hi all i havent been on this forum for ages due to work changing etc i would like to play with other saxophone players but im not sure how to find people and what to play. i currently play flute and sax for a pub band which i really enjoy but i want to really learn sax stuff now swing and maybe jazzy stuff the band is mostly 60 to current day pop hits


hoping someone is out there monkey flute

Are there wind bands in your area? Have a look at this webpage.

Otherwise, there are a reasonable number of one-off events you can visit. I'll be at the Clarinet and Saxophone Society of Great Britain's playing day at Kneller Hall (near Twickenham rugby ground) on 31st October, and the Royal Northern College's annual saxophone day in November, there are other saxophone events too, including one in March each year in Nottingham, which I believe saxgirl attends each year.

Hi Monkeyflute!

Yes, like Barryclari I'd definately recommend trying to get along to a sax themed event to meet other players. I've made lots of contacts that way and that's how I got involved with the 2 ensembles I play in.

The Nottingham saxweekend was in March but they are doing a play day in June for up to grade 5's and it's run by 2 great tutors. http://www.saxday.co.uk The first Saxday was the one that totally catapulted my love of the saxophone and there's been no stopping me since



The other thing i would recommend is joing CASS (Clarinet and saxophone society of great britain) at the moment if you're under 25 it's only £5 to join, but think this is a limited offer so be quick! You get a quarterly magazine full of hints, tips, often a free pull out duet etc, info on upcoming playdays and concerts, concert and music reviews, plus with your membership card you can get discounts in a number of music shops and some events etc. Visit the site here; http://www.cassgb.org

keep in touch and let us know how you get on?

P.s which part of the country are you from? (I may know saxy groups in your area)

- and there'll be details of the Kneller Hall day in the next issue of the magazine



...and if you're closer to my part of the world than saxgirl's, I may be able to help.

Saxophone players are generally quite a sociable lot, often to be found in the bar...

As well as sax courses / days there are usually large numbers of sax players on jazz courses.

In London there are regular (i.e weekly) sax and jazz courses at a few of the further/higher education colleges such as Morley College, City Lit, Goldsmiths. It may be worth checking the listings at any colleges near you.