Just wondered, a question to all you sax players out there. Which is the best kind of sax to learn, in your opinions? And why?

Thanks.

i say alto. erm because i play it hehe!

What clef does each one use?

they all use treble

Shows my knowledge on the subject then. thanks.

If anyone has any further opinions on this subject, please chip in. I would really like to make an informed decision on which one to learn. Thanks in advance.

QUOTE (uberzoldat @ May 10 2005, 05:17 PM)

I would really like to make an informed decision on which one to learn.

*ahem*

alto

*coughs*

somewhat biased opinion I think there, Nat!

Is it nice to play?

Is it nice to play?!

OF COURSE!!!

What is a good make?

Selmer,Yamaha,Yagnisawa(the one i cant spell!!)

i have 2 Yamaha's

have to dash sorry! byeeeeee

I have a alto Yagnisawa (or how ever it is spelt!!) And really really love it!

Would (one of them) be a good student instrument? Or would I need something else to start off with, do you think?

i was originally going to get an Elkhart and then decided against it, and got a Yamaha 275 instead.

it was a wise decision. i then upgraded 3 months later to a better Yamaha. One day i will get another one...but not until i have some (a lot !) of money!

im my ridiculous opinion, i would say start off with a Yamaha

QUOTE (clarinetlover @ May 10 2005, 08:08 PM)

im my ridiculous opinion, i would say start off with a Yamaha

Ok. why is it ridiculous? I am on a bit of a budget, maybe I should hire one until I know I will definitely continue.

its ridiculous, because i am insane and full of useless advice!!

I never said that, I value your advice. I just want to hear other peoples opinions too.

NOO I KNOW!!

thats wjay i said lol, im joking!

anyhoo best be off again. more stuff to sort out. cya soon

ok lol. have fun.

A Yamaha 275 is definitely the best student option. I wouldn't go for anything less. Hiring would be an option and normally after about 2 years it becomes yours anyway.

Thank you.

Well as our resident Saxomologist (not that I made that up on the spot or anything) I'd say learn Soprano, not because it's the easiest, but because it's the cheapest, sounds lovely, and can double Clarinet parts (which trust me, comes in VERY VERY useful!)

I play a Selmer Alto, a Jupiter Soprano (when I play one: only on special occasions and I borrow one from the local music shop, it's always the same one) and a Yamaha Baritone. I don't play the tenor, but have done in the past, and quite like the Yanigasawas for that.


To be honest though, as a beginner don't touch a Selmer or Yanigasawa, both have some tuning issues and require a much better embouchure. The YSS/YAS/YTS and YBS 275s are all rather good, if you can't afford one go for a second hand model 25, and if you can't afford that, go for a 23. I went from 23-25-Selmer

Thank you, for the useful information.

Crikey, some differing opinions here. There are plenty of good student model Saxes out there. The new (ish) TJ Revolution is solid, has good intonation and a bright easy sound.

Starting on Sop is a bad bad idea. My reasons???
1. Too few parts in bands.............
2. Having to struggle on 1st clarinet parts because the 2nd and 3rds go too much into the chalameu register............ this cannot be good for confidence..........
3. Being the odd one out in the section!

I play on a Jupiter Sop (occasionally), a Rampone & Cazzani gold plated alto (look them up. they're fab!), a Yanigsawa T901 tenor........ perfectly adequate for Rock 'n Roll. I would also recommend the Keilworth bari.

All of this is of course subjective and my personal preferences!

Thanks! I'm thinking of renting a sax, and having a few lessons, see how I get on. I'm not made of money though, and I don't think I can afford to rent the YAS-275. Do you think a Jupiter one would be ok for me?

If you're going to rent a Jupiter, make sure it is on a short term contract , maybe 3 months. You'll soon grow out of it!

You will soon be ready to upgrade if things take off.

Good luck.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind. There's a place near me that does 4 months rental at a reasonable price. I'll try them I guess.

plus soprano sounds squeaky and bleurgh if played badly...and believe me...i know!


go for ALTO!!!

Alto it is. I'm going to rent one, and have a few lessons and see what I think.

QUOTE (uberzoldat @ May 21 2005, 05:51 PM)

Alto it is. I'm going to rent one, and have a few lessons and see what I think.

yippeeee...you will love it! you have to, or i will come after you!

I think an alto saxophone is the best option to start with (then maybe progress onto soprano or tenor sax etc), because there are lots of other people who play it so you can get good music and you can always find someone to talk to if you have a problem etc. I have a yamaha (either 275 or 475... i think 275), which is lovely and shiny and has not had any problems so far!
I love my saxophone!

QUOTE (sax_girl @ May 24 2005, 09:40 PM)

I love my saxophone!

me too!!

Ive been told Saps are hard to play because of the tight embrouche required.
Go for the Alto - its what I play.

usually you can rent for 3 months and if you want to keep it you can buy at a discounted rate.
so this way if you start with a good instrument, you get to keep it having already payed for some of it.

www.saxophones.co.uk

Wow, i havent been on here for so long! I started on alto, and its still my main one, but ive also borrowed a tenor. I dont like it though, because the instrument is rubbish! I started on a YAS 23 which i played up until grade 6!

Welcome back Katet. Yes I play alto as well. Love it.

By the way Katet, you may have noticed I joined you and a few others here on PMC.

Hiya.

With the saxophone it dosn't really matter which won you play as there practically all the same fingering. All the difference there is is the embosure (mouth shapes) and bottom 'A' on Bari. Starting off with alto or tenor i think is probubly the easiest, then if you want you can change and add to your talents. I stared on the Alto 3 years ago and loved it. 2 years ago i started Bari as they needed it in our school band and fell in in love with it. I has such a rich wonderful tone that once u've played it you'll want to play it again and again.

If you want to play jazz and want lots solos then alto is the best. If you want solos once in a while then tenor is the best. Bari keeps it all together with the bass lines.

Soprano is all an amazing instument to play as it kinda sounds like a cross between a clarinet and an oboe. Why not start on Alto, and increase you talents and play all the rest, then you'll always be in supply for bands. This though could be quite expensive, but well worth it!!!!! I just Love playing them. There brill for everything!!!

Luv claire