new player

[Franksparks]

iv been looking and posting a small amount to this forum
mostly on the alto section, as im 47 and never played an instrument
before, iv been looking here.
Seems im quite young by standards, playing now for about seven months
realy enjoying it, had some lessons then had to stop for work reasons
practised hard on my own, done a lot of impro.. and reading,
just gone to a new teacher and he wants me to stat at the begining
to many bad habits. wish id done this about 25 years ago.
I play a TJ Sig black alto, otto link Mpc, rovner lig, 2.5 reeds
want a nice slow but jazzy sound but lack the experience.

anyhow just thought id say hi

Frank

[goodsax]

Welcome, Frank. You may be relatively young for the Late Bloomers group, but in other sections of the forum they get down to junior HS age. I'm not sure what a TJ Sig black alto is, but hang in there and remember that practice makes perfect only if the practice is perfect. It's going to take a lot of dues-paying hours playing boring long tones and scales before you get to the Paul Desmond jazz stage, but it's worth it if you're really into your music and have a burning desire to succeed.

[saxmanglen]

Trevor James Signature? Maybe?

[Franksparks]

Sorry yes it is a Trevor James Signature in black nickel
long time since iv been described as relatively young, thanks,
I am doing the long tones and scales, iv always tried to run before
I could walk.

frank

[altoist]

Hi Frank,
What are you using to teach yourself?

Since you're in the UK, you have easier access to John O'Neils's book, which comes
with a CD. Very nice. I also use the book by Ravenscroft, but the lack of a CD hurts if
you don't have a teacher. As a late bloomer with no previous music training, playing just
2 months longer than you, I've found that when I just sight read a piece without having heard it that I make timing mistakes, which, with practice, get burnt in. When I hear something, I'm pretty good at playing it back.

Good luck, practice a lot!

[roach]

hi Frank

I'm in the same situation. same age, same level.

I'm looking for a teacher right now. only so much to learn from a book and I'm afraid I'm probably picking up some bad habits on my own.

I use an old 1920's conn stencil. with an ancient buffet wooden mouthpiece. very dark sound to it. I was going to sell the mpc and try something a little brighter but my wife persuaded me to keep it. she's a classical bassoonist.

good luck to you. I also wish I'd started 20 years ago, probably be pretty good by now. (or maybe I would have just hocked my horn for beer money)

Kevin

[Franksparks]

Kevin, hi just read your comments we seem the same sort of player,
iv had a few beers and a very good white wine so will not say much now but will be in touch

Frank

[Franksparks]

altoist

I just love to listen to somthing and try to play it
the problem is to get it in the right key so i play it in as many keys as i can and pick the one i like as for timming the first song i learnt was the lion king, still play it now and finnish about 30 seconds befor the recording
once I get going tend to rush, more disipline needed I want everything now thats my fault im afraid

Frank

[jahah]

Altoist

Welcome everyone ! I am new to the forum, but have been reading for some time. I too am probably one of the younger of the late bloomers at age 44. I have been playing for five months now with an instructor. I found that the books with CDs are a double edge sword. I flew through the first two books by listening to the pieces on the CD. Well, two weeks ago in my lesson we were working on "Satin Doll" in the Hal Leonard book. I could play it fine until the solo part which I had never heard before. Cleary I did not have the rhythms correct. I had to have my instructor play it first. After some humbling self reflection, I came to realize that I have NEVER actually been counting the beats and rhythms. So I told my instructor we needed to go back, and learn how to count before I would ever really progress! (we're talking Hot Cross Buns stuff)

I am now working on all of the one note rhythms keeping a strick count. It certainly is more fun playing songs, but this is a must to learn to play. There is a good piece on this site by David Hollingsworth called "The Gift of Rhythm" It really hit home with me.

So altoist, maybe a couple steps backward may help you as well.

Glad to be on board !