). Your embouchure is looser and more of an "O" shape. Try and keep your jaw dropped. Listen very carefully to your tuning. The tendency for clarinettists is to play sharp, and increasingly sharp the higher up the instrument you go because you tighten the embouchure. You might also find you have problems hitting the low notes - you need to relax and drop your jaw. Long notes are crucial for developing a decent sound and you need a lot more (in terms of volume) of air than for a clarinet. If you don't use enough air you'll end up tightening your embouchure to support the note instead of relying on the airstream and you're back to tuning problems. You might feel that you're playing too loud. Don't worry about it. Loud is good in the early days, it means you're putting enough air through, you can worry about playing quiet later on.

Things to practice that will help to develop the skills you need for jazz are scales and arpeggios, and try working out simple (or not so simple depending on how good at it you are already) tunes by ear. Once you've figured one out transpose it into another key, and another. Learn a short phrase of a couple of bars and transpose it into 12 keys (in your head, don't write it down). These should all help you when you find the right place to start playing jazz.

[Pixie*Porsche]

Thankyou so much for the tips (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'd love to join a big band one day so we'll see how it goes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

More importantly I appear to have bought a sax (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[TSax]

Thankyou so much for the tips (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'd love to join a big band one day so we'll see how it goes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

More importantly I appear to have bought a sax (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Woohoo! Which one did you go for?

I have a big band gig tonight. It's in quite a famous venue - The 100 Club on Oxford St; and I'm really looking forward to being able to say I've played there! Nervous though, I'm playing right at the limit of my ability in this band and I have a solo in the first number (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[muffinmonster]

I have a big band gig tonight. It's in quite a famous venue - The 100 Club on Oxford St; and I'm really looking forward to being able to say I've played there! Nervous though, I'm playing right at the limit of my ability in this band and I have a solo in the first number (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

Wow! Best of luck, TSax.

[clarijo]

I have a big band gig tonight. It's in quite a famous venue - The 100 Club on Oxford St; and I'm really looking forward to being able to say I've played there! Nervous though, I'm playing right at the limit of my ability in this band and I have a solo in the first number (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

Wow! Best of luck, TSax.

Ooooh - enjoy! Hope it goes really well for you - would love to know what you're soloing on, if you don't mind sharing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[clarijo]

Thankyou so much for the tips (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'd love to join a big band one day so we'll see how it goes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

More importantly I appear to have bought a sax (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Wow - that was quick! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I am aware that you are at quite an advanced level on clarinet, whilst I fall firmly into the 'adult learner' category (ie nowhere near diploma level!!), so I hope that I'm not passing on things which may be blindingly obvious to you but I was going to add to TSax's suggestion of working on loosening your embouchure by suggesting that as well as dropping your jaw, you might also find it helpful to think of flattening your chin - something which seemed to work for me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I also did some work initially using just the mouthpiece and crook and changing the pitch by loosening my embouchure.

I would also add that I do find it difficult to switch immediately from one instrument to the other. I have limited practise time, so only get one session of about an hour each day, so I tend to alternate instruments but I play both at band on a Saturday morning with just a short break between.

Enjoy your sax - let us know which one you went for in the end! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Pixie*Porsche]

Thank you all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good luck TSax (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have gone for a Jupiter 700 Series, will say more about it when it arrives (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) *Excited now*

[Tenor Viol]

Thank you all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Good luck TSax (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have gone for a Jupiter 700 Series, will say more about it when it arrives (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) *Excited now*

Welcome ot the GAS club (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

'Gear Acquisition Syndrome' is a particularly virulent disease prevalent amongst musicians of all species. At one time thought to be restricted to guitarists, hence it is sometimes misdiagnosed as 'guitar acquisition syndrome'. Further research has shown it to be more widespread throughout the various musician communities. The disease exhibits unusual pathology: it is highly addictive and possible contagious. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)