Anyone have experience with the saxophone?

[mikey_the_redneck]

Hey folks, I have recently been captivated by jazz music. I love the saxophone and I am thinking of picking one up to learn how to play. I have a few questions in hope the CPer's can help out, as I have never done anything like this before. Well.........I played Hot Cross Buns on the recorder at school but, that was a loooong time ago.

-It seems there are no music stores in Lethbridge that sell saxophones, can someone point me to a reputable place in Calgary?
-Is the sax an extremely difficult instrument to play?
-Does nayone know what music lessons cost typically?
-What are a few things I should know before buying a sax?
-Would you buy a sax at amazon.com?
-How long does it typically take to get decent sax skills?

[redforever]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Hey folks, I have recently been captivated by jazz music. I love the saxophone and I am thinking of picking one up to learn how to play. I have a few questions in hope the CPer's can help out, as I have never done anything like this before. Well.........I played Hot Cross Buns on the recorder at school but, that was a loooong time ago.

-It seems there are no music stores in Lethbridge that sell saxophones, can someone point me to a reputable place in Calgary?
-Is the sax an extremely difficult instrument to play?
-Does nayone know what music lessons cost typically?
-What are a few things I should know before buying a sax?
-Would you buy a sax at amazon.com?
-How long does it typically take to get decent sax skills?

I am fairly certain there is a St. John's music store in Lethbridge and Scott's music? or at least there used to be. I would suggest renting first of all, or even a contract that you can convert to rent to own if you end up liking the instrument.

Learning to play any instrument will be highly dependent on not only your desire and motivation, but also your musical ability and the time you dedicate to that instrument practising. I would wager everyone could make a sound with a saxaphone, if that sound is actually musical is another topic.

You should know that a sax is a reed instrument, and any reed instrument is going to result in quite a few squeaks before real music ensues.

In regards to length of time to get real sax skills, again, it will depend on your desire, your motivation, the time you put in practising, and your musical ability.

Edit: I think a lot could also depend on whether you hire a teacher to learn the instrument or if you wish to be self taught. Personally, my opinion is until you get the grasp of a new instrument, it is a good idea to get a teacher. Otherwise, you can teach yourself a lot of bad habits and those bad habits can prevent you from going on to the next level with that instrument.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by redforever

I am fairly certain there is a St. John's music store in Lethbridge and Scott's music? or at least there used to be. I would suggest renting first of all, or even a contract that you can convert to rent to own if you end up liking the instrument.

Learning to play any instrument will be highly dependent on not only your desire and motivation, but also your musical ability and the time you dedicate to that instrument practising. I would wager everyone could make a sound with a saxaphone, if that sound is actually musical is another topic.

You should know that a sax is a reed instrument, and any reed instrument is going to result in quite a few squeaks before real music ensues.

In regards to length of time to get real sax skills, again, it will depend on your desire, your motivation, the time you put in practising, and your musical ability.

Thanks redforever....
I checked out the websites to a few places in town here, but it seemed they did not have saxophones. I'm gonna go check it out however. Renting is probably a good idea, ha.

[You Need a Thneed]

Saxophone is one of the easiest instruments to learn how to play, still it will take lots of practice time. A background in music theory always helps, do you have some?

[Kipper is King]

Long & McQuade is a pretty good place to check out for instruments in Calgary. They have a good range of products and staff who know their stuff.

I'm saving up for a trombone at the moment!

[metallicat]

I played tenor saxophone in junior high, and damn was I bad at it.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I played tenor saxophone in junior high, and damn was I bad at it.

LOL, those squeaks that would come from the sax or clarinet section were pretty hard not to hear.

[ricosuave]

I'm pretty sure its called a "saxamaphone"

[Flacker]

This one time at band camp I stuck one..

[HalifaxDrunk]

If fotze had started this topic the discussion would be completely different....

