Any saxophonists?

[vickster]

I’d like a new hobby for the cooler weather.
Thinking about taking up a musical instrument, always liked woodwind or brass and some musician friends (very high level horn and clarinet players) have suggested the alto sax as a good beginner instrument.
Local music shop offers them for hire and I’ve asked if they have any local teachers to recommend (I’m definitely not the sort of person to learn on YouTube before anyone suggests it!!!)

I played piano very badly for a bit and then
trumpet/trombone really really badly for about a year at school So I can’t really read music but apparently that’s fine for an absolute beginner!
Anyone play? Especially if started in middle age?

 

[ColinJ]

I assume that you have somewhere to practise without annoying neighbours...?

A friend used to play an alto sax and his neighbours weren't keen!

I thought about getting an electronic sax, which could be played through headphones to get round that problem.

 

[vickster]

I assume that you have somewhere to practise without annoying neighbours...?

A friend used to play an alto sax and his neighbours weren't keen!

I thought about getting an electronic sax, which could be played through headphones to get round that problem.

End of terrace. I don’t think my neighbour would mind. Walls are pretty thick, rarely hear anything from next door (occasionally her pooch playing with squeaky toy!). I work from home, she’s in and out so I can’t see an issue

 

[Drago]

Part of the reason for moving from a semi to a detached is because my sanctimonious new neighbours werent as keen on the electric bass as I was.

 

[Julia9054]

Not wanting to put you off playing the sax but have you thought about playing a brass band instrument?
Tenor horn is a good one for adult beginners as you don't need the lip strength of cornet players or the massive lung capacity of players of bigger instruments.
There are community brass bands all over the country (more in some areas than others) many of which have training bands for beginners. They will lend you an instrument, put you in touch with teachers and you can play with others as you learn

 

[vickster]

Not wanting to put you off playing the sax but have you thought about playing a brass band instrument?
Tenor horn is a good one for adult beginners as you don't need the lip strength of cornet players or the massive lung capacity of players of bigger instruments.
There are community brass bands all over the country (more in some areas than others) many of which have training bands for beginners. They will lend you an instrument, put you in touch with teachers and you can play with others as you learn

As said I failed pitifully with brass in my brief teenage foray!
When I’m back from Austria where my musician friends reside and play, I’ll head to the local music centre for advice. I’m in SW London so not sure there are many brass bands!

 

[rogerzilla]

As said I failed pitifully with brass in my brief teenage foray!
When I’m back from Austria where my musician friends reside and play, I’ll head to the local music centre for advice. I’m in SW London so not sure there are many brass bands!

Ah, love a good Austrian oompah band.

 

[winjim]

Not wanting to put you off playing the sax but have you thought about playing a brass band instrument?
Tenor horn is a good one for adult beginners as you don't need the lip strength of cornet players or the massive lung capacity of players of bigger instruments.
There are community brass bands all over the country (more in some areas than others) many of which have training bands for beginners. They will lend you an instrument, put you in touch with teachers and you can play with others as you learn

I moved to tenor horn from trumpet as a kid. Ended up playing all the alto sax parts as it happens cos they're both in the same key.

 

[Profpointy]

I moved to tenor horn from trumpet as a kid. Ended up playing all the alto sax parts as it happens cos they're both in the same key.

I played French horn (quite poorly) but was allowed to play in a brass band (it isn't a brass band instrument). I had to transpose tenor horn parts (e-flat) down a tone on-the-fly. This is actually a necessary skill for classical era horn parts as they are all written for horn in whatevr key, rather than for the horn in f you are actually playing. I always found transposing up harder than down

 

[raleighnut]

I assume that you have somewhere to practise without annoying neighbours...?

Rory Gallagher used to practice Sax in a wardrobe back in the 'Taste' days

 

[Fab Foodie]

I’d like a new hobby for the cooler weather.
Thinking about taking up a musical instrument, always liked woodwind or brass and some musician friends (very high level horn and clarinet players) have suggested the alto sax as a good beginner instrument.
Local music shop offers them for hire and I’ve asked if they have any local teachers to recommend (I’m definitely not the sort of person to learn on YouTube before anyone suggests it!!!)

I played piano very badly for a bit and then
trumpet/trombone really really badly for about a year at school So I can’t really read music but apparently that’s fine for an absolute beginner!
Anyone play? Especially if started in middle age?

Hiya

I took-up the Alto Sax many moons ago in my late 40s when my daughter gave-it up to pursue boys and teenagery activities - and really enjoyed it. I found a good teacher and got along fairly rapidly (played Oboe as a kid in an orchestra and the basics are much the same).

The only downfall for me was too much work travel and constantly having to miss/re-arrange lessons which was also unfair on my gracious teacher. So I put it down to focus on family/work stuff. I did derive great mental benefit from playing though and a few weeks ago got it out for a little blow. As nights draw-in I may look for a willing and flexible tutor to get me back on the tracks.
It helps if you like Jazz type music, but you can have just as much fun playing Mozart as Miles Davis.

In my limited experience, it's a pretty easy instrument to get going with and doesn't sound terrible when you're just starting out. Yes it's noisy - but that's half the fun!
Just make sure you buy an instrument that is well serviced and maintained....

Enjoy!

 

[vickster]

Hiya

I took-up the Alto Sax many moons ago in my late 40s when my daughter gave-it up to pursue boys and teenagery activities - and really enjoyed it. I found a good teacher and got along fairly rapidly (played Oboe as a kid in an orchestra and the basics are much the same).

The only downfall for me was too much work travel and constantly having to miss/re-arrange lessons which was also unfair on my gracious teacher. So I put it down to focus on family/work stuff. I did derive great mental benefit from playing though and a few weeks ago got it out for a little blow. As nights draw-in I may look for a willing and flexible tutor to get me back on the tracks.
It helps if you like Jazz type music, but you can have just as much fun playing Mozart as Miles Davis.

In my limited experience, it's a pretty easy instrument to get going with and doesn't sound terrible when you're just starting out. Yes it's noisy - but that's half the fun!
Just make sure you buy an instrument that is well serviced and maintained....

Enjoy!

Thanks so much, that’s what I wanted to hear
Jazz good and Mozart! I do have a London based friend who plays sax in a jazz band so if I need instrument advice I can ask (or my mates in Austria).
The local music centre/shop got back to me with a list of teachers and they rent for £75 for 3 months so if I really get nowhere/hate it, no great loss if I buy, knowing me, it will probably be new (or perhaps pre owned from a London woodwind specialist company suggested by friends, benefit of being near the big smoke)

 

[raleighnut]

Thanks so much, that’s what I wanted to hear
Jazz good and Mozart! I do have a London based friend who plays sax in a jazz band so if I need instrument advice I can ask (or my mates in Austria).
The local music centre/shop got back to me with a list of teachers and they rent for £75 for 3 months so if I really get nowhere/hate it, no great loss if I buy, knowing me, it will probably be new (or perhaps pre owned from a London woodwind specialist company suggested by friends, benefit of being near the big smoke)

If you buy a quality instrument it will hold its value, OK from a shop it will have a 'retail premium' but the intrinsic value will always be there.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Ah, love a good Austrian oompah band.

Is there such a thing as a good Oompah band??

 

[raleighnut]

Is there such a thing as a good Oompah band??

Depends how pished refreshed one is