how long does it take to learn>

[wannabesax]

I was wondering, How long would take someone to learn to play sax good enough to know all notes, and stuff like that. I know everyone learns at different rates, but what seems to be the average? I currently play the flute, so rhythms aren't a problem. Also, should I buy or rent? I want to buy, so I could call it my own, yet rent so incase I dont like it, I can just return the sax. Thanks!

[Sigmund451]

As someone on this forum once stated, "It doesnt take long to learn to play badly".

In all seriousness, if you can read and know music you can pick up the basics pretty quick if you apply yourself daily. I was a string player for many years and took up sax not so long ago. I suggest a teacher at least in the beginning. As you know from flute there are many bad habits that can hinder long term progress.

One can be playing all sorts of things in a matter of 6 months or so. Thats not to say you will be playing solos and improvising to the amazment of other musicians but you can have a good deal of enjoyment. In this time a respectable tone and a number of nice tunes could be under your fingers. Playing in precise tune is a more extensive challenge. As for all the notes and alternate fingerings no...but the basics, yes.

Before you buy you need to do a lot of work. For starters you need to be clear which type of sax you want to play. I think most would suggest renting for a little while. Then make some informed decisions prior to dumping a boat load of cash. Yes, you can just return rented horns.

I encourage you to dive in. There is no better time to start than now.
Good luck

[Martin Williams]

Like Sigmund451 said, I can teach anyone to play in seconds. To do it right, well that all depends on how much you practice and everything like that!

[saxmasta89]

Woah..now that i just realized it i'm amazed!! :lol:
I started at my school with the beginner band in 7th grade..By Christmas I had played my chromatic scale(full range) for my directors and they, and the other students were very impressed...
I learned it that fast basically because i loved band(and still do!!!!) and i had a HUGE interest in learning it...now i'm gettin out of 9th and its still amazing how much you can improve when you thought you were already a decent player. If you decide to play sax, i wish you the best of luck and have fun!!! :D

[Paul Coats]

Since you presently play flute, you already have 99% of the needed skills to play saxophone. You understand breathing and articulation. You can read music. You have a good understanding of basic woodwind fingerings.

All you have to do is learn the very few differences.

Go to my Tone Production article, and read Beginner's Corner 3 & 4. That should give you a good understanding of how to form the saxophone embouchure. Get a basic fingering chart and take a look... you can be playing saxophone almost `s well as you play flute in a few days.

[saxmasta89]

woah could i do the opposite for learning flute?

[Sigmund451]

Saxmasta, I think your a bit optimistic :wink:

Flute is an evil instrument of torture. I take my hat off to anyone who cant make one of those sticks sound good.

[wannabesax]

Flute is really quite easy. Less fingerings to learn, pretty much the exact same fingering is used to play a note in all 3 octaves. Also if you can hold a pop bottle to your chin and blow down to make a sound, you can play the flute. Only problem is the dynamics. Since the fingerings for a note are quite simalar, if you blow too hard, you will jump up a octave. Just have to have good breath support and come extra capacity lungs :wink: .So all in all, quite simple. Well, simple for a person whos been playing it for 6 years.

[Carl H.]

Where in IA are you located? There are a number of good teachers around who might be willing to give you a couple lessons to get you on the right track.

[saxmasta89]

lol...what about clarinet...my mom has one in the house and she doesn't play it, but it does need a mthpiece and some work(its kinda old!)...will that be hard to learn?

[wannabesax]

I am in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area, so I'm sure there are people out there, just I have find them. As for clarinet, tried it and, well, it wasn't pretty. Took me about a half hour to get the right embrouchure to get any noise out of that stick. But since sax and clarinet embrouchure are the pretty much the same, you shouldn't have that problem. Of course I could be wrong, I haven't played sax yet...still looking for one. (anyone know of a good student sax for under $1000?) But after about a 90 minutes of learning, I could play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. But since I was playing my cousins, and I havent gotten a hold of it in a long time, I do believe I've lost all things I've learned :( So I guess after all its pretty easy.

[Wailin']

Wannabesax, Sam Ashe music is a good place to get student saxes for under $1000

[JL]

But since sax and clarinet embrouchure are the pretty much the same, you shouldn't have that problem. Of course I could be wrong, I haven't played sax yet...still looking for one.

Well, the embouchure is similar, but not the same. Clarinet embouchure is tighter, with the mpc at a more vertical position in the mouth. Sax embouchure is considerably more relaxed. Those who go from clarinet to sax have a tendency to bite too much at first.