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Hey folks, I have recently been captivated by jazz music. I love the saxophone and I am thinking of picking one up to learn how to play. I have a few questions in hope the CPer's can help out, as I have never done anything like this before. Well.........I played Hot Cross Buns on the recorder at school but, that was a loooong time ago.

-It seems there are no music stores in Lethbridge that sell saxophones, can someone point me to a reputable place in Calgary?
-Is the sax an extremely difficult instrument to play?
-Does nayone know what music lessons cost typically?
-What are a few things I should know before buying a sax?
-Would you buy a sax at amazon.com?
-How long does it typically take to get decent sax skills?

I've been playing sax for 18 years, which is a lot longer than it sounds coming out of my horn imo but I digress. Anyway, it is actually one of the easier instruments to learn. But just like any new skill, especially one that builds up muscles in your face and jaw that are as good for girls as they are for horns, you have to practice every day. Especially in the first year, where you learn 80% of your chops.

Do not buy a sax from amazon.com. Go to www.saxontheweb.net for everything you need.

Music lessons privately with Dr. Jeremy Brown when I studied with him was $40 an hour. He's probably more like $60 now, but you have to be experienced before he'll take you. So for an average community studio, no more than $30/hr.

PM me if you need any help.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

Long & McQuade is a pretty good place to check out for instruments in Calgary. They have a good range of products and staff who know their stuff.

I'm saving up for a trombone at the moment!

My Dad's neighbour has a silver KING tenor trombone on sale for $400. excellent deal, imo.

[onetwo_threefour]

I so wanted to play sax when I first started in high school band in 1988. Eventually I was glad I picked up trumpet instead since the fingering was easier and it was more of a mouth workout!

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Saxophone is one of the easiest instruments to learn how to play, still it will take lots of practice time. A background in music theory always helps, do you have some?

I have no background in music theory.......

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

I've been playing sax for 18 years, which is a lot longer than it sounds coming out of my horn imo but I digress. Anyway, it is actually one of the easier instruments to learn. But just like any new skill, especially one that builds up muscles in your face and jaw that are as good for girls as they are for horns, you have to practice every day. Especially in the first year, where you learn 80% of your chops.

Do not buy a sax from amazon.com. Go to www.saxontheweb.net for everything you need.

Music lessons privately with Dr. Jeremy Brown when I studied with him was $40 an hour. He's probably more like $60 now, but you have to be experienced before he'll take you. So for an average community studio, no more than $30/hr.

PM me if you need any help.

Thanks Ale......
Everyday huh................hmm I was imagining that lessons would be twice a week or so, and I would practise on my own for 3-4 hours a week.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I played tenor saxophone in junior high, and damn was I bad at it.

When you say "tenor saxophone".....I assume that is a type of sax. How many different kinds are there?
Like I said, ...never done this before......

[metallicat]

Well I only know of four different types. There's a straight sax that a guy like Kenny G plays. And when I was in hunior high band, there were three options...alto sax, tenor sax, and baritone sax. At least I think baritone was the final one. It was the biggest, and also was the smallest. I'm the wrong guy to ask for info, but that's how I remember it.

[4X4]

That little spelling error is really going to mess with mikey.

[iggnuef]

You mean this thread isnt about sex on a phone?

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

When you say "tenor saxophone".....I assume that is a type of sax. How many different kinds are there?
Like I said, ...never done this before......

There are more saxes then you might think!

Sopranissimo
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Baritone
Bass
Contrabass

The sopranissimo is the smallest and has the highest pitch, and as you go down the list they get larger and have a deeper pitch.

The most common saxophones are alto and tenor, followed by soprano and baritone. The sopranissimo and bass saxophones are extremely rare, but they do exist. You need a step ladder to play a contrabass sax which really pumps the coolness factor. Chicks like men with a big sax.

For jazz, mostly you hear altos and tenors, and what you prefer will depend on your own tastes. Charlie Parker and Cannonball Adderly are examples of alto players, while Lester Young, Johnny Hodges, and Coltrane played tenor.