When to jump on a higher lever sax?

[kk]

How can I know I'm good enough to move from beginner sax to higher sax? And how much different between beginner, intermidiate, and pro sax? I mean talking about a sound quality. Some people said that any sax that has proper fingering system, balance sound, and good intonation is good enough to play in public place. Is that word true? I want to know how good a pro sax sound like, but I don't think a seller in music store will be happy to let me try their expensive sax without purchase :x

[sax_appeal]

When you feel as though the sax you have now is hoding you back.

Or, like in my case, when you can afford to upgrade.

[gworthey]

I don't think a seller in music store will be happy to let me try their expensive sax without purchase

Find another dealer! If your music store won't let you try out a sax before purchase, they don't want your business. There are plenty of dealers around that will let you try before you buy.

I encourage you to go try several different saxes, then you will know if the time is right for an upgrade. I played a cheap student model sax for 6 years and did pretty well with it. But then I tried a professional model and was blown away with the difference it made in my playing.

[Kareeser]

I wouldn't jump on a higher level sax... especially if it's not yours.

Just kidding.. wordplay.. har har...

[Dave Dolson]

kk: There are no rules - pros can play student horns and students can play pro horns. Sax_appeal had it right . . . when you can afford it. DAVE

[francois]

When you feel as though the sax you have now is hoding you back.

I'd go along with that as it is exactly what I'm going through at the moment. My study sax had served me well, but after trying a Yamaha YAS-62 at the local music shop, I realised I needed to upgrade straight away so went ahead and purchased it. There is no doubt that I'm making progress with this sax, of the sort my study sax would not have enabled me to achieve. For example, I noticed I can play scales faster.

As for the cost of upgrading, I guess purchasing a used YAS-62 or equivalent is probably a better thing than buying an intermediate sax as new.

[timobrien]

When you feel as though the sax you have now is hoding you back.

There is nothing worse than being able to play better than the horn you settle for.

Get as good a horn as you can possibly afford from the start. Being stuck with a horn that won't keep up with you SUCKS!!